George Lodge International

George is the largest of the many quaint towns on South Africa's Garden Route coast, one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world. With its numerous lakes and mountain ranges, beaches and bays, the landscape also features indigenous forests, amber-coloured rivers and fields of fynbos (the indigenous vegetation).

This natural wonderland boasts many bird and wildlife species and offers visitors a host of leisure options and adventure activities. We are within easy driving distance of Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, as well as the villages and towns along Cape Route 62, including Bonnievale, Robertson, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.

Local attractions
Restaurants
The Garden Route boasts many eateries offering a variety of dining experiences to suit different tastes and budgets, from coffee shops and bakeries to fine-dining restaurants. We are familiar with them all and are happy to make recommendations according to your personal preference.

Outdoor adventure There is no shortage of activities for the whole family in the area and the temperate climate encourages holiday-makers to spend as much time as possible outdoors. With access to many rivers, lakes and the sea, popular activities include water sports such as fishing, sailing, surfing, canoeing, skiing and diving.

The rivers, forests, ocean and mountains provide a host of activities to test the limits of adventure seekers and the area has become sought after for its adrenaline activities, including mountain biking, hiking, abseiling, black water tubing, hangliding, parachuting, treetop canopy or zipline tours and the highest commercially operating bungy jump in the world at Tsitsikamma from the Bloukrans Bridge.

You can also try your hand at rock, surf or deep sea fishing, para-sailing, kite surfing and surfing, scuba diving and quad biking. Shark cage diving is offered at Mossel Bay.

Golf
The Garden Route is a golfer's paradise, with many world-class golf courses between Plett and Mossel Bay, including Fancourt in George, Goose Valley, Plettenberg Bay Golf Course, Knysna Golf Course, Simola Golf & Country Estate, Pezula Championship Course and Ou Baai.

Beaches
The Garden Route has some of the best beaches in the country including Victoria Bay, just 10 minute's drive from the Lodge and popular with surfers, and the exquisite beaches at Wilderness, Knysna and Plett. The warm currents of the Indian Ocean mean that sea temperatures are pleasant, even in the winter months.

Wildlife
Lovers of nature and wild animals have the opportunity to visit a variety of wildlife sanctuaries in the area, where threatened species have been given a safe haven and are able to live in their natural habitat. Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, The Elephant Sanctuary, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre and Eagle Encounters are top eco-tourism attractions in Plett.

The Knysna Elephant Park offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with the elephants living in a controlled, free range environment. Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn is the oldest and largest cheetah contact centre in the world, and the Valley of Ancients offers crocodile cage diving.

Sightseeing
Book a half or full day excursion with our own shuttle bus and take in the unparalled beauty of the area with a ferry trip across the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a privately-owned heritage site. Enjoy a sunset yacht cruise across the Knysna Lagoon with oysters and bubbly.

A day excursion to Oudtshoorn will give you the opportunity to visit the Cango Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites which have been carefully sculpted over millions of years by time and water. In Oudtshoorn you can also visit an ostrich farm, ride an ostrich, purchase ostrich leather goods and learn about the famous South African ostrich industry.

At Mossel Bay visit Rob Island (and its great white sharks!) on a boat cruise, hire a jetski to play in the surf, or book a catamaran cruise. Take a helicopter tour for the best possible views of the scenic Garden Route.