Things to do in  Garden Route

Trails, waterfalls, and wildlife draw visitors to lush Tsitsikamma National Park. Set along South Africa’s scenic Garden Route and spanning 50 miles (80 kilometers) of coastline, the park stretches from the mouth of the Storms River to Nature’s Valley. Embark on various adventures here, from a multi-day hike along the Otter Trail to one of the world’s highest bungee jumps.

Surrounded by warm-water lagoons, sandstone cliffs, and dense forests, Knysna is one of the most popular towns along South Africa’s renowned Garden Route. The coastal town welcomes tourists with a blend of natural beauty, quaint accommodations, seafood restaurants, and outdoor adventures. Plus, the estuary’s oyster farms provide the chance to indulge in fresh oysters while cruising the lagoon.

Herds of elephants basking at water holes are just a sneak peek of the classic African wildlife you’ll spot at Addo Elephant National Park. Lions, rhinos, hyenas, leopards, antelope, and zebras also make appearances alongside the park’s vast network of roads and trails, and can even be observed from the safari lodging and restaurants.

Offering one of Earth’s highest bungee jumps, the Bloukrans Bridge arcs 710 feet (216 meters above the Bloukrans River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Its slender-looking span impresses, but travelers come for the zipline, skywalk, rappelling—and most of all—the bungee, which drops more than 650 feet (200 meters with 5 seconds of free fall.

Best known as the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn has more to offer than just a chance to visit ostrich farms. Set in the Little Karoo—South Africa’s semi-desert—the town is the gateway to the Swartberg mountains, the Cango Caves, and innumerable nature reserves and trails. Visitors can also enjoy local restaurants and wineries.

The Cango Caves are made up of a diverse array of underground formations. ranging from massive caverns to narrow passageways barely wide enough to squeeze through. Spacious, well-lit corridors reveal floor to ceiling stalagmites and stalactites. In contrast, the cave’s tunnels are dark and cramped, offering a bona fide caving experience.

A glorious expanse of mountain peaks and forested valleys scattered with lakes, beaches, and winding rivers, the Wilderness National Park is among the many highlights of South Africa’s Garden Route. Part of the Garden Route National Park, the Wilderness Section affords endless opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching.

Tenikwa Wildlife Centre sits along South Africa’s southern coast—the region known as the Garden Route is one of the country’s most beautiful areas. Scenic roads look over windswept beaches, with craggy hills rising in the background. At the center, learn about the area’s biodiversity as you watch big cats at play.

The Cango Wildlife Ranch, home to endangered species from across South Africa and beyond, is dedicated to wildlife conservation and educating visitors about the challenges facing everything from its majestic big cats to prized Cape Vultures. In addition to viewing wildlife in their natural habitats, you can see big cats from an elevated boardwalk and have personal encounters with select animals in separate enclosures.

Under the canopy of an indigenous South African forest, more than 700 primates live in the world’s first free-range, multi-species primate sanctuary. Tours of Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary offer no species sighting guarantees, but you will see primates from around the world, while learning about their patterns, habitats, and threats.

The lush forests, streams, and trails of Birds of Eden provide a natural, free-flight sanctuary for more than 200 different bird species from across the world. Wander the vast 5.6-acre (2.3-hectare) aviary dome set in the mountains outside of Plettenberg Bay while observing rehabilitated birds in their natural habitats.

A rugged, dry tableland in the Western Cape, the Little Karoo (Klein Karoo) offers caves, vineyards, meerkats, ostriches, and unspoiled wilderness—not to mention a scenic journey from the Cape Town area to the Garden Route. Highlights include the Cango Caves, the Swartberg Pass, and the ostrich-farming town of Oudtshoorn.