Rated
by Getaway Magazine as South Africa's most informative coastal walk,
the Garden Route Trail offers an ideal opportunity for hikers to experience
coastal walking and a diversity of forest and mountain hiking which
are ideal for Birding.
Garden
Route Trail is a 5 day guided coastal walk moving east from Wilderness
to Brenton on Sea, covering 63km. It traverses forest, dune fynbos,
wetland and some of South Africa's most pristine beaches passing through
two nature reserves and includes two relaxed canoe stages. Accommodation
is in chalets and cabanas en route and all but one evening meal is catered
for. Added to which your luggage is transported to each venue leaving
you free while you walk. All you need is a day pack for lunch and snacks.
The emphasis of the trail is on enviro-information, birding and an enjoyable
walk. As such we recommend start dates that coincide with the tidal
cycle maximizing the time walking on firm sand at low tide for the beach
stages.
Passing
through a Birding
paradise, you have the opportunity of sighting Knysna Turacoes,
Narina Trogons, Black African Oystercatchers and a variety
of kingfishers amongst the 264 species recorded in the area. Walking
through the Afromontane Rain and Dune forests you will have the opportunity
to see trees such as the magnificent Outeniqua and Real Yellow
Woods, Cape Chestnut and Milkwoods. 
Two
canoe trips will allow you to glide through the tranquility of wetland
and forest bird viewing, while walking through the dune forest you will
be able to track water mongoose, genet, bushbuck, and bushpig. Along
the beaches, dolphins frolicking in the waves will entice you to
join them and may even 'follow' you down the beach as the waves lap
at your feet. Alternately swim in rock pools or search for a memento
amongst the stretches of diverse and colourful shells. Between May and
December, there is the opportunity to view whales and possibly hear
them as they surface behind the breakers. For the water lovers there
are some excellent swimming areas along the stretches of golden secluded
beaches with great body surfing at Buffalo Bay.
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