Tanielle’s Guide to THE GARDEN ROUTE

Tanielle
Tanielle’s Guide to THE GARDEN ROUTE

City/town information

Welcome to Knysna! There are loads of fun things to do in Knysna – either as a holiday in itself or as part of a longer trip along the famous Garden Route.
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Knysna
105 moradores locais recomendam
Welcome to Knysna! There are loads of fun things to do in Knysna – either as a holiday in itself or as part of a longer trip along the famous Garden Route.
George is a city in South Africa’s Western Cape, on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route. It’s known for its golf courses and the George Museum, which has exhibits on the local timber industry. The Outeniqua Transport Museum has steam trains and vintage cars. The Garden Route Botanical Garden features trails and local fynbos plants. The Seven Passes road to Knysna town winds through the Outeniqua Mountains.
40 moradores locais recomendam
George
40 moradores locais recomendam
George is a city in South Africa’s Western Cape, on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route. It’s known for its golf courses and the George Museum, which has exhibits on the local timber industry. The Outeniqua Transport Museum has steam trains and vintage cars. The Garden Route Botanical Garden features trails and local fynbos plants. The Seven Passes road to Knysna town winds through the Outeniqua Mountains.
Mossel Bay is a harbour town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known for the wide Santos Beach and the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, which offers bay views. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, has been used as a mail collection point since the 1500s.
58 moradores locais recomendam
Mossel Bay
58 moradores locais recomendam
Mossel Bay is a harbour town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known for the wide Santos Beach and the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, which offers bay views. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, has been used as a mail collection point since the 1500s.
Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks. To the south, Robberg Nature Reserve is a rocky peninsula with trails and the Stone Age Nelson Bay Caves. Northeast are Birds of Eden, a free-flight bird sanctuary in indigenous forest, and an elephant sanctuary. Whales come near the coast in migration season.
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Baía de Plettenberg
1 Crescent Street
107 moradores locais recomendam
Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks. To the south, Robberg Nature Reserve is a rocky peninsula with trails and the Stone Age Nelson Bay Caves. Northeast are Birds of Eden, a free-flight bird sanctuary in indigenous forest, and an elephant sanctuary. Whales come near the coast in migration season.
It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. Great adventure activities can be enjoyed here.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Tsitsikamma
7 moradores locais recomendam
It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. Great adventure activities can be enjoyed here.
Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known for its ostrich farms and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.
35 moradores locais recomendam
Oudtshoorn
35 moradores locais recomendam
Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known for its ostrich farms and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.

Sightseeing

Thesen Islands is a secure marina estate in the picturesque vacation town of Knysna. Great for shopping, dining, and boarding boat cruises.
55 moradores locais recomendam
Thesen Island
55 moradores locais recomendam
Thesen Islands is a secure marina estate in the picturesque vacation town of Knysna. Great for shopping, dining, and boarding boat cruises.
A private secluded beach. Book a scenic trip with the Pezula Beach Shuttle or drive down yourself. The beach is beautiful and unspoiled, with amazing castles in the backdrop.
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Noetzie
18 moradores locais recomendam
A private secluded beach. Book a scenic trip with the Pezula Beach Shuttle or drive down yourself. The beach is beautiful and unspoiled, with amazing castles in the backdrop.
The iconic heads are rich in history. You can drive up to a viewing point on the Eastern Head. The Western Head is accessed by boat.
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The Heads
1 View Point
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The iconic heads are rich in history. You can drive up to a viewing point on the Eastern Head. The Western Head is accessed by boat.
For the best lagoon and Western Head eco experience.
22 moradores locais recomendam
MV John Benn Cruise
22 moradores locais recomendam
For the best lagoon and Western Head eco experience.

Adventure

This highest bungee in the Southern hemisphere.
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Face Adrenalin Bloukrans Bungee
77 moradores locais recomendam
This highest bungee in the Southern hemisphere.

Animal Sanctuaries

The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Get up close and personal with one of the Big 5.
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Parque dos Elefantes de Knysna
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The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Get up close and personal with one of the Big 5.
Birds of Eden is the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary, located in Kurland village near Plettenberg Bay. The mesh dome of the sanctuary was built over 2.3 hectares of indigenous forest and is up to 55 meters above ground level.
131 moradores locais recomendam
Pássaros do Éden
131 moradores locais recomendam
Birds of Eden is the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary, located in Kurland village near Plettenberg Bay. The mesh dome of the sanctuary was built over 2.3 hectares of indigenous forest and is up to 55 meters above ground level.
Shelter for leopards, jaguars, Bengal tigers & other big cats, with a no-touch, no-breed policy.
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Santuário de Vida Selvagem Jukani
N2
72 moradores locais recomendam
Shelter for leopards, jaguars, Bengal tigers & other big cats, with a no-touch, no-breed policy.
Beautifully situated Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – offers an unparalleled experience with wolves. With easy access and plenty of parking, it is a destination not to be missed. The sanctuary is home to two packs of Timber Wolves, namely the Sparrowhawk and the Rambo Packs.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary
42 moradores locais recomendam
Beautifully situated Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – offers an unparalleled experience with wolves. With easy access and plenty of parking, it is a destination not to be missed. The sanctuary is home to two packs of Timber Wolves, namely the Sparrowhawk and the Rambo Packs.
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay is a rehabilitation and awareness centre dedicated to birds of prey.
41 moradores locais recomendam
Raptor Rescue Plett
41 moradores locais recomendam
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay is a rehabilitation and awareness centre dedicated to birds of prey.
A unique nature experience offering wildlife tours and accommodation whilst supporting our wildlife rehabilitation work.
73 moradores locais recomendam
Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre
73 moradores locais recomendam
A unique nature experience offering wildlife tours and accommodation whilst supporting our wildlife rehabilitation work.

Hiking, Running and Cycling

The Otter Trail is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named for the Cape clawless otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west, is 26 km long as the crow flies and 44 km as the hiker walks. Walking the trail takes 5 days and 4 nights. The trail is split into various stages which are completed over a few days.
Otter Trail
Otter Trail
The Otter Trail is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named for the Cape clawless otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west, is 26 km long as the crow flies and 44 km as the hiker walks. Walking the trail takes 5 days and 4 nights. The trail is split into various stages which are completed over a few days.

Food scene

For the best steak in town! Located at Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa.
Zachary's Restaurant
For the best steak in town! Located at Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa.
For the best confectionery items. Just tell yourself that calories do not exist!
151 moradores locais recomendam
île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery
Long Street
151 moradores locais recomendam
For the best confectionery items. Just tell yourself that calories do not exist!
The most romantic restaurant on the Garden Route.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Emily Moon Restaurant @ Emily Moon River Lodge
17 moradores locais recomendam
The most romantic restaurant on the Garden Route.

Conselho para os viajantes

Transporte

Uber

Uber has recently started to operate in Knysna. They are still few and you might have to wait long. It remains the most flexible option to travel.
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Layered clothing

The temperatures are moderate, and while the mornings and evenings might be cool (and even chilly), the days can warm up quite a bit. The weather can also change quite quickly.