Diving: one of many adventures available in the Garden Route.
The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is a mosaic of landscapes and seascapes, a haven for birds and animals including seabirds, rare and endangered species.
Nandi Mgwadlamba, spokesperson for SANParks on Tuesday, December 8 said: “We wish wishes all our visitors a safe and memorable time in the Park.
Guests visiting the Park this season to enjoy its multiple nature walks, cycling trails, forest excursions and water-based activities are therefore encouraged to observe all rules and regulations for an enjoyable, safe stay.”
Vessel and boat owners are urged to:
- Obtain a relevant vessel permit and adhere to all boating regulations at all times.
- Always exercise caution when swimming in the Park’s estuaries (Swartvlei, Knysna and Groot River) as tidal flow could be potentially dangerous.
- Fish and bait bag and size limits should not exceed the set criteria in the rules and regulations.
- Please keep yourself and those whom you love safe by not consuming alcohol while planning to swim.
- Observe all signs posted in and around the estuary at all times.
SANParks encourages anglers to act responsibly this season. In doing so you will assist SANParks in ensuring the maintenance of a healthy fish stocks for generations to come:
- Know the fishery regulations and abide by them. Limit your catch by not catching your maximum limit.
- Practice catch and release.
- Take away everything you brought with you. That includes fishing line, bait boxes, plastic bags and old tackle.
Walking dogs in the GRNP
We know that you and your dog family enjoy the beach just as much as we do. Help us conserve endangered birds such as the black oyster catcher, by keeping your dogs on their leashes at all times. Please train them to not bark at or chase after birds. We have placed blue bins along the coast for your convenience to pick up and place your doggie poop in.
The onus is on those walking dogs to abide by guidelines regulating this activity. This can be done through checking signage regularly that is posted along the beach and forestry areas. Dogs are not allowed in the Knysna estuary and the forest areas.
Walking dogs is permissible in the Wilderness part of the Park only in the areas listed below:
- East of the Parking at the NSRI up the staircase before the Wilderness Hotel.
- Kleinkrantz parking area, west to 6th Avenue and east up to the first rocks at Gerrick’s Point
- East of the parking at Myoli beach and Cola Beach (except during 01st December- 31st January , between 09:00am – 17:00pm)
- Along the Vlei where there is reasonable access and no signage prohibiting dogs.
Survival tips
- When encountering animals (baboons) for example, it is best not to walk through a troop, rather wait for an opportunity for them to disperse and let you walk through. •
- Should you encounter a snake, do not approach it even if it seems dead. It sounds impossible, but remain calm.
Useful numbers:
All numbers are included in all accommodation in the Park but day visitors can contact the following numbers:
- Knysna (estuary) and related areas: 044 382 2095.
- Knysna forest: Harkerville) – 082 803 0701.
- Knysna forest: Diepwalle – 082..8075652.
- Wilderness (lakes including Swartvlei): 044 877 0046.
- Forest (Farleigh):044 356 9021.
- Forest (Goudveld): 044.389.0252.
- Tsitsikamma (MPA, lakes and rivers) – 042 281 607.
- Forest- 044 531-6792.
- Additional numbers to call for animals (Carlo van Tonder, Cape Nature, 044 802 5333) and Michael of the Plettenberg animal sanctuary (044 534 8054).
