Things to Do in Garden Route

The town of Knysna sits on South Africa's southern shore, part of the famous Garden Route. It sits on a warm-water estuary called Knysna Lagoon, and the surrounding area is home to some dense forests. It's a beautiful area, full of wildlife, and popular with tourists visiting South Africa's Garden Route as well as those who just want a relaxing holiday destination on the water.

Visitors can explore the forests around Knysna, and can also get a taste of local culture with a tour of a Xhosa township on the outskirts of the city. There are three golf courses in the area, and there's an annual oyster festival held in June or July.

Just outside of Plettenberg Bay, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Center is one of several beautiful nature reserves and protected areas along the Garden Route. It is also one of the few animal welfare centers in South Africa, where both land and marine life can be found. The story of Tenikwa began in 2002, when the founders of the station moved to the Garden Route and discovered that numerous animals required their help, many of them rescued pets who could no longer be released into the wild. They bought a small piece of land and started to take in some animals and a few years later, the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre opened. A big focus is set on introducing visitors to the different types of African wild cats, such as leopards, cheetahs, servals and caracals, but there are also several other species including penguins, meerkats, storks and monkeys. The center educates about their way of life and the threats they are exposed to. Additionally, it teaches the local population how important the protection of these animals is. 

Tenikwa offers various guided tours in small groups and for all ages. There are special tours for photographers and families with kids, but there is also a one hour long standard tour which doesn’t need booking in advance and brings visitors closer to the animals. Let yourself be carried away by the passion the employees have for the rescue of these animals and try to do your apart by contributing to the protection of the African wildlife.