Top 5 Day Trips Along The Garden Route
4 min read
De Bakke Santos is the perfect spot for many reasons – the beach is near, it’s a perfect spot for family holidays, it’s safe, it’s affordable, and we could go on! But it is also the ideal base for many day trips along the Garden Route. The Garden Route offers 300 kilometres of coastline to explore, starting in Mossel Bay and ending in Plettenberg Bay. Here are our top 5 day trips along the Garden Route, with its starting point at De Bakke Santos:
1. Knysna town and forest (107 km)
Knysna is perhaps the most famous town along the Garden Route. Known for its beautiful lagoon and its many local stores and markets, Knysna is a very popular tourist destination and a must-see! The Knysna Heads offer brilliant views of the sea and lagoon, with two tall sentries of rock keeping watch over the water and the town. We would also recommend visiting the small town of Belvidere on the opposite shore. Visit the Belvidere Holy Trinity Church and churchyard, with its beautiful stained-glass windows and stunning gardens, and have lunch at the Bell Tavern.
The Knysna forests are something to behold! With its exquisite, ancient trees and peaceful forest floor, the Knysna forests are the perfect place to return to nature and find peace. There are many access points and hikes. We recommend the Jubilee Creek walk. Not only is it family friendly, it is also an easy and relatively short walk, but with huge pay-off! The 1,8 km walk ends at a small natural waterfall and swimming pool and the same route is followed out again. The walk follows along the banks of the Millwood Creek, whose water is completely safe to drink. There are picnic sites at the start of the walk, with easy access to the creek for a dip to cool off.
2. Wilderness (60,4 km)
If you are looking for a change of scenery, Wilderness is a lovely town to visit, with its laid-back, permanently relaxed feel. The town has a long beach that is packed during the summer months and offers some incredible views. On the N2 in and out of the town, one can stop at the Dolphin Point Lookout that has a full view of the beach and the old train tracks that run over the water. Alternatively, head to the Map of Africa lookout for an astounding image of river, forest, and mountains. We recommend driving through Hoekwil to the Woodville Big Tree and Forest Walk, to see the giant, 800-year-old Outeniqua Yellowwood tree and have a quick wander on the circular route through the woods.
3. George (47,5 km)
George is situated among the Outeniqua mountains and is the second largest city in the Western Cape. If you are missing the rush of the city, George is the closest you will get on the Garden Route. The city has a large shopping mall, perfect for Christmas shopping, but drive 20 minutes in any direction and you are back among nature. Visit Victoria Bay for a dip in the ocean, pick some strawberries at the Redberry farm, drive the Outeniqua mountain pass for some amazing views, and do some wine tasting at Herold Wine Estate. A stop at the Elvis Brew Padstal is a must; get your coffee and snacks for the road home and buy some local goodies.
4. Tsitsikamma National Park (204 km)
The Tsitsikamma is known for highlighting some of South Africa’s best natural features. Watch out for dolphins and the Cape Clawless Otter or listen to the Knysna Loerie, which is endemic to the Garden Route area. The park is home to the famous Otter Trail, a gruelling five-day hike that attracts avid hikers from all over the world. Our favourite way of exploring this beautiful part of our country is along a zipline! There are many zipline treetop and canopy tours, which offers an alternative, unique view of the beautiful forest.
5. Oudtshoorn (87,4 km)
Oudtshoorn is a town situated in the Klein Karoo known as ‘the ostrich capital of the world’. Despite its scorching temperatures, Oudtshoorn is a must visit, as it offers a completely different experience to the coastal towns and forests mentioned. The area is home to Africa’s largest cave system, the Congo Caves, and is surrounded by the Swartberg mountain range. Oudtshoorn boasts with excellent food and wine stops, and, of course, the Cango Ostrich Farm, where visitors can get up close and personal with these large, fast flightless birds.
After a long day of exploring the Garden Route, we are excited to welcome you back – get cosy around a campfire, listen to the sound of the ocean, and relax at De Bakke Santos! Please ask our friendly staff for recommendations and don’t forget to share and tag us in your memories made.
