If you are looking for places in South Africa to visit with your kids; the Garden Route is where you should take them. The garden route doesn’t only have the forests, seaside town and cliffed edged villages but it is a place filled with a lot of fun activities for your kids too. Here are what we think the best places to visit in the Garden Route and where you must take your children for an experience they have never had.
1. Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is known for its breathtaking beaches and coastline. Place popular with tourists and locals. Being known for its beaches and coastlines, there are also lots of attractions near the Bay for your kids to enjoy. One of them is Birds of Eden, where you may take your kids for a chance to see and meet the birds upclose. Monkey land will bring a lot of smiles since you can roam around the enclousre with your kids and meet the monkeys. Close by is also Tenikwa Wildlife where your kids can see the wild African cats and go on a tour of them to learn about their survival. I bet your kids will be amazed to see the Cheetahs there.
Find more information on their website: Plettenberg Bay
2. Tsitsikama
Tsitsikama is one of the most beautiful National Parks in south Africa. You will find cliffs, rivers, waterfalls and a dramatic three part suspension bridge to cross Storms River. There are many short or long walking trail’s starting at the Storms River mouth. There is also an option of kayaking into the river mouth or going on a boat trip into the gorge itself. Take lots of pictures here and once you are done exploring it, there’s a nice restaurant where you can have a lunch at. Close to the main road from Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth is the Tsitsikamma falls adventure, where you can zipline from across 8 line, of which the longest is a whooping 211m. For the adventurous there is also Bloukrans bridge bungee. If not jumping justw watching people jump is a thrill of it’s own.
Find more information on their website: Tsitsikama
3. Knysna
There is so much to do here if you visit with your kids. Knysna is a favorite holiday town so bring your kids here to enjoy the water related activities at the lagoon there. Take your kids on a boat ride or explore the Knysna Forest with them. There is also the famous waterfront buzz with coffee shops, bars, boutiques and restaurants. Don’t forget to try the oysters.
Find more information on their website: Knysna
4. Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is kind of a separated area from the Garden Route but connects with a mountain range. Since South Africa is mainly about wild life, your kids are going to love the ostrich show farms where they could learn about the birds and get an extraordinary chance to even ride on them. What I personally want you to visit when you come here is the Cango Caves to enjoy the ultimate experience of the underground tangled maze with dripping icicles and narrow passageways.
Find more information on their website: Oudtshoorn
5. Betty’s Bay
It is a perfect getaway place for your family, a beautiful seaside village that has gorgeous area of rocks, African Penguins and high waves. The African Penguins here are also called with a funny name, Jack Ass penguins because they make a sound like donkeys. Even if you visit here during the summer time, you will find it chilly.
Find more information on their website: Betty’s bay
