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Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park
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Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park

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Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park
4.5
1,247 reviews
#3 of 52 things to do in Knysna
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Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
The Cliffhanger
15
0.2 mi$ • International
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2 within 6 miles
Natures Valley Beach
34
Beaches
Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail
14
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,247 reviews
Excellent
909
Very good
263
Average
62
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Patrizia V
Rome, Italy8 contributions
A Fascinating trip
Jan 2020 • Couples
Route 2 Is a marvel, we drove from Cape Town to Knysna and PE, including a detour to Cape Agulhas. Do remember however to fully equip the car with fuel, water and some food. For hundreds of kilometers you may not find a single restaurant, with restrooms and a cafeteria. You may often find large areas with no telephone network. Trip was fascinating but hard. A satellite mobile is suggested to foreign travellers as we were.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawn C
Cape Town, South Africa90 contributions
Absolutely beautiful Nature, Views & Lands
Mar 2022
Total and awesome beauty!
The Forests of Knysna on both sides of the N2 after leaving George is quite amazing. The vegetation is luscious & green and quite a beautiful sight, the Large lakes and water ways are also amazing. The Heads in Knysna is the most amazing mountain ocean & lake views.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Belinda S
Johannesburg, South Africa102 contributions
Untainted Beauty, Stunning Park
Sep 2019
If you want an authentic experience, unaffected by tourism, this is the place to come. The accommodation in the Park is very good, ranging from camping to forest huts, and wooden cabins. Prices are reasonable and it is safe and clean. I have stayed in both units and the experience was amazing each time. We watched the sun rise whilst drinking coffee on a bench above the crashing ocean. People around us were preparing for a morning jog, and cyclists readying themselves for the challenging ride back up the pass. Close proximity to view the Bloukrans Bridge makes this a definite stop on your journey.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DrhermanK
Benoni, South Africa1,281 contributions
Short break
Nov 2020 • Couples
We visited the Garden Route as the lockdown level 1 made it easier to travel. Awesome area to visit and really a lot to see. Some places and businesses are still closed, but there is enough to see and do. Really an area to visit for a long time.
Written November 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa
Toronto, Canada231 contributions
Scenic
Feb 2020
Over the last few days, we have travelled from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. We stopped wherever we saw something interesting as well as pre-researched spots of interest. Lots to see, the terrain the road changes so much
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JBvdM
Johannesburg, South Africa51 contributions
The best South African holiday!
Jan 2023 • Family
Everyone should do the Garden Route at least once in their lifetime. There is so much to see and do. This last trip we did was from Knysna through to Mossel Bay with our home base for the week in the Wilderness which was in the middle of the two. Knysna quays waterfront and a boat cruise to the Knysna heads is a must, the wilderness offers some wonderful restaurants and beaches and beautiful viewpoints and lagoons, as well as markets like milkwood village and timber lake village. George has some amazing activities like the outeniqua power van and transport museum and elevate action centre with a trampoline park and indoor go karting. Finally reaching Mossel Bay with their awesome waterpark on Diaz beach. Amazing trip.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Antony C
Haywards Heath, UK38 contributions
Discrimination!!!!!
Sep 2014 • Couples
What a beautiful area, we loved driving about the garden route and have traveled all over the world. What a shame to be faced with discrimination of the highest order at the gates of the park. R40 for South Africans and R150 for International Visitors. We did not expect this kind of discrimination in South Africa! We turned around and went and spent our money on other attractions in the area. We will also be telling everyone we know about this and warning them of the discriminatory behaviour of the park directors...
Written October 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zerwickrenatevictor
Centurion, South Africa2,443 contributions
Spectacular and very unique
Apr 2016 • Couples
My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of spending a blissful 10 days along the Garden Route during April/May 2016.

We used Corporate Shuttle Airport Transfers which is very professional and reliable as our shuttle service to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg). We were on a Kalula Airlines flight to George which was excellent value for money and included a car rental.

We arrived in George and got our rental car. Every time we land in George (third time in two years – November and May) it was extremely cold and windy at the airport and our jackets in our hand luggage came in very handy.

Our exciting journey started and we took the winding road to Knysna. Knysna is approximately 70 kilometers from George Airport. Be wary of the speed signs next to the road. The speed limit for most of the scenic drive is 100 kilometer/hour. When passing through Wilderness, Sedgefield and other intersections the speed limit vary between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour. Do keep to the speed limit.

We arrived at the Knysna Inn and were welcomed back like family. Knysna Inn was the perfect base to explore all the gems that Knysna and surroundings have to offer. The Waterfront boasts an array of restaurants and interesting shops. For the best Seafood feast a visit to Freshline Fisheries is highly recommended. For spectacular views of The Heads and exquisite food do pay East Head Café a visit. Noetzie beach is spectacular and perfect for an ever so romantic pick-nick.

The familiar Outeniqua “rust” which is a popular saying among locals did not wait long before it settled in and soon we were in slow – mode and absolutely relaxed.

After four days of pure and utter bliss we said our goodbyes at Knysna Inn and continued our journey along the N2 to our final destination at Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

We continued approximately 32 kilometers to Plettenberg Bay where our first stop was The Plettenberg Hotel to kick start my birthday celebration. The Plettenberg is in every sense a true five star hotel and in a class and league of its own. After the essential cocktail and spectacular views of the beach and ocean our journey took us 18 kilometers along the N2 to Bramon Wine Estate in The Crags.

