The Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch in the south-western coast of South Africa which extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. This beautiful and dramatic route is considered as one of the most beautiful regions in the country because of its perfect combination of the most breathtaking landscapes and sceneries, from forests, rivers, beaches, and lakes to mountains, indigenous flora, and fauna. And because the area is also jam-packed with things to do, it is guaranteed that you will make the most out of your trip to Garden Route. Here are some of the top destinations in Garden Route:
Garden Route Trail Park
The Garden Route Trail Park is situated midway between George and Knysna and is nestled at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains and the Karatara River Gorge. With beautiful scenery and carefully designed routes have for riders of all levels, mountain bikers and trail runners will surely enjoy in the park. Facilities at the park include a picnic area, pump track and BMX track, bathrooms with showers and the Trail Cafe.
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
About 16 kilometers east from Plettenberg Bay is a unique sanctuary called the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary. In Monkeyland, you will have the opportunity for up-close encounters with the playful primates as several species of monkey are allowed to move freely in the surrounding indigenous forest. The monkeys at Monkeyland were previously caged and have now can freely move in their natural habitat. Among the species found in Monkeyland are the Gibbons of Asia, Howlers from South America and Lemurs from Madagascar.
Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tour
The Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tour allows you enjoy the unequaled beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma forest from high up on ten treetop platforms. There are 10 connected platforms which are built around giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees that are up to 700 years old. You can get to enjoy the view 30 meters above the forest floor. You need not worry about safety because the system has been built to the highest civil engineering standards. The tour is ideal for families with children 7 older and above. The tour can take two to three hours depending on the size of the group.
Bartholomeus Diaz Museum
Located in Mossel Bay at the site where European explorers first made contact with the South African indigenous people is the Bartholomew Dias Museum. Named after the 15th-century Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias, The museum offers a unique and fascinating insight into the area and the history of Portuguese, Dutch and British sailors. The museum contains the ‘post office tree’ where sailors left messages for one another, the 1786 Dutch East India Company granary, a small aquarium and a local history museum. The highlight in the museum is the replica of the caravel that Dias used on his 1488 voyage of discovery. Visitors can explore the boat and all its inner workings.
Garden Route National Park (Wilderness Section)
The Wilderness National Park has now been incorporated into Garden Route National Park along with the Knysna Forests and Tsitsikamma. Situated right in the middle of the Garden Route, between George and Knysna, the park consists of rivers, lakes, beaches, forests, and mountains. The park also offers many outdoor activities that you will surely enjoy such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, abseiling, birding and paragliding.
Knysna Elephant Park
The Knysna Elephant Park is a sanctuary for orphaned elephants. The park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants in the span of 20 years. The visitors to the park will have the privilege to have a personal encounter with the gentle giants. You can feed, touch and take photographs with the elephants. The park also offers elephant back rides, nature walk with the elephant and sunrise and sunset safaris.
