What locations strike you when you decide to undertake a tour of South Africa? And no, this is not, particularly about Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. Undoubtedly, these are a few famous names that come to our minds when we think of South Africa. But have you ever imagined exploring beautiful destinations published in travel magazines or showcased on Television TV (Discovery the Channel, for example)? If you are an admirer of wildlife, if you have never-ending cravings for an adventure, if you always wonder how a day is spent in the life of a wildlife photographer, and if your answer is a resounding yes to the above question, then look no further. Here is a list of places that will astonish you and mesmerize you. You will not only extract a similar kind of experience while reading this but also look forward to exploring the less-traveled part of South Africa, sooner or later.
Garden Route in South Africa is the place to be!
What exactly is Garden Route and where is it?
I personally didn’t hear of this tour until a few years ago. I have always been interested in wildlife and usually seek an adventurous holiday, besides a leisure seaside resort holiday. And I came across this one fine day while browsing. I was thrilled. I immediately planned my itinerary for the same: four days in Cape Town and 6 days dedicated for the Garden Route tour is what I had planned in the month of May, which turned out to be the perfect decision in terms of covering all the topmost attractions. I booked a private affordable tour through Cape Convoy (Convoy Tours). The owner, Robert Salmon, who was also our tour guide for the Garden Route, left no stone unturned to make this trip a memorable one. But before I share more details, I would like to mention that, the real fun in coming close to nature and the wild animals are definitely not in any zoo or private safaris. I personally do not derive any pleasure from watching animals in captivity. Garden Route in South Africa is one such tour where you can experience wildlife in its natural habitat, and indulge in adventure sports as well. There is a lot more in store to explore, besides the beautiful landscapes and sea view.
A road trip from Cape Town to Garden Route
The drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. The Garden Route is a 300-kilometers stretch on the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It extends from Witsand in the Western Cape to the border of Tsitsikamma Storms River in the Eastern Cape. You can cover the Garden Route by road. If you like long drives, then you will surely enjoy exploring the magnificent route as all attractions are within, and very easy to reach, at little distances.
What to expect during the long drive on Garden Route?
I am sure you must have come across signboards in cities such as; drive slow school ahead, speed breaker ahead, etc. Well, on a drive around Garden Route, you will see more interesting signboards like ‘25 km ahead Ostrich zone‘, or a signboard saying ‘Baboons ahead- do not feed’. The complete stretch has loads of surprises in store, at every possible turn. The drive through Garden Route is quite intriguing, and you will never know which wild animal you will come across on the next turn. It is better you shun the quick nap routine during the drive and keep your eyes wide open so as not to miss the beautiful landscapes. We generally come across a herd of sheep or other domestic cattle in fields across the countryside. Here, in South Africa Garden Route you may come across scenes like- a flock of Ostriches fluttering in fields. I found it extremely exciting to witness more than 100 Ostriches altogether in the field on the drive. The unpredictable and amazing scenery is what keeps you attentive during road trips.
Places to visit, and things to do:
The list includes the topmost attractions you don’t want to miss.
- HERMANUS : Whale watching and Great White Shark Cage Diving
Hermanus is known for activities such as whale watching and shark cage diving. It is approximately 115 km from Cape Town and not exactly a part of the Garden Route. But it should be the perfect start before you move on to exploring the Garden Route after covering activities in Hermanus. Hermanus is a beautiful small town with some stunning scenery and coastline. On one side, you will get to marvel at the beautiful coastline, and on the other side of the street, you will find some lovely cafes and restaurants. It is an experience of a lifetime: the sea, the hills, and the wildlife all in one place. You can base at Hermanus for the night if you have a shark diving activity planned for the next day.
Shark cage diving activity ( in Gansbaai – 45 mins by car from Hermanus) takes half a day to complete and in the second half, you are free to explore the surroundings on foot. Shark cage diving is something you shouldn’t miss when in South Africa. The ship takes you to the middle of the Ocean and that is where the real adventure starts. I will not go into details but would like to mention that it is a marvelous experience where you are safe in a cage. Make sure you follow the rules and guidelines made clear to you by the crew members 🙂
The whale-watching season starts from early June until mid-September while shark cage diving activity runs throughout the year. And you can spot white sharks all year round.
