Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms Riverto George, spend up to 4 days in the area around...

This route passes through scenic beauty that willdelight and amaze you all the way. It incorporatesthe towns of Mossel Bay, Little and Great BrakRiver, George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysnaand Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape and theTsitsikamma National Park and Storms River inthe Eastern Cape. The variety and abundance of flora and fauna justify it being known as the“Garden of Eden”. The topographically diverse environment has ensured a fascinating history ofcontrasting peoples and cultures.

The Strandlopers were the first known peopleto inhabit the area and remnants of their middenscan be visited along the coast. The Khoi tribes inhabited the plateaus while the San occupied themountain caves. Bartolomeu Dias landed at Mos-sel Bay in 1488 for fresh water and to barter withthe locals. Sailors travelling east and west stoppedin Mossel Bay and it became customary for sailorstravelling east to leave letters in a tree now knownas ʻThe Old Post Office Treeʼ to be taken to Europe

by sailors stopping on their way home.Shortly thereafter, nearby Plettenberg Bay,

named ̒ Baia Formosaʼ, (ʻbeautiful bayʼ) by the earlyPortuguese sailors, was established as the first tim-ber port of the Garden Route. George Rex later established Knysna as the main port of the area.

The Garden Route has indigenous forests inwhich yellowwood, stinkwood and milkwood treesflourish, hence the availability of local handmadewooden furniture unique to this area.

You could spend a month travelling this routeand not see it all but in reality most visitors onlyhave 5 – 7 days to see the highlights. This is aguide to help you plan and drive this route.

If your time is very limited fly from Cape Townto George, spend up to 4 days in the area aroundMossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and PlettenbergBay and then fly to your next destination. Youcould spend all 4 nights in one town or 2 in sayOudts hoorn and 2 in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay,George or Mossel Bay.

Garden Route Guide2

The Garden Route officially spans the N2 from

Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River

in the Eastern Cape.

The Garden Route

With 5 days or more, use day 1 to get fromCape Town to Mossel Bay/George/ Knysna. Allow5 hours to get from Cape Town to Mossel Bay, 30minutes from Mossel Bay to George, 45 minutesfrom George to Knysna or Oudts hoorn.

You have a choice of routes: you could take theN2 but if you have more time then meander alongthe coast from Gordonʼs Bay past Pringle Bay,Bettyʼs Bay and Kleinmond to Hermanus. Be-tween July and November this is a prime whalewatching route.

From Hermanus go to Stanford and take theback road with picturesque wine farms, and acheese farm to rejoin the N2 just outside Riviersonderend. With a few more hours to sparetake the turn to Agulhas, the Southernmost tip ofAfrica passing through really pretty scenery. Alsonearby is quaint Arniston with restored fisher-manʼs cottages and De Hoop Nature reserve. Youcan also include a trip to the nearby Bontebok National Park. If you run out of time to get to Mos-sel Bay then sleep over in Swellendam. Take aquick drive through the town which was the firsttown built outside Cape Town with a church, law-courts etc. Stop at The Droste (Magistrateʼs Court)Museum with a peach pip floor!

If you are driving both to and from the GardenRoute, consider Route 62 which goes inland overseveral scenic mountain passes.

Once you reach the Garden Route, which townto choose? It depends what experience you arelooking for.

No matter where you stay at any of the coastal

towns along the Garden Route, you have easy ac-cess to the great outdoors, paragliding, parasail-ing, kite surfing, canoeing, horse riding, mountainbiking, malaria free game farms, golf courses andgreat restaurants.

Mossel Bay offers beaches, the Dias Museumand the Old Post Office Tree where you can senda postcard from the oldest post office in SouthAfrica, a major archeological site at Pinnacle Pointgoing back to the origins of human kind, sharkcage diving. Mossel Bay is blessed with a mild climate and has the only harbour along the Gar-den Route.

George offers access via an excellent airport,thanks in part to past president PW Botha whohad his home in nearby Wilderness. George is extremely central and is an excellent base. It isthe business hub of the Garden Route with excel-lent medical facilities, a university, several hotel

Garden Route Guide 3

OUTENIQUA HOP ROUTEGolf, hiking, spectacular scenicdrives, strawberry picking, horse riding,cycling, canoeing, winetasting, boating, sharkcage diving

Eat, sleep and play along the Garden RouteSo much to enjoy – see full details on

www.outeniqua–hop-route.co.za

schools, law courts, and you can stay in the town,at the seaside (Victoria Bay offers some of thebeast surfing along this coast), or inland to havea farm or golf experience.

The Garden Route National Park starts inWilderness and runs all the way through to Addo.

The scenery between George and Knysna isdramatic but do be warned that there are manyspeed cameras on the route, particularly as youcome down the hill into Wilderness which offersamazing beaches, restaurants and relaxation.

Knysna offers wonderful experiences on the lagoon including sunset cruises, dramatic sceneryand views from many locations but particularly atand overlooking the Heads, nature experiences inthe Featherbed Nature Reserve and many walksand hikes, golf at a variety of courses, snorkelling,and wonderful picnic sites. As you drive intoKnysna from the Sedgefield side you passthrough Millwood, the site of a brief gold rush inthe 1880s.

The Waterfront offers restaurants and a fewshops as well as access to the Lagoon. TheFeatherbed Nature Reserve is a half day outing.Make sure you get a chance to have a meal atone of the many great restaurants in Knysna –(see our list of top restaurants on the inside backcover of this guide) including 34 South at the Waterfront.

Knysna to Plettenberg Bay is a half hour drive(do stick to the speed limit!).

Plettenberg Bay offers great beaches, specialistshops and restaurants, hikes along the Robbergand wine farms. A short drive further east takesyou to the Crags where you will find Monkeyland,Birds of Eden – the largest outdoor aviary in theworld, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and the ElephantSanctuary.

Apart from the coast, while you are in this areayou do want to visit Oudtshoorn and surroundingareas. George to Oudtshoorn is just on a 45minute drive over the Outeniqua Pass. Oudts -hoorn was the ostrich centre of the world when os-trich feathers were a high fashion item and ostrich

barons built ostrich palaces. These are definitelyworth a visit and you may like to stay over at oneof these establishments which are now running asguest houses or hotels.

Ideally aim to sleep 2 or 3 nights in Oudts hoornso as to also visit the Cango Caves and do theround trip up the Swartberg Pass through toPrince Albert and back through Meirings-poort andthe art village of De Rust. You will be rewardedwith unbelievable scenic beauty in pristine sur-roundings.

Whether you choose to sleep in Mossel Bay,George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or Oudts hoorn,do plan to spend at least 2 nights in this areapreferably 3 or 4.

Accommodation choices vary from modest bed& breakfasts to plush hotels and there are self-catering options too.

The Garden Route National Park comprises amosaic of ecosystems. It encompasses the worldrenowned Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections,the Knysna Lake section, incorporating SouthernCape indigenous forest and associated Fynbosareas. These areas resemble a montage of land-scapes and seascapes, from ocean to mountainareas, and are renowned for their diverse naturaland cultural heritage resources.

Managed by South African National Parks, theGarden Route National Park hosts a variety of accommodation options, activities and places ofinterest with unique fauna and flora.

