capetown to garden route--suggestions
Nov 28th, 2008, 06:36 PM
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capetown to garden route--suggestions
we have about 4 full days once we leave capetown to explore before we need to be back in capetown (actually Hermanus for two nites) and then a flight out..
any and all suggestions would be welcome.....budget is moderate, but expect we would like the B&B enviornment, with active days exploring... scenery, shopping, sea views, mountain views, flowers...we are totally open to experience the areas as best we can in 4 days via auto.
we prefer to move slower rather than faster, except for the driving...
we would not mind motoring to one place for most of the time and take day trips out from there or move every day to another place...
thanks for your thoughts...
btw, first time SA visitors-- 64 years old....
any and all suggestions would be welcome.....budget is moderate, but expect we would like the B&B enviornment, with active days exploring... scenery, shopping, sea views, mountain views, flowers...we are totally open to experience the areas as best we can in 4 days via auto.
we prefer to move slower rather than faster, except for the driving...
we would not mind motoring to one place for most of the time and take day trips out from there or move every day to another place...
thanks for your thoughts...
btw, first time SA visitors-- 64 years old....
Nov 29th, 2008, 02:21 AM
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Once you leave Cape Town, you could head to Knysna which is pretty central on the Garden Route. From there, you can easily do daytrips to other parts of the Garden Route and to Oudtshoorn to visit the Cango Caves and maybe an Ostrich farm. Th drive to Knsyna would be approx. 5 hours from Cape Town.
You could also consider staying in one of the smaller locations like Plettenberg Bay or Wilderness.
In terms of accommodation, have a look at one of the South African accommodation sites like http://www.southafrica-stay.com, http://www.wheretostay.co.za or http://www.portfoliocollection.com
You could also consider staying in one of the smaller locations like Plettenberg Bay or Wilderness.
In terms of accommodation, have a look at one of the South African accommodation sites like http://www.southafrica-stay.com, http://www.wheretostay.co.za or http://www.portfoliocollection.com
Dec 2nd, 2008, 06:17 PM
#7
Absolutely agree on the west coast option for October.
Here are a couple of photos of some wildflowers at West Coast National Park from late August; ought to be even better in October.
http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20044s.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20066s.JPG
Here are a couple of photos of some wildflowers at West Coast National Park from late August; ought to be even better in October.
http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20044s.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20066s.JPG
Dec 3rd, 2008, 09:27 AM
#8
hi again rkhhmk
somehow in planning our SA trip last year i came across the following organisation who publisize winelands to the northwest of Cape town.
[[email protected]]
a trip there might tie in well with the namaqaland flowers.
regards, ann
somehow in planning our SA trip last year i came across the following organisation who publisize winelands to the northwest of Cape town.
[[email protected]]
a trip there might tie in well with the namaqaland flowers.
regards, ann
Dec 10th, 2008, 09:09 PM
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If you want to see the flowers, my advice would be to do a day trip out of cape town to the West Coast National Park.
As for the Garden Route, i would travel from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and stay one night there. Maybe visit Meerkat Magic the following morning and or the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm before driving to either Knysna or plettenberg bay for the rest of your stay and exploring the garden route from there.
As for the Garden Route, i would travel from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and stay one night there. Maybe visit Meerkat Magic the following morning and or the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm before driving to either Knysna or plettenberg bay for the rest of your stay and exploring the garden route from there.
Dec 25th, 2008, 10:41 PM
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We have just returned from our African trip and spent a week exploring the Garden Route. I agree with going to Knysna and seeing Oudtshoorn (you need to book in advance to see the Meerkats)- the drive through the mountain pass is absolutely beautiful. If you want to have great food and wine then a visit to the winelands is a must and I would recommend Franshoek - there are some lovely vineyard restaurants there and lots of accommodation. It is smaller than Stellenbosch and I loved the Huguenot museum and the history of the area and the settlers.
Dont miss Hermanus either - that is a treasure! Bon Voyage!
Dont miss Hermanus either - that is a treasure! Bon Voyage!
Dec 26th, 2008, 07:18 AM
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I second the West Coast idea in October.
The coastal villages/scenery is magnificent - think fresh fresh seafood.
Drive from Cape Town past Blouberg to the Yzerfontein/Darling area. From there the flowers should be incredible (early October is better though).
