Things to Do in Sedgefield

Get far away from the madding crowds and discover one of the Garden Route’s best kept secrets. Long kept under wraps, this gentle and serene protected coastal reserve is guaranteed to nurture your soul. Goukamma Nature Reserve incorporates a long beach, extensive high dune field, the Goukamma River and estuary as well as the self-contained Groenvlei Lake. The coastline stretches for 14 km and the adjoining marine protected area extends out to the ocean for 1.8 km. Bring your snorkelling gear and explore the lovely rock pools at Rowwehoek. A network of hiking trails traverses a diverse range of habitats for birds, mammals and marine life. Cape clawless otter, grysbok, bushbuck, bush pig, porcupine, bushbaby, Cape dune mole rat, caracal and honey badger all live in this paradise. Most of the animals are quite timid and difficult to spot but you will see plenty of droppings and spoor on the trails. The coastline offers excellent whale watching from July to December and dolphins are frequently spotted surfing the waves. The area is great for birdwatching with more than 220 recorded bird species. The Goukamma River has a number of picnic sites and braai spots. Bring your own firewood.

This five-hour trail isn’t for slackers but offers some gorgeous scenery. Spectacular views of the Goukamma coast, dune fynbos, scrub woodland and distant Outeniqua Mountains offer a unique hiking experience. The one-way trail starts at the Goukamma River picnic site entrance and follows the Goukamma Circular Route after crossing the river on a small boat pont. Telltale signs of bontebok, porcupine, bushpig, genet and other small animals litter the pathways. Hikers traverse over the extensive dune fields that boast some of the highest vegetated dunes in South Africa. The route then winds through dense Milkwood forest thought to be over 600 years old. Keen birders should lookout for rare Bluemantled Flycatchers as well as other forest specials. Eventually the trail leads to the shore of Groenvlei Lake where Fish Eagles are often seen and heard. This entirely self-contained fresh water lake is perfect for a refreshing dip after the day’s explorations. Booking is not necessary but permits are required. Transport needs to be arranged at Groenvlei Conservation Station where the trail ends.

Monkey about and swing like Tarzan in the treetops between Wilderness and Sedgefield. Acrobranch will have you moving from tree to tree doing fun exercises that test your balance, strength and focus. Acrobranch's WildWoods Tree Adventure is suitable for anyone between 2 to 77 years or older. +27 (0) 78 251 4458 www.acrobranch.co.za

Timberlake is a village of specialist cabin-style shops in the heart of the Garden Route. Here you can shop for sweet and spicy treats, cheese, wine, health products, ‘Faerie’ gems, and plants at Eden Nursery. Stop at Cafe d'Afrique coffee shop for award-winning cheesecake, Zucchini restaurant for hearty country-style meals, the Country Deli for traditional South African takeaways, and the Oyster Shack for fresh wild coastal oysters. Timberlake supports local producers and the Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair. Salad ingredients are picked fresh from their onsite organic gardens. Extensive kids facilities include a racetrack, jungle gym, trampoline, tame goats, the Fantasy Garden walk and more. www.timberlakeorganic.co.za

Set within the stunning Wilderness National Park and on the shores of Langvlei, the Malachite Bird Hide is definitely worth a visit for twitchers and nature lovers. Spend some time watching the numerous waterfowl, kingfishers and other birds in this beautiful environment.

This magnificent indigenous forest trail leads down to enormous rock pools. Pack your rucksack with a picnic and swimming costume. Amble through the forest and learn its secrets. You will be blown away once the forest canopy opens to reveal the beautiful pools sparkling in the sunlight. It is roughly a 40-minute walk there. The last 10 minutes are rather steep but manageable for most people. Suitable for kids who are able to swim.Need to know? Since this is an ecologically sensitive area, permits from SANParks (South African National Parks) are needed. Only 12 persons per day are permitted. It is patrolled and fines are issued where appropriate. Pre-book your chosen date in advance directly with Cathy at Sanparks (044 302 5606). Permits can also be obtained from the permit hut at the entrance to Goudveld Forest, or enquire at Forest Edge Nature Lovers’ Retreat reception.Source: Forest Edge Nature Lovers’ Retreat

One of the least demanding walks in the Wilderness area, the 5 km Brownhooded Kingfisher Trail follows the meandering course of the Duiwe River. Lush river woodlands line the riverbanks and the path crosses the river frequently. Take care when crossing after the river has flooded – particularly on wet slippery rocks. After a short distance the trail branches off along the tree-lined Klein Keurbooms River to the turning point – a beautiful rock pool. This lovely setting is perfect for a leisurely picnic and cooling off on a hot day. Knysna turacos are frequently heard and seen flapping between the treetops. Other birds to look out for are fish eagles, Martial eagles, Cape Battis, Burchell’s Coucal, Cape robin, little egrets and the brownhooded kingfisher. Permits are self-issuing at the entrance gate. A small fee is usually charged in peak season.