Activities on offer in Garden Route NationalPark include hiking, mountain biking, birding, rivertubing, kayaking, a walk through the boardwalk ofthe forest and a visit to the Big Tree. Serious Hik-ers should book the Otter Trail well in advance.

As you cross from the Western Cape into theEastern Cape you can stop at the Blouwkransbridge and do the Gorge swing or bungee jump.Further along you can do the canopy tour inStorms River.

Where you go from here depends on your over-all itinerary around Southern Africa. If you areplanning to visit a game reserve in Mpuma langaor Limpopo or even in Botswana, Zimbabwe orZambia, then our suggestion is to focus on thewonderful offerings along the Garden Route andinclude a visit to Storms River.

Storms River is a wonderful quaint town in theforest. It offers the canopy tour, hiking and aguided tour through the forests as well as a won-derful hotel experience including a motor car museum diner and numerous guest houses.

From Storms River it will take you around 2 and a half hours to drive to Port Elizabeth. Youcan then include Addo in your itinerary or fly north.

Garden Route Guide4

MOSSEL BAYThis Indian Ocean coastal village and harbour is situated along the Garden Route, halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, about370km from each. Mossel Bay can be reachedalong the N2 coastal highway. A hassle free wayof arriving at Mossel Bay would be to fly intoGeorge Airport – a mere 40km away.

Mossel Bay has a rich association with the Por-tuguese explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries.In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias threw anchor in the Bayof St Blaize. But it was Vasco da Gama whonamed it “Aguada de São Bras” because it was agreat source of fresh water. It was here that theexplorers first came into contact with the Khoe-San people and bartering between the culturesbegan. It was renamed Mossel Bay in 1601 by theDutch navigator, Paulus van Caerden, becausehe found that the mussels, still rated today asamongst the finest in the world, were much appre-ciated by his crew.

Visitors can take a virtual tour of the history ofMossel Bay by visiting the Bartolomeu Dias Museum complex, which houses an interestingpadrao (stone cross), donated by the Portuguesegovernment to commemorate Da Gamaʼs landing.Up at Pinnacle Point is an archaeological site ofgreat importance now known as ʻThe Origins ofHumankindʼ.

The freshwater spring that was named “Aguadade São Bras”, or the “watering place of SaintBlaize”, was described in 1512 as “flowing over arocky verge into a small dam”. The spring, incred-ibly, to this day has still not run dry!

There are 24km of beaches in Mossel Bay to

enjoy, and because it lies along the GardenRoute, there are many more hundreds of kilome-tres of pristine beach just waiting to be explored.If you take a stroll along the beach you might belucky to find a rare pansy shell. You can also gogame viewing. There is a casino and many shops.

The excellent wind-protected beaches of Mos-sel Bay make surfing a popular activity, whileother sporting activities include tennis and bowls.The Mossel Bay Golf Club and Pinnacle Pointhave excellent sea views and memorable golfcourses. For the more adventurous traveller,deep-sea fishing and diving, and boat-basedwhale watching is available when visiting here.For something a little more extreme, visitors cango shark cage diving or bungee jumping.

Did you know?

Mossel Bay boasts the first ʻpost officeʼ in SouthAfrica, if not the entire African continent.

LITTLE BRAK RIVER

This tranquil holiday area, on the banks of the Little Brak River, offers great natural beauty andcountry hospitality. Both the villages of Tergnietand Rheebok overlook the sea and have magnif-icent views of the Outeniqua mountains. There isgame viewing nearby.

GREAT BRAK RIVER

An unspoilt village between George and MosselBay in the heart of Eden, Great Brak is surrounded


Major Towns

Garden Route Guide6

Itinerary Suggestions

■ 2 – 4 Days

Fly Cape Town to George, sleep 1 – 2 nights inGeorge, use one day to go to Knysna / Pletten-berg Bay and take a day outing to Mossel Bay.Stay 1 – 2 nights in Oudtshoorn / Knysna / Wilder-ness or Plettenberg Bay and then fly out. Whereyou stay over depends on which aspects of thearea interest you most.

■ 5 Days – Option 1

Fly Cape Town – George, sleep over in MosselBay for 2 nights. (if you only have 3 days thenspend just 1 night in Mossel Bay). Day 3: Leave early to drive to Oudtshoorn for theday and on to Knysna. Sleep in Knysna.Day 4: Spend the morning in Knysna and thenhead east to Storms River. Stop at the BlouwkransBridge for Bungee Jumping or the Gorge Swing.Sleep overnight in Storms River Village.Day 5: Do the Canopy Tour in Storms River Village or take the drive through the Forest before you head east from Storms River to PortElizabeth.

■ 5 Days – Option 2

Drive Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, if you leaveCape Town early enough you can fit in the Ostrich farm in the afternoon. Sleep in Oudts -hoorn. Day 2: Do the Cango Caves and the round trip upthe Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert and then backthrough Meiringspoort.Day 3: Go to Knysna and visit the Featherbed Nature.Day 4: If it is between July and November you

could go whale watching in Plettenberg Bay.Otherwise you can simply go on an Ocean Safari. Sleep over in Knysna.

Day 5: Travel east and, depending on your

interests, stop at the Blouwkrans Bridge for

bungee jumping / gorge swing or on to Storms

River and do the Canopy Tour or a tour through

the forests. If you start the day early enough you

can get to Port Elizabeth and fly out or stay over.

■ 6 Days

Day 1: Cape Town – Mossel Bay – sleep 1 night

in Mossel Bay. See the Old Post Office Tree, the

Dias Museum, walk up on the cliffs at Pinnacle

Point and perhaps visit the archaeological site.

Day 2: Go through to Oudtshoorn, visit Cango

Caves and Ostrich Farm. Sleep over in Oudts -

hoorn.Day 3: Do the round trip up to Prince Albert over

the Swartberg Pass and back through Meir-

ingspoort. Sleep in Oudtshoorn.Day 4: Oudtshoorn to Knysna – Featherbed

Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay for whale watch-

ing / ocean safari – sleep Knysna.Day 5: Knysna to Blouwkrans – Storms River

In Storms River – do Canopy Tour, explore the

area.Day 6: Storms River to Port Elizabeth

With more days to spend in the Garden Route and

Klein Karoo you can take the 6 day itinerary and

spread it out – do 2 or 3 nights in each place as

there are many more activities not mentioned in

this booklet. Alternatively just relax and be and

have a leisurely trip rewarded with so much scenic

beauty, glimpses of life in the quiet lane and

adventures to look back on with nostalgia. On a

more relaxed trip stay over in Wilderness and

enjoy the wonderful beach and the views.

by beautiful mountains covered in fynbos, and theriver mouth has beautiful sandy beaches on eitherside. June to November is whale watching seasonwhen the cows and calves may be observed fromvantage points on the Great Brak River dunes.Plan to eat at De Vette Mossel on the beach. Thevillage was established in 1859 by Charles Searlewho opened the shoe factory which is home to thewell-known Watson Shoes. The factory no longeroperates.

GEORGE

According to novelist Anthony Trollope, George isʻthe prettiest village on the face of the earthʼ. Nes-tled below the Outeniqua Mountains, the town issituated halfway between Cape Town and PortElizabeth along South Africaʻs Garden Route. Dis-tances from these two major cities are roughly420km and 330km respectively.

