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Garden Route Trip (2/7): Wilderness and Knysna

  • by benjo,
  • 11 May 2011
  • Posted in Traveling Garden Route

If you have enjoyed my first travel post you might be interested in the second day on the famous Garden Route. We went on further 100 km in total smoothly. Find out more about our travel experiences …

Quick Stop, Quicker Stop, George

The 2nd day started early. This day’s main destinations were Wilderness National Park and Knysna. So we had a lot to do. We decided to make a quick stop and have breakfast in George close to Wilderness. George is about 50 km far away from Mossel Bay (approximately a 40 minutes drive). Our travel guide recommended a café on the main road. Unfortunately, this café had been closed. You wonder why? Well, all in all we didn’t feel very comfortable in George. The town itself is not worth it to see. The only interesting things about George are the surrounding (at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains) and the golf courts everywhere. Except you are a passionate golfer you probably won’t have so much fun in George.

Waiting for Breakfast in Wilderness

After this disappointing experience we drove on to the village of Wilderness. Further 15 km far away (20 minutes drive). It was much cozier here and we even found an Italian café where we could get some breakfast – after waiting another 50 Minutes! What’s the problem with fried eggs, tomato, bacon and toast for 2 people? You see the day started with some complications. But these should have been the last troubles this day.

 

Canoeing and Hiking Adventure

When we finally arrived to the Wilderness National Park we hired a canoe at Eden Adventures and started an exciting trip on the Touw River. The trip was divided into 2 parts, about an hour each. First we enjoyed relaxed canoeing and afterwards hiking through the strong vegetation up to a waterfall. If it would have been some degrees warmer we would have definitely taken a bath there. On the way back we could breathe the pure and fresh air and listen to the silence added by the sounds of different birds again. When I look back it wasn’t even exhausting. Highly recommended for nature lovers!!!

Eat Oysters in Knysna!

At the afternoon we went on to Knysna. When we approached we had a fabulous view to the Knysna Lagoon. This harbour village is so idyllic and cozy. You have to stop here if you are on the Garden Route! We started our discovery with the waterfront. Enjoying the last sun beams of the day we had dinner with the view to a canal where we could observe the passing boats. Knysna is very famous for its oysters. Hence, it’s a MUST to eat oysters here – even if they are the first of your life. We ate them with pepper, Tabasco sauce and lemon at the Oyster Bar – very scrumptious!

 

Sleeping in an African Jewel

For the night we had accommodation in the African Jewel Lodge (and we called before). That Backpackers was a very nice, lovely furnished (of course African style) and clean hostel just 10 minutes walk from the waterfront. Here you can actually get a dorm bed for just 80 ZAR. Parking your car is also no problem.

Further Things to Do in Wilderness and Knysna

If you like adventures Wilderness National Park is the right place to stay. Here you can further do:

  • Abseiling
  • Cycling
  • Paragliding
  • Kloofing

In Knysna you can also do:

  • Canoeing on the Knysna Lagoon
  • Sailing
  • Lagoon cruises
  • Oyster farm visits

 

If you’d like to add some interesting information referring to Wilderness or Knysna feel free to tell me your experiences in the comment section.




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