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South Africa
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Our favourite place in South Africa is a 300 km stretch along the southern coast with unfolding scenes of flora, fauna, bird life, vineyards, white sandy beaches, glistening rocks and…..
- The Garden Route
From Cape Town go east to Mossell Bay where the Garden Route begins and makes its way along the coast, as far as Storms River. In a country famous for its land and seascapes, these views and vistas are exceptional. It’s hard to know where to stop along the way: George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tstisikamma Forest? The list goes on, but for me it was Knysna, thrumming with sea life, oysters to die for, and the lagoon – now a protected marine reserve where you’ll find over 200 species of fish, including seahorses.
- Suggested tour
Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Only 30 minutes outside of Mossel Bay, in a landscape of fynbos (unique, colorful shrubland and wildflowers) and rolling grassland, Gondwana is easy to get to, yet far enough away to give you a sense of the African wild it inhabits.
Mixing leisure and adventure, it strikes a perfect balance between luxury camp and intrepid wilderness safari. The accommodation is striking (muted woods, leathers and animal hides), the service impeccably friendly and helpful. But take note: the animals, including the Big Five, are not fenced off but free to roam up to the accommodation, so you must keep your wits about you.
Stay one night at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Includes: Guiding Services and Admission Tickets Lodge facilities
From $1000 pp
Wilderness
Go east of George to the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and you’ll find Wilderness, a seaside town of incomparable beauty, graced with rivers, lakes, and mountains, and long white beaches with tall dunes from where you can watch the whales and dolphins.
Wilderness’ long tradition as a welcoming destination began in the late 1800s, when an old stone farmhouse was turned into a boarding house. Well over a century later, as well as swimming and beach excursions, or savouring the Cape’s famous coastal cuisine at one of their restaurants, you can go paragliding, horse riding, biking, fishing, boating, or canoeing. And of course, whale and dolphin watching from the dunes.
Stay one night at Beach Villa Wilderness
Includes: Bed and breakfast
From $219 pp
Plettenberg Bay
There are a few contenders for best town on the Garden Route, but Plettenberg Bay – surrounded by mountain ranges (Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma), with brilliant, silvery beaches, blue lagoons and estuaries, ancient forests, and rivers, as well as vineyards – is up there (for me) with Knysna. Early Portuguese explorers called it simply, “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay), which speaks for itself.
When you’ve done exploring the beaches and hiking trails, you can wander through Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flying aviary, and then visit Monkeyland, a free-roaming sanctuary nearby for primates rescued from captivity. And if you’re looking for high energy entertainment, go watch the Game of Kings – high-goal polo – at Kurland Polo Club.
Stay one night at Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Includes: Bed and breakfast
From $237 pp
- Tour Location