The sixth oldest town in South Africa, George

was originally a woodcutters post for the DutchEast India Company, used to administrate thefelling of trees in the forests around the Outeni-qua. During the British occupation of the Cape,the name was changed in honour of the monarchof the time, King George III.

Of historical interest is an old oak tree knownas the Slave Tree – it was to this tree that slaveswere chained before they were auctioned to thehighest bidder. There is an ancient length of chainand padlock still embedded in its trunk. Thelargest collection of steam trains, including theWhite Train, can be found at the Railway Museum, while the Church of St Peter and St Paulis the oldest Roman Catholic Church in SouthAfrica. Other places of interest include the Botan-ical Gardens, the Anglican Church of St Mark withits many stained-glass windows, the George Museum (opened in 1968) with its central themebeing indigenous timber and its many uses.

George has a unique climate with the rainy sea-son in November and December with some show-


• Spectacular scenery from beaches to forests,mountain passes, pristine villages from yester-year. Top beaches on the Garden Route in-clude Wilderness, Victoria Bay in the Knysnaarea, Sedgefield, Plettenberg Bay, Buffalo Bayand Natures Valley

• Whales, sharks and dolphins

• There are many operators offering whalewatching during whale season June to Novem-ber. In Plettenberg Bay you have the option ofwhale and dolphin watching – from boats in-cluding Kayaks through to planes. Viewing dis-tance and time spent are strictly monitored.Southern Rights visit the area between Juneand November, migratory humpback and Orcawhales are to be seen briefly between May andJune and then again in November through toJanuary. Bottlenose and humpback dolphinsare in residence all year. There is also a breed-ing colony of Cape fur seals in residence.Brydeʼs whales are rarely seen.

• You have operators in most towns along theGarden Route coast offering whale, dolphinand shark experiences from Mossel Baythrough to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

• Land Safaris at game reserves and gamefarms including Garden Route Game Lodge inAlbertinia and other reserves outside George,Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Little BrakRiver.

• Top cuisine in most Garden Route towns andindeed from Cape Town through the Winelandsand the Overberg through to Storms River.

• Animal interaction – elephants, monkeys,cheetahs, birds, snakes, meercats. Planenough time to visit Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary,

• Hiking – from easy walks to serious trails.

• Extreme sports – Gorge swing, bungee jump-ing, river rafting, tubing

• Golf

• Watersports – kayaking, sailing, parasailing,

• Canopy tours in Storms River and zipline tours

• Surfing

• Ostrich farms

• Caves

• Horse trails in Wilderness, into the GardenRoute National Park and the Plettenberg BayGame Reserve.

• Archaeological sites – Mossel Bay in particu-lar

Activities on offer along the Garden Route

So many experiences, and so little time. Take your pick from the following highlights:

ers in January, with moderately hot summers andmild to chilly winters.

Activities:

While in George you can, go game viewing, visitthe Herold wine estate at the top of the MontaguPass and a craft brewery, relax on Victoria Bayʼsstunning beach, shop at the Farmerʼs Market, gostrawberry picking and play golf at world renownedFancourt. Paragliding, hang-gliding, canoeing andsailing are just some of the exciting alternatives.

Did you know?

George is the only district in the country thatgrows hops and supplies most of the countryʻsbeer-brewing needs. There are also truffles beinggrown alongside the fields with the hops.

VICTORIA BAY

This is a very quaint little bay with a protectedbeach and a few private homes. Victoria Bay isone of the top surfing spots in South Africa.

WILDERNESS

East of Victoria Bay, across the Kaaimans Riverand just a turn off the N2 lies the idyllic holiday resort of Wilderness, nestled between the woodedfoothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and a stretchof golden beach. The town is located about 50kmfrom Knysna, and roughly 20km from George.

Legend has it that the village earned its nameafter a young man was granted the hand of hissweetheart on condition that they live in thewilderness. He proceeded to buy a property for£500, named it Wilderness and built a hut/lovenest on it! Nowadays though, the village is hometo holiday and retirement homes as well as manyhotels, guest houses, B&Bs, backpackersʼ lodgesand self-catering chalets as well as an extraordi-nary number of restaurants in such a small village.

The 18km beautiful white sandy beach ofWilderness stretches from Leentjies Klip to Ger-ricke Point. The six lakes within Wilderness National Park are excellent for spotting the morethan 230 bird species in the area. Inland, thescenery changes dramatically again. 8km fromHoekwil on the Seven Passes road, amid stunningmountain views, is a 900-year old Outeniqua yellowwood tree. The luscious and ancient forestsof the Wilderness area are truly a must-see. Formore information, visit the tourist information bureau the Village.

Activities:Beaches, horse trails, walking, birding and hikingin the National Park, tree adventures, canoeing,kayaking, abseiling, kloofing, para gliding.

Did you know?

The original name for Hoekwil was ʻHoek van dieWildernessʼ but the postmaster felt this was far toolong and shortened it to ʻHoekwilʼ.

WILDERNESS NATIONAL PARK

Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, theWilderness National Park is an inter-connectedweb of lakes, wetlands and beaches, with corri-dors stretching from Wilderness in the West toAddo in the East. The lakes run along the N2 high-way for a distance of about 25km.

The Wilderness National Park was proclaimedin 1983 to prevent the rapidly growing develop-ments of both residential and holiday resorts fromencroaching upon and having a negative impacton the aquatic wildlife of the unique wetland area.The six, slightly saline, lakes have descriptivenames like Swartvlei, Groenvlei, Rondevlei andLangvlei. It is said that each of the lovely little lakesare haunted in some manner, and people throughthe ages have heard chanting, seen ghostly cartsand horses riding out across the waters.

These lakes are rich in fish species and hometo a wide diversity of bird life. It is for this reasonthat the main lake, Rondevlei, forms part of a nature conservation research station, and thatcertain areas have been zoned to exclude mo-torised water sports. Other areas that are not inthese zones, are open to a great variety of out-door activities. The area may be explored on footthrough the Kingfisher Trail System (for birders),or by water on the 3-day canoe trail. The area hasfascinating flora, fauna and birdlife. Cape clawlessotter, bushbuck and the famous Knysna loerie(Touraco) all make this area their home. If you arevery lucky you might see the elusive leopard!

Visitors can take up the challenges of paraglid-ing, abseiling, mountain biking and hiking trails,canoeing and scenic drives through grandioseland- and seascapes. Fishing is best at Swartvlei,which is home to steenbras, grunter and harder.

SEDGEFIELDThe sleepy town of Sedgefield, lies betweenKnysna and George. The road that connects the

Garden Route Guide8

Wilderness to Sedgefield is flanked on the oneside by bush-covered sand dunes and impressiveinland mountains on the other.

Sedgefield was established in 1928 once therailway line from George to Knysna was com-pleted. It takes its name from the many patchesof sedge that are to be found in the area.

Visit Gerickeʼs Point, the Wild Oats FarmersMarket (Saturday morning only), Scarab VillageCraft Market (mainly on Saturday but some stallsopen during the week), the Classic Car Collection.

Once a month when there are spring tides youcan do a guided, moonlight meander along thebeach to Gerickeʼs Point.

Fishermen will enjoy fishing for bass in Groen-vlei, a freshwater lake.

