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5 of the Best Game Reserves on the Garden Route

Posted on Wed September 2, 2020.

Written by Ariadne van Zandbergen

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. Its 200km coastline, stretching roughly between Mossel Bay and Tsitsikamma, features endless white sandy beaches, indigenous fairy-tale forests, wetlands brimming with birdlife, majestic mountain ranges, and rivers meandering through deep gorges. And although the province of Mpumalanga is traditionally the country’s foremost place to go for a safari, the Garden Route boasts several very good game reserves that complete it as an all-round African destination. Here are 5 of the best Game Reserves on the Garden Route.

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. Its 200km coastline, stretching roughly between Mossel Bay and Tsitsikamma, features endless white sandy beaches, indigenous fairy-tale forests, wetlands brimming with birdlife, majestic mountain ranges, and rivers meandering through deep gorges. And although the province of Mpumalanga is traditionally the country’s foremost place to go for a safari, the Garden Route boasts several very good game reserves that complete it as an all-round African destination. Here are 5 of the best Game Reserves on the Garden Route.

Garden Route Game Reserve (1,500ha)

With the beautiful Langeberg Mountains as a backdrop, Garden Route Game Reserve is a Big 5 sanctuary offering 3-hour game drives. You can expect to see 4 of the Big 5 (lion, buffalo, elephant, white rhino) as well as the fastest of cats, the cheetah. While these iconic species are probably high on your wish list, giraffe and zebra roam around freely alongside antelope such as kudu, red hartebeest, impala, springbok and the rare bontebok, so you’ll see plenty of other animals too. Special child-friendly game drives, interactive tours of the reptile centre and other educational fun activities make this a real winner for families.

Gondwana Private Game Reserve (11,000ha)

Gondwana is the only fully free-ranging Big 5 private game reserve in this part of the country. Lions roam this vast ecosystem and while their favourite activity is sleeping, you have a chance to see them hunting too. Elephant, buffalo and white rhino are often spotted and if you’re lucky you might track down an endangered black rhino too. There are over 15 species of antelope on the reserve, including some that are very rare such as sable and bontebok.

Aside from twice-daily game drives, you have the opportunity to go on a fynbos walk with your knowledgeable guide who can tell you all about the unique flora of the region and its medicinal uses. This is a great opportunity for a spot of bird watching too. The endemic fynbos vegetation is home to many localized birds such as the black harrier and the orange breasted sunbird.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve (2,200ha)

Located in the heart of the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve offers a Big Five experience at the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The 2-hour game drive is perfect to learn about all creatures of the bush, including the sought after lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. If you’re feeling adventurous, a guided horse safari provides a unique opportunity to get close to the likes of giraffe, white rhino, greater kudu and Africa’s largest antelope, the eland. Most exciting perhaps is riding up to the reserve’s herd of nine elephants – if you hadn’t appreciated the size of a 6-ton mammal before, you will now! 

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve (4,200ha)

Botlierskop, conveniently located halfway between George and Mossel Bay, offers an authentic safari experience against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains, with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean below. The family-owned reserve makes for a prefect day trip when visiting the popular Garden Route.

Go on a guided game drive for close encounters with white rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippo as well as specials such as golden wildebeest and black impala. More actively, a horseback or walking safari allows you to experience this beautiful tract of natural fynbos at a slower pace, but with a chance of seeing some wildlife too. For real relaxation, here’s your chance to indulge yourself with a spa treatment in the serene surroundings of the bush.

Buffelsdrift

Buffelsdrift, located near Oudtshoorn in the heart of the Klein Karoo, offers a safari experience with a difference. Game drives at the base of the Swartberg Mountains focus on seeing a variety of mammals such as hippo, giraffe, eland, zebra and buffalo, as well as birds and the unique plant life of the Karoo.  For a big cat fix, you can head out by vehicle or on foot to track the reserve’s free-roaming cheetahs or visit the resident lions at feeding time. 

Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve

This game reserve is situated in the heart of the Klein Karoo's Swartberg Mountain range, 40 km from Oudtshoorn. Activities and things to do include guided game drives – view various buck species including wildebeest, nyala, eland, kudu, hiking trails, walking and mountain biking.

For a more intimate wildlife encounter, you can spend a morning observing a family of habituated meerkats at 5 Shy Meerkats at Zeekoegat Farm.