Are dogs allowed at Goukamma Nature Reserve?

Dogs are not allowed at Goukamma Nature Reserve.

What does Goukamma Nature Reserve cost?

Entry is listed from R60. Confirm current pricing with the reserve or operator, as fees change.

When is Goukamma Nature Reserve open?

Gate 08:00–18:00. Office 07:30–16:00.

Where do you park for Goukamma Nature Reserve?

Buffalo Bay road from the N2 between Sedgefield and Knysna. Official GPS 34°04′06.73″S 22°56′52.29″E. Turn right towards the river into the reserve after about 8km.

Buffalo Bay, Garden Route · Western Cape · Picnic spot

Goukamma Nature Reserve

FeeR60
HoursGate 08:00–18:00. Office 07:30–16:00.
DogsNot allowed
Map Directions
Official Conditions
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Forested cliffs meeting the sea near Knysna on the Garden Route — Garden Route region · representative photograph, not this specific trail

Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area is CapeNature’s Garden Route reserve between Sedgefield and Knysna — Buffalo Bay turn-off, about 40km east of George and 25km west of Knysna. The reserve page writes 2,500 hectares; the 2025 brochure writes about 2,679 ha terrestrial plus a 3,201 ha marine protected area. Official brochure day trails (permit on arrival, booking not required): Galjoen 12km / about four hours (beach; inaccessible at spring high tide), Bush Pig 6.5km circular / two to three hours, Porcupine 13.5km / four to five hours, Cape Clawless Otter 6.5km out-and-back, Blombos 15km / 13km / 6.5km, Buffalo Bay Trail 4.2km circular. Gate times on the brochure: 08:00–18:00. Office hours on the reserve page: 07:30–16:00. Live conservation fee: day access R60 adult / R40 child — confirm if the tariff year has rolled. No pets. Picnic at designated spots. Office 087 087 3945/46. Reservations 087 087 8250. Not SANParks Knysna or Robberg.

Questions

Are dogs allowed at Goukamma Nature Reserve?: Dogs are not allowed at Goukamma Nature Reserve.
What does Goukamma Nature Reserve cost?: Entry is listed from R60. Confirm current pricing with the reserve or operator, as fees change.
When is Goukamma Nature Reserve open?: Gate 08:00–18:00. Office 07:30–16:00.
Where do you park for Goukamma Nature Reserve?: Buffalo Bay road from the N2 between Sedgefield and Knysna. Official GPS 34°04′06.73″S 22°56′52.29″E. Turn right towards the river into the reserve after about 8km.

Spot an error or a closed path?

Trail facts change. Tell us what you saw and we'll check it against the reserve.

Nearby on the map

From this pin: Featherbed Nature Reserve 9.2 km; Garden of Eden 23 km; Kranshoek Trail 26 km; Robberg Nature Reserve 41 km.

Featherbed Nature Reserve

Knysna, Garden Route · 9.2 km away

Private Knysna reserve. Official Eco Experience: lagoon cruise, 4x4 transfer and a 2.2km guided nature walk. Departs from Cruise Café, 1 Remembrance Drive. Book with the operator — we do not publish a walk-in gate fee.

Garden of Eden

Knysna, Garden Route · 23 km away · easy

SANParks' 800m Knysna-forest boardwalk on the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay — picnic tables, not a mountain hike.

Picnic
No dogs

Kranshoek Trail

Knysna, Garden Route · 26 km away

SANParks’ 9km Knysna-section walk from the Kranshoek picnic site — forest to coast, not the 800m Garden of Eden boardwalk.

No dogs

Robberg Nature Reserve

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route · 41 km away

CapeNature peninsula 8km south of Plettenberg Bay with three circular walks — 2.1km, 5.5km or 9.2km — and picnic decks at the viewpoints.

Picnic
No dogs

Entry from R75

Hike at your own risk. Trail conditions change — weather, fire damage, water crossings and rockfalls can make a route unsafe with little or no notice. Distance, difficulty and other details here are compiled from public sources and may be outdated. Always verify current conditions with the relevant park or reserve authority before setting out, and hike within your own ability.