The Garden Route is a brilliant family destination catering to a wide range of interests. Indigenous forests, excellent cafes and shops, fresh seafood, and a wide selection of outdoor activities make the Garden Route popular among both local and international travelers. To help you discover more of this South African gem, First Car Rental has created a top 10 list of adventures you can enjoy on the Garden Route. Rent a car from First Car Rental to explore these exciting activities.
1. Become a Game Ranger for 5 Days
Set on 11,000 hectares, Gondwana Nature Reserve is the only free-roaming Big Five game reserve in the Southern Cape. The 5-day conservation experience offers guests the opportunity to participate in wildlife management, conservation projects, and learning bush skills. Hire a car from First Car Rental to embark on this unforgettable adventure.
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2. Paragliding over Wilderness Beach
The Garden Route has some of the best locations for paragliding. Experience the wonder of flight as you soar over pristine Garden Route beaches. Enjoy easy coastal soaring as you admire the Cape's natural beauty and, if you're lucky, spot whales. Rent a car from First Car Rental to reach these breathtaking paragliding spots.
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3. Hike the Robberg Nature Reserve
Get an elevated view of nature as you hike along one of the area's most well-known and scenic trails. Robberg Nature Reserve is a national monument and World Heritage Site with prehistoric rocks and Stone Age artifacts. Expect inspiring landscapes, in-season dolphin and whale sightings, and a variety of bird species on your hike. Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore this stunning reserve.
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4. Zip-line through the Tsitsikamma
Delight in a unique eco-adventure in the magnificent Tsitsikamma rainforest. Undertake the journey of a lifetime as you traverse from one platform to another along a steel cable 30m above the forest floor. Rent a car from First Car Rental to experience the thrill of zip-lining through this lush rainforest.
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5. Blackwater Tubing on the Storms River
Blackwater tubing is the ultimate adventure experience. The black waters can be intimidating, and even scary, but once you jump onto your inflatable river tube, you are in for bucket loads of fun—a must-try for adventurous, nature-loving travelers. Hire a car from First Car Rental to dive into this thrilling activity.
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6. Hike the Otter Trail
Stretching over 43km, this 5-day hiking trail begins from the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp and makes its way to the Groot River Estuary at Nature's Valley. The Otter Trail is renowned in South Africa as the prince of hiking trails, making it one of the country's most popular and oldest hiking trails. Rent a car from First Car Rental to start your journey on this iconic trail.
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7. Bungee Jump off the Bloukrans Bridge
Built in 1983, the Bloukrans Bridge, at 216m, is the highest commercial bridge bungee jump in the world and attracts adventure seekers from across the globe. If safely plunging into the gorge below doesn’t appeal to you, there are many other tours, rides, jumps, and swings to try. Hire a car from First Car Rental to reach this adrenaline-pumping spot.
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8. Sandboarding on the Dunes
South Africa, with over 2,000km of coastline, is the perfect place for sandboarding. The dunes at Brenton-on-Sea in Knysna, with a run of about 100m, are ideal for carving up tracks in the sand. These dunes are well known among expert boarders as the best in South Africa for their sand quality, ease of ride, and fun. Rent a car from First Car Rental to hit these epic dunes.
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9. Visit the Cango Caves
Situated 27km from Oudtshoorn at the head of the picturesque Cango Valley, the Cango Caves are an underground wonder. As Africa's only show cave, the Cango Caves offer visitors a choice of an easy Heritage tour or a more demanding Adventure tour led by experienced, knowledgeable, and accredited guides. Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore this subterranean marvel.
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10. Swim with Seals
Jump into the clear waters at Robberg Peninsula and swim in the company of playful and inquisitive Cape Fur Seals. Experience marine life in an extraordinary interaction as you snorkel among the seals, sharing unforgettable moments with these playful mammals. Rent a car from First Car Rental to dive into this unique marine adventure.
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