Sedgefield offers the birdwatcher wonderful opportunities to view a wide variety of bird speciesfound in the different ecosystems of the area. Manyof the good hiking trails and bird hides were devel-oped solely for lesiurely, yet rewarding, pursuit.

Near Gerickes Point there are beautiful rock formations which always prove to be popular withspear fishermen and keen anglers.

You can also engage in water sports including

wakeboarding, waterskiing, surfing, tubing, abseil-ing, canoeing, hobie cats and catamaran sailing.

Travel a short distance along the N2 to Buffels - bay to explore the Goukamma Nature and MarineReserve, and the western extent of Groenvlei, afreshwater lake that falls within the reserve. Thereserve has a 14km stretch of coast, and is hometo a wide variety of fauna and flora, including theCape clawless otter.

Did you know?

Swartvlei Lagoon is the largest natural inland salt-water lake in South Africa.

KNYSNA

Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Knysnais an idyllic town of sheer beauty blessed withawesome scenery. Nestled between the lovelyOuteniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, thetown lies about 260km from Port Elizabeth alongthe N2 Garden Route.

The townʼs history dates back to 1804, whenthe mysterious and legendary George Rex arrived


in the area. Rex was rumoured to be the illegiti-mate son of King George III. He purchased the estate Melkhoutkraal on the shores of the lagoon,where he decided to settle with his entire family.The town quickly became renowned for its timberand fishing, with later developments including aharbour at the lagoon to transport the woodaround to the Cape. Although the harbour is nolonger functional for timber, timber is still the mostimportant industry in Knysna and there are manyyachts moored at the harbour.

Knysnaʼs most famous visitor was GeorgeBernard Shaw, who loved the town so much thathe stayed for five weeks and it was in this periodthat he wrote “The Black Girl in search of God”.For those interested in the history of the town, orperusing through interesting nuggets of GeorgeRexʼs life, the Knysna Museum at Millwood Housein Queen Street should be a fascinating outing. Tosoak up the local culture, a pre-booked walkcalled ʻThe Greater Knysna Cultural Experienceʼwhich includes a walk and a ride through Knysnaʼstownship, along with a visit to the local Sangoma(traditional healer) can be enjoyed.

Also included in the walk is the opportunity toenjoy Xhosa dancing and storytelling.

Knysna is a place of incredible natural phenom-ena, the two famous sandstone cliffs guarding the

entrance to the lagoon, known as the Heads,being the most interesting. Located at the lagoonis one of the few places along the coast (and inthe world) that supports an oyster hatchery, andthe oysters are reputedly the tastiest in the world!The endangered Knysna sea horses breed in thelagoon. As timber was the principal industry, fur-niture and splendid woodwork of the highest qual-ity can be bought at galleries, workshops andfactories along the Timber Route.

Knysna is a vibrant town, buzzing with creativityand energy. Annual events include the OysterFestival and the famous Forest Marathon, whichboth take place in July as well as a cycle race inthe forest and the Pink Festival. Thesen Island isa development that encompasses marinas, shopsand residential complexes.

The luscious forests of Knysna, with theirstreams, narrow country roads, stinkwood andyellowwood trees and amazing bird life offer agreat opportunity for hikers, walkers and mountainbikers to get out and about. You might even belucky enough to spot the one of the elusiveKnysna Elephants. The beautiful Knysna loerie(Touraco) may be spotted along the way.

Just outside Knysna is Millwood where you cansee the pans used during the gold rush of the1880s.

Garden Route Guide10

PLETTENBERG BAY

Plettenberg Bay is undoubtedly the most glam-orous holiday resort of the Garden Route, located about 30km east of Knysna frequented by the who’s who from Johannesburg in season.

In 1630 a Portuguese crew was stranded aftertheir ship wrecked. Since then, Baia Formosa(Beautiful Bay) has seen Dutch and English set-tlers as well as the descendents of the strandedcrew.

Artefacts from the 1630 wreck of the SãoGoncalo are held in the municipal offices, alongwith replicas of sandstone slabs inscribed and leftby the crew. The ʻArt, Craft and Antique Routeʼtakes in antique and collectable shops, galleriesand tea gardens. Some of the old buildings in-clude the provincial heritage site of the Old TimberStore, as well as the century-old buildings of St Andrewʼs Chapel, St Peterʼs and the Dutch Reformed Church.

Mother Nature has smiled on Plett, as lusciousforests, marshy lagoons and estuaries, and threebeautiful beaches grace the area. It is shelteredin the west by a natural 4km breakwater, whoserugged cliffs and rocky coastline is a perennialfavourite for fishermen. Archaeological findingsunearthed at Nelsonʼs Bay Cave and Matjes RiverCave suggest that Middle Stone-Age beach-combers roamed the area. For those who are interested in the history of the whaling industry,the original slipway and blubber cauldron on Bea-con Island should not be missed.

Particularly in summer, Plettenberg Bay comesalive at night with pubs, nightspots and finerestaurants. Wonderfully scenic drives along thecoast and through Natureʼs Valley, the RobbergNature Reserve and theTsitsikamma Forest willenchant visitors. Include a visit to the JukaniWildlife Sanctuary, Birds of Eden and Monkeylandeco projects which offer great experiences. Birds

of Eden provides sanctuary for more than 3,000previously caged birds. The 80-ton dome of thesanctuary has 1.2km of walkways, a 200-seat amphitheatre, a walk-behind waterfall and restau-rant facilities.

The area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiastswith excellent hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and canoeing trails. The challenge of theworld-famous Otter Trail hike can be taken upfrom within the Tsitsikamma National Park. Watersport is extremely popular in Plett and travellerscan swim, surf, scuba-dive, snorkel and sail in thewaters of the Bay, or enjoy rock and surf fishing.

Did you know?

The highest commercial bungee jump in theworld, with a height of 216m and a 7-second freefall, is at the Bloukrans River Bridge.

TSITSIKAMMA

The beautiful, untouched landscape of the Tsit-sikamma National Park can be found in the heartof the Garden Route, between Port Elizabeth andPlettenberg Bay. It is about 160km from the formerand about 70km from the latter. The Park is acoastal strip nestled between Nature's Valley andthe mouth of the Storms River.

The Tsitsikamma National Park was proclaimedin 1964, and consists of an indigenous rainforestand a coastal section. The coastal section was thefirst marine reserve proclaimed in Africa, and itwas done in response to an appeal by the firstworld conference on national parks held in Seattlein 1962.

Tsitsikamma, most appropriately, is the Khoeword for “place of many waters”. The area incor-porates various places of cultural interest rangingfrom Khoe cultural heritage sites such ascaves,shell middens and rock art as well as recent cul-


tural historic sites like ruins of small fishing settle-ments, the legacy of the past forestry industriesand grave sites.

Arts and crafts can be viewed and bought in the area, and some of these include leathergoods, curios and immaculate woodwork.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is recognizedthe world over for its forests which contain andconserve one of the few true monarchs of theworldʼs forests – the giant Outeniqua yellowwood.It has survived unchanged for millions of yearsand is one of the most successful species in exis-tence. The park is home to Africaʼs oldest andlargest marine reserve, which protects inter-tidaland marine life. Some of the interesting wildlifethat can be spotted in the area include dolphinsand porpoises, the highly threatened African blackoystercatcher, the Knysna lourie, the Cape claw-less otter and the rare blue duiker. Tourists are enchanted by the rugged scenery and photos aretaken here every day – and for good reason! Atthe Storms River Mouth visitors can cross the riverusing the elegant suspension bridge.

