Riverdeck

Garden Route


Just off the N2, on the Goukamma River's banks, this backpacker resort offers safari tents and simple cabins as well as en-suite rooms and four-sleeper cottages (from R1400). There's a simple spa and an outdoor restaurant (open 8am to 7pm) serving wood-fired pizzas and traditional meals. You can rent out canoes or water bikes, and horse riding can be arranged.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Garden Route attractions

1. Goukamma Nature Reserve

2.12 MILES

This reserve is accessible from the Buffalo Bay road, and protects 14km of rocky coastline, sandstone cliffs, dunes covered with coastal fynbos (fine bush…

2. Belvidere

3.43 MILES

Belvidere, 10km from Knysna, is so immaculate it’s positively creepy. But it’s worth a quick look for the beautiful Norman-style Belvidere church that was…

3. Belvidere Church

3.45 MILES

A Norman-style church built in the 1850s by homesick English expats.

4. Knysna Lagoon

6.18 MILES

The Knysna Lagoon opens between two sandstone cliffs known as the Heads – once proclaimed by the British Royal Navy to be the most dangerous harbour…

5. Old Gaol Museum

6.4 MILES

Since this region has plenty of wet weather, a rainy-day option is welcome. The main museum is a pleasant complex in a mid-19th century building that was…

6. Millwood House

6.41 MILES

Millwood House is a mini complex of museums detailing Knysna’s history. It’s a quaint set of buildings dating back to the town’s booming timber era. This…

7. Mitchell’s Brewery

6.47 MILES

South Africa’s oldest microbrewery occupies bright, new premises on the edge of the lagoon. You can join a tour or just taste its range of English-style…

8. Featherbed Nature Reserve

6.52 MILES

The Featherbed Nature Reserve was completely devastated by wildfires in 2017. Tourism authorities were working to get the reserve up and running again…