Advice on the Garden Route.......please. | ExpatWoman.com
 

Advice on the Garden Route.......please.

woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 21:24

Dear Ladies,

I would appreciate some advice on what to see/itinerary on the Garden Route. We have about 7-8 days to do a round trip from Cape Town. We have already planned shark cage diving in Gansbaai but after that I am at a bit of a loss...... there are just too many options!!

What would be your picks?

TIA :)

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yesandno
36
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 16:08
My kiddos are below the age of 7 so I'm not too sure if they're old enough. Thanks for the thought. I've booked the game reserve, hotels, and car rental, but I still haven't booked our plane tickets yet. I'm still waiting for my husband to ask his company how they go about booking the tickets. We're not sure if they have to book our tickets or we can book them ousrelves and get them reimbursed later on. I hope by the time we find out, there'll be seats left!
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 16:04
I didn't do it with kids, just me and hubby........ might not be quite as easy to plan with kids :/ Shark cage diving really not scary, felt more like i was in a movie, so surreal!
arohadxb
2322
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 16:01
Just to let you know yesandno, the shark cage diving isn't far from cape town and i'm pretty sure they cater for kids...depends how old I guess and they offer a collection service from Cape Town. Just a thought ;) This is why we're going to CT when it's supposed to be freezing there...will be far too old for lil miss to want to go shark diving! (She and her dad very very keen, me, petrified) So, everyone plans their trips really well? Looks like my idea of just booking the plane tickets has gone out the window then....
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:56
Just to let you know yesandno, the shark cage diving isn't far from cape town and i'm pretty sure they cater for kids...depends how old I guess and they offer a collection service from Cape Town. Just a thought ;)
yesandno
36
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:48
I've been planning our trip to Cape Town the past couple of weeks and I am absolutely excited! 9 more months to go! Your trip sounds amazing. I really wish we could do the shark cage diving and bridge bunge but with kids in tow, maybe next time. Thanks for a detailed update.
Sanddy_Dogg
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:46
I did it myself, a daunting task but it all worked out really well. I had a long time to plan! Like I said I used Trip Advisor, the Thorn Tree forum which is part of the Lonley Planet web site and for driving routes and times used google maps. Great, thanks! That's the kind of trip I'd love to do. Did you have kids with you?
Sanddy_Dogg
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:46
I did it myself, a daunting task but it all worked out really well. I had a long time to plan! Like I said I used Trip Advisor, the Thorn Tree forum which is part of the Lonley Planet web site and for driving routes and times used google maps. Great, thanks! That's the kind of trip I'd love to do. Did you have kids with you?
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:40
I did it myself, a daunting task but it all worked out really well. I had a long time to plan! Like I said I used Trip Advisor, the Thorn Tree forum which is part of the Lonley Planet web site and for driving routes and times used google maps.
Sanddy_Dogg
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:33
Thanks for our update woodys. Did you do all the planning yourself or was it organised for you?
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:25
Hi Ladies, I wanted to update this thread just to let you know what we got up to on our South Africa Holiday, some people may find it useful. Firstly, a fantastic place to go, we had 2 weeks but could have done with much longer! We started in Jo'Burg. Hired a car at the airport and drove to the Entabeni private game reserve (about 3 hours north). We had GPS which proved invalauble during the whole trip. We stayed at the Wildside Camp which is a tented camp (posh tents), they offer game drives morning and evening and we stayed for 2 nights. I was a bit concerned 2 nights wouldn't be enough but in fact we saw lots. Most of the big five including Lions and Elephants. Great friendly rangers with excellent vehicles. Food was good and the wine even better. Would love to go back! We then headed back to Jo'Burg and flew down to Cape Town from where we started the Garden Route. Drove to Gansbaai for Shark Cage diving. Used White Shark Dive Company and stayed at the Rounhouse. Accommodation just OK but shark dive amazing. we had 7 big great whites. A must do, and not at all scary! After that we drove to Knysna for a relaxing 3 nights. Quiet place with lovely scenary, walks and restaurants. Stayed at the Double Dutch..... beautiful! Fav eating place the Olive Tree, stunning food and coming from the UAE cheap! Next stop Plettenberg Bay, stayed at the Milkwood. Again a lovely place. From Plett DH did the Bloukrans Bridge Bunge, we did the Canopy zip line tour in Storms River and went to Tenikwa awareness center... took a Cheetah for his morning walk :) Big 6-7 hour drive then to Stellenbosch, stayed in town - not great accommodation. Took a wine tour with Tsiba Tsiba company which was great, tailor made to what you want. Then Cape Town, stayed in the suburb of Camps Bay which was great, lots of seaside bars and restaurants but all with a chilled vibe. Stayed at the stunning Camps Bay Ridge B&B...... gorgeous! Did the usual touristy things including the Big bus tour which would recommend for an overview of the place. Also one of the stops is for the cable car up to Table Mountain. Took a drive to Cape point stopping off at Simons Town to see the penguin colony. Drove back via Chapmans Peak drive, amazing ocean drive scenary. Overall fab holiday, so much to do there. Its worth doing your research before you go to get the most of the place, I used trip advisor alot. Hope this helps.
