Must-see attractions in Garden Route

  • Dias Museum Complex

    Garden Route

    This excellent museum offers insight into Mossel Bay's role as an early stomping ground for European sailors. Named for 15th-century Portuguese explorer…

  • A gibbon sitting on a wooden fence in Monkeyland, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.

    Monkeyland

    Plettenberg Bay

    This very popular attraction helps rehabilitate wild monkeys that have been in zoos or private homes. The walking safari through a dense forest and across…

  • The Knysna Lagoon, Western Cape Province

    Knysna Lagoon

    Knysna

    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…

  • Robberg Nature & Marine Reserve

    Garden Route

    This reserve, 8km southeast of Plettenberg Bay, protects a 4km-long peninsula with a rugged coastline of cliffs and rocks. There are three circular day…

  • Goukamma Nature Reserve

    Garden Route

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

  • Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

    Garden Route

    This reserve contains a vast range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and giraffes. Day visitors are welcome for a variety of…

  • Outeniqua Transport Museum

    Garden Route

    The starting point and terminus for journeys on the Outeniqua Power Van, this museum is worth a visit if you’re even remotely interested in trains. A…

  • Belvidere

    Knysna

    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…

  • Bramon

    Plettenberg Bay

    Operating since 2000, this was the first wine estate in the region. It's best known for its bubbly. Tucked away in the vines is the mezze-style restaurant…

  • Mitchell’s Brewery

    Knysna

    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…

  • Birds of Eden

    Plettenberg Bay

    This is one of the world’s largest free-flight aviaries with a 200-sq-metre dome over the forest and over 280 species of bird to spot. A combo ticket with…

  • Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

    Plettenberg Bay

    This riverine reserve is a glorious place to swim, angle, picnic or paddle. There are canoes to rent (R135 per day) or you can take a ferry trip down the…

  • Featherbed Nature Reserve

    Knysna

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

  • Garden of Eden

    Knysna

    There are lovely forest picnic spots, short walks through the forest and an 800m-long wheelchair-friendly path.

  • Millwood House

    Knysna

    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…

  • Noetzie

    Knysna

    Reached by a turn-off along the N2 10km east of Knysna, Noetzie is a quirky little place with holiday homes in mock-castle style. There’s a lovely surf…

  • Old Gaol Museum

    Knysna

    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…

  • Cape St Blaize Lighthouse

    Garden Route

    There are wonderful views from the lighthouse, but call ahead to ensure it's open as the hours aren't always observed. There are plans to open a coffee…

  • George Museum

    Garden Route

    George was the hub of the indigenous timber industry and, thus, this museum contains a wealth of related artefacts.

  • Belvidere Church

    Knysna

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

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