I don’t want to sound like a stuck record, but if you live on the Garden Route there is very little excuse not to explore the wonder on our doorsteps, whether it is hiking, canoeing, swimming in forest pools or beaches, picnicking or having a braai in some great spots — you can pretty much take your pick of activity.
We know people who live here and don’t bother to venture past restaurants and that’s really a shame because there is something outdoors just perfect for every age and whim.
Surely, it’s one of the reasons we all live here?
This is where the Wild Card loyalty programme that makes tourism in national parks and nature reserves across the country more accessible, comes into play.
The first year we got a Wild Card, which cost about R1,300 then for a couple for a whole year, it was up for debate whether it was worthwhile having the card or just paying the entrance fee to the various parks.
Consensus is, it is very worthwhile if you are going to get off your butt and experience the Garden Route.
It makes getting into places so much easier and it’s a bit like a gym membership.
Once you have paid it upfront it is an incentive to use it and at the same time get some exercise.
With a Wild Card membership, you receive a year’s unlimited access to the most beautiful nature reserves and parks with superb picnic spots, natural swimming pools, plunging waterfalls, invigorating day hikes, mountain biking and all the clear air, fantastic birdwatching and all the colourful fynbos you can handle with free access to CapeNature’s reserves and parks in the Western Cape.
The Wild Card programme is a joint initiative by CapeNature, SANParks, Msinsi Resorts, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Big Game Parks, Swaziland, so quite apart from the gems you can access on the Garden Route, it works in the rest of SA as well.
A Wild Card is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Your card is sent by secure mail and may take six weeks to be delivered, but from the moment you pay, your confirmation letter gives you access into the various reserves.
Once you get your card it’s a breeze because all you need to do at entrance points is present your card and proof of identity.
There’s a family card for two adults with up to five children under the age of 18 for R1,775, another option for a single person for R880 and the couple card we opt for is R1,450.
All the weekend hikes and outings start adding up and so we definitely score on this deal since a one-person pass to the Robberg Nature Reserve or Kranshoek Nature Reserve is R65.
And sometimes if we don’t want to hike, we take friends to the wooden benches overlooking the Robberg Peninsula for a sundowner and staggering view and then you still need to pay the entrance fee.
For outdoorsy-type families, having the Wild Card which includes children makes perfect sense financially.
With the holiday season fast approaching, it also makes sense to use CapeNature and SANParks facilities because these spots don’t get overrun with crowds and there is one hidden gem in particular, I don’t mind sharing here because only 12 people are allowed at any one time.
Drupkelders, loosely translated into Dripping Cellars, are rock pools in the Knysna forest.
It’s less than 4km from the top of the forest to the most magnificent rock pools in the Homtini River.
I am not exaggerating when I say these pools are Olympic-size they are so big and deep.
You can swim properly in the cola-coloured water here and there are a series of these pools including a waterfall.
It’s the most heavenly place for a picnic and a place to spend the day.
Book as a group or family and you get the place to yourself, though we have never seen more than one or two couples here.
There are stalactites and stalagmites to see, the water contains tannins so when you have finished swimming, it’s almost as though you had a spa treatment because your skin feels so soft and new.
Needles to say, there are birds and you feel as though you are part of nature.
So much so, that a snake dropped out of a tree into the water on one visit.
We have over-the-top friends who don’t just take a ham roll for lunch, they take an entire cheeseboard with knives and serviettes, and they set up a dinner table on the rocks with a tablecloth.
There’s only one drawback or rather cautionary note about this Drupkelders’ spot and that is the actual hike to get down and then up.
It’s not far, but it’s hellish steep and coming back up is not for the unfit or faint-hearted.
There are sections where you literally hang on branches to pull yourself up.
You need to book ahead for Drukelders as a permit must be obtained from the access gate at the Goudveld Entrance boom.
You will turn left at this boom on your way to Drupkelders. You can also obtain a permit from the SANParks office on Thesen Island, Knysna.
Contact numbers: Thesen Island office: 044-302-5600, or Goudveld Entrance: 044-389-0252.
There are so many hikes in this part of the world that I am just mentioning two of them here.
The Circles in the Forest trail is situated in the Goldfield State Forest and starts/ends at the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site where you can braai and picnic.
It is a walk through an indigenous forest. There is a swimming spot in a cool forest pool with small fish species and also a little waterfall.
There are sections where you walk among huge forest ferns and frog-filled streams with small wooden bridges.
It’s cool in summer because of the shade from the trees and not a sound will you hear except for the birds and very often the bark of a Knysna Loerie rings out.
Just a note of caution here is that the leaf-dappled path is the perfect camouflage for puff adders so you do need to watch your feet or take a big stick like I do.
Another great spot is CapeNature’s Goukamma Reserve. You pay to enter, there are a limited number of braai sites, tons of places to picnic.
Swimming in the estuarine waters here is always warmer than the sea.
There are canoes for hire and you can cross the river on a pontoon and do the dune walk on the other side.
The Goukamma Nature Reserve actually boasts six hiking trails, varying in their duration (from two to six hours) and required fitness levels.
Expect exquisite scenery, with many birdwatching opportunities along the way. Take your pick.
If you’re a keen hiker, it will take you many years to explore all the spectacular, scenic trails — from easy, short walks to challenging multiday hikes — that CapeNature reserves and SANParks have to offer.
We have been exploring since we moved here nearly 10 years ago and there are lots of hikes we still haven’t done, which is really very exciting.
The real beauty of living here is not only the walks though, but also all the natural gems — something for every mood and weather day.
Too hot to walk, then go canoeing at the CapeNature Keurbooms Reserve just outside Plett where the canoes are supplied and then braai at one of their spots. Or walk in the shade of a forest.
Head for the Kranshoek Nature Reserve which has gorgeous views over the valley and do the zip line, then set up camp at one of their braai spots.
I promise you, armed with your Wild Card and an adventurous spirit, you will never be short of outdoor activities as long as you live on the Garden Route.
Head to https://www.capenature.co.za/wild-card for more information.