GR&KK Family Memories Route – % Garden Route and Klein Karoo App %

GR&KK Family Memories Route

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo are the best regions to visit if you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday destination in the country. Here’s a few ideas on how to make the best memories on your next family adventure.

Witsand

The Breede River offers water-lovers the very best of it, all within the prettiest countryside of South Africa. The river is calm, with inviting banks along where families can picnic or braai, camp, or spend the day with their fishing rods and sunset cruises: Pili Pili Adventure Centre Tel: +27(0)28 537 1783

Heidelberg

Star Nation Art Studio & Gallery – The Western Cape’s Heidelberg is a gold mine of artists and crafters that create gorgeous, personal pieces amidst the beauty of the Hessequa region. Tel: +27(0)28 722 1080

RIVERSDALE

• Hiking in the Sleeping Beauty Mountain – Perfect Selfie Opportunity! Situated at the foot of the town take part in activities such as biking, hiking, bird watching, team building.

Tel: +27(0)28 713 2366
• The Old Jail – This is a very good reason to turn off the N2 into Riversdale, particularly on a Saturday morning when “Die Ou Tronk” hosts a weekly farmers’ market. Tel:+27(0)28 713 4300

Melkhoutfontein

Situated about 7km inland from the popular seaside holiday town of Stilbaai, Melkhoutfontein is certainly one of Hessequa’s most underrated gems. It was established as a fisherman’s settlement in the 1850s with its cute, white-washed and thatch-roofed houses quickly becoming its defining feature. Melhoutfontein offers a number of cultural activities, including a walkabout through the village, mouth-watering traditional cook-ups hosted by local women in their very own kitchens and homestays, giving visitors a peek into the everyday life of this warm-hearted community.

Katrina Solomans. Tel: +27(0)28 754 3469

Stilbaai

• Matchbox – Thrift shop and good food all at one stop.
Tel: +27(0)28 754 1445 www.matchboxsa.com
• Still Bay Fish Traps – Perfect Selfie Opportunity! Something truly unique to enjoy with your children, pencil in the Stilbaai Fish Traps! The ancient rock pool fish traps built by the Khoisan up to 3000 years ago. Enjoy this unusual ancient activity with the Family.

Albertinia

• House of Aloes – In the plant kingdom there is one superhero. A hero so legendary that its powers reach far back into African ancestry.
Tel: +27(0)28 735 1454
• Roosterkoekhoek – The Roosterkoekhoek at Albertinia’s Aloe Motors has become increasingly well known and popular for its excellent traditional roosterkoek and the range of fillings with which they can be enjoyed.

Tel: +27(0)28 735 1123

Mosselbay

Garden Route Casino – Open 24 hours a day. For the children there is a game area and crèche for children. Tel: +27 (0)44 606 7777

Romanza Boat trips, Mossel Bay Harbour – Enjoy a Seal Island trip or sunset cruise .You can also take the kids out to enjoy some whale watching from July to October. Tel: +27(0)44 690 3101

Dragon Dune Sandboarding Sandboard “fun” on the biggest and world famous dune in South Africa beginner friendly. Tel:+27(0)82 971 1405 / www.dragondune.com

Wolwedans Game Farm – have an intensive game breeding program which consists of the breeding of rare and specialised game species such as Sable antelope, Impala, Springbuck and the prestigious Nyala antelope. Tel:+27(0)79 232 9085 / www.wolwedansgamefarm.co.za

Hartenbos

Janine Iron and Washing Museum –
The museum displays more than 640
laundry irons, mostly rare and some
unique. There are also more than 50 rare
washing machines and mangles dating
back to the 1800s – some claimed to be
the only remaining examples in the world.
Cell: +27(0)83 283 3831

Ruiterbos R328

Hartenbos to Oudtshoorn via the Robertson Pass
• Boerqi Bitstro – Traditional Retro plaasstal. Foot of the
Outeniquas. Food, Gift & Thrift shop with views that should be
framed.
Tel: +27(0)446 631 0109
https://www.boerqibistro.com