A top spot for families, Jubilee Creek is probably the most beautiful picnic spot in the indigenous Knysna forest. Situated alongside a stream in two forest clearings, this site is very popular with young families. The stream is perfect for playing, exploring and walks along the river. Hidden in the forest, you might even sight a rare Knysna elephant - one of the Knysna elephants was actually seen here in March 2007!

Locals claim that one of the most wonderful beaches in the world lies right on the other side of the Knysna Western Heads, in Brenton-on-Sea. There are rocks to clamber on, little pools to cool off in and a long bay for beach walks and shell seeking. Hot Tip: walk to Buffels Bay, have lunch or an icecream, take a shower, and stroll back.

Following an old mining path along the Forest Creek, the Circles in a Forest Hiking Trail beckons hikers to explore the loveliness of the Goudveld Forest. This genuine forest experience is suitable for families and people of all ages, offering two trail options starting at Krisjan-se-Nek. Feel dwarfed as you pass the towering 600-year old Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. You can almost hear them whisper Oupoot, the name of the long lost heroine and matriarch elephant made famous by Dalene Matthee. This is truly the heart of the Knysna indigenous forest typified by giant Yellowwood trees, three-metre high tree ferns, Red-billed Wood-hoopoe, babbling streams, ancient ironwood trees, arum lilies, colourful mushroom and bracket fungi. Evidence of baboon, bush pig, porcupine and bushbuck can be seen everywhere. Keep glancing up to the treetops and you might spot a Knysna loerie. Formerly called the Woodcutters Trail, this route is named after one of Dalene Matthee’s famous novels. The three and nine kilometre trails range from easy to moderate and are manageable for anyone over the age of five.

One of South Africa's best golfing destinations, Simola boasts overwhelming views and an outstanding Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Breathtaking vistas of the Knysna Heads on one side and the Knysna River on the other make it difficult to focus on the game. But in the midst of all this beauty, the course offers challenging and rewarding golf amidst spectacular scenery. Simola was one of the first Jack Nicklaus designs on the Garden Route, reflecting the maestro's philosophy of adjusting the layout and design to the natural features of the landscape. Fairways flow along the rising and falling natural landscape and every hole offers superlative views of the Knysna Lagoon all the way to the Heads or across the pretty meandering Knysna River and valley below.

Named after the perky black and white kingfisher with a distinctive noisy call, this rambling route is perfect for whiling away a few peaceful hours around the Wilderness Lagoon. Starting at the Ebb and Flow South Restcamp, this mellow 10-kilometre trail follows the Serpentine River floodplain. Depending on the weather, the route can be done in reverse starting early in the morning along the two-kilometre sandy beach section. The boardwalk section runs along the Wilderness Lagoon to the Touw River mouth. Interesting information boards describe the numerous kingfishers that live along this shoreline.

In the heart of South Africa's lush Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beachesgently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains – all elements that characterise the Wilderness National Park. Walking trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna lourie, or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. During spring, a carpet of flowers, further enhance the verdant beauty of this national park. Looking for an action packed holiday adventure? Then, Wilderness is your playground. Experience whales and dolphins from Dolphin Point. Hire a canoe or bicycle, go abseiling, kloofing, paragliding or hang-gliding. Go boating, fishing at Island Lake or hike to the waterfall above Ebb and Flow Restcamp. You do not have to be super fit to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. There are loads of activities for young, old, energetic or idle. Stroll along a forest path or visit the bird hide and discover the wealth of bird life. Lie back in a canoe on a quiet backwater and watch the world float by. Wilderness National Park stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve, giving welcome protection to five lakes and the Serpentine, which is the winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb-and-flow Restcamp.