Then make your way to Langebaan and Paternoster before driving SE to the Riebeek Valley (via Moorreesburg). We were just at Riebeek Kasteel & West and loved it there - with excellent restaurants it is a great alternative to the touristy/expensive Franschhoek.
Then drive via Wellington, Franschoek and Stellenbosch (good shopping) to the Strand and via the coast to Hermanus.
The coastal villages/scenery is magnificent - think fresh fresh seafood.
Drive from Cape Town past Blouberg to the Yzerfontein/Darling area. From there the flowers should be incredible (early October is better though).
Then make your way to Langebaan and Paternoster before driving SE to the Riebeek Valley (via Moorreesburg). We were just at Riebeek Kasteel & West and loved it there - with excellent restaurants it is a great alternative to the touristy/expensive Franschhoek.
Then drive via Wellington, Franschoek and Stellenbosch (good shopping) to the Strand and via the coast to Hermanus.
Dec 26th, 2008, 07:37 AM
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Hello rhkkmk,
If I were to travel down the Garden Route and I only had 4 days available to me I would do the following:
Day 1
Travel from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn. To do this journey travel along the N1 and R62 while passing little towns like Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp. The journey should take between 4-6 hours depending on how long you stop in places along the way.
I would amongst others stop at Clarke of the Karroo for lunch http://www.clarkekaroo.co.za/index.html. Dont miss Ronnie’s Sex Shop just outside of Barrydale. The place is an icon in the valley and has nothing to do with sex. Ask at the shop and find out more.
On arrival in Oudtshoorn I suggest that you stay at Mooiplaas which translates into being "beautiful farm" as it is a working ostrich farm run by a wonderful young couple by name of Hanlie and Viljee Keller. To see more please go to http://www.mooiplaasguesthouse.co.za
I can attest to the fact that the farm is a fabulous, tranquil place to stay at as I have stayed on the farm many a time in the past. The rooms that you will be staying in are large, air conditioned, spacious and wonderfully located with fantastic morning countryside views from your bedroom window.
That evening I suggest that you dine on Mooiplaas where Viljee will do a traditional barbecue of ostrich steak for you. Hanlie is a host extraordinaire and will introduce you to Afrikaner hospitality and cooking in a wonderful way by always being at your side and serving us with great vegetable accompaniments with the ostrich. This evening truly will be a treat!
___________________________________
Day 2
This day is a fantastic experience.
After a hearty Mooiplaas breakfast start your day with Viljee taking you onto his farm showing you what it means to be an ostrich farmer. This is not a normal type of commercial tour of an ostrich farm. It will be a case of the farmer taking you around himself and in the process you having the most amazing ostrich farm experience. You will on occasion hold an ostrich egg in your hands while an newly born ostrich pops out of the shell in front of your eyes. Amazing!
After the above experience I suggest that you travel on to and eventually through the awesome Swartberge (Black Mountains). You are unlikely to ever see a mountain pass like this in your life again. The rock formations are unique and the colors of the mountain simply have to be seen to be believed. Once over the Swartberge you should journey on to Prince Albert. This is a town where you might want to settle one day for a restful retirement as it is such a peaceful and tranquil village. I suggest that you have lunch at one of the local restaurants such as the Swartberg Hotel whereafter you should travel through Prince Albert so as to explore this little hidden treasure. Amongst others visit the golf club to see what a Karroo golf course looks like and experience what it feels like to put on asphalt putting green. After exploring Prince Albert I would make my way back through the fabulous Meiringspoort (a Mini Grand Canyon), with its incredible 12 km of rock faced walls, to Oudtshoorn and eventually Mooiplaas.
That night my suggestion would be that you visit the fabulous Jemimas restaurant run by the Pierre Malherbe . Go to http://www.jemimas.com/home.php and see why you should prepare yourself for the delights of Jemimas INCREDIBLE meal.
____________________
Day 3
After breakfast at Mooiplaas travel on to George. Explore the town which in my opinion does not have too much to offer so don’t spend too much time there.
Move onto the Wilderness and make a point of finding the Map of Africa. Ask the locals they will tell you more. Explore the Wilderness as it is a place of wonderous beauty
After the Wilderness travel onto Sedgefield. In Sedgefield stop in at the Scarab paper factory and find out its hidden secret. Not telling!
