Discover the Garden Route with this activity and adventure-filled itinerary over 4 days.
Day 1:
Mossel Bay Zipline
Enjoy a unique zipline experience which takes you from a clifftop above The Point, directly over the ocean on what the company states is the ‘world’s longest over-ocean single zipline.’ Lookout for the caves below on this exhilarating ride and watch the sea swirl beneath you and waves crash against the rocky shoreline.
Lunch at Café Gannet
Enjoy quiche Lorraine, an ostrich skewer, beef burger or freshly caught seafood at the Protea Hotel Mossel Bay’s Café Gannet, set in one of Mossel Bay’s oldest stone buildings. If you prefer, you can also enjoy a light bite from the Blue Oyster Bar, in the same hotel complex, which overlooks Santos Beach.
Inverroche Gin has partnered with the Protea Hotel in Mossel Bay to open a gin school at Café Gannet. Take part in a masterclass where you will learn how to distill gin and where you’ll be guided through the process to distill your own unique bottle, infused with your selection of botanicals.
Overnight at Bay Lodge On The Beach
This luxurious guest accommodation provides gorgeous views over the ocean. If you manage to book the presidential suite, you’ll have an indoor jacuzzi that overlooks the sea right next to your private verandah.
Day 2:
Kayak on the Gouws River
Meet at the Eden Adventures base, located at the Fairy Knowe Hotel in Wilderness and hire a kayak to paddle up the placid Touws River, followed by a forest amble to the Touw waterfall. You’ll paddle for three kilometres (about 40 minutes) until you get to a riverside beach, on your right, where you can stow your canoes. Follow the path for two-and-a-half kilometres (much of it on wooden boardwalks) through indigenous forest to the waterfall.
Lunch at Pomodoro Italian Restaurant
This family trattoria serves arguably the best pasta on the Garden Route. Sit outside on the terrace and watch village life or enjoy the warm, wooded interior with its impressive wine selection and walls decorated with black-and white-photos of Italy. There’s lots to choose from on the extensive menu, with pizza being another firm favourite.
Abseil with Eden Adventures
After lunch return to the Fairy Knowe Hotel to meet your abseil guide and get transported to the nearby picturesque Kaaimans River Gorge. A short walk through the forest will take you to the point where you’ll begin the 45-metre abseil, alongside a cascading waterfall. There’s no need to get your feet wet however, as you’ll be collected by inflatable boat as you reach the bottom of the gorge.
Overnight at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel, Plettenberg Bay
This five-star boutique hotel offers exquisite views of the ocean and Keurbooms Lagoon from its perch on the hill within Baron Estate. Besides its gorgeous rooms, Sky Villa has two pools – one located opposite the downstairs bar, while the smaller pool is situated on the roof next to Sky Bar. The hotel’s restaurant also provides wonderful views over the bay below.
Day 3:
Visit Birds of Eden
Spend a relaxing morning strolling along the walkways in an enclosed section of indigenous forest. This bird sanctuary claims to be the ‘world’s largest single-dome free-flight aviary’ and is home to over 3,500 birds, many of which have been rescued. Lookout for Knysna loeries, scarlet ibis, yellow-and-blue macaws and African grey parrots.
Lunch at the Bungalow
This vibey beach bar and restaurant overlooks Plettenberg Bay’s Hobie Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy a burger, pizza or design your own sushi platter, along with a drink. Palm and milkwood trees line the border of the hotel and restaurant.
Overnight at the Bungalow
This boutique hotel oozes stylish and trendy beach vibes. Cane swing chairs hang outside the downstairs rooms and the sea-facing, viewing decks are shaded under indigenous milkwood trees. The hotel’s plunge pool can be found at the restaurant.
Day 4:
Hike Robberg Peninsula
Stretch your legs while enjoying striking views over the Plettenberg Bay. Here you’ll find cliffs covered in fynbos which disappear into the ocean, wide sandy beaches and a seal colony. Trail lengths vary from two to nine kilometres.
Lunch at Sirocco, Knysna
Dine on the water’s edge on Knysna’s Thesen island and enjoy fine food, which varies from Asian beef short-rib, to peri-peri baby chicken and of course Knysna’s famous oysters.
Knysna Heads Boat Tour
Enjoy a 75-minute cruise on the ‘Oyster Boat’ across the calm waters of the Knysna Lagoon to the impressive granite cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. You’ll pass through Featherbed Bay and past the Featherbed Nature Reserve as you float over the home of the rare Knysna seahorse.
Overnight at Oubaai Villa
Spend the night in a modern self-catering home with a rim-flow pool, perched on the edge of a Gwaiing River gorge and overlooking the Outeniqua Mountains. The house is also situated very close to the 18-hole, Ernie Els signature championship golf course.
