The‘Garden Route:’The Known and Unknown

Planning an itinerary on a budget can be overwhelming, especially when your challenge is the famous ‘Garden Route.’ However, it is possible! Here are some suggested must-see’s which don’t steal your pennies.

Wilderness

This town is chilled on steroids. Beautiful contrasting landscape of both beach and rainforest makes this town extraordinary, with a faint ‘funky smell’ which almost partners the oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the air. We stayed in Wilderness Backpackers Hostel, a hostel that offers a friendly vibe with a beach on the doorstep (and free, safe parking!) – I couldn’t recommend it more.

1.     Walk along the Wilderness Beach

With a stretch of more than a kilometre, you can enter the beach from many points and take a long walk or run. In the waves, surfers join the marine life.

If you are particularly into surfing, the famous Victoria Bay is only a few minutes down the road.

2.     Do the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail

One of the most beautiful hikes that I did on my trip. Within the Wilderness National Park, a 4km walk takes you to a waterfall where you can swim and chill before turning back. The trail takes you through a shady forest filled with bird noises, with the opportunity to add another hour on through a loop that gives an amazing view… however, it is a bit steep but definitely worth it! Something which we did not pack is bug spray, which was a big error- remember to pack some with you. There is also an opportunity to canoe and kayak.

Rheenendal

Being just a bit inland from Knysna, Rheenendal is off the traditional ‘Garden Route’ protectory. Surrounded by the dramatic, indigenous Lawnwood rainforest, it is absolutely breathtaking.

1.     Go to Buffalo Bay Beach

 Just outside of Knysna and about a 20 minute drive from Rheenendal is Buffalo Bay Beach. With a 14km stretch of white, sandy beaches and dues, it’s pretty beautiful. Another massive surfer spot, it provides a continuous wave with clear water. The weather was sadly not on our side when we visited, bringing the mist from England, but it made for some atmospheric photographs.

2.     Stay at Elephant Rest Forest Cottage

We stayed at the Elephant Rest Forest Cottage, a self-sufficient retreat nestled next to a dramatic, indigenous Lawnwood rainforest. It is incredibly impressive, with it being built by the owners Adela and Brett over the last 24 years. One night was definitely not long enough!

It offers options for a single traveller to a group as large as 8, with a self-catering cottage and a hut. Brett’s own input, amongst many other achievements, is seen in the timber cabins as well as two manmade dams, which are supplied by rainwater collected from the roofs. This same water is also cleansed and then used for showers and as drinking water. The majority of what is consumed by Adela and Brett is harvested from their land, from multiple different types of vegetables and fruit to their own stock of Tilapia in the dam. The gardens are absolutely stunning, with most of the land being covered in beautiful beds – this, coupled with quite a mouth-dropping sunset, is really was quite special.  

3.     Go for a hike in the Lawnwood Rainforest  

There are many different trails which one is able to hike, or run, down. Giving a similar feeling to the forest in the movie ‘Twilight,’ you are surrounded by huge trees with many birds. You may come across a Baboon or two as well.

Sedgefield

Being given the first town in Africa to be given Slow Town rank, one understands this decision when visiting Sedgefield. Sadly we didn’t stay here but I do have a couple suggestions.

1.     Go to Mr Kaai

This was the primary reason why Sedgefield was a stop for us. When asking for suggestions from South African’s who had done the Garden Route themselves, the amount of people who mentioned this quant Fish & Chips Shop was quite astonishing. It is the best Fish & Chips that I have had and I come from the home of Fish & Chips. Order the grilled fish, and you won’t be disappointed.

2.     Go to the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market

We sadly were not able to go to the Market as it is once a month, however this was also a popular suggestion from those I asked. With fresh produce, plants, pastries and a few food stalls, I am sad to have missed it.

Stormsrivier

The Garden Route certainly makes you flabbergasted at the extent of nature that it provides, and Stormsrivier is the Mecca to this feeling.

1.     Stay in Storms River Mouth Rest Camp

Situated in the Tsitsikamma part of the Garden Route National Park, it is easy to decipher why it is translated into ‘the place of much water.’ The Camp is nestled between the dramatic coast and the Forest, and right next to the famous Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge that hangs over the River Mouth. One is able to camp or rent a cabin, which increase in capacity to a large cottage. We chose to stay in a self-catering 2-man cabin which was affordable and cosy.

2.     Take the Waterfall Trail

This trail is the starting point of the Otter Trail, which is the oldest and most famous hiking trail in South Africa that stretches over the 45km distance between Storms River Park and Nature’s Valley. It combines the terrain of rainforest and rocky beach; I definitely recommend proper footwear. After 3km, you reach a dramatic waterfall that borders the sea. You are able to climb the waterfall and swim in the pool below it.

3.     Go Kayaking and Tubing down the River

This was one of my favourite memories of my whole ‘Garden Route’ experience. Untouched Adventures offers a 2.5 hour trip up the Storms River Gorge which combines kayaking and tubing. The Gorge is dramatic, and extremely humbling; I automatically related it to the Kawarau Gorge in New Zealand where Lord of the Rings was filmed. One is able to kayak down, and swap to tubing further down the Gorge.