After Sedgefield move onto Knysna.
In Knysna I would suggest that you visit the Oyster Factory and indulge yourself in some of the finest oysters in the world for lunch. Make a point of having the giant coastal oysters as these are naturally grown oysters as opposed to “man made cultured” oysters. Amazing!
After your visit to the Oyster Factory I suggest you pay a visit to The Heads so as to see how the Knysna lagoon obtains its ebb and flow. Fantastic experience with great visuals
After visiting the Heads I would suggest that you check into your place of stay and in this regard I would recommend Overmeer Guesthouse every highly (http://www.knysna.co.za/overmeer/) The Fechter family (owners) are fantastic hosts and the views from their guesthouse rooms are in my opinion without peer on the whole of the Garden Route.
I then suggest that you take a short break whereafter you should visit Dell and Sancha at their unique little hidden away restaurant called Firefly. Absolutely amazing and totally different yet very special culinary experience. http://www.fireflyeatinghouse.co.za/index.htm
________________________
Day 4
This day will be your BIG one on the Garden Route!
After a hearty breakfast, travel in an easterly direction to Plettenberg Bay. Drive around the town and move on and travel through the Garden Route to the Bloukrans Bridge On the way to Bloukrans just after you pass the Keurbooms River bridge stop in on the left hand side of the road at a wonderful little deli called Thyme and Again. The establishment is legendary in the area and the pies and pastries are to die for.
On arrival at the Bloukrans Bride you might find that somebody is trying to do the highest bungi jump in the world of 216 Meters You can stop and watch the incredible if not crazy feat that is if one of you dont want to do the jump yourselves.
To see more of the bridge take a look at www.ilovecapetown.com/tours/scott/scotttour.htm This was tour done on the Garden Route and you would have to go quite far down in the tour to see two pictures of this amazing bridge. You will also see pictures of the Treetop Canopy tour that I will recommend later on.
Travel on to the Stormsriver village and here I would like to suggest that you go on what is known as the Treetop Canopy Adventure. It is a fantastic experience and I recommend it highly. Simply let the website do the talking for itself by you going to http://www.treetoptour.com May I also add that the oldest person to do the treetop canopy tour did so at the age of 84 and I have had many 70 year olds with me who have also done the adventure which they have enjoyed thoroughly….. so your 64 years of age should be puttysticks to do the journey. After your treetop adventure (3 hours) you should start travelling back to Knysna via the same route that you travelled out on .
In the evening I suggest that you visit Zest restaurant for dinner. http://www.zest-knysna.co.za/about.html This venue is a very special little eaterie run by a local couple by name of Russell and Deirdre Kuhn. Their food is wonderful and service is super attentive. All in all a nice venue to end a Garden Route journey. http://www.tiscover.co.za/za/guide/5...ng/intern.html
______________________________
Day 5
Leave Knysna and travel back to Hermanus via towns like Mossel Bay, Albertinia and Swellendam. Turn off to the N2 for Stanford and eventually Hermanus. The drive should take you about 5 hours.
OK rhkkmk it is up to you if you want to follow the above itinerary or for that matter use it as a skeleton type tour plan to enjoy the Garden Route. All that I can tell you is that having done this type of journey many, many times in the past the result has always been a big wow from those with me doing the route for the first time..
A couple of points:
1. It might be rainy weather in October. Depends on whether you are arriving in early of late October.
2. If you want to do most of the above you must pre-book all such as obviously all accommodations as well as Jemimas, Firefly, Zest and the Treetop canopy tour.
3. When hiring a car ensure you choose one of the big name companies such as AVIS, Hertz Budget and Imperial as you might need to swop your car because of problems and it is only the big names who have branches along the way in Oudtshoorn, George or Knysna.
I hope all of the above helps you in the planning of your Garden Route journey.
Enjoy our great country when you visit us in October.
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
If I were to travel down the Garden Route and I only had 4 days available to me I would do the following:
Day 1
Travel from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn. To do this journey travel along the N1 and R62 while passing little towns like Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp. The journey should take between 4-6 hours depending on how long you stop in places along the way.
