The Garden Route is a recreational paradise, offering a myriad of scenic and interesting places to visit and a wide variety of things to do. Hunter’s Country House and Tsala Treetop Lodge are both ideal bases from which to explore this fascinating Eden. To mention just some of the many attractions and activities within easy reach -
Just beyond Plettenberg Bay at the Crags, Monkeyland is the world's first and currently only multi-specie free-roaming primate sanctuary. A guided walking tour through the forest sanctuary and across the longest suspension bridge in Africa is both exciting and informative.
Birds of Eden, with its unique 2 ha dome spanning an indigenous forest gorge, is the largest aviary in the world, a free flight bird sanctuary offering a natural but protected environment for a large number of released African birds while the Elephant Sanctuary provides a safe-haven for rescued African elephants, as well as a platform for education and interaction.
A game drive at Rhino Base Camp can render sightings of rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffalo, giraffe, lion and many antelope species. Treetop Canopy Tours is an exhilarating way to explore the forest from the safety of your personal harness, way up in the treetop canopy.
A trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve across the placid waters of the Knysna Lagoon reveals the breathtaking beauty of Knysna’s pristine western Head. To venture further, Springtide Charters sails out through the Knysna Heads and into the Indian Ocean.
The astonishing Cango Caves, 28 km from the town of Oudtshoorn, is one of the world’s great natural wonders. For over twenty million years rainwater has dripped through rock fissures into huge subterranean caverns to sculpt some of the biggest stalagmite and stalactite formations on earth. Oudtshoorn is also famous for its ostriches and for those wanting to get up close and personal, and possibly even ride one of these super-sized birds, there are several show farms open to visitors.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch, where the cheetah are tame, is also home to a wide variety of animals and reptiles, many of which roam freely in their natural habitat and can be viewed from elevated walkways.
RECREATION
From the gastronomic delight of Oyster Tasting to the adrenalin-rush of Great White Shark Cage Diving, the Garden Route truly has something for everyone.
Golfers can test their skill on renowned courses - Plettenberg Bay, Goose Valley, Pezula and Simola are close by and Fancourt, Oubaai and George Country Club are easily accessible.
Anglers can try their luck deep-sea fishing. For nature lovers there are guided walks and hikes. Alternatively, explore the forest trails on mountain bike or horseback. Motorised boating or Canoeing leisurely up the Keurbooms River or around the Knysna Lagoon is always an enjoyable pastime.
Platinum Polo is based at Ardmore Farm adjoining the Hunter Estate - here the more daring can receive professional polo lessons or play a few chukkas on beautifully schooled polo ponies. There’s also abseiling, parasailing, bungee jumping, black water tubing or sea kayaking to engage in. And if these are too strenuous, not to mention terrifying, there are gentler options - a cruise around the immense Knysna Lagoon on the John Ben Ferry, a scenic flight in a light aircraft along the coast or a dolphin and whale watching boat trip out to sea with Ocean Blue Adventures. A visit to the Knysna Elephant Park or the Qolweni Cultural Village
10 Adrenalin Activities in the Garden Route
1. EXPLORE THE TREE TOPS OF TSITSIKAMMA
2. SQUEEZE THROUGH THE CANGO CAVES
3. BRAVE THE WAVES IN THE EAST COAST OCEAN
4. EYE-BALL A GREAT WHITE SHARK
5. TAKE A JUMP AT MOSSEL BAY WITH TANDEM SKYDIVING
6. LEAP FROM THE BLOUKRANS – THE WORLD’S HIGHEST BUNGI JUMP
7. PARALIDE OVER SEDGFIELD CLOSE TO KNYSNA AND WILDERNIS
8. DROP DOWN A 40 M CLIFF FACE
9. MOUNTAIN BIKE THROUH THE KNYSNA FOREST
10. KAYAK THE SURF OF PLETTENBERG BAY
