Travel Adviser: Garden Route National Park

Getting there
The Garden Route National Park is to the north and south of the N2 between George and Storms River. There are park offices in George, Wilderness, Knysna and Storms River.

When to go
The area has a mild climate, with moderately hot summers and chilly winters. Most rain falls in spring and autumn, although summer storms do occur.

Where to stay

$ to $ Accommodation at Storms River Mouth includes cottages, huts, caravan sites and campsites. Prices range from R2 155 for a cottage (sleeps eight) and R620 for a forest cabin (sleeps two) to R340 for a forest hut (sleeps two). Caravan sites are R250 or R220 a night for up to six people and camping is R220 a tent.

There are good discounts out of season and for pensioners. If you don’t have a Wild Card, there’s a conservation fee, which varies depending on whether you’re local or foreign (R28 to R88). Book through Sanparks.

In Storms River village, Tsitsikamma Backpackers is a clean, friendly mini-hotel with a dorm and deck tents as well. Tel 042-281-1868, e-mail stay@tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za, web www.tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za.

$ to $ Nature’s Valley Rest Camp has huts which sleep two and cost R355 a night. Camping costs R150 a night for the site (grassed or under trees). Book through Sanparks.

$ to $ Ebb & Flow Rest Camp at Wilderness has cottages, cabins, rondavels and campsites. Overnight prices range from R915 for a log cottage (sleeps four) to R240 for a rondavel (sleeps two). Campsites for up to six people are from R140 to R220. Book through Sanparks.

$ Diepwalle camping decks cost R150 a tent plus R50 a person. The guesthouse costs between R320 and R400. There’s also a hiking hut. Book through Sanparks.

$ to $ Whiskey Creek is the best-kept secret of all. Paddle to a CapeNature hut up seven kilometres of flat water. It’s pretty basic, so take all your own food and sleeping bags. However, the setting is sublime. Rates are between R135 and R190 a person a night. To book, call CapeNature at 044-802-5310.

$$ to $$$ Tree Top Chalet between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay costs R1 150 for the chalet in summer plus R250 an adult (sleeps four). Winter rates are R920 and R200. To book, call 044-302-5606.

How to book
For Sanparks bookings, tel 021-428- 9111, e-mail reservations@sanparks.org or web www.sanparks.org. There are many excellent hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments in the park’s vicinity and the towns of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and George. See our Destinations section on page 133 and web www.getaway.co.za/directories/ type/places-to-stay.

Where to eat
You’ll be spoilt for choice, but we can recommend two.

The Olive Tree in Knysna Main Road is deservedly much acclaimed. Contact Ellen Owen, tel 044-382-5867.

The Materolli Tea Room at Millwood in the Knysna Forest is in a beautiful setting and the food is home cooked and generous. On a cold day, try their wholesome, thick soups.

What to do
The Garden Route is South Africa’s outdoor playground. Besides the many hiking trails, activities include mountain biking, bird-watching, whale watching, scuba diving, skydiving, horse riding, canoeing, kloofing, abseiling, canopy tours, fishing, sailing, houseboating and visiting elephants, raptors or wolves.

A good place to start is Eden Adventures, tel 044-877-0179, e-mail info@eden.co.za or web www.eden.co.za.

Also try www.gardenroute.com, www.gardenrouteadventures.com and www.adventureroutes.com.

Recommended reading
Daleen Matthee’s ‘forest’ books are Fiela’s Child, Circles in a Forest, Dreamforest and The Mulberry Forest, all published by Penguin (although the latter is out of print).

An excellent book on the environment of the area is East of the Cape: Conserving Eden by Richard Cowling and Shirley Pierce (Fernwood Press).