The Garden Route Game Lodge established itself in 1999 as the first Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape & Garden Route region to offer big game viewing.

In 2002 the game reserve was acquired by the Apteker and Doherty families whose enthusiasm for wildlife, conservation and hospitality is evident.

The game reserve started as an ambitious project to restore an area of once degraded farmland to its former glory and stock it with game that previously occurred there.

With the assistance of Dr Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services, a scientific study was conducted with the emphasis on sustainable utilization, long term conservation of the remaining natural habitats and the rehabilitation of already degraded lands. Once completed, scientific calculations were used to determine the carrying capacity of the reserve and the restocking program could begin.

Over the past 10 years the reserve has grown in size by acquiring neighbouring farm lands and incorporating them into the game reserve. In doing so we have managed to create more habitat for our wildlife which has allowed us to increase our stocking rates.

From humble beginnings the reserve now employs 80 staff from the local community and has become a favourite safari destination among local and foreign travelers.

Since 2002, the Garden Route Game Lodge has worked closely with TM Ndanda school situated in the Kwanonqaba township on the outskirts of Mossel Bay.

From generous donations to the school from guests and contributions by ourselves we have managed to purchase a school bus for T M Ndanda school which has allowed the school kids to attend sports fixtures at other schools.

Garden Route Game Lodge currently subsidises the salaries of an English & a Mathematics teacher at TM Ndanda school.

After your stay at Garden Route Game Lodge the rest of the Garden Route is there for you to explore and enjoy.

A a popular and scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. The Garden Route from Heidelberg in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighbouring Eastern Cape. The name comes from the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered here and the numerous lagoons and lakes dotted along the coast. It includes towns such as Albertinia, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley; with George, the Garden Route’s largest city and main administrative centre.

It has an oceanic climate, with mild to warm summers, and mild to cool winters. It has the mildest climate in South Africa and the second mildest climate in the world, after Hawaii, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Temperatures rarely fall below 10°C in winter and rarely climb beyond 28°C in summer. Rain occurs year-round, with a slight peak in the spring months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains just inland of the coast.

The Route is sandwiched between the aforementioned mountains and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and Temperate Forest and offer hiking trails and eco-tourism activities. Nearly 300 species of bird life are to be found in a variety of habitats ranging from fynbos to forest to wetlands.

Ten nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area as well as unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Various bays along the Garden Route are nurseries to the endangered Southern Right Whale which come there to calve in the winter and spring (July to December).

What do I take with to Garden Route Game Lodge ?

• Garden Route Game Lodge is MALARIA FREE so NO malaria tablets required.
• Camera & binoculars for game viewing and birding
• Swimming costume and sunscreen
• A cap or hat is advisable
• Warm sweater,jacket or anorak for the safari

When is the best time of the year for game viewing ?

Wildlife viewing is equally enjoyable all year round.

What is the daily program at Garden Route Game Lodge ?

Click here for the Typical Day at Garden Route Game Lodge.

What can my children do at Garden Route Game Lodge ?

Click here for Family Stays at Garden Route Game Lodge.

How do I get to Garden Route Game Lodge ?

Most of our visitors make use of the self drive option picking up a hire car at Cape Town International Airport and then traveling down the Garden Route. Airport and Hotel transfers can be arranged at additional cost when booking your accommodation.

What is the climate like ?

It has an oceanic climate, with mild to warm summers, and mild to cool winters. It has the mildest climate in South Africa and the second mildest climate in the world, after Hawaii, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Temperatures rarely fall below 10°C ( 50 F) in winter and rarely climb beyond 28°C ( 82.4 F) in summer. Rain occurs year-round, with a slight peak in the spring months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the Outeniqua andTsitsikamma Mountains just inland of the coast.