SOUTH AFRICA - Cape Garden Route

The 130 mile stretch of coastline from Mossel Bay to Storms River in the Cape, offers some of South Africa’s most beautiful and diverse scenery. Green mountains, thick forests, lakes and rivers are complimented by beautiful unspoiled Indian Ocean beaches. Most know the Garden Route as a self drive journey between the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, travelling south to Cape Town or vice versa. But in our opinion, the true Garden Route lies between the beautiful Natures Valley and Mossel Bay.

Plettenberg Bay or ‘Plett’ as it is known, is the ‘Jewel’ of the Garden Route. Bustling in season (December-January), but more relaxed at other times, its scenic splendor, pristine beaches, world class whale watching and spectacular golf courses have resulted in Plett’s continued and increased popularity as a favourite holiday destination for South African, British, and European visitors. The bay is surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Mountains (Tsitsikamma means ‘place of clear or abundant water’ in the ancient Khoi language) to the north and by the Robberg (‘seal mountain’) Peninsula, a nature reserve and historical monument to the south.

The Outeniqua Mountains (Outeniqua is believed to be the Khoi word meaning ‘man laden with honey’) protect the back of Plettenberg Bay and follow the coastline to the town of George approx. 60 miles to the west. These mountains have created a unique micro climatic system providing Plett with superb Mediterranean type weather conditions all year round. Temperatures are mild, with an average daily maximum of 25° C in summer. Most rainfall is at night and the sun shines for 320 days per annum.

Access to Nature's Valley is off the N2 National Highway, about 21 miles from Plettenberg Bay as one approaches the quaint village called The Crags. The stunning Groot River Pass, built by Italian Prisoners of War, winds its way down from the escarpment through the most spectacular forested ravines to the beach and the small village of Nature's Valley. Nature's Valley lies at the bottom of the Groot River Gorge where the pristine river opens into a spectacular lagoon before gently flowing into the sea. Beautiful Nature's Valley is uniquely established within the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Knysna is a picturesque town approx. 20 miles south of Plettenberg Bay and the area is not only scenic but also known for arts and crafts of a high quality. Knysna is also known as the “Oyster Capital” of South Africa. It has developed on the edge of a warm, shallow lagoon that ebbs and flows with tides that gush through the narrow rocky entrance at the 'Heads', the enormous headlands that guard the entrance to the lagoon. The road climbing to the top of the eastern Head delivers superb views of the Heads.

Plettenberg Bay and Knysna are both creative havens with art festivals, an abundance of arts and crafts galleries and shops, village markets and artists’ studios. Fine artists and master crafters demonstrate and showcase an eclectic combination of locally inspired design.

Route 62:

The beautiful Outeniqua Pass leads to Oudtshoorn and Route 62. Almost 18 miles outside of Outshoorn lie the Cango Caves, some of the biggest stalagmite formations in the world set in Precambrian (a time about 4500 million years ago) limestone.

Oudtshoorn is also famous for its huge ostrich population, which thrives in the semi-desert conditions. Ostriches are the tallest living birds on the planet - flightless birds, weighing over 250 pounds when full grown. Ostriches have great vision and because of their strong legs they are able to run at over 40 miles per hour. Visiting one of the old “Feather Palace” estates, you will learn some of the fascinating aspects of this industry, the large nests for the huge eggs, the plucking pens and the subsequent processing of the feathers which supplied fashion houses throughout the world from the early 20th century.

The Meerkat Magic Conservation Project in Oudtshoorn is the only place in the world where you can watch this subspecies of wild and free meerkats (suricates) with Grant M. Mc Ilrath, known as The Meerkat Man. Grant has been working with meerkats in the wild since 1993 and is a Professional Wildlife Researcher and Conservationist with numerous internationally published scientific works! Excursions with Grant must be booked ahead of time.

The distance between Oudtshoorn and Cape Town is approximately 218 miles. On this route you will pass through 14 villages where it appears that time has stood still for the last 40 years. The drive takes one through Montagu, known as “The Little Switzerland of the Karoo” – where you can find healing hot water springs. You will pass through the magnificent Hex River Valley – this area is the largest grape producing area for the fruit exporting and wine industry in South Africa – the scenery is stunning. The picturesque and historic small town of Tulbagh is famous for its heritage, historical homesteads. You will drive through Wellington and the historic town of Paarl, before reaching Cape Town.

Contact us for a selection of hotels, guest houses and unique accommodations to suit your taste and your budget.