The Garden Route is a popular holiday and retirement destination. Coming from Cape Town, it begins around Albertinia which is a tiny and not too exciting place. Give it a miss. The first coastal town is Mossel Bay (Mussel Bay). Mossel Bay is hardly a town. It is a big place and the road passes through the outskirts of it.
The other end of the Garden Route is at the Storms River Mouth. Place names like Natures Valley and Lake Pleasant give a clue to the beauty that this area holds. A mix of lakes, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, forests and mountains are what make it such an attractive place.
Dwarf and mini horses for kids to stroke. This is Henry.
You can get there by hiring a car and driving. Visit these links for price comparisons of the various car hire companies in South Africa – option 1 and option 2 and lastly option 3. The roads have recently been re-done and long queues seem to be over for the most part. The views along the way are special.
Bus companies to consider are Baz bus which is a hop-on hop-off bus. Links to other inter city coach bus operators are Intercape, Greyhound and Translux.
Maybe you might like to do a motorbike trip through the Garden Route? Follow these links – MotoBerlin and AdMo. Have yourself a Harley holiday.
Garden Route sand and castles
I would be wary of the intercity trains. I read the local news and I don’t feel I can recommend them. The Blue Train or a special train is fine.
There are organised cycle tours. I have included a link for those who would relish a chance to sit on a saddle and cycle – mountain biking in South Africa.
I would strongly discourage anyone from hitch hiking in South Africa. And I’m not sure I would couch surf either. I know of people who have done some couch surfing in SA, and maybe it’s just me, I don’t like to take that sort of risk.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
I spent a week in Sedgefield when I went to the Garden Route recently. The Garden Route is a magnificent area on the south eastern coast of South Africa. It is a mix of lakes, forests, breathtakingly beautiful beaches and lush verdant vegetation. Each area has it’s own distinct character.
Sedgefield is South Africa’s very first slow town. It has been confirmed by Cittaslow so it must be true.
A surfer strides into the sunset on Myoli beach
Sedgefield might not have the glamour of Plett or Knysna but it certainly has a lot more charm. There are massive and inviting soft sandy beaches. Tranquil lagoons, plenty bird life including flamingos and the ocean is home to whales, dolphins and other marine life. Who would want to shop with all this natural beauty?
A tortoise – reminder of Sedgefield’s slow town status
I would recommend a visit to the Wild Oats Organic Market on a Saturday morning. I would also suggest taking a cycle trip on one of the many magnificent routes. What better way to spot a Malachite Kingfisher or any one of the birds in the area? There are hides to view the bird life on the lakes.
A walk to watch the setting sun on one of the beaches is a MUST. And behind Spar is an Italian restaurant. Trattoria da Vinci. You have to eat there. Well priced, relaxed easy atmosphere and fabulous food. I had an aubergine parmigiana. It was excellent.
Google Tourism Sedgefield for more on Sedgefield Tourism and do pick up their brochure. It’s free and lists cycle routes, hides, hikes and more.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
This blog is actually supposed to be all about – what to do, where to stay, best places to eat – relating specifically to Cape Town. I’ve gone a bit off course with my 10 part feature of my round trip of 4 southern African countries. Am only halfway with that.
I also spent a few days in Johannesburg and I thought, just for another slight diversion, I would talk about the new Gautrain. Since it’s the perfect way to get from the airport to most hotels.
The Gautrain is designed to be a rapid overground and underground transport system linking key areas of Johannesburg. It is still under construction, however the Sandton – airport route is now open.
I hopped on the Gautrain to test drive it. And I have to say I was impressed. It is fast, it is also clean and certainly on the day I travelled, well run.
Prices are in line with what you would expect to pay in any major city for an airport shuttle service. Not exactly a bargain but considering the distance to the airport not outrageous.
They have a website with their ticketing and timetable information. Have a look here if you want more information – Gautrain.
Rhodesfield Station
There was a plethora of security guards and very official smart looking people falling over themselves to make sure you got it right. From the automated ticket purchase to sitting on the right coach.
And now back to Cape Town for a bit. Don’t forget the new My Citi shuttle bus from Cape Town Airport. That has also been under construction but the airport and now recently the Table View and city loop are all running. The My Citi bus is dirt cheap and I only use it now for the airport. Visit this website for more – MyCiti bus services.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
I am leaving in a day for a camping trip into Southern Africa. It’s going to be three weeks of dirt roads and dust. Sleeping in tents and getting up close and personal with nature. My usual weekly posts on what’s going on in Cape Town will take a short holiday. I don’t expect much communication in the bush and am disinclined to want to subject my precious laptop to the current crisis floods in Northern Namibia, endless bumpy roads and piles of fine dust.
When I get back I will share what our neighbouring countries look like in a few posts. Sixteen of us, in a big overland truck, will be going up the west coast of South Africa into Namibia. When I say big truck, I probably should say seriously big truck. The vehicle is 4.1m high, 2,5 m wide and 9,5m long. It is carrying our food, tents, cooking utensils and us.
The tour includes the Fish River Canyon and Ai Ais hot springs, then it heads up and toward the coast where we stay in Swakopmund. From there we go further north to the Caprivi strip and into the Ethosha and Okavango swamp area. Then we head across to Botswana and Chobe Game Reserve. We finally end up in Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. It’s a long journey.
I will also be spending a few days in the city of gold aka Johannesburg aka Gauteng, also known as Egoli. How does one city get to have so many names? Hopefully, I will get to ride the new Gautrain. I’m told it makes the London underground or the Paris metro look old and ugly. Have to see for myself.
Watch this space!
Just discovered that the study of lighthouses is known as pharology. Who knew? And who knew Princess Anne is an amateur pharolgist? So there you go.
Cape Town is home to a good few working lighthouses. Our lighthouses are not silent as they are in many parts of the world. Each lighthouse has a unique signal and light character that distinguishes them from other lighthouses. When it gets damp foggy the sound of Mouille Point lighthouse permeates the atmosphere as she calls out to the ships.
The first ever lighthouse in Cape Town was lit on the night of 12th April 1824. It had two lanterns that burned using sperm oil. It is no longer working but can be seen at the Waterclub, which is also where the maritime college is. It’s short walk from the Waterfront.
If you happen to be there, you could take in a silver service meal at the hotel school. For bargain prices you can be waited on by the hospitality students. I highly recommend the food and service.
If you are taking a tour or drive in Cape Town then look out for our lighthouses. They can be found in Green Point, Robben Island, Milnerton, Simons Town, Cape Point, Kommetjie and Hout Bay. Further afield there are lighthouses at Cape Agulhas, Gansbaai, Kleinmond, Paternoster and Mossel Bay. Click here for a full list of lighthouses – lighthouses of South Africa
You can take a tour of the lighthouses and some even have holiday cottages where you can stay. For more on Mouille Point lighthouse click here lighthouse and shipwrecks and here Mouille Point lighthouse.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