Great Brak

• Pure Senses Beauty & Health Day Spa
Perfect for a mother and daughter excursion!
Cell : + 27(0)82 454 6378
• Ou Pastorie – Variety of special hand crafted
gifts. Perfect for any occasion.
Tel: + 27(0)83 633 2071

George

• Town Lodge George – If you are travelling with family, then
take advantage of our double, inter leading and twin room
options to configure your perfect stay in this beautiful town.
Tel: +27(0)44 803 4000 / www.clhg.com
• Redberry Farm – Enjoy a range of family activities including strawberry
picking, the largest hedge maze in the Southern Hemisphere and more!
Tel: +27(0)44 870 7123

Wilderness

• Malachite Bird Hide – Nature lovers
and bird nuts flock to see this scenery in
the Wilderness National Park along
Langvlei Lake where you can see an
outstanding array birds.

Sedgefield

Pili Pili Extreme Sport Centre – a quaint seaside village with
in-house activities for the whole family such as kite surfing, wake
boarding, mountain biking and much more.

Tel: +27(0)44 343 3087 / www.pilipili.co.za

Knysna

• Knysna Elephant Park – Sunrise walk with the elephants or special exclusive sundowner’s
tour. Tel: +27(0)44 532 7732
• Knysna Scootours – “Come and enjoy the Knysna Forest on our Monster
Mountain scooter! Downhill fun for the whole family!”Scootours are non-motorised scooters for adults, and have almost no effect on their surrounds, making them particularly friendly to the environment as they emit no harmful gases and are not noisy.
Tel +27(0)79 148 3751 Online bookings: www@scootours.co.za
• Blackwaters River Lodge Mashie Golf Course – Try the 18-hole mashie (pitch & putt), excellent for brushing up on your short game or simply have some family fun (the longest hole is 140 meters and the shortest is 52. Tel: +27(0)83 739 9175
• Emzini Tours – Make the most of your own memories with Emzini Township Tours

Tel: +27(0)82 338 6289 / www.emizinitours.co.za

Plettenberg Bay

• Ocean Sailing Charters – Whether you’re after some adventure; if your ultimate cruise includes fishing, snorkelling, and swimming; or if you want to simply relax while learning the ancient art of sailing, we offer it all and more. Tel: +27(0)82 881 2937 / www.oceansailingcharters.co.za

• Old Nick Village – A creative shopping experience built around a 19th Century trading store. It is a landmark destination in the Garden Route. Tel: +27(0)44 533 1395

• Keurboom River Ferries – Sit back & relax with an ice cold beverage. Let your eyes and mind be titillated with majestic scenery as you slip along shimmering waters cascading with dense pristine forest lining your meandering journey. Tel: +27(0)83 254 3551
• Ocean Safaris – This African tale is an inspiring journey which when joining this family owned Ocean Experience you’ll get to see firsthand. With true passion and heart given to every journey they fill many people with smiles. Tel: +27(0)82 338 6289 / www.oceansafaris.co.za
• Surf Café – An intimate live music venue with flavours from our favourite surf trips and good food, Tel: +27(0)44 533 6801 / www.surfcafeplett.com
• Market Square Centre – Shop till you drop – The Market Square is a shopping Centre complex of choice located within the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. Tel: +27(0)44 533 6300 / www.marketsquarecentre.co.za
• Jamin Surf School – Learn to surf in Plettenberg Bay, which is not only one of South Africa’s most beautiful bays but also one of the most perfect surfing destinations in the Garden Route. Tel: +27(0)44 533 3727 / www.jaminadventures.com

The Crags

• Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary – Monkeyland is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Eco-tourism child friendly activity, educating visitors on wildlife conservation. Tel: +27(0)82 979 5683
• Hog Hollow Horse Drawn Carriage Trails – Experience The Tsitsikamma on horseback…Our focus is to ensure that our rides are suitable for all levels of experience – the emphasis being on a safe and enjoyable ride. Tel: +27(0)82 771 3745
• Plett Puzzle Park – Our two main activities are the first life size 3D MAZE in South Africa as well as an exciting and unique
FOREST PUZZLE WALK. These activities are designed for visitors
of all Tel: +27(0)44 534 8853