2. PLETTENBERG BAY: Skydive and Monkey Land
Plettenberg should be next on the list on the Garden Route. Known for skydiving, the town is a beautiful one with stunning seaside scenery in Africa’s western cape province. You can also visit wildlife rehabilitation centers and various sanctuaries in the town. Skydive in Plettenberg is known for its iconic scenic views. You get to skydive with a certified instructor or I would say, a licensed skydiver, so you need not worry about jumping all alone from the height! The jump is from approximately 10,000 feet above with a free fall of 30-40 seconds. After the freefall, the parachute opens up and it takes approximately 4-5 minutes to touch the ground. If your heart skips a beat and you close your eyes during the first few seconds of free fall, that is okay, but do open your eyes soon because you don’t want to miss the view. After all, you have paid for it. Skydive is operative throughout the year but sometimes the activity may get canceled under unsafe conditions such as strong winds and low-lying clouds.
When it comes to visiting Monkey Land, or any other sanctuary and animal rehabilitation centers in South Africa, let me tell you this: not only do you get to see amazing wildlife but also get to educate yourself with a trained guide. These kinds of tours are quite interesting when you learn about facts about the kind of species on mother earth. Monkey land is known as the world’s first free-roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary which has been more than 300 species of monkeys all over the world in one place. The walk across the forest, along with a trained guide, lets you see multiple species of monkeys monkeying around. You are allowed to feed none. Just walk around with the guide and keep your eyes and ears open.
Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Center– This one offers a tour where you can see lions, cheetahs, leopards, meerkats, servals, and many more including different species of birds.
3. Ostrich Farm:
Ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn is one of my favorite places on the Garden Route Tour. Never have I come across in close contact with an Ostrich before. The picture with an Ostrich in this blog says it all. A visit to an Ostrich farm that has both male and female Ostriches is a very interesting experience. It is a less time-consuming tour that gives you information about the ostrich life cycle, breeding habits, and its behavior. Anyone who has an interest in wildlife will find the information quite appealing. After this, you get to visit the farm where you can feed the ostriches and enjoy watching the activities of this beautiful bird. You will also get to hold an ostrich egg with your bare hands!
4. Cango Wildlife Ranch and Conservation Center:
Cango Wildlife Ranch falls in the Oudtshoorn region, and you can cover it on the same day along with the Ostrich Farm. So, in total, you cover two topmost attractions in Oudtshoorn. Cango Wildlife Ranch is another awe-inspiring wildlife center where you get to see various animal species during a guided tour. Here you can indulge in activities such as the Crocodile Cage Dive and encounter various other wild animals. It is open throughout the year.
5. Cango Caves:
Cango caves is another interesting place along the Garden Route, situated close to the Oudtshoorn town. It is also known as one of the oldest tourist attractions in South Africa. A guided tour where a trained guide will take you through the caves. The walk along the cave is a combination of some easy and some tough climbing. The formation inside the cave is quite unique and contributes to its overall beauty.
6. Robberg Nature Reserve:
Let us take a break from a discussion on wild animals and talk about one of the most beautiful walks, hikes, and coastlines in South Africa. Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay is a beautiful natural reserve and a world heritage site. The walk(I would call it a hike) along the coastline is quite refreshing. There are different trails with different difficulty levels. This is one of the most iconic walks you will ever come across. Before heading for the hike, Rob ( our tour guide and the owner of Cape Convoy tours) told me that if we are lucky enough, we may see dolphins or sharks swimming in the Ocean from a distance. The spotting is mostly expected on a clear day and to my surprise, I was able to spot two dolphins swimming very close to the shore. The Robberg nature reserve hike never ceases to amaze, with its natural flora and fauna surroundings.
7. Tsitsikamma Region, Garden Route: Suspension bridge and National Park:
The suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma is picturesque and one of the most iconic bridges of all. The bridge offers a beautiful view of the Storms River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The boardwalk through the forest leading to the suspension bridge is quite soothing. On the trail, you will come across signboards with detailed information on insects, small animals, and the area around the suspension bridge. Definitely do not miss this one if you are a nature lover and looking for the perfect forest walk leading to the river mouth.
Garden Route in Africa is all about overcoming your fears and indulging in activities that give you an adrenalin rush. Besides the list above, there are many beautiful places worth visiting in and around Cape Town. Here, I come to the end of this blog. Do share your comments or feel free to ask questions in detail regarding experiences.
Stay connected,
Nikita Kohli