In the heart of the scenic Garden Route on the Cape south coast, near the mouth of the Goukamma River, lies a secret hide-away: the Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve. Choose from a variety of accommodation in the form of a bush camp, thatched cottages or bungalows to really experience the area's almost mythical beauty.
The Garden Route's best kept secret The Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve, which is situated along the scenic Garden Route, is managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It lies approximately 40 km east of George and 25 km west of Knysna.
The nature reserve includes a 14 km long coastline, a marine protected area, an extensive dune field with some of the highest vegetated dunes in South Africa, coastal forests and fynbos vegetation, the Goukamma River and estuary, and the freshwater lake, Groenvlei, which has no in-flowing river and no link to the sea.
Goukamma's diverse habitats support many animal species, from grysbok, to vervet monkeys and otters. Groenvlei has six fish species (two indigenous and four alien). More than 220 bird species have been recorded, including spoonbill, African fish eagle, African marsh harrier, Knysna lourie, kingfisher, the rare African black oystercatcher and occasionally the endangered African penguin. The marine protected area is home to bottle-nosed and common dolphins. Southern right whales can also be seen close inshore from about July to October.
Goukamma lies between the winter and summer rainfall areas. There is no cold wet or dry season, although the rainfall is higher in spring and autumn, and less in summer. The weather is unpredictable, with some warm days in June and July and the odd cold day in summer. Prevailing winds in summer are southeasterly and in winter are westerly.
A range of self-catering, fully equipped accommodation is available to those wanting to explore Goukamma.
The Groenvlei Bushcamp, is situating along the shores of Groenvlei. This lake is one of the best bass-fishing areas in SA. The bushcamp provides an unique experience of staying in comfortable accommodation surrounded by some of the most spectacular and peaceful scenery along the Garden Route. It is constructed from local timbers with a thatched roof. Dine alfresco on a deck under the stars before retiring to the spacious and comfortable sleeping units
It consists of two sleeping units and can accommodate a maximum of four people each, in total eight people, a combined kitchen/lounge/braai area and separate ablution facilities.
The river lodge is situated on the lagoon and is ideal for a family holiday. A fireplace in the living/dining room will provide a cosy atmosphere in winter. This spacious lodge consists of three bedrooms that can accommodate up to nine people.
The three rondavels, named Stumpnose, Blacktail and Kabeljou, overlook the lagoon. Each consists of two interconnected units with a kitchenette and ablution facilities and can house six people. They consist of two bedrooms each.
Visitors have a choice of four different day-trails, angling, picnicking, swimming, sailing and canoeing and windsurfing. Canoes are available for hire. A horse-riding trail is available for riders who bring their own horses.
No over-night trails are available, but a choice of four different day-trails are available. Booking is not necessary, but hikers must obtain a permit at the reserve on arrival.
Beach walk (14 km, 4 hours): Arrange transport at Platbank, or an out and back walk. Inaccessible during high spring tide. Circular route (8 km, 2-3 hours): Hike along a fynbos ridge with views of the coast, upriver and estuary. The route returns via a climax milkwood forest. Goukamma to Groenvlei (16 km, 4-5 hours): The route stretches over the vegetated dunes. Arrange transport at Groenvlei. Lake walk: a short flat walk along Groenvlei's southern shoreline in indigenous forest and lake fringe vegetation.CNaccom*
