Things to Do in Garden Route

Explore Plettenberg Bay’s stunning coastline looking for whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, seabirds and other marine life from a twin-hull ski boat. Ocean Safaris offer exciting whale and dolphin watching trips guided by knowledgeable qualified skippers. They are permitted to conduct close encounters with whales and are Fair Trade accredited. Pop in to their interesting office in Hopwood Street to find out more. You'll find a warm welcome, reconstructed skeletons, whalebones, free Internet and coffee.

Climb aboard Ocean Rhythm and explore the beautiful Plettenberg Bay coastline. Experience the power of the wind in the sails and the sound of the ocean lapping at the bows. Spot whales, dolphins and seals at play in breathtaking surroundings. Take the helm and learn the basics of sailing, put out a line and see what bites or kick back, glass of bubbly in hand. This Knysna-built 44 foot sailing catamaran offers a high level of luxury, comfort and space. Options include sunset cruises, day cruises, overnight charters, fishing, and exclusive parties and functions. For more info contact 082 881 2937.

Dinner theatre aficionados in George have a new state-of-the-art theatre to visit for good times, delicious food and quality entertainment. The Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre opened its doors in September 2010 to cater for discerning theatre fans and music lovers in the Garden Route. The 400 seater theatre will stage the latest productions from the main circuit in a warm and friendly environment. The theatre complex houses a separate bar and a 120-seater family restaurant with an outdoor deck. A beautiful grand piano mounted on a circular stage steals the limelight in the restaurant which also functions as a cocktail bar and entertainment area. Bookings for shows can be done at the theatre or through Computicket. Patrons are advised to pre-order snack platters and pizzas to enjoy in the theatre.

Founded in 1994, and the first of its kind in South Africa, the Knysna Elephant Park provides a home for orphaned elephants and offers visitors a glimpse of a bygone era when vast elephant herds once roamed. Join the elephants in their controlled free-range environment where you will be able to appreciate their magnificent presence up-close-and-personal. Whether you chose a daily tour, elephant back ride; exclusive safari or overnight accommodation; this is an experience that will stay with you forever. The Knysna Elephant Park is open every day of the year. Guided daily tours take you to the elephants every half hour from 08:30 to 16:30. Here you will have the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants. There are no barriers or fences to spoil your close encounter, and when the elephants chose to wander off again into the field, you are welcome to walk with them and watch them for as long as you wish. Elephant back rides offer the once in a lifetime opportunity to sit atop these incredible creatures. As you traverse through indigenous Cape fynbos, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Outeniqua Mountain range. Booking is essential.

If you’re travelling with kids on the Garden Route, wing them straight to Radical Raptors. Guaranteed to thrill the kids, a visit to Radical Raptors bird of prey sanctuary is a fun educational experience suitable for the whole family. Time your visit to coincide with the flying displays that take place three times a day. Several trained birds of prey are free flown around and to you. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to watch, interact and photograph these amazing birds in the outdoors. Radical Raptors is a non-profit organisation and rehabilitation centre that focuses on community awareness and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of birds of prey. +27 (0) 44 532 7537 Show times – 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 Closed on Mondays except public and school holidays.

Headquarters of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province Rugby squad, the grand old Newlands Rugby Stadium is one of the three oldest rugby stadiums in the world. Set in the ultra-green suburb of Newlands, Newlands Rugby Stadium has a capacity of 51 000 with steeply elevated stands affording maximum visibility and electrifying viewpoints. Cape Town's three Premier Soccer League clubs also utilize the facilities for their inter-club matches.

Set within the stunning Wilderness National Park and on the shores of Langvlei, the Malachite Bird Hide is definitely worth a visit for twitchers and nature lovers. Spend some time watching the numerous waterfowl, kingfishers and other birds in this beautiful environment.

Following an old mining path along the Forest Creek, the Circles in a Forest Hiking Trail beckons hikers to explore the loveliness of the Goudveld Forest. This genuine forest experience is suitable for families and people of all ages, offering two trail options starting at Krisjan-se-Nek. Feel dwarfed as you pass the towering 600-year old Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. You can almost hear them whisper Oupoot, the name of the long lost heroine and matriarch elephant made famous by Dalene Matthee. This is truly the heart of the Knysna indigenous forest typified by giant Yellowwood trees, three-metre high tree ferns, Red-billed Wood-hoopoe, babbling streams, ancient ironwood trees, arum lilies, colourful mushroom and bracket fungi. Evidence of baboon, bush pig, porcupine and bushbuck can be seen everywhere. Keep glancing up to the treetops and you might spot a Knysna loerie. Formerly called the Woodcutters Trail, this route is named after one of Dalene Matthee’s famous novels. The three and nine kilometre trails range from easy to moderate and are manageable for anyone over the age of five.

