The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighbouring Eastern Cape. The name comes from the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered here and the numerous lagoons and lakes dotted along the coasKnysna on the Garden Route was created with the nature lover in mind.
Enjoy the views across the lagoon, eat oysters on Thesen Island and take a boat trip across the Featherbed Reserve, a privately owned and protected sanctuary to small game, with caves for exploring. The Indian Ocean adjacent to the lagoon has excellent whale activity during winter and spring with many marine species seen here throughout the year. Stop for a walk in the Garden of Eden, located between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. A fantasyland of wet forest vegetation and towering trees – the smell of nature with flowers peeping through the green.
Further along, the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest is an enchanting place to visit, with some of the Outeniqua Yellowood trees as old as 700 years. In Jeffrey’s Bay, besides the world-famous Supertubes surfers spot, you can go horseriding with the Featherfoot Horseriding School, exploring the Kabeljouws nature reserve whilst looking out for birdlife, including flamingos, spoonbills and even fish eagles.
Not forgetting the need to take in a safari, the many game reserves in the Eastern Cape offer a malaria-free big game option within an hours’ drive of Port Elizabeth. A convenient way to combine bush and beach with Addo Elephant Park, a wonderful place to learn more about these gentle protected giants.
To plan your vacation to the Garden Route and Eastern Cape, contact info@eyeseeafrica.net http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wsV0IZJRoI