Garden Route
Introduction
The Garden Route in South Africa is as beautiful as it is dramatic. It stretches from around Mossel Bay to the Storms River Mouth, and offers an abundance of views from forests and beaches to lakes and rivers. And situated at the centre is Knysna – the perfect place from which to explore this beautiful piece of Africa and we suggest daytrips to Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Tsitsikamma National Park, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.
The one thing you won’t have enough of is time when you visit Knysna as there’s so much to see, do, experience and explore.
There’s great fishing and sailing on Knysna Lagoon and if you’re a keen golfer, you’ll find a number of good courses to choose from. It’s also offers great whale and dolphin spotting opportunities and boasts some fantastic adventure activities.
You’ll also find some great shopping as well as excellent restaurants and exciting nightlife. The Knysna Heads, the narrow point through which ships had to pass in order to get into the lagoon, are the focal point and are a must for a fantastic view of both the ocean and the enormous lagoon.
Another ‘must-do’ is a ferry trip on the lagoon or a yacht or boat trip through the Heads. Most trips leave from the Knysna Waterfront pass the Knysna Yacht Club and the old Thesens Jetty.
The Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park at the Eastern edge of the Garden Route, stretches 67 kilometers along some of the most spectacular coastline of Southern Africa. The scenic drive from Knysna takes about 70 minutes. The Bungy jumping suspension bridge is a must. Make an early start from Knysna and enjoy a wonder filled day.
The town of Knysna is well known for the variety of eating establishments and shops specializing in wooden furniture and ornaments made from the indigenous timbers found in the forests nearby.
Things To Do
- Hop aboard the The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe for a unique steam train experience.
- Go the to Diepwalle Forest Station – you may be lucky to spot a rare Knysna elephant and you’ll be amazed at the size of the yellowwood trees.
- Take a ferry ride.
- Take a catamaran sunset cruise out to sea.
- Go beer tasting at Mitchells Brewery.
- Discover fantastic curios at Jacana in Mossel Bay.
- Visit the Trumilk Dairy in Plettenberg Bay.
- Go kitesurfing in Sedgefield.
- Ride an ostrich in Oudtshoorn.
- Have dinner on a paddle cruiser.
- Go drumming at a drum café.
Shopping
iShops abound in Knysna and at the Waterfront – gifts, food, furniture, curios. Knysna is famous for its indigenous timber furniture available at shops or take a drive to Timber Village.
Dining
Restaurants in the Garden Route offer the diner an extraordnarily wide range of food types to choose from including traditional South African fare, German, Greek, Italian, Thai, Cajun, French and Vegetarian to satisfy your culinary desires.
History
Just outside Knysna is Belvidere where you can see one of the smallest stone churches in South Africa. The graveyard is the last resting place of many of the pioneers of Knysna. Travel back in time to Knysna’s gold rush (1880’s) and visit Millwood and Jubilee Creek where fortunes were made and lost overnight
