Just Back From: South Africa
I’ve just returned from the most amazing trip to South Africa and I am thrilled to share more about my experience! This was my second trip to South Africa, and I must admit that I continue to fall deeper in love with this beautiful country. In fact, out of the 43 countries I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, South Africa truly stands out as one of the most special places I’ve ever been.
This trip was quite different from my last experience in the country, where I focused on exploring Cape Town, the Winelands, and indulging in a luxury safari experience at Singita Lebombo in Kruger National Park. This time around, I flew into Cape Town but decided to explore the garden route instead. After a short stay in the mother city, we set out to discover this scenic stretch of coastline, which is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and abundance of outdoor activities.
The garden route stretches 124 miles through the Western Cape between Mossel Bay and Storms River. It caters to both seasoned road-trippers and first-timers alike. With countless detours and pit stops showcasing the region’s beauty, culture and hospitality, the challenge is deciding where to stop and how much time to spend in the seemingly endless options available.
Here is a rundown of where we stayed, what we did, and my personal thoughts on our experience.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Although not technically part of the Garden Route, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is the perfect place to start a garden route adventure. Situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom and about a two-hour drive from Cape Town, the reserve offers a unique and diverse experience that combines luxury accommodation, excellent cuisine, and a variety of outdoor activities.
For us, it was a relaxing start to our adventure. We spent our time exploring the coastal caves, taking a flower safari, and horseback riding through the Fynbos. All of these activities were included in the cost per night, and allowed us to experience the beauty of this area.
Additionally, we were impressed by how Grootbos contributes to the environment and the local people through their four main pillars of conservation, community, culture, and commerce. It deepened our understanding and appreciation of the eco-lodge, making our stay even more meaningful.
Grootbos is an exceptional destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in South Africa's natural beauty and wildlife. You can choose to stay at either of the reserve's two lodges, each with its own unique character and charm. The Forest Lodge is an Adults Only option nestled in the heart of the ancient milkwood forest, featuring 16 luxurious suites, each with its own private deck and panoramic views. We stayed here and were blown away by its beauty. The Garden Lodge is a family-friendly option that offers 11 stylish suites and a serene garden setting. Both lodges are equally stunning.
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a charming destination that offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, cultural exploration, or simply a relaxing beach holiday. We fell in love with this place and kept wishing we could have stayed longer.
During our time here, we enjoyed the following activities:
Elephant Sanctuary: One of the highlights of our trip was The Elephant Sanctuary Plettenberg Bay, which provides a natural and educational environment to interact with rescued elephants. The sanctuary offers a safe haven for elephants that have been orphaned, injured, or rescued from abusive situations. Interacting with these gentle giants up close was a memorable experience.
Bungee Jumping at Bloukrans Bridge: For thrill-seekers, the Bloukrans Bridge offers the highest bridge bungee jumping site in the world, standing at a staggering height of 216 meters above the Bloukrans River. Although bungee jumping is not for everyone, the rush of adrenaline and the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes make it a must-try for the daring.
The hardest part for me was the leadup, and all of the nerves that come with knowing you are about to take the leap of faith and jump off the bridge, free-falling towards the river below at a speed of over 100 km/h. This was an experience we will never forget.
Bungee Jumping at Bloukrans Bridge
Robberg Nature Reserve: Hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve is a must-do activity for any nature enthusiast visiting Plettenberg Bay. It offers a unique combination of stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and challenging terrain. You can be an experienced hiker or a beginner, as there are several hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. We almost missed out on this incredible experience, but added it to our itinerary after hearing it was a “must-do” from numerous people we chatted with.
Where we stayed:
Plettenberg Bay’s beautiful beaches are a major attraction, and for those looking to stay near the water, The Plettenberg is an excellent choice. With several kilometers of pristine coastline, white sandy beaches, and clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing beach holiday.
However, we decided we would go a different route and chose to stay at Tsala Treetop Lodge for a more unique experience. Nestled amidst the lush forest canopy, this lodge provides an unforgettable experience of living in the treetops. The suites are beautifully furnished with natural materials and feature private decks, indoor and outdoor showers, and luxurious amenities. Our 2-bedroom villa also had a private infinity pool with stunning views of the surrounding forest, making it an idyllic retreat for nature lovers.
Eastern Cape
After enjoying the delights of Plettenberg Bay, we wanted to include a safari experience on this trip. So, we headed to the Eastern Cape, with just a few hours past the end of the garden route. We dropped off our rental car in Port Elizabeth and were then transferred to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where we spent our time at the Sindile Lodge.
As a travel advisor, I was curious to see how a safari experience here compared to the ones in Kruger, which I had visited before. One difference I noticed was in the scenery and landscape. The Eastern Cape is renowned for its diverse landscape, which includes rolling hills, open grasslands, and rugged coastline, while Kruger National Park is known for its vast savannah plains.
While both the Eastern Cape and Kruger National Park offer opportunities to see the Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos, and rhinos), the wildlife populations do differ between the two regions. The Eastern Cape has a higher concentration of rhinos and elephants (we saw a ton of Ellie’s and white rhinos!), while Kruger National Park is known for its large populations of lions, leopards, and buffalos.
We did still get the opportunity to see lions during our game drives here, though!
Safari lodges are my favorite type of accommodation, and they add such a special touch to an already incredible experience. This stay was no exception – the lodge we stayed at in the Shamwari Private Game Reserve was exceptional.
Our suite had a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private viewing deck overlooking the surrounding wilderness. The suite was elegantly decorated with African-inspired decor and offered all the modern amenities you would expect from a luxury safari lodge. Within the first five minutes of arriving in our room, we even had the opportunity to watch a herd of elephants drinking from a nearby watering hole just below our balcony!
Overall, I had an amazing safari experience in the Eastern Cape and highly recommend it to the right clients.
So, what type of traveler might also enjoy a trip like this in South Africa? Personally, I believe the Garden Route is a beautiful and diverse region of South Africa that caters to all types of travelers. If you are comfortable driving (on the opposite side of the road!), having a rental car really gives you the freedom to explore and discover at your own pace.
This type of trip is best enjoyed when you believe that the journey is just as important as the destination. We can help you plan an itinerary that makes sure you don’t miss any of the highlights, but realize that you should allow plenty of time to stop and explore the various towns, beaches, and attractions along the way. Sometimes, you just need to see where the day takes you – and this is certainly true along the garden route.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss what a trip here could look like for you, please feel free to reach out or fill out our trip design form.