The Seven Wonders of the Garden Route

It’s a 300-kilometre road trip between ocean and mountains that spans Wilderness, Knysna, Plett and the Tsitsikamma. And while it’s all pretty lovely, there are places (and experiences) on the world-famous Garden Route that you simply shouldn’t miss. Factor these into your plans for your next holiday.

Tsitsikamma

This is the wilder far east of the Garden Route, where the forests seem even denser (there are mountains behind all that greenery), the coastline is all but inaccessible (unless you’re hiking the five-day Otter Trail), and the disquietingly named Storms River offers some truly spectacular adrenaline-pumping activities – starting with the world-famous bridge that crosses it. From here, you can head into the forests to explore, or head upriver into the mysterious craggy gorge on a water-borne adventure.

Don’t miss

• Exploring the Storms River by kayak and lilo (with a little kloofing thrown in), or snorkelling at the river mouth, with Untouched Adventures. Book Now
• The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour – SA’s original treetop zipline course, built 30 metres up amid ancient yellowwoods. Book Now
• Hiking – there are nine trails leaving from SANParks’ Storms River Camp, leading to waterfalls, a series of rockpools, a Big Tree, ocean lookouts or down to the river mouth.
• The world-famous Bloukrans Bridge bungee (or Sky Walk, if you prefer). Book Now
• A five-day mountain-biking tour of the Tsitsikamma area, ending in Nature’s Valley, run by Firefly Falls.

Eat For a taste of retro nostalgia, visit Marilyn’s 60s Diner in Storms River Village. There’s also a microbrewery in town.
Stay Storms River Village has plenty of options, from backpackers and guesthouses to the cabins at the SANParks rest camp.
Good to know There are daily conservation fees for hiking as it is part of Garden Route National Park.
Adults: R78 (SA citizens), R156 (SADC), R326 (international)
Children (under 12 years): R39 (SA citizens), R78 (SADC), R163 (international)

The Crags

It may sound rugged (and it is, in places), but this is the most exclusive corner of Plett, home to polo fields, wine farms and plenty of animal sanctuaries. It’s also one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.

Don’t miss

• The Plett Wine Route is known for its bubbly. Start with Bramon, Newstead-Lund, Kay & Monty and Lodestone to enjoy tastings and informal lunches or picnics.
• Kurland Horse Trails offers rides through forest and fynbos, along a river, to a wine farm or to Natures Way Farmstall.
• Get up close to the “locals” at Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Jukani and the Elephant Sanctuary. Pop in at The Mohair Mill on the road to Monkeyland (where there’s a café and angora goats for the kids to feed). Book Now
• Go wild and explore the river, waterfalls and gorge on a kloofing trip with AfriCanyon. Book Now

Eat Any of the wine farms is a good choice. For an elegant country lunch, book a table at the Kurland Hotel.
Stay Trogon House is next door to Birds of Eden, in the middle of the forest (a glamorous stay complete with a private forest spa). For glamping (with hot tubs), head to AfriCamps at Ingwe.
Good to know Polo season at Kurland is November to May. If you’re yearning for the ocean, visit the stunning beach at Nature’s Valley, just beyond The Crags.

Keurbooms River

Snaking from the Outeniqua Mountains for 85 kilometres to meet the Indian Ocean just outside Plettenberg Bay, the river and its surroundings offer freshwater and saltwater attractions, and a lagoon in between (a birders’ paradise and a great spot for SUPing). Most of the river (in this area) is protected by a 740-hectare nature reserve. If you’re in the mood for a lazy river day, this is the spot. The beach at Keurbooms is also a big attraction, wilder and longer than Plett’s other strands (great for swimming on calmer days). You’ll find the Blue Flag beaches of The Dunes and Singing Kettle here.

Don’t miss

• Rent a motorised river boat from Plett Boat Hire and head out along the dark waters, through a deep, forested gorge, stopping off for a picnic on a sandy beach.
• Alternately, hire a canoe (R160 from the Angling Club) and paddle to one of the reserve’s three picnic spots upstream.
• Take a long, long walk along Keurboomstrand – strewn with driftwood and dotted with rock pools, dunes and rock formations (in particular, Arch Rock and the Matjes River rock shelter).
• Enjoy a sunset picnic at the lagoon, with the colours of the sky reflected on the serene water.
• Take a tour of the Mungo Mill at Old Nick Village (which also has several other creative artisanal shops). There’s a Midweek Market on Wednesdays.