Tsitsikamma is an adventure sports enthusiastʼsdream destination! One of the most fascinating activities is the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, aunique eco-wilderness adventure that takes placein the magnificent indigenous rainforest. A first onthe African continent, tourists traverse from oneplatform to another, 30m above the forest floor,suspended by steel cables. From up in the tree-tops, the scenery and bird life are quite spectacu-lar. Other more down-to-earth activities includeguided quad bike and Segway tours in the Tsit-sikamma Forest at Storms River Village andblackwater tubing and kloofing.

The forest and surrounds are internationallyrenowned for their spectacular hiking and walkingtrails. The famous 5-day Otter Trail starts at theStorms River Mouth and winds its way throughsome awesome terrain. The area is also very pop-ular with mountain bikers and climbers.

Did you know?

The coastal section of the park is one of thelargest Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the worldand conserves 11% of South Africaʼs temperateSouth Coast rocky shoreline.

THE KLEIN KAROO

The Klein Karoo offers spectacular scenery as youtravel from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam towardsCape Town and you go through the towns of Cal-itzdorp, Ladismith and Barrydale. If you travel


north and east from Oudtshoorn you pass throughDe Rust, Meiringspoort and Uniondale. It is a fas-cinatingly beautiful area, and travellers to this aridpart of the country can marvel at spectacularscenery, wild flowers, incredible sandstone moun-tains and lush vineyards and orchards.

There are some stunning mountain passes todrive along, and these include the spectacularSwartberg Pass, the Huisriver Pass, and theRooiberg Pass.

OUDTSHOORN

Oudtshoorn, the ostrich feather capital of theworld, is situated in the Klein Karoo, about 55kmfrom the town of George and is sheltered by theSwartberg and the Outeniqua Mountains

The town, known as the ʻcapitalʼ of the KleinKaroo, can trace its beginnings to 1847. Howeverit was only in 1863 that it was officially named afterBaron Pieter van Reede van Oudtshoorn, whotragically died before taking up the post as gover-nor. Today, the town is known as the ostrichfeather capital of the world, and although the in-dustry has taken a dip from its heyday, the legacystill lives on in this charming town.

At the CP Nel Museum, a beautiful greendomed sandstone building, the impact of thefeather boom, as well as the Jewish communityʼscontribution to this industry, is portrayed in a fas-cinating exhibition including the rehoming ogf thesynagogue which used to be in St Johns Street inOudtshoorn.

Ornate relics of the extravagance of the featherbarons during the boom can be seen at palacessuch as Pinehurst and Welgeluk. 30km north ofthe town is one of the world's great natural won-ders, the Cango Caves. Nature has, over the past100-million years, designed the most stunning dis-plays of stalactites and stalagmites. The breath-

taking limestone formations in a wide variety ofnatural colours create a fascinating and beautifulunderground fairyland.

At the beginning of April of each year, morethan 100,000 arts, theatre, poetry and musiclovers gather at the Klein Karoo National Arts fes-tival.

Oudtshoorn has many wineries in the sur-rounds including Buffelsdrift Game Farm. Calitz-dorp is the port capital of South Africa. The whole


area is a huge producer of peaches, melons, apri-cots and other stone fruits.

Other family entertainment includes ostrichshow farms, the drive up to Prince Albert over theSwartberg Pass.

Gamkaskloof, also known as ʻDe Helʼ is a fas-cinating valley near Prince Albert, where a smallproud community lived in isolation for more than100 years. Access was on foot and horseback andharvests of fruit and wild honey were carried outby pack animals.

Legend has it that Gamkaskloof was discov-ered when trekboers lost their cattle and followedtheir spoor into the fertile valley. Petrus Swane -poel was the first to farm there and the valley sup-ported the hard-working community until 1962when a road was carved into the valley. A gradualexodus occurred with the last farmer leaving in1991.

An exciting and unforgettable way to experi-ence the famous ostriches is to pluck up thecourage and ride one, grab the wings and hold onfor dear life!

Did you know?

An ostrich egg holds the nutritional equivalent of24 fowl eggs!

CALITZDORP

Well known for its fine port wines, is situated about50km west of Oudtshoorn along the R62. The

recorded history of the village began in 1821,when the farm Buffelsvlei was given to the Calitzbrothers. By 1853, a church and school were builtand residents of the Calitzdorp area found that thenew settlement was a much more convenientplace to attend the “Nagmaal”. After experiencinggreat difficulties including drought and flu epi-demics, Calitzdorp is today a thriving communitywell known for its excellent port wine and fruit pro-duce – including sundried dried fruit.

Walk down Queen Street to see some fine examples of Karoo, Victorian and Gregorian architecture. The neo-Byzantine stone church,completed in 1912, has a lovely “Marseilles” roofand is a provincial heritage site. The adjoiningchurch hall has 27 wall hangings illustrating thegospel according to St Matthew. There is a smallmuseum and an art gallery.

The mineral rich spring waters near the GamkaRiver are a popular attraction. The Hennie CloeteNature Garden offers some of the succulents andvygies that the town is famous for, and theGamkasberg Dam Nature Reserve is the placewhere the new protea Golden Mimetese was dis-covered. The cellars here produce some of SouthAfrica's best dessert wines, especially port.

A worthwhile drive is to nearby Amaliënsteinand Zoar,villages famous for their beautiful churchand whitewashed buildings.

The pleasant climate means that activities likehorse-riding, walking and hiking are especiallypopular. The area is also popular with 4x4 enthu-siasts and mountain bikers. Canoeists and fisher-men will appreciate the river.

LADISMITH

Ladismith, situated along Route 62, is the Jewelof the Klein Karoo, and nestles beautifully at thefoot of the Klein Swartberg Mountain Range. The majestic Towerkop (2,189m) with its split peak,looms above the town. Local legend has it that awitch, flying overhead during a thunderstorm,found the peak obstructing her passage over themountain and struck the peak in anger with herwand, splitting it in two!

The town was laid out in 1852 and named afterLady Juana Smith, the Spanish wife of Sir HarrySmith, Governor of the Cape. The spelling of thetown's name changed to “Ladismith” in 1879 toavoid confusion with the similarly-named town inNatal.

The town is the centre of a prosperous farmingarea producing fruit (apricots, grapes, plums,peaches), milk for two cheese factories, wine,


flowers, mutton and ostrich. The Towerkop andAnysberg Nature Reserve are situated in the area.There are several hiking trails taking in five of theeight highest mountain peaks situated in Ladi-smith. Special interest routes include the magnif-icent Seweweekspoort (wonderful for hiking andmountain biking), Hoeko Valley – where Langen-hoven was born, Knuywagensdrift, Zoar andAmalienstein, Dwarsrivier, Voorbaat and Van Zyls-damme. Vegetation is widely varied and rangesfrom fynbos in the mountains to broken veld,spekboom and succulent Karoo on the koppiesand plains. Here in the Klein Karoo twenty-one ofthe twenty-two Gibbaem species can be found.Recreation includes bird-watching, horse-riding,4x4 routes, golf, bowls, badminton, squash, ten-nis, rugby and cricket.

