LOCAL TRAVEL
WELCOME TO GOUKAMMA
BY BYRON LUKAS
IF YOU SPOTTED A BEAST TEARING DOWN THE N2 RECENTLY, THAT WAS ME, BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A FORD EVEREST XLT, LOOKING LIKE I HAD SOMEWHERE IMPORTANT TO BE. TRUTH IS, I( ALONG WITH TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES) WAS JUST ON MY WAY TO SPEND A FEW HOURS IN THE GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE, WINDOWS DOWN, PLAYLIST LOUD, AND SNACKS WITHIN REACH.
By the time I rolled into Goukamma Nature Reserve, after cruising through The Slow Town, aka Sedgefield, I felt like I’ d driven off the road and onto a postcard. Think endless dunes, forests whispering secrets, and a lagoon so glassy you start questioning your own reflection.
My first thought was that this was the kind of place where your phone should automatically switch to airplane mode. And honestly, unless you’ re on Vodacom, it basically does. No reception. None. It’ s nature’ s polite way of saying,“ My guy, you’ ve scrolled enough. Breathe the crisp air.”
A LAGOON ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER
I kicked off my Goukamma experience with a kayaking session on the lagoon, the kind of tranquil waters that make you think you’ re a pro paddler until you realise you’ ve been going in circles for five minutes, which I did.
But that’ s not all, then came the ferry. Picture this: a small wooden 4-person dinghy boat, two ropes stretched across the river, and you pulling yourself across like you’ re auditioning for Survivor: Knysna. It’ s humbling and hilarious all at once.
There’ s a moment halfway across when you start questioning your upper-body strength, your life choices, and whether you should’ ve had that second muffin at breakfast. But once you make it across, you feel like you’ ve conquered something.
Even if that something is just … not falling into the river. Or maybe, yourself.
A WALK THROUGH TIME( AND SAND)
The hiking trail was one for the books and( he says, ruefully) the calves. What was supposed to be a“ quick 30-minute walk” turned into something that felt suspiciously like a full-on expedition. I couldn’ t tell you the exact distance; all I know is that time slowed down somewhere between the dunes and my will to live. By the time the beach came into view, I swear I was a few kilograms lighter( give or take some water weight and dignity), but it was all in the name of fun, fitness, and mild torture.
At one point, something slithered in the bushes – possibly a puff adder, possibly my imagination – but whatever it was, it sent my hiking companions into full flight mode. I, for the record, was not laughing. Mostly because I was too busy checking if snakes could smell fear.
DID YOU KNOW?
Goukamma is a 2 500-hectare reserve that stretches along 14 kilometres of pristine coastline, with a mix of dune forests, wetlands, and fynbos-covered hills. The name Goukamma actually comes from the Khoisan word for“ dark waters,” inspired by the tannin-stained river that flows through it. It’ s a place where nature feels untouched, where every bend looks like it’ s waiting to be photographed.
DECEMBER 2025 / INBOUND SA 75