Comments on: On the Road Again: Preparing for a Mega Trip

By: Saartjie

Saartjie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:17:55 +0000

Garden route tips from a local:

1. For a truly STUNNING drive, plot the following towns: CT – Gordons Bay – Betty’s Bay – Kleinmond – Hermanus – Stanford – Aghulas (southern most tip of africa) – Bredasdorp – Swellendam – Ashton – Montagu – Route 62 (fabulous inland road) – Calitzdorp (port tasting: yum) – Oudtshoorn – Knysna. The drive should take you 2/3 days (at a leisurely pace – you could do it in one if you rush, but what’s the point?) and you can research where you want to stop off and stay along the way. It’s a bit more unusual to drive inland instead of straight up the N2, but it is by far my fav way to do the Garden Route… and you get a better idea of the Western Cape, I think.

2. While on the Garden Route, I’d stay at Knysna (because it’s pretty and central) and take day trips to explore the area. While there, try go to: Storms River (incl the mouth – beauty); Fynboshoek for cheese lunch (hidden fabulous spot: you need to book otherwise he’ll just make his cheese instead of serving it to you with fresh farm bread and salad from the garden… and you’ll never find it without directions); Nature’s Valley; Sedgefield farmers market (if you’re there on a Saturday morning); Ille de Pain (for breakfast/brunch in Knysna); Noetzie (castles on the beach); fabulous “farm stall” called The Heath about 10km outside of Plett (on the knysna side); and all the other obvious stuff that tickles your fancy (there’s loads, but it’s probably all in the tourist books).

3. Then, drive down the N2. It’s pretty until about George, but then I think it gets a bit a bit dreary (esp in comparison to what you’ve already seen… and in some places you will marvel at how those apartheid-era town planners managed to make such a beautiful place so darn ugly). Then high-tail it back to CT (perhaps stopping for a spot of bungy jumping on the way?).

Feel free to drop me a mail if you want any other ideas. I’m pretty good at this kind of thing… (!)

Oh! And I wouldn’t worry too much about self-treating malaria once you get to SA: most parts of SA have excellent doctors and clinics and it shouldn’t be too expensive for a consultation and basic treatment. But you’re right to be aware of flu-like symptoms and be sure to tell whoever you see that you have been in a malaria area.

Have a fabulousa time in this breath-taking continent: it will make your heart beat faster and stronger. Africa does that.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:47:55 +0000

Your trip sounds amazing and makes me very jealous! I’ve had to trips to Africa (and wishing I could fit in a 3rd at Easter as a friend in Cape Town just had her 1st baby on the weekend!!)

A couple of quick Garden Route tips…
Elephant park near Knysa – and Knysa itself is quite a nice town, you can do a tour of Featherbed nature reserve. I really liked Oudtshoorn- the hostel there is brilliant. Its over the mountains from the ocean so different climate, ostrichs (and I rode one at an ostrich farm!) and the Cango Caves. Also its a predominately Afrikaans community so gives you a slightly different perspective.

Have a brilliant time! Can’t wait to read all about it

By: MonsteRawr

MonsteRawr — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:47:50 +0000

I think what amazes me most (besides your mad photography skills) is the level of your organization is epic. No way I would be able to pack for that huge of a trip without forgetting at *least* 15 things. (Not to mention the fact that I generally pack a full-size suitcase for a week!) I can’t wait to hear about this trip!

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:05:57 +0000

The Garden Route is amazing and though you have to have a plan because things get booked, it’s so much better to just drive, stop wherever looks interesting and stay longer if need be. The hostels along the route often rival really good budget hotels around the world and have an amazing community feeling. On the other side it is really tempting to stay in four or five star places for relatively cheap because of the exchange rate. The must-sees: Franschhoek (town in the wine region of Western Cape) is amazing and has 2 of the top 10 (I think) restaurants in the world; Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary (do not miss!!); Wilderness (town outside of Cape Town, amazing hostel with sea views); Tsitsikamma zip line and Storms River; but really just drive everywhere and as close to the ocean as possible! Oh, Cape Point is really pretty and though it’s touristy and possible false, you may as well go to the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans at Cape Alguhas.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:18:34 +0000

Garden Route? Highest bungee jump in the world (well…it was…is that not the case anymore?) for sure. There’s an elephant sanctuary where you can feed/play with elephants and that’s just awesome. Also – near Buffalo Bay, there’s a Rastafarian community called Judah Square that’s a must see.

By: Sarah Jackson

Sarah Jackson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:07:36 +0000

Have you tried Tripit yet? I used it on my last trip to keep all of my confirmation numbers, itineraries, flight numbers in one place. Kinda loved it.

http://www.tripit.com/

By: Patrice

Patrice — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:09:29 +0000

My friend, who is much more outdoorsy than I am, swears by these pants from REI to keep bugs from biting her.
ExOfficio Ziwa Insect Shield Convertible Pants – Women’s (not sure how tall you are, but they come in petite too). There might be other clothes like this too.
http://www.rei.com/product/795462

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:39:41 +0000

if you ever need help with the maps, I do freelance cartography and would love to sneak some into a few travel books. There’s a link to my portfolio/website on my blog. And I really enjoy your site. I’m traveling vicariously through you between my own vacations.

By: Kerri Anne

Kerri Anne — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:30:12 +0000

I was giggling to myself over the camera tape, but then thinking: “You know, that’s SO smart.” I never would have even thought about it! (Then again, I’ve been traveling with my trust point and shoot that’s been dropped so many times it looks as ragged (or: experienced!) as a camera can look.)

Have so much FUN.

By: kim

kim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:36:36 +0000

My husband’s family has a beach condo along the garden route in Mossel Bay. We were supposed to visit the Knysna forest, but didn’t get around to it. He says it’s beautiful, so I think we’ll make sure to stop by on our next visit.