
The Garden Route is South Africa’s premier holiday destination, offering a diverse range of tourist experiences, facilities, scenic routes and a stunning coastline, with the majority of the swimming beaches known for their Blue Flag status within season.
Hessequa is the entrance to the Garden Route and a scenic 3-hour drive from Cape Town, and a mere 1-hour drive from the George Regional Airport. This region includes the towns of Heidelberg, Riversdale, Albertinia, Vermaaklikheid, Slangrivier, Witsand, Jongensfontein, Melkhoutfontein, Stilbaai and Gouritsmond, and is often referred too as the Explorer’s Garden Route.
Hessequa has received a few tourism accolades within the last five years, being voted the Best Destination in South Africa during the 2022 South African Tourism Awards and with the town of Stilbaai being the Kwela Western Cape Town Of The Year 2019 and being a Western Cape Semi-Finalist in the same competition 2023.
This summer season, we have selected some hidden accommodation gems located across the diverse Hessequa region, and would recommend these incredible facilities for your upcoming holiday.
- GOURIKWA PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE near Gouritsmond
This private nature reserve offers a stunning backdrop with a spectacularly rugged coastline, wedding and function venue, self-catering villa’s, swimming pool, lighthouse, small game and an abundance of Cape Fynbos, which is on full display while cycling or hiking the many trails.
The Gourikwa Private Nature Reserve villa’s are ideal for a couples retreat this summer season. The facilities accommodation options can be viewed through the website https://gourikwa.co.za/rooms/ while the live availability can be viewed through the website link https://book.nightsbridge.com/19761 - KOENSRUST SEA FARM in Vermaaklikheid
Koensrust Sea Farm is a beautiful seaside getaway rich in wildlife and scenery situated within off-the-beaten-track in the small hamlet of Vermaaklikheid. The farm accommodation is rustic with views of the surrounds which includes a section of the ocean, river and Fynbos. The most notable accommodation units are the family sleepers The Yard Cottage, which accommodates 8 pax and The Kapstyl Cottage which accommodates six pax. Travellers with a deep affection for travelling the roads least explored should view the website https://www.koensrust.co.za/ and check live availability on the link https://book.nightsbridge.com/26612 - NOUKRANS BOSKAMP outside of Heidelberg
Noukrans is a bush camp situated within the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, a mere 20-kilometers from Heidelberg town. The facility offers bush camping at its best with the natural surrounds a delight for body, mind and soul. Your school holiday bush camping experience await, with the direct booking website link https://www.noukransboskamp.co.za - OAKHURST GUEST HOUSE in Riversdale
The Oakhurst Guest House is located in the heart of Riversdale and is one of the most well-known accommodation facilities within the region. The on-site guest facilities includes parking, a swimming pool and beautiful garden, for the best holiday photographs. The facility guest rooms can accommodate a couple and is well equipped for all your overnight accommodation needs. The family unit and self-catering unit are also ideal for travellers and exploring of the Garden Route. You can view the facility by the website link https://www.oakhurstguesthouse.co.za - RIVER MAGIC COTTAGES – in Vermaaklikheid
The River Magic Cottages in Vermaaklikheid is one of the most unique accommodation facilities within this part of the Garden Route. The rustic facilities are thoughtful and tasteful to provide simple comfortable and easy holiday living. The unique architecture is in keeping with the indigenous buildings of this charming little hamlet of Vermaaklikheid. The accommodation options are ideal for families with the Base Huis (sleeping 8), Deck Plek (12), Glory Be (12) and Back Track (6). All the accommodation facilities can be viewed though the website link https://vermaaklikheid.co.za - DIBIKI HOLIDAY RESORT – in Riversdale
The Dibiki Holiday Resort is located in the heart of town with the magical and marvellous Sleeping Beauty Peak as backdrop. This facility is home to self-catering units and green camping plots. In addition, the facility has a crystal clear swimming pool, small antelope and braai facilities on-site. Campers in search for last-minute spots must book immediately! The accommodation units and grounds can be viewed through the resort website https://www.dibikiriversdal.co.za - OAKDALE COTTAGES – near Riversdale
The Oakdale Cottages are located about 3-kiloemters from the Riversdale town centre and has excellent views of the beloved Sleeping Beauty Peak. The cottages are all self-catering with a minimum booking period of two nights over the December / January holidays. In addition to the self-catering cottages, the facility also accommodates campers on a few camping spots. This facility is what “plattelandse” accommodation is all about. The accommodation cottages and camp site can be viewed through the website https://oakdalecottages.co.za - LIEFLAPPIE SELF-CATERING – in Stilbaai
Lieflappies offers accommodation in stunning self-catering units with names like Bloublasie, Pampoentjie and Seeperdjie. The accomomdation is located in the heart of Stilbaai, near most of the major visitor experiences like the Stilbaai Harbour and Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve. The Pampoentjie has a minimum booking period of 3-nights and is available from 14-16 December 2023. The facility can be contacted on the number 073 674 9941 for live availability.
We invite travellers to explore the local marvels within Hessequa like the majestic Breede River, Gourits River, Goukou River, Sleeping Beauty Mountain Peak, Champion Whispering Tree, Ancient Fish Traps and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve by booking your stay at the above-mentioned facilities.
