Slow & easy things to do on The Garden Route and Klein Karoo - Part 2

Outeniqua Transport Museum, George

If you are a history buff, an engineering enthusiast, or simply curious about the past of South Africa’s transportation system, a visit to the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George is a must. Located in the heart of the picturesque Garden Route, this museum offers a unique and immersive experience of the region’s railway and road history, showcasing a vast collection of vintage vehicles, locomotives, and other transport-related artifacts.

See the Emil Kessler, Johannesburg’s first steam locomotive, the GL Garrett with its antiquated carriages, including the original 'White Coach' in which Queen Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret slept in during their 1947 visit to South Africa, and Paul Kruger’s coach and private saloons.

The museum includes a photo gallery depicting breathtaking photos of South African steam trains, crockery and cutlery used on main line trains and in station restaurants, a collection of steam locomotive number plates and makers plates, a model train room, road motor vehicles and a private vintage car selection. You can also read some inspiring train-related poetry.

The Big Tree, Tsitsikamma

A trip to Tsitsikamma on the Southern Cape coast of South Africa will show you a side of Africa and South Africa that you never imagined existed. The name of this coastal region of South Africa is “The Garden Route” – so named for the indigenous Fynbos that is the world’s smallest and most diverse of all the floral kingdoms and the dense natural forest of the Tsitsikamma.

Standing guard over the treetop canopy in the heart of the forest is The Big Tree – an eight hundred- year-old Yellowwood. This majestic tree towers over the rest of the canopy; standing 36+m tall and with a trunk circumference of 9m – this is a giant among giants.

The Big Tree is an excellent example of a Yellowwood tree (Podocarpus latifolius). Yellowwoods are native to South Africa and are known for both their enormous size and longevity. The tree stands at a staggering height of 36.6 meters (120 feet) with a girth of 8.2 meters (27 feet) at its widest point. What’s more, Scientists believe the tree is between 600 and 800 years old!

Garden Of Eden Forest Walk, Knysna

The Garden of Eden does not really qualify as a hiking trail but because it is situated next to the N2 it is a great place to stretch your legs or to take a drive there for a relaxing stroll.

The walk follows over 1km of wooden board walks and bridges across streams and is entirely wheelchair friendly and ideal for the elderly wanting to visit the forest. There is a number of wooden benches and tables along the trail to sit, snack, picnic or enjoy your ‘padkos’. There is water and ablution facilities.

This is one of the most lush and beautiful parts of the Knysna forest and definitely a must-see when visiting the Garden Route. The major attraction is the forest itself; absolutely beautiful yellowwood trees, thick green foliage and fresh, trickling streams. 

A superb example of Wet Highforest, an unusual forest-type with many examples of tall Stinkwood (Ocotea bullata), Kalander (Podocarpus jalcaus), Wit-els (Playlophus trifoliatus) and other tree species of the moister forest types.

This site was first opened in 1926.

Outeniqua Power Van, George

Experience the splendour of the Outeniqua mountains and the intrigue of bygone years with a trip on the Powervan George.
This is a unique eco experience and a very popular tourist attraction in the Southern Cape, Garden Route. Experience the forest and four passes, waterfalls and tunnels, fynbos and proteas, bird and animal life and the panoramic picnic area – all from the comfort of rail buses. A picnic stop at Power – with a spectacular view – is included on all these trips. Passengers bring their own picnic basket.

Cango Caves Heritage Tour, Oudtshoorn

The Cango Caves is a cultural and natural landmark in South Africa. The 20 million year-old Cango Caves system consists of a series of hidden chambers cut deep into a thick limestone rock layer. It is situated in the Swartberg Mountains, 30 kilometres north of Oudtshoorn, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province.
The Heritage Tour is an easy walk through the first six largest and most spectacular halls and continuing through to the "African Drum room".

This tour commences with information on the real discoverers and inhabitants of the cave and then winds its way through the rest of the Caves’ cultural and historical heritage.

A comfortable walk through the most majestic of the cave chambers.  Experienced and knowledgeable guides will accompany you on this journey of discovery and knowledge. Around 60 minutes is required to complete the tour.
Wear sensible footwear and light clothing. The temperature in the Caves remains a constant 20°C (60 °F )

For the more adventurous tourist, you can opt in for the Adventure option - a challenging tour, with exciting passages and narrow tunnels, requiring a degree of fitness. For lean people only!