One day, one activity
On the Garden Route, it is impossible to get bored. This is its main advantage. If you have a little budget to devote to activities and other cultural and sporting discoveries, there is something for everyone. Wine lovers will first linger in Stellenbosch, the country's first wine bastion, and above all the longest vineyard route in the world, with visits to wine cellars, tastings in the vineyards, and terraces with a bird's eye view of the hillsides and the mountains in the background. The region is beautiful. Other regions will appeal to the seasoned palate, but also to the thrill-seeker. In Paarl, you can get a bird's eye view of the plantations by taking a balloon ride in the air. In Wellington, you can visit the vineyards on horseback. What a feeling of freedom! In the small town of Tulbagh, surrounded by mountains, it is by mountain bike that we venture along the winding roads to discover a rich cultural heritage, because the city has a large number of beautiful colonial houses listed as provincial and sometimes national heritage. Robertson is known as the "Valley of Roses and Vines". With a rich architectural heritage, the city is pleasant and has some charming guest houses.
Route 62
A few kilometers further on, we arrive at Ashton, the official start of route 62. We must then decide whether to continue on route 62, over the interior, or to choose route 60 which descends gently towards the sea, towards Mossel Bay. If you continue on route 62, you will cross the ostrich capital of the world. Oudtshoorn is home to ostrich farms where you can learn a lot about the largest of all birds, the flightless bird that eats stones and buries its head in the sand up to its neck, but also the bird that runs faster than its shadow. The ostrich can easily reach 70 km/h and there are even ostrich races. The most daring will perhaps try to ride an ostrich... the ridiculous does not kill, it seems! Oudtshoorn is also a Mecca of Afrikaner culture and celebrates each year the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees festival.
From Swellendam to George
We decide to catch up with the ocean, stopping for a night in Swelledam on the way, a pretty little town crossed by the Koringland River. Once a stopping-off point for many traders and explorers, South Africa's third oldest town now makes its living from agriculture. Around its famous immaculate Cape Dutch church, cafés, antique shops and art galleries make it a pleasant stopover. We spend the night in a farmhouse nestled in the countryside, a stone's throw from the pretty Bontebok National Park.
The crossing of the Overberg from Swellendam to Mossel Bay is magnificent. When the road finally winds its way literally between sea and mountains, you're in for a picture-postcard ride. St. George can be a pleasant stop-off for a bite to eat. Not far from here is the village of Wilderness. As its name suggests, Wilderness is a place where nature reigns supreme. The small Western Cape seaside resort invites you to spend a night or more by the ocean or even at the foot of the riverbed. This is also the place to stop for the famous "Map of Africa" viewpoint: from here, the river draws a map of Africa around the mountains as far as the eye can see. It's truly splendid! You'll probably see paragliders soaring from the mountains down to the sea. Why shouldn't you? There are few more magical places to try this experience. Mountains, Indian Ocean and, with a bit of luck, overhead playful dolphins. A magical experience!
The must-see stopover in Knysna
From George, you can either continue along the ocean or opt for the famous Seven Passes Road, which crosses the southern Outeniqua Mountains. Built between 1862 and 1882 to link the towns of George and Knysna, it is South Africa's oldest mountain road. Initiated by Thomas Charles John Bain, it played an important role in the discovery of gold deposits in Karatara during its construction. Today, the scenic route is popular with mountain bikers and motorcyclists. See for yourself! From the coast, the road is just as beautiful as far as Knysna. The town of Knysna is built around its eponymous river, between ocean, marsh and river, with its two main islands: Thesen Island, with its Cape Town-style waterfront, dolphin cruises, shopping street and seafood restaurants featuring the famous Knysna oyster. Then there's Leisure Island, the peaceful one. This is where we stayed. Leisure Island takes it easy: cycle or jog around the island in the morning, take a dip, stop off at the coffee shop, and the day can begin. To the west of Knysna, Brenton-on-Sea offers a vast beach stretching for several kilometers to Buffelsbaai.
Plett, city and nature
Continuing eastwards, the next stop on our Garden Route is Plettenberg Bay. Nestling in the arms of the Robberg Nature Reserve, Plett, for those in the know, boasts a lively, pleasant town center. Yoga, surfing, the magnificent Lookout beach, pleasant cafés, good restaurants, magnificent accommodation by the lagoon or on the ocean: life is good and sweet in Plett. Above all, the region abounds in activities of all kinds. Primate enthusiasts can head off to Monkeyland, while the more adventurous might enjoy bungee jumping from the world's highest bridge, set against a unique backdrop: Bloukrans Bridge, which separates the Western Cape from the Eastern Cape, with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other - and you jumping right in the middle! Continuing in the direction of Port Elizabeth, you pass through Stormriver and Tsitsikamma National Park, a protected forest park with wooden walkways along the wild maritime coast to Port Elizabeth.
At the end of the road: bush and beach
Just an hour north of Port Elizabeth, we opt for a final stop: Addo Elephant Park. Created in 1931, the national park was extended to the Indian Ocean a few years ago. It is now the only reserve to be home not to the "Big Five", but to the "Big Seven", as white sharks and whales, which live in Algoa Bay, are added to the five star mammals. What's more, it's possible to catch a rare glimpse of the resurgent black antelope in the region, particularly in the Zuuberg mountains to the north. It would seem that all the wonders of South Africa are concentrated in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route.