Tsitsikamma

• Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure – Waterfall Zip line Tours, Gravity Zone Abseil, wall climbing and Quad Bike Tours. The longest zip line is 211m long – all through breathtaking scenery.
Tel: +27(0)42 280 3770

• Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours ‘Me Tarzan, you Jane.’ Swing from
the treetops across the forest
canopy of the place named by
the ancient San, Tsitsikamma(place of abundant water). The
abundant water has birthed
abundant South African wildlife.

Tel: +27(0)42 281 1836

Van Wyksdorp

Throughout history, the inhabitants of the town were dependant on the farming of fruit, sheep, cattle and ostriches, enjoying the constant supply of water in winter and summer, thanks to the
mountain spring known as “The Eye”.

Ladismith

Laingsburg Flood Museum – On 25 January 1981, the Karoo changed forever.
Laingsburg was hit by what continues to be one of the most dramatic natural disaster
to have ever happened in South Africa, the Laingsburg Flood. Tel:+27(0)23 551 1868

Calitzdorp

De Kranz – Wine and food with soul. Pic your own seasonal fruit. Tel: +27(0)44 213 3314

Oudtshoorn

• Cango Caves – A series of dripstone caverns that open into vast halls of towering stalagmite formations with names like ‘the bridal couple’, ‘glass flower fantasy’, ‘weird cango candle’ and ‘the hanging shawl’. Tel: +27(0)44 272 7410
• Cango Wildlife Ranch – This sanctuary to Africa’s endangered cats is preserved in the Karoo’s picturesque town of Oudtshoorn. Tel: +27(0)44 272 5593
• Safari Ostrich Show Farm Visitors can observe large flocks of ostriches at the different stages of their development, the tour guides make the experience interactive by offering information in multi languages. Tel: +27(0)44 272 7311
• C.P Nel Museum – The CP Nel Museum, famed for being one of the best small town museums in South Africa, is housed in the former Oudtshoorn Boys™ High School. Tel: +27(0)44 272 7306
• Le Roux Dorpshuis – The Le Roux Dorpshuis Museum is an old townhouse built in 1909 in the midst of the Ostrich Feather Boom.
Tel: +27(0)44 272 3676
• Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Includes activities like, the spa, bush safaris, meerkat safaris, lion feeding experience, elephant experience and stargazing. Tel: +27(0)44 272 0000 / www.buffelsdrift.com
• Spore in die Suid-Kaap – Footprints is an educational tour company, specialising in Adventure, Cultural, and Sports tours through South Africa. Tel: +27(0)44 272 6893 / www.sporeindiesuidkaap.co.za
• De Zeekoe & Wildehondekloof – Wild meerkat tours – offers you the unique opportunity to see these animals that are part of the shy 5 in their natural environment. Tel: +27(0)44 272 6721 / / www.dezeekoe.co.za

DE RUST

De Rust is a small village at the gateway to the Klein Karoo, South Africa. It is located at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain
range between Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West and is also known for the meandering Meiringspoort pass.

Family Memories on the N12/N9 Route

HEROLD

• Herold is a hamlet on the Montagu Pass, halfway between George and Oudtshoorn. It was named after TJ Herald, the Dutch Reformed minister at George from 1812 to 1823.
• Herold Wines is bounded on three sides by a nature reserve, making the estate remote and magnificent. The vines

Uniondale

All Saint’s Church – Set far back from the road, against a steeply sloping hillside and overlooked by the ruins of a fort, is the All Saints’ Church. Not much has been altered to the original structure, (established around 1869) Uniondale is a popular cycling
destination. The 100km Karoo to Coast mountain bike race from Uniondale to Knysna through the Prince Alfred’s Pass is held annually in September.