Garden Route National Park
Spread over 1,200 square kilometers, the Garden Route National Park was established as part of a broader plan to further the protection of South Africa´s flora, fauna, and wildlife. The park winds through indigenous forests and along breathtaking rocky coastlines. It’s been dubbed “conservations without boundaries” and is the most excellent example of South Africa’s magnificent landscapes, scenery, and beauty.
- Wildlife Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
- Scenery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Things to do in Garden Route National Park
There’s no shortage of things to do in the Garden Route National Park. Apart from the famous Garden Route Road Trip, visitors to the national park itself can partake in dozens of different activities from boating to biking, bungee jumping to scuba diving, and hiking to whale-watching. And that’s just scratching the surface!
The park advertises that all ventures are reasonable and safe to do on your own, however a guide can be hired for a small fee to try any activity.
Highlights
- No matter what you’re into, there is guaranteed to be something in the GRNP that sparks your interest.
- Conservation of this land is the number one priority of South Africa. It shows in the level of pristine and natural beauty that is unsurpassed by most other places on the planet.
- The diversity of wildlife, marine life, fauna, and flora is unmatched anywhere else in the country.
- Breathtaking scenery and mountainous landscapes paired with charming coastal towns gives the GRNP authentic and peaceful vibes.
Lowlights
- Reservations for accommodation (especially in high season), need to be made well in advance (think 3 – 6 months). Some activities can be booked a week or so in advance, but it’s recommended to plan further ahead than this. For example, certain activities, like the Otter Trail, require reservations made 6 – 12 months in advance.
Best time to Visit
Summer (November – March) is the best and the most popular time to visit. Daytime temperatures range from 24 – 30°C (75 – 86°F). It does get busy around the Christmas holidays, so late summer, (February and March) will allow you to discover this area with less crowds.
The climate around the GRNP is Mediterranean and sub-tropical. This creates temperate weather pretty much all year round. Fall (April – June) sees mild temperatures of roughly 14 – 22°C (57 - 72°F). The winter season (July – October) has average temperatures of 8 - 17°C (47 - 64°F). Spring (August through October) is a comfortable 10 – 19°C (50 - 66°F).
Note: The heaviest rainfall is in winter, but rain is possible year-round. Be sure to bring some waterproof clothing and shoes!
How to Get There
Recommended Length of Stay
It all depends on the number of activities you want to do, but most people will find 5 –10 days are sufficient.
Accommodation
There are four separate camps available in the Garden Route National Park. It is broken down by region. Storms River Camp and Nature’s Valley Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section, Knysna Camp in the Knysna Lake Section, and Wilderness Camp in the Wilderness Section.
Accommodation ranges from camp grounds and huts, to chalets, cottages, and cabins. It depends which section you stay as to which type is available.
Permits
An entrance fee known as a conservation fee or tariff has to be paid in each section of the GRNP. They are daily fees that must be paid at the individual entrance gates. The fees are as follows:
- Tsitsikamma Section:
- Entrance Fee: R196(USD 15) per adult, per day; R98(USD 48) per child, per day.
- Hours of Operation: 7am – 6pm
- Nature’s Valley Section:
- Entrance Fee: R88(USD 7) per adult, per day; R44(USD 3) per child, per day.
- Hours of Operation: 7am – 6pm
- Knysna Section:
- Entrance Fee: R120(USD 9) per adult, per day; R60(USD 5) per child, per day.
- Hours of Operation: 7am – 6pm
- Wilderness Section:
- Entrance Fee: R120(USD 9) per adult, per day; R60(USD 5) per child, per day.
- Hours of Operation: 7am – 5:30pm
Note: These fees do not cover any activities, camping, accommodation, or food.
Good to Know
- Buy a Wild Card. It will grant you unlimited access to the three sections of the Garden Route National Park for a one year period. The cost is USD 38 per individual person, USD 63 per couple, or USD 75 for a family of seven with two adults. With this card, you do not have to pay the daily tariffs for over 80 parks and reserves in South Africa and Namibia. Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna National Lake Area, and Wilderness National Park are all included.
- Buy a local SIM card so you can always have access to your phone and GPS.
- Bring rain gear or waterproof clothing regardless of the season. The weather is known to change quickly in this region and rain is possible at any time.
- Pets are not allowed inside the parks.
- The park is inside a Malaria-free area; no immunizations necessary.
- Vehicle fuel is available inside all the parks or just outside.
The Garden Route National Park is quickly becoming one of the greatest tourist attractions on a South Africa trip. It’s easy to see why when you consider all that can be accomplished in one visit. There’s heart pounding activities for the thrill-seekers, calm and less strenuous activities for those seeking peace, quiet, and relaxation, and plenty of ways to rough it for those who want to get back to nature. Regardless of what you seek, the Garden Route National Park can and will deliver!