Activities in The Garden Route
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Oudtshoorn Adventure Centre
If you’re looking for a little exercise and the wind in your hair, then hop on a mountain bike and ride from the top of Swartberg Pass down into Oudtshoorn. The Oudtshoorn Adventure Centre at Backpackers Paradise hostel runs these trips, which depart daily at 8.30am. You’ll be driven up and then cycle back to town. Be warned, it’s not all downhill and it’s a long ride.
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NA Smit Swimming Bath
It’s not uncommon for the mercury to hit upwards of 40°C (104°F) in summer in Oudtshoorn. Escape the swelter at the NA Smit Swimming Bath.
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Cango Ostrich Show Farm
Cango Ostrich Show Farm receives good reviews for its guided tours (45 minutes to 1½ hours).
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Eco Afrika Tours
Follow Gray St uphill and eventually you’ll leave town and emerge on the wooded slopes of the hills behind. On top is the sprawling township of Concordia, best visited on an excellent tour (R300) run by Eco Afrika Tours. The morning tour can include lunch (R45); proceeds go entirely to the family cooking for you. You can also stay overnight (per person R170). Knysna’s townships have a different look from others in South Africa: homes are built mostly with timber from the nearby forests. The two-hour tours are led by local guide Cynthia Gobeni and take you through the usual township sites – schools, a visit to a sangoma (traditional healer) and a shebeen (unlicensed bar) –…
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SEAL Adventures
Quad-biking trips in the Featherbed Nature Reserve are available with SEAL Adventures. The company also runs an Awesome Foursome adventure trip – quad biking, abseiling, canoeing and cliff-jumping for R460.
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Mitchell’s Brewery
Drop by Mitchell’s Brewery to the east of town. The beers, which include a draught lager, a bitter, a stout and an ale, can be found all over Western Cape.
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Hippo Dive Campus
There are plenty of other activities on offer in the area; start by making inquiries at the Hippo Dive Campus. Among the possibilities are boat and short-entry scuba dives to some of South Africa’s best spots. Snorkelling equipment can be rented for R150. Ask the guides to point out the good snorkelling trails. They may even go with you.
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Adventure Centre
The Adventure Centre, based at Highfield Backpackers, offers awesome activities.
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