Explore the hidden gemsGarden Route Itinerary

Tsitsikamma

Continuing along the N2 and approximately an hour and a half after leaving Treetops you will come to Storms River Bridge, if you need a pit stop then this is a good place to use the rest rooms and refuel. The bridge itself was built in 1955 and is 394 feet / 120 metres high. Approximately a kilometre after leaving the Bridge you will see signs on your left leading to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. It has the most beautiful rugged coastal scenery and one can take some lovely hikes in the park. There is excellent self-catering accommodation available to book online at www.sanparks.co.za

There is a good restaurant if you prefer not to do self-catering. In the village of Tsitsikamma there are other activities one can do such as Canopy Tours where you go along a zip line high up in a forest, further information available at www.stormsriver.com. Those of you that are adventure junkies then go to www.tsitsikammaadventure.co.za and you will see all the activities available to do in the area. For the more sedate then take the Woodcutters Journey which takes you through forests untouched in over 100 years. After the Park go back up onto the N2 and continue along it towards Plettenberg Bay which is approximately 45 minutes away. You will cross the Bloukrans Bridge where the adventurous can do the world’s highest Bungy Jump. The height of the drop is 216 metres. To read more about the Bungy Jump visit www.faceadrenalin.com.

Further along the N2 prior to Plettenberg Bay you will come to an area called the Crags and there are many things to do here. The following that I mention we have all visited and enjoyed them.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary

Many of these primates have been rescued from medical trials. What is so enjoyable is that these primates roam free in large forested area, you can take a 1 hour guided tour and one learns so much about the animals, for instance there is only one type of monkey in Africa that can swim and that is the Vervet Monkey.

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Elephant Sanctuary

This was our personal favourite, if you have seen elephants in one of our many National Parks then this is an opportunity to get really close to an Elephant. You can take them for a walk or ride on them. What is enjoyable about this is that you are accompanied by a Guide and they are so knowledgeable about the Elephants and you really learn so much about these beautiful animals.

Unfortunately you will have to choose what you would like to visit in this area otherwise you will need a couple of days as there are many other things to do in this area.

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Plettenberg Bay

Carry on a little further and you come to Plettenberg Bay, South Africa’s playground for millionaires. Plett has lovely beaches and is very scenic. Further along the wide open beaches you will see Robberg headland where there are lovely walks, it is a Nature Reserve and well worth visiting for those who like long nature walks.

Should you wish to stay in Plett we recommend Beacon Lodge where old friends of ours run an efficient and intimate Guesthouse. If you are not stopping over but need a meal or a drink then we suggest you stop off Lookout Deck & Restaurant, perched overlooking the sea offering superb sea views and a most relaxing place to stop, www.lookout.co.za.

George

Upon reaching George you have a decision to make. In my opinion the Garden Route ends at George and if you continue along the N2 to Cape Town it is for me a boring drive as it is mostly agricultural landscape. Should you take this option it is 431 kms to Cape Town and it should take you between 4 to 4 ½ hours to arrive in Cape Town.

My preferable choice is in George to take the N12 and cross the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn which will take you around 45 minutes, the pass offers amazing views and you drive into a totally different biosphere.

Driving Into Cape Town

Again you have a choice to make as you can either proceed on the R62 into Cape Town which is 264 kilometres away or about a 3 to 3 ½ hour drive, you will pass through some lovely scenic countryside and go through towns such as Montagu, Ashton, Robertson, Worcester, Paarl, you will see many wine estates. After Worcester you will come to the Huguenot tunnel, if you have the time and if the weather is good rather take the pass, once at the top you have the most amazing view looking down onto Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek and in the distance on a clear day you will get your first glimpse of the iconic Table Mountain. The other option one can do is to go to Hermanus and thereafter take the amazing coastal drive into Cape Town, once in Barrydale you take the R324 to Swellendam, it is about 45 kilometres to Swellendam and you go over the Tredoux Pass which is very scenic. Swellendam is a very historical town with lots of old buildings, many of which are historical monuments, some people choose to stay over in Swellendam and there is a wide choice of accommodation. Swellendam to Hermanus is 142 kilometres and should take you around 2 hours to get there. Plenty to see and do in Hermanus and between June to December you will see pods of Southern Right whales. Again accommodation and restaurants are plentiful.

Mother City Hikers

Once in Cape Town and you would like to climb Table Mountain then I have to recommend our Daughter in Law’s business Mother City Hikers, Lauren is a qualified guide and well versed in the flora and fauna of Table Mountain and will only be too happy to guide you up Table Mountain and then to take the cable car back down.

All of the above which I have written about my wife and I have visited and my comments are based on our own experience and the photos have all been taken by myself so we hope this has been useful to you and that you have enjoyed your holiday in our most beautiful country South Africa.

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