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 Pre
& Post Tours - Garden Route
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OVERVIEW
A coastal stretch of magnificent scenery
encompassing mountains, rivers, coastal views and
seaside towns, the Garden route offers visitors hundreds of
kilometres of well-developed tourism infrastructure and diverse
experiences.
The Garden Route is easily accessible from
Cape Town by road (4 hour drive). There are many variations
as to how best the Garden Route can be explored, but one of
the most rewarding is by vehicle. This allows for flexibility
and it also provides the visitor with the opportunity to take
in the magnificence of the scenery and its diversity. Given
the wide variety of activities and accommodation available,
it is best to allow the guest to choose for themselves. Below
is a smorgasbord of the types of activities available and
depending on preferences indicated, an itinerary will be tailored
to best suit the individual’s needs.
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GENERAL ACTIVITIES |
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| Endless beaches at Plettenberg
Bay |
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| Inside the Cango Caves |
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| Unrivalled Dolphin Cruises |
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| Knysna Forest walking path |
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General Sightseeing
The coastal scenic beauty, nature reserves, history, wildlife,
arts and crafts and the related activities provides the curious
tourist with large variety of sightseeing opportunities. |
Relax on
the Beach
This stretch of coastline is home to some of the most magnifi
cent stretches of beach imaginable. Warm waters, safe swimming
facilities and easy access make it a day at the beach a definite
on any itinerary. Plettenberg Bay is without a doubt South
Africa’s most desirable beach destination.
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Birding
The birdlife is spectacular – Knysna alone has recorded
more than 230 different species of birds including some special
interest forest varieties. Tours can be arranged for those
interested in birding |
Visit The
Cango Caves
The Cango Caves is one of the world’s great natural
wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. The cave’s
exquisite dripstones, curtain-like formations hanging from
cavern roofs, calcite flowers, stalactites and stalagmites
create an underground wonder-world. Trained guides are at
hand to conduct visitors along the magic paths of the world’s
finest stalactite cave that venture 800m into the mountainside. |
Dolphin Cruises
Large shoals of Dolphins are regularly seen playing beyond
the breakers along this coastline. Dolphin cruises offer you
the opportunity to view these amazing animals more closely. |
Whale Watching
Between July and November each year ever increasing amounts
of Southern Right Whales (as well as other species) seek the
protected waters of the bays along the Garden Route. The whales
come close to shore in order to calve and it is this that
offers extraordinary whale viewing opportunities. Excellent
land and sea based opportunities exist to view these giants
of the ocean. |
Forest Tour
Much of the indigenous forests were destroyed in the early
colonial days. However, the remaining forests are jealousy
protected and are easily accessible to visitors. Walking,
picnicking, bird watching, hiking and mountain biking are
some of the activities enjoyed in the forest independently
or on guided tours. |
SPORT |
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| Seaside golf at Sparrebosch |
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| Mountain biking on country roads |
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Golf
The Garden Route is South Africa’s golfing mecca and
there are very few places on earth that offer such a selection
of world-class courses. Five of the countries top ten courses
are situated within 100km (60 miles) of one another –
not surprisingly, Ernie Els has made his home here and is
presently involved in designing and building a golf estate
in the region. |
Hiking, Mountain
Biking & Horse Riding
The mountains, beaches, beautiful indigenous forests and
many Nature Reserves provide a wide variety of wonderful hiking,
mountain biking and horse riding experiences.
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Fishing
Fly-fishing, rock, surf, deep-sea, bass and trout fishing
are all available along this portion of the coastline. |
WATERSPORTS |
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| Sailing through Knysna Heads |
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Scuba Diving
Diving along this coastline offers varied diving experiences;
these include reef dives, shore dives, wreck dives & shark
dives. Diving courses are offered and qualifi ed instructors
are on hand to help to enjoy this wonderful activity. |
Surfing
There are many surfing spots along this portion of coast.
Africa Bespoke will take in to consideration levels of competence
when recommending a surf spot. Equipment can be hired and
there are some excellent surf schools that cater to all levels
of ability. |
Sailing
Both lakes and lagoons in the area offer excellent sailing
opportunities. For the more adventurous hobiecats can be launched
from the beaches of Plettenberg Bay. |
General Watersports
Watersports such as water-skiing, windsurfing, kite-surfing,
sea kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, are just some of the
examples of the variety of availability along most of the
coastline. Many of them can be done independently or alternatively
qualified guides are readily available on request. |
ACTION |
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| Great White Shark diving |
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| Paragliding down the coast |
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| Storms River tubing adventure |
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| Abseiling on the Kaaimans River |
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Great White
Shark Diving
Mossel Bay is one of the few locations that offers the experience
of coming eye-to-eye with a Great White Shark. Underwater
cages are suspended from the back of a boat and the sharks
are attracted with bait. This is a truly frightening but memorable
experience. |
Bungi Jumping
The world’s highest commercial bungi jump measuring
an awesome 216 metres can be done from the Bloukrans Storms
River Bridge near Plettenberg Bay. For adrenaline junkies
this is an absolute must. |
Forest Canopy
Tours
Travel through the forest from tree to tree suspended 30
metres above the ground. The forest canopy tour takes you
through the forest traversing from one massive to tree to
the other. |
Skydiving
South Africa offers one of the best ‘value for money’
sky diving experiences. The Garden Route is one of the most
awesome places to satisfy any urge of jumping out of a plane
with a parachute attached. |
Paragliding
The Garden Route has numerous locations that allow for safe
paragliding (both tandem and if qualified, individual). Paragliding
allows you to glide above some of the most beautiful coastline
the country has to offer. |
Gliding
Plettenberg Bay is the only venue in the country that offers
commercial glider rides for tourists. This once-in-a-lifetime
experience is offered over one of the most scenic bays in
the country. |
Micro-lighting
It is difficult to describe the thrill of flying low over
this beautiful coastline and being able circle at a low altitude
over dolphins, whales or any other interesting sightings. |
Abseiling
Abseiling can be enjoyed in many spectacular surroundings. |
Blackwater
Tubing
This involves travelling down a narrow gorge in tubes. It
is a guided tour and you are supplied with the necessary equipment
(helmets, tubes and wetsuits) It is a great day out, lasting
approximately 6 hours (lunch is supplied). |
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