ACTIVITIES

The surrounding area has some spectacular activities that cater for every traveller’s needs and tastes. The Garden Route is a keen hikers paradise especially Natures Valley. There are day hikes as well as overnight options nearby.

For the bird enthusiast Natures Valley has a diverse habitat where the sea, rocky cliffs and lagoons invite the likes of the Cape Gannet, Rock Kestrel, African Fish Eagle and the Knysna Louries to spread their wings in flight.

Cycling fanatics will enjoy trekking along popular routes passing through a mix of natural environments such as fynbos, forest, estuaries, rivers and mountains allowing you to will let you revel in the beauty of the surrounding areas.

If you love golf the Garden Route has excellent golfing facilities in a natural environment of forest and ocean. The club house facilities are upmarket allowing for some well deserved relaxation after 18 holes.

For the adventurer you will be left inspired after experiencing awesome abseiling, treetop tours as well as bungee jumping from the highest bungee jump bridge in the world. The Blouwkrans Bridge is 216m high. There are also scenic flights available as well as paragliding and sky diving opportunities.

Nearby you can find Monkey Land, the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary as well as game parks for the animal lovers. Why not get up close and personal with a Buffalo at Buffalo Hills Game Farm. There is also Birds Paradise not far away.

Water lovers can enjoy skiing and surfing or take a sunset cruise. For the keen sailor there is fresh water sailing in Natures Valley Lagoon. Tuition is available. A ferry trip will let you enjoy the day swimming and picnicking and sea vessels are available for hire along the route. It is the perfect place to spend the day out doors on a canoe.

There is nothing better than getting on horseback. The surrounding area offers horse riding, wagon trails and even a game of polo. There are day trips as well as moonlight and champagne breakfast trails. The trails are well suited to beginners as well as the more experienced horse rider.

Fishing in the area is supreme. The Cape Yellow Tail, White Steenbras, Yellowbelly Rockcod, red Roman, Mussell Crackers and Kabeljou are some of the favourites found in the sea and lagoons of Natures Valley.

If you love to watch fish the aquarium is situated nearby at the Knysna Heads with a variety of salt and freshwater fish. This is also the perfect area for whale and dolphin watching all year round. June to November is the best as this is when the whales arrive to mate and calve. The Humpback and Brydes can be spotted as well as the Southern Right Whales that can measure up to 16m in length. Orcas are commonly seen off the coastline along with the leaping Minke Whale.

Self drive or take a tour. Organised tours for those that don’t like to go off the beaten track are the perfect option to explore the Garden Route. For those that prefer self drive along the way. The wine route is north of the garden route in the Klein or Little Karoo. Kit is situated between majestic mountains and the vineyards grow near riverbanks in fertile soils. The climate is generally drier than other regions which is key to the most organically cultivated vineyards.

If you want to experience South Africas local “fire water” this is the place. Mampoer is a powerful fruit based liqueur that is distilled at Nyati. It has a 60% alcohol by volume to it so it’s not for the feint hearted. Maybe this time, take a tour as drinking and driving is not tolerated in the area.