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offers guests the opportunity for a close, safe, inter-active encounter with indigenous cats of South Africa. Guests will meet leopard, cheetahs, caracal, Serval, African wild cats and black-footed cats. The Tenikwa encounter is a great follow-on to a game reserve or safari experience to study these beautiful creatures at close quarters. Tenikwa also has a Meerkat Meander where visitors can see meerkats and tortoises and there is also a variety of indigenous waterfowl, Blue Cranes and Marabou Storks to delight bird watchers. Programs include one hour guided tours and cheetah walks. Entrance fees fund Tenikwa’s NPO Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Programme. Open 09:00 – 17:00 daily 365 days a year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Amenities include a tea garden for light meals, parking, wheelchair friendly, Mothers Corner and liquor licence. +27 (0) 44 534 8170 +27 (0) 82 486 1515 info@tenikwa.co.za www.tenikwa.co.za

Wilderness Beach is unspoilt, safe and breathtakingly beautiful. Warm Indian Ocean waves break onto this golden sandy beach that stretches for seemingly endless kilometres. Time almost stands still as the hours slip by while you wander and enjoy this coastal Eden and its creatures. It's a good spot for whale and dolphin watching.

Deep in the Langeberg Mountains and part of Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve is the hiking paradise Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. As part of the Cape Floral Region, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fragrant mountain fynbos and indigenous kloof forest characterize the lovely landscape. Some incredibly rare species of Ericas can be found. The ravines are populated by stinkwood, yellowwood, Cape holly, red alder, beech, white alder and candlewood trees. If you're a tree-spotter, look out for a thicket of mountain cypress growing on a cliff edge. Wildlife that you may encounter includes grey rhebuck, klipspringer, grysbok, baboons, leopard, mongoose and genet. The area boasts numerous birds with 184 recorded species including black, martial, crowned and booted eagles, redwinged and redneck francolins, blackrumped buttonquail, striped flufftail and Layard’s titbabbler. Popular with hikers, the main attraction here is the lack of infrastructure and remoteness. Paths are unmarked and huts provide only basic shelter and no toilet facilities. Hikers need to be well-equipped for all weather and must carry an accurate map. Hikers may choose their route from 64 km of paths. A circular two-day route of 27 km follows an old jeep track up Loerklip and back down Saagkuilkloof. Advance bookings are essential. +27 021 659 3500 bookings@capenature.co.za

Known as ‘Day One’ of the massively popular Otter Trail, the Waterfall Trail is definitely a worthwhile excursion at Storms River Mouth. The linear route runs along the coastline for three kilometres until reaching the graceful waterfall, which marks the halfway point. The starting time for doing this walk is all important – in latest time to start in summer is 14:30 and in winter it is 13:30. The hike is considered tricky because of the jagged and slippery terrain and it is advisable to tackle it at low tide. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear for a cooling plunge under the waterfall. Look out for the red flash of Knysna turacos in flight. Grab a map of the various walks and a list of fauna and flora species at the Storms River Mouth Info Centre.

The setting that takes in mountains, water and wildlife characterises the magnificent Fancourt Outeniqua Golf Course, one of two 18-hole Parkland layouts at Fancourt. It’s hard to beat a round here and all levels of golfers will find it an excellent challenge for its design and fine conditioning alone. Designed by Grand Slam golfing legend Gary Player, it is similar to Montagu, and offers a variety of tees from which to play. Play is restricted to hotel visitors, members and guests to ensure overcrowding but it’s advisable to book in advance to ensure your required tee-off time. All golfers can warm-up on the full-length range and chipping and bunker practice area before playing. A handicap certificate, soft spikes and appropriate golf attire is required. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting.

Set in a stunning cove enclosed by rugged cliffs, Victoria Bay Beach is one of the smallest and most hidden bays on the Garden Route. Travelling from the N2 it is only 3km away, roughly situated between George and Wilderness. A number of cottages are clustered along the beach front. The gently-sloping tiny sandy beach offers safe swimming as well as big waves in deeper water that provide surfers with a long ride.

