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Goukamma Nature Reserve on the Garden Route

16/6/2014

8 Comments

 
Goukamma Nature Reserve, Otters Rest
By Roxanne Reid
Cold, wet, wintry weather. Not ideal for a seaside destination like Goukamma Nature Reserve on the Garden Route, between Sedgefield and Knysna. Luckily CapeNature was one step ahead of us at Otters Rest, our chalet for the next few days.

They’d thought to provide a fireplace in the lounge for just such weather. The deck and braai, with a wide view out over the Goukamma River and estuary and towards the Indian Ocean breakers, was perfect for more summery days.
Goukamma Nature Reserve
River, estuary and ocean, CapeNature's Goukamma Nature Reserve has it all
Otters Rest has understated style: big open-plan kitchen with microwave and stove/oven, where we roasted lamb on our second night; huge table for meals; two bedrooms; bath, shower and two loos. It’s upmarket accommodation at an affordable price if there are four of you to share. Underpinning everything was the hum of the sea, though not close enough to keep us awake at night.
Goukamma Nature Reserve, Otters Rest
Otters Rest sleeps four and has elements to please both winter and summer visitors
You could also stay at Fish Eagle Loft (above Otters Rest and with the same view), three renovated rondavels nearby, or the rustic Mvubu bush lodge on Groenvlei lake. Cape Nature has recently taken over management of three secluded properties at Buffalo Valley: River Lodge, Vlei Lodge which overlooks a small vlei, and my favourite, Forest Lodge, which burrows in indigenous forest with a deck and boardwalk down to a private beach along the river.
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Clockwise from top left: Buffalo Valley's Vlei Lodge and Forest Lodge, a rondavel and one of the reserve's picnic sites
There’s plenty to do at Goukamma if you enjoy nature and walking. You can choose between six walking trails from 4.2km to 15km, from beach walks to dune walks with coastal fynbos, and forest walks that offer a good chance of seeing some of the 220 species of birds that have been recorded in the reserve. You’ll almost certainly hear the sombre greenbul calling in the forest and catch a flash of red as a Knysna turaco glides from tree to tree. 
Animals and flowers at Goukamma Nature Reserve
Even in winter there are tortoises and colourful flowers to be seen on walks in the reserve
If you’re not a lover of hiking, birds and plant life, there’d be little point in coming here because it’s the trails that make it special – a way to leave the hurly burly behind and listen only to the sounds of the forest or the sea. For us it was special for its quiet, even though it’s jammed between busy areas like Buffalo Bay and Sedgefield on the Garden Route.

You can also hire canoes or pedal-boats to explore the river, go fishing for alien bass on Groenvlei lake (get a permit from the reserve office), or go angling with a rod from the sea shore if you have a licence. Visit between July and December and you might see southern right whales too.
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Part of Goukamma's charm are its wide open spaces and the ability to get away from the Garden Route buzz
On our last evening we wrapped up warm and sat on our deck to drink in the view and listen to the thick-knees calling as the sun painted the clouds pink. The next morning two wagtails whistled goodbye and the sun broke through as the cloud cleared. Next time, we plan to visit in summer and braai on that deck with its views of the river, the sea and the sky.

Read more about some of the walks at Goukamma in this blog post I wrote for Getaway magazine.

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From forest to beaches at Goukamma Nature Reserve on the Garden Route #SouthAfrica #travel
From forest to beaches at Goukamma Nature Reserve on the Garden Route #SouthAfrica #travel
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​Cape Nature reserves: from Cederberg to Kogelberg and more

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
8 Comments
Katy Nikolaou link
16/6/2014 03:34:33 pm

The reserve seems so peaceful. I'd love to spend my holiday there!

Reply
Roxanne link
17/6/2014 01:18:27 pm

We only spent 3 nights there, Katy, but could easily have spent longer. Go for it!

Reply
Kim
18/1/2018 11:12:54 am

Hi Roxanne. How did you go about booking? I am having difficulty booking online.

Roxanne
18/1/2018 12:28:04 pm

Hi Kim, the best is to phone Cape Nature on 021 483 0190, or email [email protected]. There may have been a problem recently because this reserve has been closed following devastating fires in mid 2017, but it's open again.

andrew
17/6/2014 01:16:29 pm

What a lovely setting and fantastic accommodation. Well done Cape Nature. SANP should try emulating them.

Reply
Roxanne link
17/6/2014 01:21:09 pm

I agree that Cape Nature is doing a good job, Andrew, from Kogelberg and Rocherpan to Gamkaberg and Goukamma, and more. It's also good to know that conservation is number 1 on their list of priorities.

Reply
Debbie Knighton-Fitt
1/10/2020 10:05:26 am

Hi there! The Forest Lodge - can you tell us a little more about it, and why it's your favourite? It doesn't look quite as comfy as the Otters Rest, and we are hoping to book somewhere there soon, and I think my kids will love the 'treehouse' feel.

Reply
Roxanne
2/10/2020 02:42:00 pm

It depends on what you like, Debbie. Otters Rest is wonderful and has views over the estuary, but the position of Forest Lodge in the forest makes it special to me. When I said Forest Lodge is my favourite, I meant of the three at Buffalo Valley. Otters Rest is at Goukamma. You can check them all out in more detail on Cape Nature's website (link in fist paragraph) or see https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/goukamma-nature-reserve/

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
    My travel buddy and husband Keith is the primary photographer for this blog.
    We're happiest in the middle of nowhere, meeting the locals, trying something new, or simply watching the grass grow.
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