Eat Ristorante Enrico serves excellent seafood, pizza and more overlooking the beach. Otherwise, head to Nice Neighbour at Old Nick Village, or Stowaway restaurant on Stanley Island.
Stay Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park gets booked up quickly for good reason. Whiskey Creek Cabin can only be reached by a two-hour paddle upriver. The magical Emily Moon River Lodge is nearby, up the Bitou River (which also flows into the Keurbooms Lagoon). Stanley Island is in the middle of the lagoon, offering three gorgeous self-catering lodges.
Good to know The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve is run by CapeNature. Conservation fees are R65 (adult) and R45 (child). Stanley Island hosts a pop-up beach bar in the December holiday season.

Plettenberg Bay beaches

Plettenberg Bay has the iconic golden sands on which holiday memories are made – and not just one beach but five, side by side, creating an incredible 15km stretch of coastline. There’s Robberg Beach (between the peninsula and the Beacon Isle) that includes Robberg 5; Central Beach (the “family” beach, great for swimming); Hobie and Wedge Beach (watersport central); and Lookout Beach (where you might find a pansy shell). It’s a mecca for swimming, paddling, surfing, bodyboarding, jet-skiing, snorkelling, diving, boating – and whale watching. Further up the coast you’ll find four more Blue Flag havens: The Waves, The Dunes and Singing Kettle at Keurbooms, and Nature’s Valley.

Don’t miss

• Get further out, beyond the waves, on an ocean kayak; Dolphin Adventures offers guided trips to see, yes, dolphins and other marine creatures.
• Go swimming with seals – the Robberg Peninsula is home to around 6 000 Cape fur seals, and you can get up close to them on a trip with Offshore Adventures. Book Now
• Take a marine safari to see dolphins, seals, sharks and other sea creatures; Ocean Blue has a custom-built boat. There’s also whale spotting in season (June – November).
• Rent a jet-ski and indulge your 007 fantasy, whizzing around on the waves off Central Beach.
• Hike the Robberg Peninsula – there are three circular trails, where you’ll pass a shipwreck, rock pools, ancient caves, a lighthouse, picnic/viewing decks and a giant dune.

Eat Whatever you’re craving, Plett has it. Here’s our list of the Best Restaurants in Plettenberg Bay.
Stay For ultimate seclusion and a back-to-nature experience, book the Fountain Shack in Robberg Nature Reserve. For more top choices, see our Best Places to Stay in Plettenberg Bay.
Good to know The Robberg Nature Reserve is run by CapeNature. Conservation fees/hiking permits are R65 (adult), R45 (child). The guided three–day Inqua Trail traverses the Robberg Coastal Corridor, from sea to forest.

Bonus beaches

• Victoria Bay (or Vic Bay), between George and Wilderness, is cosy, picturesque and perfect for surfing.
• Noetzie, west of Knysna, is a fairytale beach lined with holiday “castles”.
• Brenton-on-Sea, on the west side of Knysna Lagoon, is a pristine beach, and a 5.5km coastal walk will connect you to Buffels Bay (at low tide). There’s also sandboarding at Brenton (contact Dune Adventures).

Knysna Forests

One of South Africa’s greatest swathes of indigenous forest, this Garden Route wonder is home to a mysterious (and extremely shy) Knysna elephant, plenty of birdlife and lots of other woodland creatures. To enter into this “otherworld” is to experience a deep connection to nature; overgrown with ferns and mosses, run through with streams and cola-coloured rivers, it feels ancient and timeless. There is a vast network of trails to explore. Behind town, the Phantom Pass through the forest connects to Rheenendal, and the Old Cape Road connects to the dirt roads into Gouna Forest.

Don’t miss

• Head to Jubilee Creek’s picnic spot and river pool (from the Goudveld Forest Station at Bibby’s Hoek near Rheenendal).
• The Millwood Mine Walk goes back in time, taking in the remains of the village and mine tunnels (take a torch). En route to Millwood, the Drupkelders trail leads to an enchanting, sun-dappled stretch of the Homtini River with large rock pools and a waterfall.
• Head to Diepwalle Forest Station to visit the Big Tree (nearly 800 years old), the Forest Legends Museum, and to hike one of the three circular Elephant Trails.
• Continue past Diepwalle on the R339 and you’ll get to the Spitzkop Viewpoint (one of the highest points in the area) and the nearby Little Fern Forest.
• Whizz along forest trails on an off-road scooter with Scootours.

