"THE GARDEN ROUTE" and PLACES TO VISIT :

The Gardenroute lies on a plateau approximately 200 m above sealevel, and stretches from TSITSIKAMMA to MOSSEL BAY, 227 km.

As it is a transitional rainzone, the climate is mostly mild !

"SUMMER DREAM" is the ideal place to explore it, without packing your suit-cases every day !

Tsitsikamma

BEFORE you go in the Natl.Park visit the UNIQUE STORMS RIVER BRIDGE

The "Tsitsikamma National Park" offers incredible rock formations. You can experience up to 10 mtr. plus, wave sprays, when the ocean crashes in. There are lots of HIKING-TRAILS ! One leads down to the 2 "Suspension Bridges" over the "Storms River Mouth" and the VIEW TERRACE !

Keep your eyes open for DOLPHINES ! (on the entire coast) Maybe you are LUCKY to spot the "KNYSNA LOURIE" ! This elusive bird with its very pretty green feather dress, wears FIERY RED feathers underneath the wings ! His home is in the tree tops !

Plettenberg Bay

Enjoy the unique "Beacon Isle Hotel", the protected beaches,and the stunning view over the RIVER MOUTH LAGOON ! There are regulary "Sight seeing Boats" surching for WHALES offshore and visit the "Seal Colony" at ROBBERG, which is a wonderful "Nature Reserve" offering hiking trails and breathtaking views !

Knysna - The place of wood

Most names here come from the early inhabitants, the "KHOISANS", like also Tsitsikamma, what means "much or clear water".

To the end of the KNYSNA LAGOON are two cliffs, "The Knysna Heads", they watch over the OCEAN ENTRANCE ! You can drive up on one site to a wonderful VIEWPOINT, and enjoy the stunning view over cliffs, ocean, lagoon and Knysna. Stroll along the "Water-front" with its unique shops, eat some fresh oysters, from the lagoon, or book you a "Sundowner Sailing Trip" with snacks and champagner, just lovely !

Sedgefield & Wilderness

Between Sedgefield and Wilderness are the GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE and the WILDERNESS NATL.PARK with five inland lakes for enthsiastic naturlovers. Ideal for FISHING, BIRD WATCHING, CANOEING and HIKING !

George

Named after King George III. You find still some beautiful architecture, like THE OLD DROSDY BUILT 1811, now a hotel. THE BOYS HIGHSCHOOL, now the "Art Theatre" a few old churches, as well as a big "Shopping Centre".

Oudtshoorn

"The OSTRICH KINGDOM" Take the scenic "Outeniqua Pass" up from George to Oudtshoorn, visit a "Showfarm" like "Safari Ostrich Farm", get a "CRASH-COURSE" about THE BIGGEST FLIGHTLESS BIRD, learn the story of the "Feather Barons" who got rich at the begin of the century when the fashion in Europe demandet lots of Ostrich Feathers, and lost it all, when the 1.World War startet ! Round you visit up with a Lunch or dinner there and enjoy the teasty Ostrich Meat !

Visit the famous "CANGO CAVES" -20 min away, which was partly home of the "Khoi-san People". In Oudthoorn is also the "Cango Wildlife Farm" with the big cats from all over the world and also Crocodiles, Aligators, a Snakeshouse and many more, aswell as a lovely Garden Restaurant ! On the way home take the "Robinson Pass" AND YOU really had a very enjoyable day ! If you have time enough go 2x up there, there is so much to do and see !

Mossel Bay

The OLD HISTORIC, CHARMING LITTLE HARBOUR TOWN !

There is a lot to do and to see, and I'm sure you will spend a lot of time there ! at "The Point " with the old LIGHTHOUSE and the "KHOISAN CAVE" where you get an impression of how they lived. Their source of food, depending on sea-level, giving access to seafood, or their had to hunt.

From here a very scenic KLIP WALK leads to Dana Bay, approx. 2 Hrs.

The MARITIME MUSEUM is a MUST for every visitor, climb down and around in the REPLICA of the ship with which BARTHOLOMEUS DIAZ landed here in 1488.The Portugese build it 1988, 500 years later and sailed it 1989 to Mossel Bay. One can only admire the bravery of the early sailors ! "The 0ld Post Tree" a 500 Years old Milkwood Tree, was used by the early sailors to leave messages, in a old boot, for friends ! There is a POSTBOX in the shape of a boot. You get a special stamp from "The old Post Tree" when you post your mail here. Behind the tree is a wonderful "Shell Display" and Aquarium, displaying the small creatures from our TWO Oceans.

ENJOY the freshest SEAFOOD in one of the many, really good, RESTAURANTS !

Game Reserves

Enjoy GAME DRIVES in Malaria free zones ! The nearest Game Reserve BOTLIERSKOP is only 15 min away, where you can ride on Elephants, go on a Game Drive in an open vehicle or take a HORSEBACK SAFARI !

The Garden Route GAME LODGE is approx. 45 min away. A half day drive brings you to the "ADDO Natl.Park", near Port Elisabeth. Spend a night there and enjoy the BIG FIVE !