BARRYDALE

The small town of Barrydale is situated in theKlein Karoo, on the Tradouw River. It is abouthalfway between Montagu. Established in 1882on the farm Tradouw Hoek, the settlement initiallyserved the needs of the growing community offarmers. It was named after John Joseph Barry, awealthy tycoon whose main business and com-mercial empire was based in nearby Swellendam.Today, the town retains this timelessness and themany stately homes lend to the tranquil atmos-phere. Barrydale is flanked by the contrasting aridKlein Karoo on the one side and lush and greenfertile valley on the other.

Travellers can enjoy the scenic Tradouw Pass,which starts at the town. The 30km winding moun-tain pass offers travellers beautifully scenic vistasof both the town of Barrydale and the arid KleinKaroo. The unusual word “tradau” comes from theKhoi and means “the way of the women”. Thepass is one of thirteen that road engineer SirThomas Bain built in the southern Cape during the1800ʼs.

Tourists to Barrydale will marvel at the beautifulgardens in the town, whose rose displays and lushvineyards will captivate the senses. The area is well known for its fresh produce, including apri-cots and grapes and the by-products such asdried fruit and wine. During spring and summerthe hills and mountains are covered with colourfulwild flowers.

For the energetic traveller to this part of theworld, there are wonderfully pleasant walks alongfootpaths in the semi-arid Klein Karoo; while forthe more adventurous there is mountain climbingin the foothills of the Langeberg. Hikers will be en-

thralled by the scenery and serene tranquillity ofthe area.

MONTAGU

The picturesque village of Montagu lies betweenthe Keisie and Kingna Rivers approximately twohours drive (roughly 190km) from Cape Townalong Route 62.

The village was founded in 1851 on the farmUitvlucht, and named after John Montagu, theColonial Secretary of the Cape at the time. It wasgranted municipal status in 1895. Today, this vil-lage still retains an air of old-worldliness, and ispacked full of Cape Dutch and Georgian-stylebuildings. Of the twenty-three buildings that areprovincial heritage sites, fourteen can be foundalong Long Street. Some regard the street, archi-tecturally, as the most important in the country.

The main economic activity of the town is farm-ing of fruit, wine and table grapes. There is astrong tradition of wine making, and the area hasseveral wine cellars, some well known for theirfabulous muscadel. At Badkloof, 3km from thetown, a hot mineral spring has helped make Montagu a popular inland resort, where the waterbubbles up to the surface at a temperature of 43°F – 176°C.

For romantic travellers, there is a “Loversʼ Walk”of 2,5km that leads from the hot-water springsalong the Kloof to an old mill called Eyssenhuis

The three-hour tractor and trailer ride that takesvisitors to the top of the Langeberg where thepanoramic views of the Koo Valley must be seento be believed is memorable.

DE RUST

The small, yet charming village of De Rust nestlesin the Swartberg Mountain Range and is situatedon the N12 at the southern entrance to Meir-ingspoort. The village was established on the farmDe Rust in 1900, owned by P.J. Meiring. An excel-lent farmer, he was also an intrepid explorer anddiscovered many of the routes through the Swart-berg Mountains, with the paths later becomingknown as Meiringspoort.

De Rust has been home to numerous famoussculptors, artists and authors. Moses Kottler, asculptor of repute lived in the village in the early1900s, while artists like James Yates and Tinusde Jongh have found inspiration from the town. CJLangenhoven, well known Afrikaans author andpoet wrote much of his work while in the village.


Today, De Rust still attracts artists and a varietyof paintings, pottery, sculpture and handcrafts canbe seen in gift shops, as well as at Artcraft in thePark, held every last Saturday of the month.

The Stompdrift Dam is the is the biggest damin the Little Karoo, with 50 bird species. TheSwartberg Mountains are home to a wide varietyof wildlife, while the wild flowers are absolutelygorgeous in spring.

Popular outdoor activities include kayaking,fishing and water skiing and hiking. During Marchand November each year an angling event knownas the Cape Derby is held at the Stompdrift Dam,which is also the starting point for the Meir-ingspoort half marathon, run in October each year.

MEIRINGSPOORT

Meiringspoort, on the road between BeaufortWest and Oudtshoorn, is one of the three scenicpasses in the magnificent Swartberg Mountains.The 25km route through Meiringspoort is filledwith picturesque “folded” rock formations and itfollows the passage of the Groot Rivier, crossingit 25 times. It is a haven for many indigenousplants. Birdlife is rich and tourists may often catchsight of small buck and dassies (the rock hyrax).Among its most scenic spots is the Waterfall – leg-end has it that at this spot crystal-clear mountainwater tumbles into a bottomless pit.

DYSSELSDORP

Lying between the Groot Swartberg and Kama -nassie Mountains, legend has it that the town wascalled Dysselsdorp because so many people withthe surname Dyssel once lived here! It became arecognised settlement when a mission was estab-lished here in 1838 by the London Missionary Society. One of the oldest churches in the KleinKaroo is still regularly used by worshippers andthe unique Catholic church, St Conradʼs, isperched on the top of a pyramid-like hill and canonly be reached on foot by climbing a windingpath along which the Stations of the Cross are laidout. Experience a donkey-cart taxi ride around thetown and purchase ostrich shell jewellery.

UNIONDALE

The quaint town of Uniondale is situated in the Lit-tle Karoo and is the starting (or ending) point ofthe popular Route 62. It can be included on routes

to such destinations as Oudtshoorn, Baviaan-skloof, Port Elizabeth, Knysna and George. Thehistory of Uniondale is the history of two towns,namely Hopedale and Lyon. The two towns wereamalgamated in 1856 when the Dutch ReformedChurch built its parish between the two towns!Uniondale was initially well known for its wagonbuilding and ostrich feather industries, but asthese industries slackened the town was left as aquiet farming town. For South African (Anglo-Boer) War fundis, there are sites of historical in-terest. Today the town, situated in the Langkloofarea, is predominantly a sheep, goat, seed andapple farming community.

The Uniondale area and its surrounds are richin San rock art site. The town buildings have a sur-prising beautiful architectural style, and the strongarts community and the art products found at thearts and crafts workshops are wonderful. The artgallery in town shows off the works, while someof the products can be bought at the farm stalls inthe area. The town has the largest water wheel inSouth Africa, and although not in use as a water-mill anymore, it has been restored and houses theart gallery and the “Watermeul” restaurant. Union-dale is famous for its ghost. The spine-chillingspectre is believed to be the ghost of a womanwho lost her life in a car accident during the EasterWeekend of 1968. People who have seen theghost say that it is a spectre of a female hitchhikerwith long dark hair, that gives a shrill laugh, opensthe boot and disappears, leaving a chill in the air!

Travellers on their way to Knysna will cross thestunningly beautiful Prince Alfredʼs Pass. Designedand built by Thomas Baines, the pass still has theoriginal hand packed stone retaining walls. TheUniondale area is regarded as one of the richestfloral areas in South Africa, and is especially wellknown for its aloe vera products made from theabundant Aloe Ferox plants. Other floral types in-clude subtropical, Western Cape, Grasveld andKaroo flora. The Mountain Pastures Private GameReserve and San Valley Mountain Retreat offer vis-itors San rock art paintings and big game viewing.