Eat The Cowshed Eatery at Portland Manor country estate or Totties Farm Kitchen are good spots for a food break on the Rheenendal Ramble; there’s also a country market here on Sundays. Find Mother Holly’s Tea Garden at Millwood.
Stay There are fabulous cottages and cabins in the Rheenendal area (see our Knysna Accommodation listing). SANParks’ Diepwalle Camp has rustic furnished safari tents on platforms in the forest.
Good to know There are daily conservation fees for hiking as the forests are part of Garden Route National Park.
Adults: R49 (SA citizens); R98 (SADC); R205 (international)
Children (under 12 years): R25 (SA citizens); R49 (SADC); R102 (international)

Knysna Lagoon

This 1 600-hectare tidal lagoon is the heart around which Knysna revolves. Its link to the ocean runs between two giant headlands that form a scenic “gateway” just 230 metres wide. There’s a wide range of aquatic activities, from every kind of boat trip and cruise to paddling, fishing and swimming. The East Head hides a lovely, small beach, or Leisure Isle’s Bollard Beach is good for a dip.

Don’t miss

• The private Featherbed Eco Reserve, on the Western Head, can only be reached by ferry. The tour also includes a 4×4 drive and guided nature walk (and optional lunch in the milkwood forest).
• Enjoy a lunch, sundowner or all-day cruise on a yacht with Springtide Charters or Ocean Sailing Charters. Book Now
• Sail through the Heads to the sea with Ocean Odyssey on a marine eco-tour to spot dolphins, seals, penguins and whales (humpback, Bryde’s and southern right, depending on the season). Book Now
• Rent a kayak at Thesen Island Cafe to paddle round the lagoon (or a SUP board from Ocean Odyssey). Book Now

Eat For waterside meals, head to Thesen Island – île de païn bakery-café is legendary; or try Sirocco or Nest Food Bar at The Boatshed. At Knysna Quays Waterfront, there’s 34 South, among others. Don’t miss out on fish and chips at the East Head Café. Book a meal on the Featherbed Co’s Paddle Cruiser.
Stay See our Knysna Accommodation listing for our top choices in Knysna. Alternately, hire a floating home from Knysna Houseboats to cruise the lagoon 24/7.
Good to know Visit the SANParks office on Thesen Island to view seahorses. There is a weekends-only beach bar during season at Featherbed Reserve.

Wilderness Lake District

The idea of “wilderness” becomes reality in this small town, with two rivers and five lakes creating a water wonderland. But there’s more: a long stretch of pristine beach and a backdrop of deep, green forest. The Touw River and Kaaimans River offer plenty of opportunities for nature outings, as do the lakes – Island Lake, the Serpentine, Langvlei, Rondevlei and Swartvlei – which together form a Ramsar Wetland of international importance. There are bird hides on the water’s edge, and picnic and fishing spots.

Don’t miss

• The Giant Kingfisher Trail (7km) takes you through the forest to a waterfall, perfect for a picnic and swim.
• Hire a canoe at SANParks’ Ebb and Flow camp to explore the Touw River – the further you go, the more the forest closes in. Or head to Island Lake via the twisty-turny Serpentine for a braai on the banks. There is also a guided boat cruise.
• A paddle on the Kaaimans River takes you into a gorge to a waterfall; head the other way and you’ll pass under the iconic railway bridge. Kaaimans Adventures has kayaks to rent. (You can grab a beer/coffee and a bite to eat at the tuck shop afterwards.)
• The “Map of Africa”, which you can admire from a viewpoint west of town (a natural landmark created by the Kaaimans River gorge). This is also where paragliders leap off the cliffs and are rewarded with exhilarating views (contact Paraglide Africa).
• Go kloofing with Paradise Adventures – it’s an adrenaline-pumping day trip that also features abseiling, hiking and river swimming. They can also organise mountain-biking.

Eat iLali is a casual spot for pizza, pasta, seafood and cocktails. Timberlake Organic Village is home to the Oyster Shack and Naughty Monkey Café (the name perhaps inspired by the adjacent Acrobranch rope course). For a tasting-menu experience of local flavours, book a dinner at Serendipity.
Stay Nima Lodge’s cabins are spectacular – and spectacularly located. SANParks’ Ebb and Flow camp on the banks of the Touw River has log cabins. Or stay in a gypsy caravan at Treedom.
Good to know There are daily conservation fees as the forests and lakes are part of Garden Route National Park.
Adults: R58 (SA citizens); R116 (SADC); R209 (international)
Children (under 12 years): R29 (SA citizens); R58 (SADC); R105 (international)

You might also be interested in:
The Best Things To Do in Knysna
The Best Things To Do in Plett
The Best Places to Stay in Knysna
The Best Places to Stay in Plett
The 9 Must-Visit Wine Farms in Plett

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