We had the most exquisite shared tapas meal in an amazing setting between the wineyards. Bramon provided the perfect place to celebrate life. The Estate also boasts excellent wines and their award winning MCC Sauvignon Blanc (Bubbly) left us wanting more. The Estate boasts a convenient wine shop at the entrance of the Estate next to the N2.

Newstead Winery is situated a few meters down the road. The turn off from the N2 is on the left and from there we followed the sign posts to the parking area. Their Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are excellent and wine can be bought at the tasting room.

The scenery along the road to Storms River in the Tsitikamma National Park is breathtaking and spectacular and boasts indigenous forest, commercial plantation and Fynbos. Deep River gorges make their way through the plateau down to the sea, creating deep ravines and spectacular waterfalls. It was very interesting to learn that his section of the road is also one of the few highways in the world to have three bridges in excess of 152 meters in height.

We arrived at Storms River Mouth Rest camp in the Tsitsikamma National Park and were simply amazed by the spectacular scenery with the Tsitsikamma Mountains as backdrop and the crashing boulders of the Indian Ocean right in front of our Honeymoon cottage. A walk through the canopy of forest to the iconic Suspension Bridge in combination with the saltiness of the ocean and spectacular views was picture perfect and very special.

After two blissful days we packed our rental car and headed to Storms River Village a short drive from there. We were pleasantly surprised by the quaint little village with all the gems it has to offer. We stayed in Marc Hare Cottage which provided the perfect base to explore the area. Our host, Glen was very friendly and a true gentleman.

We can highly recommend Tsitrus Café for excellent pizzas. We had a table outside right in the quaint orange orchard. Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery next to Marilyn’s Diner provided a real treat as we sampled on the testing tray. The Bistro was a haven with full bodied coffee with heavenly aromas.

If there is one thing that is not to be missed it is lunch at Fynboshoek Cheese Farm. It was an amazing experience and the rustic lunch with cheeses (made on the farm) and freshly made homemade bread was simply outstanding.

We also paid the Outeniqua Big Yellowwood tree a visit. It is situated about 1 kilometer from the turn off to Storms River on the N2 in the Port Elizabeth direction.

We departed Storms River on our second last day of our enchanting journey and made our way to Wilderness. On our way we made a lunch stop at Timberlake Village which was very interesting and had a magnificent lunch at Zucchini Restaurant which we can highly recommend.

From there we proceeded to Xanadu Guest Villa in Wilderness. Xanadu is a five star guest villa and boasts luxury, spectacular views of Wilderness beach and true and heartfelt hospitality. We thoroughly enjoyed our one night stay. Xanadu Guest Villa is a mere 15 minutes drive to George airport.

For dinner we had a seafood feast at The Girls Restaurant. The quality of our meals was exceptional and we enjoyed every scrumptious bite.

Like all things that are good our holiday slowly came to an end the following morning as we headed our rental car in the direction of George. We could not resist too make a quick stop at the beautiful Herolds bay where the familiar Outeniqua “rust” made its full and final settlement.

It is said that no two people will experience the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma National Park in the same way. To us, this area is utterly beautiful and holds a very special, unique and charming ambience. We completely fell head over heels in love with this very special part of our country and cannot wait to return to savour on more of the magical bliss.

PS: I posted individual reviews of the above mentioned hotels, attractions and restaurants. The reviews contain detailed information on our experiences of the Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions.
Written June 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ywwonglp
Cambridge, UK169 contributions
Overrated garden route. Disappointed
Sep 2016 • Solo
I was on a four days garden route tour, we had four individual travellers in the tour who all agreed that this route along with all the attractions are way too overrated, especially when we all came back from various overlanding tour from other parts of Africa.

The scenery along the main road are really average, mostly passing through forest with a little bit of mountain backdrop. All the small town on the route are just your regular average town that has no charm at all.

The activities along the route such as monkey/ elephant sanctuary, zipline, the highest buggy are not that attractive and interesting. You can do all these elsewhere in Africa with a more dramatic setting...(e.g. the bungy in victoria falls offers a much better experience and dramatic view).

We also went to Addo elephant national park, which was considered as the third largest in SA. Well worth skipping and not worth the time and effort to yet there especially if you've seen any other game park in other parts of Africa.

We hike a short section in Tsitsikamma to the suspension bridge...it's mostly forest walk and the view is quite average.

Spend your time and money around Cape Town instead, the view is much more spectacular all the way to Cape peninsula or if you simply take the sightseeing red bus around table mountain, that's the most stunning view ever, Garden route doesn't offer anything comparable to the landscape nearby Cape Town!

And definitely not worth doing any tour to the garden route, all they do is long drive everyday through average scenery. If you must see garden route, definitely rent a car and do all the activities in your own pace instead.
Written September 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
amm1u
Glasgow, Scotland191 contributions
Huge disappointment
Jan 2014 • Solo
Maybe because I designed an entire tour of South Africa round the Garden Route section, I was expecting too much, but I was sorely disappointed by what is often said to be one of the "must sees" in the world. The indigenous forest is attractive and interesting, while there are pretty bays and views. However the scenery is not particularly dramatic and doesn't compare with eg the Great Ocean Road, Route 101, the Scottish Highlands and many, many Mediterranean coastlines. Plettenberg Bay is a nice town, but others are bland and Knysna's attractions defeat me. Definitely not worth crossing a continent for!
Written January 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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