A mixture of wine, scenic drives, stunning views and a private Game Reserve . We did a self drive trip of the Wine Route, The Garden Route and private Game Reserve. Africa at its’ best.
franschoek
We started off at Franschoek. Spent 2 fabulous nights at The Ashbourne Bed & Breakfast. Franschoek is a charming small town in the heart of the wine district and especially noted for its’ superb restaurants. Highly recommend The Foliage Restaurant for which you need to book well in advance. While in Franschoek do a Wine Tram Tour. You can book this either on line or at their kiosk in the main street (basically the only shopping street) . The tram tour, which is a combination of tram and bus is a great way to taste the wine at the different wineries without worrying about drinking and driving. There are several tour options from which to choose but honestly I think that they are all good.
6130, South Africa
Stormsrivier, 6308, South Africa
Stormsrivier, 6308, South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Tennant St, Barrydale, 6750, South Africa
7690, South Africa
franschoek to knysna
A long drive to Knysna – about five and a half hours without stopping. But loads of stops on the way so give yourselves the full day. We left Franschoek on the R45 – a stunning drive, joined the R43 and then R60. Drove past Montague – the dried fruit capital and joined the R62. We didn’t go all the way to Oudtshoorn . One can drive all the way to Oudtshoorn and then down to Mosel Bay. It is a long straight drive with not much to see. We decided to go the more scenic route. Just before Barrydale we turned right on to the Tradouw Pass. However before that we went into Barrydale, a real dorp*, for the best milk shake you will ever have – at Diesel & Creme!
The Tradouw Pass, R324, is a spectacular winding mountain drive. We did it in a Volkswagen Kombi* so definitely doable – just need to drive carefully and slowly as lots of curves and bends. But so worthwhile. Take note that the end of it, the part where you join up to R322 is not sealed so drive slowly! Once on the R322 you eventually join up with the N2 which brings you to Mossel Bay, The Wilderness and finally Knysna.
knysna
We spent 2 nights at the fabulous B&B: Double Dutch.
Walk around the Knysna Waterfront with the tourist shops – don’t need much time here. Drive to the Knysna Heads to get a stunning view of the Heads, the Indian Ocean, and the Lagoon. We had lunch at the bottom of The Heads on the Northern side at East Head’s Cafe and dinner at The Anchorage – both worthwhile!
knysna to storms river
We just didn’t have enough time to stop at all the Nature Reserves, Wine Estates and so many more attractions. So if you have the time savor The Garden Route. We left Knysna and drove north on the N2 Highway. Stopped at Plettenberg Bay for lunch and then at Bloukrans Bridge which is on the N2. Supposedly Africa’s highest bridge with highest bungy. Before we got there I was thinking of doing the bungy. After I saw the height of it , The Bloukrans River below, and someone screaming while hanging upside down on the rope decided against it!
storms river
Stayed 2 nights At The Woods – a charming B&B in Storms River. Storms River also a ‘dorp’ is a good base from which to explore The Tsitsikamma National Park. Visit the Storms River Suspension Bridge – worth the uphill trail to get there. Look out for the monkeys at the entrance to the nature reserve. Visit The Big Tree and do one of the walking trails in the forest – just stick to the trail – we didn’t and landed up on the N2 highway walking back to the car park. There are loads of adventures and activities to do in the area, segway; zipline; tubing; nature trails and what us ‘goldies’ did – a tractor drive through the Tsitsikamma Forest. Safe and familar. So we thought. Except another tractor came dashing at us – and we were involved in a tractor accident in the Tsitsikamma Forest. Next time definitely doing the zipline!
woodbury lodge in the amakhala game reserve
Three days of pure bliss. Driving around in a jeep, with an exceptional passionate guide – Mazzi Matiwane, observing the African Bush and animals. Slow relaxed pace. Nothing and nowhere to rush for and to. Just be a guest of nature. True, experiencing the African Bush and Wildlife on a private jeep, in a private game reserve where the rangers are familiar with the animals habitats and movement can be frowned upon as not being completely at and with nature. Yet it is very close. The Amakhala Reserve consisting of several private game reserves of which Woodbury Lodge is one is a conservation venture.
Typically there are two game drives per day, one early in the morning and the other in the late afternoon. In the interim you basically hang out at the lodge – nowhere else to go to. Oh but you will be in The African Bush with its’ sounds and smells and inexplicable beauty and serenity.
From Woodbury Lodge we drove south to Port Elizabeth to catch a train to Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities I know.
tips
- South African Dried Fruit is absolutely delicious – try some;
- Try South African biltong (recommends the vegetarian!) – it is not jerky! is is unique to South Africa …;
- Regardless of when you go it is always freezing on the early morning drives in the game reserves so take something warm;
- Amakhala is in a malaria free area – huge advantage .
Glossary
- Dorp – basically a one horse town.
- Kombi – a transporter van.
- Biltong – dried South African meat.