Starting next to the railway bridge near the Ebb and Flow North Restcamp on the Touw River, the Half-collared Kingfisher Trail replaces the Giant Kingfisher Trail. Step right into superb woodlands of indigenous yellowwoods, white stinkwood, white milkwood, wild pear, climbers, lichens, flowering bulbs and ferns. Numerous species of trees are labelled along the way, enhancing the experience of forest diversity. Look out for the brilliantly coloured half-collared kingfisher for which the trail is named. Other forest specials to twitch about are the Knysna turaco (loerie), Narina trogon, brown-hooded kingfisher, dusky flycatcher, blue-mantled crested-flycatcher and tambourine dove. Take a break at one of the rustic picnic spots next to the river bank. Interesting display boards identify some of the woodland-dwelling birds and animals that are frequently seen. The trail leads to a waterfall and rock pool which is a great spot to cool off before returning on the same path. The 7.2km return route is not strenuous and usually takes three hours. Permits are required – there is a pay entrance at Ebb and Flow.

Only accessible by ferry, Featherbed Nature Reserve is a privately-owned unspoiled headland at the Western Head of the Knysna Lagoon. Visitors young and old will thoroughly enjoy embarking on a spectacular four-hour eco-experience to this exquisite little corner of the Garden Route. This outdoor experience includes a return ferry trip, nature drive, guided walk and a lavish buffet lunch at the Food Forest Restaurant. Access to the reserve is strictly controlled and visits are only permitted in the company of the Featherbed Nature Reserve's specialist guides.Starting with a 25-minute ferry cruise, your local guide will share intriguing tales about the Knysna Lagoon, early shipping industry and Knysna’s oyster cultivation.The cruise is followed by a 4x4 drive to the top of the Western Head where supreme views of the lagoon, mountains and Knysna can be seen. After the drive, you have the option of walking a 2.2 kilometre downhill guided nature trail. This fun family outing ends with with a blowout buffet lunch at the popular Knysna restaurant under the milkwood trees.The four-hour excursion departs daily from Knysna Waterfront. Bookings are essential.

Get on your bike for an awesome 19-kilometre trip through Knysna’s Goudveld Forest. Starting at the Goudveld Forest Station, the circular Homtini Trail weaves along fairly relaxed contours in the indigenous forest and plantation. With only one steep four-kilometre climb to make you gasp for breath it is considered a moderate ride. Starting and ending at Krisjan-se-nek picnic spot, the route offers some lovely exhilarating single-track slip-paths, shady jeep tracks and sweeping elevated views of the mountainous landscape and distant Knysna Heads. Permits can be obtained at the Goudveld boom before the Krisjan-se-nek picnic site.

If you’re looking for a great family friendly beach to soak up the solar rays look no further than Knysna. Of all the Garden Route beaches, sandy Bollard Bay Beach on Leisure Isle is the perfect spot to chill with your tot. This safe swimming beach has no crashing dumpers and plenty of shallow water for little folk to splash around in. So settle down on your sandy spot and take in the magnificent views of Knysna Heads with no fear of your pipsqueak being swept off to Antartica. And it's not just for small fry! The main beach on Leisure Island, Bollard Bay beach offers plenty to do for young and old. When the tide is high you can swim, fish, canoe or sail. At low tide, pump for prawns to use as bait or walk across the sand as far as The Heads.

A trip to Knysna Heads is a prerequisite for first time visitors to Knynsa. Two dramatic sea cliffs guard the entrance to the lagoon from the surging ocean.The Eastern Head has a lookout with spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is primarily a privately owned nature reserve reached only by ferry – Featherbed Nature Reserve. Four-hour excursions depart daily from the Knysna Waterfront.An onboard excursion to Knysna Heads is a thrilling experience and there are various options available. The ultimate cruise is aboard a catamaran such as the Zakat, which cruises through the Heads while serving oysters and champagne. The perfect way to end a day!

Wilderness Beach is unspoilt, safe and breathtakingly beautiful. Warm Indian Ocean waves break onto this golden sandy beach that stretches for seemingly endless kilometres. Time almost stands still as the hours slip by while you wander and enjoy this coastal Eden and its creatures. It's a good spot for whale and dolphin watching.

Knysnarians know about good watering holes and you'll certainly find plenty of them at the vibey Bosun's Pub and Grill, lips curled around a frosty or tucking into a hearty meal. This old style English pub serves locally brewed ale and value-for-money scrumptious pub grub! You'll find all the local Mitchell‘s Brewery products here – on tap and bottled, ranging from Bosun‘s Bitter, Foresters and the new Mitchell‘s Gold. So get down there and sluk a pint or two in this comfy, cosy pub and be warmed by the great atmosphere and friendly people.