I would amongst others stop at Clarke of the Karroo for lunch http://www.clarkekaroo.co.za/index.html. Dont miss Ronnie’s Sex Shop just outside of Barrydale. The place is an icon in the valley and has nothing to do with sex. Ask at the shop and find out more.
On arrival in Oudtshoorn I suggest that you stay at Mooiplaas which translates into being "beautiful farm" as it is a working ostrich farm run by a wonderful young couple by name of Hanlie and Viljee Keller. To see more please go to http://www.mooiplaasguesthouse.co.za
I can attest to the fact that the farm is a fabulous, tranquil place to stay at as I have stayed on the farm many a time in the past. The rooms that you will be staying in are large, air conditioned, spacious and wonderfully located with fantastic morning countryside views from your bedroom window.
That evening I suggest that you dine on Mooiplaas where Viljee will do a traditional barbecue of ostrich steak for you. Hanlie is a host extraordinaire and will introduce you to Afrikaner hospitality and cooking in a wonderful way by always being at your side and serving us with great vegetable accompaniments with the ostrich. This evening truly will be a treat!
___________________________________
Day 2
This day is a fantastic experience.
After a hearty Mooiplaas breakfast start your day with Viljee taking you onto his farm showing you what it means to be an ostrich farmer. This is not a normal type of commercial tour of an ostrich farm. It will be a case of the farmer taking you around himself and in the process you having the most amazing ostrich farm experience. You will on occasion hold an ostrich egg in your hands while an newly born ostrich pops out of the shell in front of your eyes. Amazing!
After the above experience I suggest that you travel on to and eventually through the awesome Swartberge (Black Mountains). You are unlikely to ever see a mountain pass like this in your life again. The rock formations are unique and the colors of the mountain simply have to be seen to be believed. Once over the Swartberge you should journey on to Prince Albert. This is a town where you might want to settle one day for a restful retirement as it is such a peaceful and tranquil village. I suggest that you have lunch at one of the local restaurants such as the Swartberg Hotel whereafter you should travel through Prince Albert so as to explore this little hidden treasure. Amongst others visit the golf club to see what a Karroo golf course looks like and experience what it feels like to put on asphalt putting green. After exploring Prince Albert I would make my way back through the fabulous Meiringspoort (a Mini Grand Canyon), with its incredible 12 km of rock faced walls, to Oudtshoorn and eventually Mooiplaas.
That night my suggestion would be that you visit the fabulous Jemimas restaurant run by the Pierre Malherbe . Go to http://www.jemimas.com/home.php and see why you should prepare yourself for the delights of Jemimas INCREDIBLE meal.
____________________
Day 3
After breakfast at Mooiplaas travel on to George. Explore the town which in my opinion does not have too much to offer so don’t spend too much time there.
Move onto the Wilderness and make a point of finding the Map of Africa. Ask the locals they will tell you more. Explore the Wilderness as it is a place of wonderous beauty
After the Wilderness travel onto Sedgefield. In Sedgefield stop in at the Scarab paper factory and find out its hidden secret. Not telling!
After Sedgefield move onto Knysna.
In Knysna I would suggest that you visit the Oyster Factory and indulge yourself in some of the finest oysters in the world for lunch. Make a point of having the giant coastal oysters as these are naturally grown oysters as opposed to “man made cultured” oysters. Amazing!
After your visit to the Oyster Factory I suggest you pay a visit to The Heads so as to see how the Knysna lagoon obtains its ebb and flow. Fantastic experience with great visuals
After visiting the Heads I would suggest that you check into your place of stay and in this regard I would recommend Overmeer Guesthouse every highly (http://www.knysna.co.za/overmeer/) The Fechter family (owners) are fantastic hosts and the views from their guesthouse rooms are in my opinion without peer on the whole of the Garden Route.
I then suggest that you take a short break whereafter you should visit Dell and Sancha at their unique little hidden away restaurant called Firefly. Absolutely amazing and totally different yet very special culinary experience. http://www.fireflyeatinghouse.co.za/index.htm
________________________
Day 4
This day will be your BIG one on the Garden Route!
After a hearty breakfast, travel in an easterly direction to Plettenberg Bay. Drive around the town and move on and travel through the Garden Route to the Bloukrans Bridge On the way to Bloukrans just after you pass the Keurbooms River bridge stop in on the left hand side of the road at a wonderful little deli called Thyme and Again. The establishment is legendary in the area and the pies and pastries are to die for.