pollydxb43945
1280
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:25
Seaview Lion Park Website - http://www.seaviewlionpark.co.za/
pollydxb43945
1280
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:23
Thanks Lou! Yeh planning on a couple of Days in Cape town and also the wine drinking......oops tasting ;). Any ideas on what else to do on the garden route? Will still have around a week after Cape Town/Wine region? Looked at Addo but don't think we will be driving that far.... it's quite near Port Elizabeth.... or I could be wrong! :0 Yep Addo is just on the outskirts of PE. With PE being either the beginning or end of the Garden Route it is a MUST visit. If you end up in PE for a day definitely also go to the Seaview Game Park, lions, giraffe's etc right in front of you, AMAZING!!
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 13:29
Wow! Thanks everyone! Written down your suggestions. Can't wait! :D
Lady of Bubbles51162
33
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 10:07
i am saving this thread. Thanks Woodys and ladies!
sunglow
235
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 10:04
We got back recently after a fabulous trip which was a delayed honeymoon. We flew to Joburg then onto PE and did an Elephant Safari tin Addo for a few days (amazing) then drove to knysna, then Hermanus then onto Franschoeck and Capetown. With your time I would recommend a night each in Knysna and Hermanus a couple of nights in the Wine region and then a few in Capetown. I have to say that we stayed in some beautiful independent places but the absolute highlight for us was a fairly new place in the Winelands.....it's calssed as Franschoeck but actually 20km outside and nearer Paarl and it's called Babylonstoren. Cottages on a farm and so classy and contemporary and the service and food was second to none. My hubbie wanted to move in and it's rare for him to rave about anywhere! If you do one thing, please try and stay here! SO jealous! Enjoy.x www.babylonstoren.com
lost_in_the_city
40
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 09:22
I am so jealous!!! I love CT!! This is not quite on the Garden Route but within the CT area. It is something different and you have to love seafood! There is a lovely beach restaurant (well restaurant is a strong word, its more like a causal braaii aka bbq on the beach) where everything is cooked in front of you on a big fire, and the bread is home made (the best bread ever!!). You pay a set fee (can't remember at the moment but quite cheap) and there are 8-10 different courses of fish and prawns and any sea food you can think of. It is an amazing atmosphere, very relaxed and you can even bring your own wine/drinks. It is a great experience and I strongly recommend it! Here is the link if you fancy trying it out :) http://www.strandloper.com/about.asp Make sure you book in advance... ENJOY!!!!!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 09:14
Lots of things already mentioned, but I have very fond memories of staying at Lands End hotel in Victoria Bay. There really isn't much to do in Vic bay itself apart from admire the fantastic views, but the Hotel is really nice and very romantic. http://www.vicbay.com/
anna-panna49551
105
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 08:53
The Garden Route is one of my favourite places in the world! I assume you know it is peak summer holiday season in SA now, so booking accommodation is essential. There are lots of things to do and see around the George - Knysna area. ( http://www.tourismknysna.co.za/ctru/content/en/za/full-article?oid=40003&sn=Detail&pid=2996&15-Amazing-Knysna-Activities) If you do shark diving I gather you are the adventurous type, so I would suggest the bungee jumping at Gouritz (near Stilbaai) or if you travel that far, the best one (and highest one) is at Bloukrans,( http://www.faceadrenalin.com/) near Tsitsikamma. Tsitsikamma itself is also really nice with beautiful forrests, a marine nature reserve and some white water tubing (http://www.stormsrivertubing.co.za/), canopy tours (http://stormsriver.com/canopy_tour_tree_top_tour_stormsriver_tsitsikamma_garden_route.html) absailing and zip-sliding (http://www.tsitsikammaadventure.co.za/) Mossel Bay has a very interesting history: It is the place where Bartholemew Diaz first went on shore on the Cape coast, long before the Cape was claimed by the Dutch. A replica of his ship is in the museum. The original Post Office Tree where passing ships left post bags to be carried back to Europe by ships going in the opposite direction is still there and still growing. You can mail a letter/post card there and get the Post Tree stamp on it. Mosselbay and Diaz-strand have beautiful beaches. If you are into golf, the Garden Route has some of the best golf courses in the world: Pinnicle Point in Mossel Bay and Fancourt in George are the top ones. The list goes on and on, but I hope this helps. Have a great time!
woodys18741
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 22:59
Thanks Lou! Yeh planning on a couple of Days in Cape town and also the wine drinking......oops tasting ;). Any ideas on what else to do on the garden route? Will still have around a week after Cape Town/Wine region? Looked at Addo but don't think we will be driving that far.... it's quite near Port Elizabeth.... or I could be wrong! :0
LouiseJane
27
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 22:47
Hi There I did the Garden Route 2 years ago and I would really recommend it... My top tips were: Cape Town - do two days and really pack it all in, then move on to Stellenbosch or Franschoek to the winelands, have a cheese and wine (or not wine) lunch at one of the vineyards. Hermanus, you really do see the whales close to the shore - amazing! Shark Cage diving is not to be missed either! Chill out in Kynsna for a night, then head back. I also did a safari in Addo elephant park which was well worth it! Hope this helps... Lou
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