Travel Comments - Backpacker Guide through Southern Africa - Southern African Safari Highlights The Garden Route

How to get around?

There are actually many ways to travel along the Garden Route. Ok, renting a car is the most convenient way, but taking the Baz Bus Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth (One Way) or one of the mainliners are also pretty good choices. If you do not feel like doing a tour along the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on your own, you can also jump on of the various multi-day tours.

Garden Route accommodation

The Garden Route is South Africa's tourist destination #1 (except for Cape Town, of course). Therefore all kinds of accommodation can be found along the ca. 800km of coastline between Port Elizabeth in the east and the Mother City in the west. You'll find backpackers (Eastern Cape - Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma | Western Cape - Plettenberg to Cape Town), as well as Bed & Breakfasts, lodges, hotels and more.

Garden Route Highlights [more tours »]

Addo Elephant National Park Tour
A wonderful opportunity to enjoy a close experience with the world’s largest land animal, the Addo Elephant National Park Tour offers some of the most spectacular elephant viewing in the world. Sanctuary to one of the densest elephant populations on the planet, Addo Elephant National Park is also a home to numerous species including Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Zebra, Jackals, Hyena, Lions and a variety of Antelope. After a short one hour drive from Port Elizabeth, embark on a fascinating three-hour game drive deep into the heart of the reserve to view the wonderful flora and fauna. The antics of the 400 elephants are sure to delight and photo opportunities abound at every turn. A casual lunch will also be enjoyed.

Sea Kayaking in Plettenberg Bay
This two hour kayak tour will make you feel ‘at one with the ocean’ and can be enjoyed by both novices and experienced kayakers alike. Jump into a single kayak and head from Central Beach in Plettenburg Bay to Robberg. The area is incredibly rich in marine life and depending on the time of year, you are likely to spot Southern whales and friendly dolphins as wells as a host of marine birds. An experienced guide will accompany you throughout the trip and will offer paddling tips as well as point out the sea creatures that are all around. If the sea is calm, you can go alongside of the cliffs to view some of the seals on the shoreline dive into the water and swim in circles close to the kayaks.
	- top of page -

Tsitsikamma Tree Top Canopy Tour
A fantastically unique wilderness adventure. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of the magnificent Tsitsikamma Rain Forest canopy as you glide along steel zip cables thirty metres above the forest floor! On arrival at Tsitsikamma forest, meet your guide for a detailed safety briefing and then head into the forest for your canopy adventure. The first of its kind in Africa, the tour consists of eight platforms located high in the treetops and nine slides, the longest of which stretches for 80 metres! Enjoy the adrenalin trill of gliding from platform to platform high above the forest floor and marvel at the fantastic scenery afforded by your elevated position including views of giant ferns way below. Throughout the tour, you guides will enthusiastically talk about the ecology of the forest - pointing out different trees and wildlife including birds such as Knysna Loeries, the elusive Narina Trogon and if you are lucky the Samago monkey.

Bloukrans Bridge Bungee
Bloukrans is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as being the World’s Highest Commercial Bungy Jump at a whooping 216 m high!
Location: At the Tsitsikamma Forest Village Market, just 40km east of Plettenberg Bay along the N2 Highway.
Adventure Experiences Click Here
LINK: www.faceadrenalin.com

Whale & Dolphin Watching - Plettenberg Bay
Depart from Plettenberg Bay at the heart of the Garden Route and discover the abundant Cape marine life as you head for the renowned Arch Rock. Here it is usual to see bottlenose dolphins, small pods of the rare indo-pacific humpback dolphin and many species of shark. As you head to the middle of the bay, look out for resident bryde whales, magnificent Southern Right whales and if you are truly lucky you may get to see orcas which can be seen from July to November. Among the highlights is a visit to the seal colony at spectacular Roddberg Peninsula Nature Reserve for wonderful views of these enchanting animals.

Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily (excepting Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna.
LINK: www.onlinesources.co.za/chootjoe
The George / Knysna line is still closed after heavy rain caused severe damage to the infrastructure during August 2006 and again in November 2007. UPDATE: Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe to return to service between George & Mosselbay in Oct. 2009!