On arrival at the Bloukrans Bride you might find that somebody is trying to do the highest bungi jump in the world of 216 Meters You can stop and watch the incredible if not crazy feat that is if one of you dont want to do the jump yourselves.
To see more of the bridge take a look at www.ilovecapetown.com/tours/scott/scotttour.htm This was tour done on the Garden Route and you would have to go quite far down in the tour to see two pictures of this amazing bridge. You will also see pictures of the Treetop Canopy tour that I will recommend later on.
Travel on to the Stormsriver village and here I would like to suggest that you go on what is known as the Treetop Canopy Adventure. It is a fantastic experience and I recommend it highly. Simply let the website do the talking for itself by you going to http://www.treetoptour.com May I also add that the oldest person to do the treetop canopy tour did so at the age of 84 and I have had many 70 year olds with me who have also done the adventure which they have enjoyed thoroughly….. so your 64 years of age should be puttysticks to do the journey.
After your treetop adventure (3 hours) you should start travelling back to Knysna via the same route that you travelled out on .In the evening I suggest that you visit Zest restaurant for dinner. http://www.zest-knysna.co.za/about.html This venue is a very special little eaterie run by a local couple by name of Russell and Deirdre Kuhn. Their food is wonderful and service is super attentive. All in all a nice venue to end a Garden Route journey. http://www.tiscover.co.za/za/guide/5...ng/intern.html
______________________________
Day 5
Leave Knysna and travel back to Hermanus via towns like Mossel Bay, Albertinia and Swellendam. Turn off to the N2 for Stanford and eventually Hermanus. The drive should take you about 5 hours.
OK rhkkmk it is up to you if you want to follow the above itinerary or for that matter use it as a skeleton type tour plan to enjoy the Garden Route. All that I can tell you is that having done this type of journey many, many times in the past the result has always been a big wow from those with me doing the route for the first time..
A couple of points:
1. It might be rainy weather in October. Depends on whether you are arriving in early of late October.
2. If you want to do most of the above you must pre-book all such as obviously all accommodations as well as Jemimas, Firefly, Zest and the Treetop canopy tour.
3. When hiring a car ensure you choose one of the big name companies such as AVIS, Hertz Budget and Imperial as you might need to swop your car because of problems and it is only the big names who have branches along the way in Oudtshoorn, George or Knysna.
I hope all of the above helps you in the planning of your Garden Route journey.
Enjoy our great country when you visit us in October.
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Dec 26th, 2008, 10:43 AM
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Hi Bob, we had a wonderful holiday in November in Cape Town and the Winelands including Hermanus, can recco some of the places we stayed in Hermanus Franschoek and Constantia if you'd like, I had good intentions of writing a trip report, I started but haven't finished! We visited some amazing restaurants too, and I know that you and Karen are foodies!
you can contact at tierneyp6 (at)msn.com Pauline. Cape Town is amazing! it was my 7th visit!
you can contact at tierneyp6 (at)msn.com Pauline. Cape Town is amazing! it was my 7th visit!
Dec 26th, 2008, 11:45 AM
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We stumbled upon a wonderful place in St. Francis Bay last summer. It was called the Dunes Guest House www.dunesstfrancis.com
Well worth a day and night if you're going to stray that far from Capetown.
Well worth a day and night if you're going to stray that far from Capetown.
Jan 6th, 2009, 08:14 PM
#17
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thanks for all of this....i have to digest it tomorrow and then will have other comments and an e mail or two...
foodies....oh yes we are....but always on a budget too....love neat/local dives with good food...
foodies....oh yes we are....but always on a budget too....love neat/local dives with good food...
Jan 7th, 2009, 06:43 PM
#18
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i have read it all now...WOW...wonderful ideas....as i have lots of planning time ahead and a 3 week driving trip to florida starting monday and another 3 week trip in april to argentina, i will hold off on future SA travel plans until may....
all of these are wonderful suggestions and i appreciate them...
pauline --i will contact you later too--thanks... we especially love good cheap food...
all of these are wonderful suggestions and i appreciate them...
pauline --i will contact you later too--thanks... we especially love good cheap food...
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