The Best Garden Route Adventures by Land, Air & Water

The Garden Route is the gem of South Africa. Emerald forests, clear rivers, pristine lakes and lagoons run down to the Indian Ocean. The weather is good, the air is fresh, the scenery is spectacular and virtually every outdoor activity you can think of is available. African Budget Safaris offer numerous trips along this gorgeous coastline. 

Whether you’re an adrenaline-seeking speed freak or a gentle-amble-through-the-forest type, there are Garden Route adventures and activities that suit everybody. Stretching from Mossel Bay (just under 400 km drive from Cape Town) to Storms River, the area includes 300 km of pristine coastline (see map). 

To get the latest on what activities are up and running, contact the operators directly or one of the tourism bureaus along the Garden Route:

• Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism
• George Tourism
• Hessequa Tourism
• Knysna Tourism
• Plett Tourism

It's impossible to list all the incredible activities and adventures available along the Garden Route, but we've listed a few of our favourites below.

Adventures On the Water

Learn to Yacht, Knysna

Experience the thrill of sailing with Southern Yachting’s sailing courses. From beginner’s courses  (5 hours) to advanced courses, you’ll be taught the skills of sailing: knot-making, steering, nautical terms etc.

Rigid Inflatable Boat Trips, Knysna

Explore the Knysna Lagoon and Estuary, exit through The Heads (weather permitting), and out into the Indian Ocean in Knysna Rib Adventures’ 9-meter RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). This one is for those who enjoy a bit of speed and exhilaration while seeing the beauty of natural Knysna.

Catamaran Trip to The Heads, Knysna

A slightly more sedate experience, although the excitement factor increases if there is a bit of rough sea, the Heads Explorer catamaran takes you right to The Heads. Depending on the weather and sea conditions, you may go through The Heads and out into the Indian Ocean. If you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins, seals and, in season, whales. Drinks and snacks accompany all this.

Sea Kayaking, Plettenberg Bay

Dolphin Adventures prides itself on providing guided sea kayaking (and rentals) that keep the conservation of this fragile environment at the forefront. With South African-made kayaks that are stable and easy to manoeuvre, even novices can enjoy the sea beyond the breakers. If you’re lucky, you may find yourself in the middle of a pod of playful dolphins or watching a whale breach!

Kayak and Lilo Adventure, Storms River Mouth

Explore the breathtaking Storms River Gorge on kayaks and lilos. Deep caves, quiet pools and ancient forests – unspoilt by humans – will delight on these eco-conscious trips into the heart of the Tsitsikamma. Untouched Adventures offers numerous other activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling.

Surfing Everywhere, especially J-Bay and Vic Bay

With the incredible coastline of the Garden Route, it’s not surprising that surfing is big all along the coast. Jeffrey’s Bay, a little further along the coast in the Eastern Cape, is fondly referred to as J-Bay. It boasts one of the world’s most famous right-hand beach breaks.

Vic Bay, a small cove between George and Wilderness, is also a surfing paradise, with a consistent right-point break that runs for 300 metres.

There are surf schools and places to hire boards all along the coast, such as Unravel in Mossel Bay; Surfari Backpacker's in Vic Bay, which offers accommodation and surf lessons; and J-Bay Surf School and Wavecrest Surf School in J-Bay.

Catamaran Trips, Plettenberg Bay

Hang out on the Ocean Rhythm, a luxury 44-foot catamaran, and float about on the Indian Ocean off Plett. Ocean Sailing Charters offers a range of trips, from sunset cruises sipping champagne to day trips to fishing, snorkelling, swimming, and sailing lessons. All with the bonus of possible dolphin sightings.

Adventures On Land

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, Storms River

Traverse through the Indigenous Tsitsikamma rainforest canopy from platform to platform (ten of them) with Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours. Each platform is in a tree, mostly giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods and the ‘foofy slides’ between them range in length, the longest being 100 m. With spectacular scenery and bird sightings, these guided, eco-conscious, 2.5- to 3-hour tours are unforgettable.

Mountain Biking, Garden Route

Unsurprisingly, mountain biking is huge throughout the Garden Route. It’d be insane not to be, considering the gorgeous mountainous scenery that is perfect for riding. Mountain bikes can be rented all along the Garden Route.

Knysna Cycle Works has a good range in Knysna, and The Bike Shop has branches in both Plett and Harkerville – which have fantastic trails, most of which have been reopened since the fire. For those who’d prefer, numerous operators offer guided mountain biking.

Races

For the pros and the wanna-be pros, there are a number of MTB races in the region throughout the year. While routes may have to be adjusted after the fire, the majority are still happening. These include:

• GR300 MTB Stage Race: the ultimate 3-day race which showcases the best of Knysna’s MTB trails. It’s tough but beautiful. A ‘Lite’ version for the less professional riders is also offered.
• 7 Passes MTB: Through the heavy, lush indigenous forest, this 79 km race follows the old route that used to link George and Knysna. Usually, in June.
• Transbaviaans MTB 24hr Ultra-Marathon: A 24-hour, 230 km, single-stage race from Willowmore through the Baviaanskloof, finishing in Jeffrey’s Bay. This one is usually in August and is billed as ‘the original and toughest single-stage race in the world.’

