AFRICA GARDEN ROUTE DESTINATIONS n terms of value for money, when combined with Cape Town, to Cape Town, offering entry- stops according to taste. Among Ithere are few better is the perfect toe in the water. level adventure and nature, but these are Mossel Bay, where the destinations in the world than nothing too outlandish or rough- Dias Museum pays tribute to the South Africa right now. The w SELL: INTRODUCTION and-ready. It’s very much Africa Portuguese explorer who became struggling rand is worth half TO AFRICA for beginners, but combines the first European to set foot on what it was five years ago, Cape Town is the undoubted gem staggering scenery – both inland South African soil. There are also making the country incredibly among South Africa’s cities, and and along the coast – with wine Point of Human Origins tours to affordable to the British visitor. many would be happy spending regions and wildlife. the Pinnacle Point Caves, where And unlike many other cheap a fortnight’s holiday there. But One-way car hire is easy to the oldest archaeological records destinations that don’t offer for some visitors, going all the organise, starting in Cape Town of modern human behaviour have Gardening much beyond sun and beaches, way to South Africa just for an and finishing in George or Port been found. South Africa entrances on many extended (if world-beating) Elizabeth (or vice versa). And humanorigin.co.za levels. The country is strong city break would be a wasted good-value flights back to the UK Farther west is Knysna, where The Garden Route on history, present-day culture, opportunity. via Johannesburg from either of boat trips pootle around the big nature and wildlife, while superb This is where the Garden the latter are easily tagged on. lagoon, and the forest backdrops is an easy way food and wine are complemented Route comes in: stretching The Garden Route is malaria- provide a series of excellent into South Africa, by generally excellent infrastruc- across the bottom of the free, English is near universal, and hiking trails along one of South ture and high-standard accom- Western and Eastern Cape several towns, each with different Africa’s greenest stretches. finds David Whitley leave modation. And the Garden Route, provinces, it’s an easy addition vibes, can be picked as overnight Arguably the loveliest E V reser game A N dwa N go PICTURE: 62 travelweekly.co.uk 25 August 2016 25 August 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 63 AFRICA GARDEN ROUTE DESTINATIONS of the coastal towns, though, while southern right whales In Oudtshoorn, the four-star is Plettenberg Bay, which has and great white sharks can be Turnberry Boutique Hotel is excellent beaches and a relaxed, Route 62 is effectively spotted in the Algoa Bay area. well-placed for walking to the friendly vibe. This is also where one long wine route town’s restaurants. The rooms an enormous colony of Cape w STAY: ROOM TO GROW hit that line between modern fur seals hangs out. Offshore with cellar doors Accommodation options can and heritage – there’s a whiff Adventures runs boat trips out open for tastings easily be tailored to budget, of vintage about the place, to see them and, if conditions are ranging from functional motels but not enough to creep into favourable, it’s possible to get in to luxury lodges. Of the latter, fuddy-duddy B&B territory. and swim with the seals. some are on small game reserves, turnberryhotel.co.za offshoreadventures.co.za outside Cape Town, but Route where guided wildlife-viewing Robberg Beach Lodge, 62 is effectively one long wine drives are on offer. meanwhile, is five minutes’ drive w SEE: THE WILD SIDE route with cellar doors open for The Gondwana Game Reserve from the centre of Plettenberg There is an alternative to the tastings. Robertson and Calitzdorp near Mossel Bay is a good Bay. Bright rooms are spread coastal route. Going inland, are good bets for sampling and example. Free-roaming lions, across four villas, while sunbeds AbOVE: Knysna Heads largely along the spectacular buying a few bottles. hippos, springboks, cheetahs and surround a small pool. The higher- Route 62, offers semi-desert Oudtshoorn, however, is zebras complement fab views of level rooms and rooftop terrace scenery, eye-popping mountain the major inland hub. And it is the Langeberg and Outeniqua have tremendous views over itineraries already. 2By2 Holidays And you don’t have to self- passes and a fair few wineries. fabulously odd. The self-styled Ostrich Farm covers how the in at least an SUV. The narrow, Mountains, while the on-site sprawling Robberg Beach, just a has a good example, with a two- drive. Premier Holidays offers South Africa’s best-known wine ostrich capital of the world has giant eggs are incubated and unpaved, winding track climbs Kwena Lodge offers open-plan two-minute walk away. Rooms, week trip starting in Cape Town a three-night Garden Route regions – Stellenbosch, Paarl several farms with tours for sometimes turned into artworks. up and snakes down mountains suites with 180-degree views including breakfast, start at £65. and the Winelands, adding nights Splendour escorted tour from Port and Franschhoek – are just visitors. The one at Highgate There’s also a chance to hand- for seemingly hours, and it’s an and deep-soaking baths. The therobberg.co.za in Oudtshoorn, Knysna and a Elizabeth to Cape Town, staying feed these somewhat ungainly utterly memorable drive. buildings are neat twists on While some customers may private game reserve just outside at three-star venues in Knysna birds, then watch employees leap Once over the border into the traditional huts, with verandas want a Garden Route trip tailor- Addo Elephant National Park. and Oudtshoorn, from £495, aboard and race them bareback Eastern Cape, it’s adrenaline-rush overlooking a waterhole. Prices made to their tastes, it’s such Prices start at £794 including excluding flights, and from July around a track. territory. Tsitsikamma National start at around £265 a night. a popular route that several game drives, not including to November, adding a whale- highgate.co.za Park is a prime spot for multi- gondwanagr.co.za operators have off-the-shelf international flights and car hire. watching stop in Hermanus. Oudtshoorn is also the base day hikes, or travelling along for Meerkat Adventures, where the Storms River in a kayak or animal-loving locals have spent on a lilo with operators such as the time and effort persuading Untouched Adventures. ; ; meerkat colonies they’re not a untouchedadventures.com threat. This means it’s possible Farther along, and technically stock EL to pull up camping chairs next beyond the official Garden Route, V to the meerkats’ burrow early Jeffrey’s Bay is South Africa’s great tra / in the morning and watch them surfing capital, while logical go through their pre-breakfast end point Port Elizabeth is an premier tourism ; ; N N routines before they run off for a affordable base for trips into day’s foraging. nearby Addo Elephant National tures frica N A E AbOVE: meerkatadventures.co.za Park. Addo is well set up for V Lilo rafting ad The most fun way to head self-drivers and, as the name outh : S : S back to the coast from there is suggests, a brilliant place to see LEFT: along the Prince Alfred Pass, herds of elephants. The rest of touched Ostriches in N PICTURE U Oudtshoorn a 40-mile titan best tackled the big five are also present, 64 travelweekly.co.uk 25 August 2016 25 August 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 65.