There are plenty of activities to keep both the locals and travellers busy in Uniondale. The morepopular activities tend to be outdoor adventuresand include 4x4 trails, hiking trails and game-view-ing excursions.

The fly-fishing enthusiast will enjoy the largefarm dams which are stocked with a variety of fishincluding bass and rainbow trout. Other sportingactivities include hiking trails with spectacular-mountain views and scenery, as well as challeng-ing and fun mountain biking outrides.


GEORGE – ARENDSRUS COUNTRY LODGE

Panoramic scenery, botanical wonder and old school charm, it all comes together at ArendsRus. Luxury accommodation, scenic wedding venue and a divine restaurant, ArendsRus is indeed one of those very rare gems that surprise and astonish.

Tel: +27 (0) 60 962 6869 • Cell: +27 (0) 71 442 [email protected] • www.arendsrus.co.za

HEROLDS BAY – THE THIRD DOLPHIN

The Third Dolphin is an idyllic seaside getaway. A great option for small fami-lies. We are on top of Herolds Bay Heights with breathtaking 270° sea views as far as Mossel Bay to the east. A variety of different activities can be foundnearby.

Tel: +27 (0) 21 981 2652 • Fax: +27 (0) 86 653 [email protected] • www.thethirddolphin.co.za

HUMEWOOD – LAVENDER TERRACE B&B

Accommodation in a quiet and secure environment overlooking the magnificentAlgoa Bay. All rooms are comfortably equipped with tea/coffee making facilities.You can enjoy our delicious breakfasts served on the terrace whilst appreciating the sights and sounds of the ocean.

Tel: +27 (0) 41 582 2200 • Cell: +27 (0) 82 441 [email protected] • www.lavenderterrace.co.za

CAPE ST FRANCIS – CAPE ST FRANCIS BEACH BREAK

Save 40% on rack rates until end of August 2015 in our five-star villas. BeachBreak self-catering accommodation is the perfect place to relax before this winter. Includes: Accommodation for 2 nights on self-catering basis. Excludes: All meals, drinks, laundry, telephone calls, transfers, gratuities and any other items of a personal nature. Tel: +27 (0) 42 298 0054 • Cell: +27 (0) 82 494 [email protected]

GEORGE – MALVERN MANOR COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE

4-star Tripadvisor certificate of excellence. Recommended by BBC travel asone of the best B&Bs in South Africa. 10% discount for 2 people sharing for 2nights or more, subject to availability. Not valid between 12th December and10th January 2016. Present voucher.Tel: +27 (0) 44 870 8788 • Fax: + 27 (0) 44 870 [email protected] • www.malvernmanor.co.za

Garden Route Guide Discount Voucher

10%DISCOUNT


40%DISCOUNT

HERMANUS – HERMANUS ESPLANADE

10% discount on accommodation at Hermanus Esplanade on presentation ofthis voucher. Enjoy a relaxed, homely environment, breathtaking views and above all,value for money! Offer valid until 30th September 2015. Subject to availability.

Tel: +27 (0) 28 312 3610 • Fax: +27 (0) 28 313 [email protected] • www.hermanusesplanade.com


10%DISCOUNT

GEORGE – GEORGE COUNTRY RESORT

The Resort is close to Victoria Bay, a picturesque, secluded beautiful beach – a popular surfing spot, angling spot and tidal pool. The endless beaches of theWilderness also just 10 minutes away. Ideally situated to explore diverse scenicwonders.

Tel: +27 (0) 44 889 0034 • Fax: +27 (0) 86 224 [email protected] • www.georgeresort.co.za

JEFFREYS BAY – MADIOLYN

Madiolynʼs self-catering holiday accommodation at Jeffreyʼs Bay provides luxu-rious holiday accommodation all year round. Special offer from 8th May 2015 to30th September 2015 – 30% discount for 2 days stay or longer.

Tel: + 27 (0) 53 712 0603 • Cell: + 27 (0) 82 448 [email protected] • www.madiolyn.co.za

MOSSEL BAY – BLOMMEKLOOF COUNTRY COTTAGES

A charm, a sense of peace, a connection to nature, a nostalgia – all of whichwork together as if by magic to leave you feeling rested and restored.Discount voucher midweek special pay for two stay for three nights excludingschool holidays.Cell: +27 (0) 82 467 0419 • Tel: +27 (0) 44 696 [email protected] • www.blommekloof.co.za

PLETTENBERG – AFRICAN ARRAY LODGE

With the perfect location in Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route of SouthAfrica, we are rated one of the top backpacking lodges in the South Africa. Discount offer of 10% on accommodation out of season.Offer Valid until 30th September 2015.Tel: +27 (0) 44 533 9108 • Fax: +27 (0) 86 504 [email protected] • www.africanarraylodge.co.za


10%DISCOUNT

PORT ELIZABETH – MONGOOSE MANOR BED & BREAKFAST

Conveniently located close to the N2 at the start of the Garden Route and AddoElephant Park. Weekend Special – Stay 2 nights which must include Saturdaynight and receive 10% discount on presentation of this voucher. Offer ends 30September 2015. Tel: +27 (0) 41 367 2063 • Cell: +27 (0) 82 874 2747 [email protected] • www.mongoosemanor.co.za


10%DISCOUNT

SEDGEFIELD – DOVER ON SEA B&B

Luxurious accommodation, decorated with a modern African feel. 10% discounton our low season rates on our Masters Suite (Suite 1) and Standard Sea viewrooms (Suite 2 to 5). Terms & Conditions: Suite 6 and 7 excluded. First 2weeks of July minimum of 2 nights stay – all rooms.Tel: +27 (0) 44 343 1209 • Cell: +27 (0) 82 567 2928 [email protected] • www.doveronsea.co.za


10%DISCOUNT

THE CRAGS – BUFFELS DAM COUNTRY HOUSE

25% discount on all accommodation, for direct bookings only. Expires 30 September 2015. Double Room: 2 people sharing including breakfast fromR562.50 – R731.25 pp per night. Family unit (max 5 adults or 4 adults and 2children) including breakfast – 2 double rooms,1 single room, 2bathrooms, lounge with TV, Wi-Fi – R2,812.50 per unit per night.Tel: +27 (0) 72 695 1558 • [email protected]


25%DISCOUNT

KNYSNA – KNYSNA CHARTERS

Join us on the spectacular Knysna Lagoon for this special 10% discount off theKnysna Oyster Tour rate. Not available for other cruises or kayak hire. Offervalid until 30th September 2015. All bookings are subject to availability.

For more info, go to www.knysnacharters.comCall: 082 892 0469 to book or e-mail: [email protected]

DISCOUNT

OFFERGarden Route Guide Discount Voucher


30%DISCOUNT


10%DISCOUNT

ALBERTINIA – GARDEN ROUTE GAME LODGE

15% off on the second game drive booked when 2 people book together to goon a game drive, only valid for 11am or 2pm drive. Game drives in an openLandrover with your experienced game ranger who will bring you sightings oflion, elephant, white rhino and cheetah.Tel: +27 (0) 28 735 [email protected] • www.grgamelodge.co.za


15%DISCOUNT

OUDTSHOORN – TURNBERRY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

15% off our rack rate. The 4-Star Turnberry Boutique Hotel is situated in thecentre of the picturesque Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. A warm welcome,awaits visitors to this tiny piece of Scotland set in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

Tel: +27 (0) 44 279 3268 • 130 St. John Street, [email protected] • www.turnberrylodge.co.za


15%DISCOUNT

PLETTENBERG BAY – BACKPACKERS APARTMENTS

Centrally located self-catering apartments – within walking distance from thebeach. Stay 2 nights and receive 20% off Standard Rates or stay 3 nights andreceive 30% off Standard Rates. Self-help breakfast available.

