The Garden Route National Park is an amalgamation of many individual national parks, which could not be more different. Due to its enormous variety of biotopes, the Garden Route is a popular trip that is best driven in your own rental car. Between the parks and their highlights you will find well known and less known places.
Tsitsikamma Park
The indigenous people called this region “land of plenty of water” – because there is plenty of water here, also gladly from all sides. The park, also known as “Tsitsi”, is home to one of South Africa’s last virgin forests, which stretches along a 70km coastline between the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Whales and dolphins can be seen in the adjacent marine reserve between July and November. Many activities such as whitewater kayaking, bungee jumping, and mountain biking attract adrenaline junkies to the forest – but the deserted beaches and rugged cliffs leaning against the surf are havens of tranquility and majesty.
Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest in all of South Africa, and with its 600 elephants, buffalo, antelope and many other wild animals, it offers a healthy, vibrant ecosystem that you can explore up close. Whether you enjoy a guided, German-speaking tour or drive yourself in a rented off-road vehicle is up to you.
When touring the Garden Route, Addo Elephant Park is an absolute highlight. Plan for several days if you want to enjoy the activities to the fullest!
Featherbed Private Nature Reserve
Known for its diverse and rare fauna, this nature reserve is located in the Knysna Lagoon on the southern coast. The 150ha site has been privately owned and maintained since 1983. Entrance is therefore only possible within a guided game drive. The tour requires no special fitness and is for all ages.
Hermanus
In this seaside resort, which is also popular with Capetonians, whales and dolphins cavort from September to November – so close to the beach that they can be observed from various vantage points in the city. The tourist potential in Hermanus was first discovered by a businessman in the early 1990s. He invented the “Whale Crier,” a curious-looking figure that announces with a curved horn when whales can be spotted in the bay. This quickly made Hermanus a world-famous place that not only attracts whale lovers, but is also popular with kite surfers.