Looking for hip and unusual things to do on the Garden Route? Segway Off-Road ECO-Tours offer guided tours on a Segway Personal Transporter, a great way to see the outdoors. The Segway Personal Transporter is easy and safe to use. Before each tour, guests receive a thorough orientation from an experienced trainer. Tours pass through the quaint Storms River Village, into the Tsitsikamma pine forest and over the historical Witteklip Bridge. Booking is essential. www.segwaytours.co.za

Monkey about and zip between the tree tops for a unique forest experience. Situated in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forest, the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour was the first tree top canopy tour to be developed in South Africa. Combining a generous shot of adrenaline with a stunning setting, the trip through the trees consists of 10 platforms and 10 slides, the longest of which is 100 metres. Steel cables are suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor and most of the platforms are in massive Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is amazing from this height. Well-trained professional guides keep you entertained with interesting details about the forest during the two to three hour trip. Tours start with a thorough safety briefing followed by a kitting up session. At this stage you will be issued and assisted with a full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment which is then checked. A short drive takes you into the Tsitsikamma Forest and then the fun begins!

Retro décor, spaciousness and the hippest bands have earned The Assembly its reputation as one of the hottest nightspots in the Mother City. Catch anything from live electronics, punk, rock, indie, jazz, ska, pop, comedy or the coolest new acts at The Assembly! The enormous pimped loft has a great vibe with awesome lighting, seating and a huge bar. You'll always find the hip set here and the venue is often used for big parties.

The Goose Valley Golf Course is situated only 2km from Plettenberg Bay towards Port Elizabeth and bordering on the stunning Keurbooms Lagoon.Set in pristine surroundings, this magnificent estate offers a Gary Player designed 72 par, 18 hole golf course in the heart of the Garden Route. Golfers will experience breathtaking views of the lagoon, the ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains, as also the beauty of the natural fynbos, trees and an abundance of animal and bird life.Need to know? Eighteen holes Length: Men 6048m Ladies 4992m Designer: Gary Player Design Company Par / Rating: 72/70Visitors Conditions: soft spikes only Grass: Kikuya fairways, bent greens. Golf carts for hire, halfwayhouse, golf clubs for hire, Pro-shop, strictly no caddies allowed. Visitors fees on request.

South Africa’s most frequently hiked trail is so popular that bookings need to be made at least a year in advance – but don’t let that stop you. The dramatic setting of luxuriant Tsitsikamma forest meeting the rugged Indian Ocean coastline in the Garden Route National Park contributes greatly to this unforgettable five-day hiking experience. Along with the incredibly diverse natural beauty, the area is paradise to numerous birds, wildlife, plants and trees. Starting at Storms River Mouth, the first day is an easy warm up of 4.8 km, passing an interesting cave and gorgeous waterfall. The following three days are fairly tough and a reasonable level of fitness is required. The last leg of the 42 km route is a relatively easy 6 km amble to Nature's Valley. Footpaths mostly follow the shoreline along cliff tops with stunning ocean views – dolphins and whales are often spotted. The trail returns to sea level for river crossings. Be aware of the dates and times of high and low tides as it is highly inadvisable to attempt river crossings during high tide. The best time to hike the trail is between September and March. Overnight stops are situated at stunning locations. Rustic wooden huts offer bunks and mattresses, fireplaces, firewood, drinking water and toilets.

Lying inland and north of Nature's Valley is the relatively undiscovered Formosa Nature Reserve. Most travellers to the Garden Route cling to the lovely coastline and miss the beautiful wildness of the Tsitsikamma Mountain range. But if you’re after the solitude of a pristine reserve that is seldom disturbed, look no further. You can spend days exploring this long stretch of wilderness that lies between the Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature's Valley, and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. There are no formal hiking trails in the 5 0000-hectare reserve – just lots of lovely footpaths to discover the stunning mountain forest and wet fynbos. Abundant bird life draws twitchers from far beyond the limits of Kareedouw and Misgund, the Klein Karoo villages on either side of the park. Don’t miss one of the reserve’s major attractions – trek up the famous Formosa Peak to summit the highest pinnacle in the Tsitsikamma Mountains.