Hiking & Biking, Knysna

If you’re not looking for adrenaline junkie experiences but like the outdoors and the good things in life, Knysna locals Anne and Mandy of Knysna Hike & Bike have just the thing. They take you on customised walks and riding routes to the places you want to see and the things you want to do. Whether you’re keen to stroll on a beach, walk through cool misty forests or pedal toward a gourmet food and wine tasting experience, Knysna Hike & Bike will deliver your ‘leisure and pleasure’ needs. 

Otter Trail, Garden Route National Park

One of South Africa’s most spectacular hiking trails, the Otter Trail is a 45 km, 5-day/4 night hike that follows the coast from Storms River to Nature’s Valley. Not to be taken lightly, a certain fitness level is needed, but it’s well worth the training to experience this pristine coastal environment.

For those adrenaline junkies who’re into trail running, the annual Otter African Trail Run happens each year in October. All 45 km, including rough terrain, steep hills and river crossings, are completed in one day! We say crazy, and they say, ‘Bring it on!’

Monster Scooter Tours, Knysna

Monster Mountain Scooters. Yip, you read that right. These fat-tyred, non-motorised (so eco-friendly) scooters are the perfect way to enjoy an exhilarating downhill track through indigenous forest. Get picked up in town and taken by bus up to a couple of routes and feel the fresh air in your hair as you hurtle down paths through the forest.

Oyster Festival & Adventure Races, Knysna

This annual event in June sees Knysna packed to the gills with oyster enthusiasts, mountain bikers, adventurers and runners. For a week, the Oyster Festival offers an enormous range of activities, not least every version of oyster delight known to man.

For the more active and adventurous, there’s the BIG5 Sports Challenge, the Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour MTB and Road Races, the Simola Phantom Night Run, the Momentum Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon and Pick n Pay Women’s Walk. 

Kloofing, Canyoning & Abseiling, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

 Just outside Plett lies The Crags, a gorgeous area of hidden valleys, waterfalls and rivers. It’s the perfect adventure country, and AfriCanyon offers adventures that suit any skill level. Think abseiling down waterfalls, clambering up cliffs and swimming in cool, fern-edged pools – or jumping into deeper ones from the cliffs above if you like things a little more exciting!

Adventure Activities In the Air

Paragliding, Sedgefield

See the Garden Route as the birds see it, and you'll realise why they’re such happy birds. Based in Sedgefield but with various sites along the Garden Route, Fly Time offers tandem paragliding, introductory through-to-licence courses and motorised trike flights.

Bloukrans Bungy Jump, near Plett

About 40 km east of Plettenberg Bay lies the spectacular Bloukrans River gorge. The view from the bridge is gorgeous and you could just gaze at that if you like. If you’re partial to a rush of adrenaline, however, Face Adrenaline will help you throw yourself off it (attached to all the necessary safety gear) and free fall the more than 200 metres down towards the river. It’s the world’s highest commercial natural jump at 216 metres.

Combo Adventure Trips

Rock the Route, based in Knysna, is a small, owner-run company offering tailor-made day trips (and longer) by people who know the area – where to find the secret spots, who to visit to get the stories and where to find the best the area offers. Sightsee, visit the local breweries and sample their fare, watch live music, encounter African wildlife, pub crawl in costumes, surf the secret spots or overnight in a cave …

Rock the Route is truly rocking the route!

Wine (It deserves its own heading)

While Cape Town is South Africa’s most well-known wine-growing region, there’s a (relatively) new kid on the block for winemaking. The Plett Wine Route is SA’s smallest wine-growing region, with just 58 hectares of the 100,000 hectares throughout South Africa. Stretching over 57 km from Harkerville to The Crags, this wine region has grown from the first estate – Bramon – which was started in 2000, to an impressive 16 vineyards.

Specialising in MCCs, the route is referred to as the ‘Bubby Route’ and now has three farms that do the processing and bottling of their own wines, and the others bottle theirs at Bramon. While some farms require appointments, many are open to the public. Check out their website and plan your route!

The beautiful Garden Route offers visitors a smorgasbord of activities. Experience it for yourself! Contact one of our ABS consultants and book your Garden Route trip now!

Briony Chisholm Wordsmith & Pharmacist

Briony is a qualified pharmacist, published author and travel blogger living in Cape Town. She writes her own blog about travel, the arts, music and the good things in life, with a focus on accessibility. She likes watching the world go by, and sometimes it makes her nose twitchy, but mostly it provides golden nuggets with which to light up the page.