Have an adventure along the Garden Route of the Western Cape

Running from Mossel Bay to the mouth of the Storms River, the aptly named Garden Route lies between the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Outeniqua. The rugged coastline along the way takes visitors through pretty towns, across lagoons and lakes and through indigenous forests. The area has a mild climate all year round, making the Garden Route the perfect place to look for adventure. If peace and quiet is required, visitors can relax on the many beaches and dine in the restaurants in the towns along the route. However, what we are looking at here are the many adventure sports available in this beautiful part of South Africa.

1. Abseiling on the Garden Route

The Garden Route offers many possibilities for this exciting adrenaline sport. Besides the rush of abseiling, visitors are surrounded by unique and beautiful views and many surprises, thanks to the wonders of nature’s architecture. Close to Wilderness, you can abseil next to a plunging waterfall, landing on an inflatable raft. Meanwhile, Plettenberg Bay offers incredible views of the Tsitsikamma Forest.

From Storms River in the North, to Mossel Bay in the South, adventure operators are available in all the towns along the Garden Route and will be happy to safely arrange your required adventure, whether by boat, on foot or hanging from a rope.

2. Aerial cable trails/Ziplining

Due to the fact that the Garden Route has such lush, green indigenous forests, this is the perfect place for adventure on aerial cable trails. Zipline through the canopy of the forest, while getting up front and personal to arboreal giants like the country’s national tree, the yellowwood. Yellowwoods have been around for millions of years, making for an awe-inspiring view as you zip among them.

Zip along from platform to platform at heights of up to 30 meters while learning about the past lives of woodcutters, spotting exotic birds above the ancient ferns of the forest floor. This adrenaline-rush canopy tour is not only fun, but educational too on your personal adventure holiday on the Garden Route.

3. Bungee jumping from the Bloukrans Bridge

For the ultimate adrenaline adventure, head to the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee at the Bloukrans Bridge on the Garden Route. The bridge is located on the N2 highway, around 40 km east of Plettenberg Bay and offers the ultimate thrill of the Garden Route. Get put safely into your full-body harness and drop more than 200 m down towards the picturesque Bloukrans River Valley below.

If the thought of bungee jumping is too frightening, bear in mind this is where 96-year-old Mohr Keet set a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to bungee jump. Hey, if he can do it...? If you don't believe us, see him jump below!

4. Caving on the Garden Route

Head a little off the Garden Route to Oudtshoorn via the beautiful Outeniqua Pass from George to visit the impressive Cango Caves. The site is located in the foothills of the Swartberg mountain range with gorgeous scenery all the way.

Cango is a famous limestone cave and is one of South Africa’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions. The cave has a winding system of tunnels and chambers with tours suitable for everyone from the most timid to the more adventurous. Imagine crawling through narrow spaces with names like the Tunnel of Love, the Devil’s Chimney and Lumbago Alley and you get the drift! While those with claustrophobia should probably avoid these, they can have fun exploring the more open parts of the Cango Caves.

Have a great adventure this year on the Garden Route, heading from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape with excitement to be had all the way. .