Tel: +27 (0) 44 533 4010 • Cell: +27 (0) 81 270 [email protected]


20%DISCOUNT

PLETTENBERG BAY – MONKEYLAND – BIRDS OF EDEN – JUKANI

20% off on purchased ticket (Single, Combo or TripTic) Monkeyland – 11species free roaming in this primate sanctuary. Birds of Eden – over 3500 freeflying birds in our aviary. Jukani – home to 50 odd apex cats and other wildlife.

Tel: +27 (0) 44 534 8906 • Cell: +27 (0) 72 613 [email protected] • www.monkeyland.co.za


20%DISCOUNT

STORMS RIVER – TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN

13% Discount off our publicised bed & breakfast rate at Tsitsikamma Village Innfor a single or twin room. Welcome to our magical hotel!

Tel: +27 (0) 42 281 1711Street Address: Darnell Street, Storms River Eastern Cape Gps co-ordinates: 33° 58ʼ 42.85” S • 23° 53ʼ 18.96” E


13%DISCOUNT

TSITSIKAMMA – TSITSIKAMMA CANOPY TOURS/STORMS RIVER ADVENTURES

A first in Africa! You can enjoy the unequalled beauty of the indigenous foresthigh up on ten treetop platforms for 10% off the advertised rate of R495.

Tel: +27 (0) 42 281 [email protected] • www.stormsriver.com101 Darnell Street, Storms River Village, Tsitsikamma, Eastern Cape


10%DISCOUNT

KNYSNA – THE ISLANDER

Come and enjoy the calm and beautiful months of May, June, July and Auguston the tranquil Leisure Isle, Knysna. This voucher entitles you to a 20% dis-count on any stay for 2 nights or more or one day free for every four booked.

Tel : +27 (0) 83 325 7449 • +27 (0) 61 915 [email protected] • www.theislanderknysna.co.za


20%DISCOUNT

ALBERTINIA – GARDEN ROUTE GAME LODGE


15%DISCOUNT

OUDTSHOORN – TURNBERRY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Conditions:– offer valid until 30th September 2015– not valid between 12 Dec 2014 and 11 Jan 2015 and Easter

weekend 3-6 Apr 2015 – bookings essential, subject to availability – not to be used with any other offer– original voucher must be presented on arrival Garden Route Guide Discount Voucher

15%DISCOUNT

PLETTENBERG BAY – BACKPACKERS APARTMENTS

Conditions:– offer valid from 1 June – 30 September 2015. – not to be used with any other offer – all bookings are subject to availability– original voucher must be presented on arrival– Ts & Cs apply


20%DISCOUNT

PLETTENBERG BAY – MONKEYLAND – BIRDS OF EDEN – JUKANI

Conditions: – all bookings are subject to availability– not to be used with any other offer– at time of booking, discount voucher must be mentioned – original voucher must be presented on arrival– offer valid until 30th September 2015


20%DISCOUNT

STORMS RIVER – TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN

Conditions:– offer valid until 30th September 2015, excl. 29 to 31 May 2015 &

6 to 9 Aug 2015– not to be used with any other offer– at time of booking, discount voucher must be mentioned – all bookings are subject to availability– original voucher must be presented on arrival Garden Route Guide Discount Voucher

13%DISCOUNT

KNYSNA – THE ISLANDER

Conditions:– offer valid May; June; July and August– not valid between 1 July to 15 July– not to be used with any other offer – all bookings are subject to availability– original voucher must be presented on arrival


20%DISCOUNT

TSITSIKAMMA – TSITSIKAMMA CANOPY TOURS/STORMS RIVER ADVENTURES

Conditions:– offer valid until 30th September 2015– pre bookings essential– subject to availability and not to be used with any other offer – terms and conditions apply– original voucher must be presented on arrival


10%DISCOUNT

Conditions:– offer valid until 30th September 2015– not to be used with any other offer– only valid for 11a.m and 2p.m game drive and excluding public holidays. – all bookings are subject to availability– original voucher must be presented on arrival– Ts & Cs apply

LEGENDSSerendipity – Wilderness The Girls – Wilderness Pembreys – KnysnaTravel Bugs – George La Locanda – George Ile de Pain – KnynaTranskaroo – Great Brak The Bell – Knysna Kafe Serefe – GeorgeRoadside Deli – Outeniqua Mountains Pomodoro – Wilderness

TOP 20Flava – Wilderness La Rosa Blu – Outeniqua MountainsEast Head Café – Knysna Kurland – The CragsEnricoʼs – Keurbooms Lemon Grass – Plettenberg Bay34 Degrees South – Knysna Caloroso – GeorgeSalinaʼs – Wilderness Café Gannet – Mossel BayThe Rose- George Bramon – The CragsLaurenʼs Deli Eatery – George The Fat Fish – Plettenberg BayThe Olive Tree – Knysna The Old Town House – GeorgeThe Grand Café & Rooms – Plettenberg Bay Route 57 – Mossel BayThe Table – Plettenberg Zinzi – Plettenberg Bay

BEST OF PLAQUESBest Family Restaurant: Zucchini (Timberlake Village between Wilderness & Sedgefield)Best Coffee Emporium: Baruchʼs (Mossel Bay)Best Hotel Restaurant: La Cantina, Fancourt (George)Best Service: Kurland (Plettenberg Bay – The Crags)Best Resort Dining: The Orchid Room (Simola – Knysna)Best Deli Style Dining: Clareʼs Cakes & Deli (Plettenberg Bay)Best Café Style Dining: The Bayleaf Café (George)Best Casual Style Dining: The Veg Table (Knysna – Rheenendal)Server of the Year: Blessing Nkosa (Caloroso)Wine Steward of the Year: Kervin Lichtenberg (Zinzi)Young Chef of the Year: Michael Ashley (The Girls)Chef of the Year: Delia Clarke (Simola)Achiever of the Year: Lizelle Stolze (Serendipity)

KLEIN KAROO SMULPAAP TOEKENNINGSCafé Brûlé – The Queens Hotel – Oudtshoorn The Colony – The Queens Hotel – OudtshoornSu Casa @ Surval – Oudtshoorn Kalinka – OudtshoornVillage Trading Post – De Rust Karusa – Oudtshoorn DistrictBella Cibo – Oudtshoorn Jemimaʼs – OudtshoornJack Sprat’s – De Rust Mimosa Lodge – Montagu

Garden Route Restaurant Awards

PUBLISHED BY: Essential Travel Info

Publisher: Vanessa Sand Advertising: Glendyr Benn, Anne Hadley,Editorial: Vanessa Sand, Anne Hadley Denise Lindley, Marylou SmythContact: [email protected] Cover Photograph:Layout: Leonie Lotter Andrea Paarman

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Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms Riverto George, spend up to 4 days in the area around...

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