adventures: garden route
ADRENALINE ACTIVITIES
The Garden Route isn’t all about wining and dining. Laura Gelder enjoyed a post-Indaba trip based in Knysna, trying out the area’s adrenaline-inducing activities.
adventure consists of 10 zip lines which whizzed us through the indigenous rainforest up to 30 metres above the ground. The screaming rush of the ziplines was offset with some peaceful reflection atop the tree platforms which gave spectacular views of the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees and the wildlife that dwells there – including a few flashes of the red-winged loerie bird. STAY: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays is set right on the waterfront with direct access to its shops, bars and resaturants. There is also a heated pool and bar/restaurant.
stormsriver.com
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Plettenberg Bay-based Offshore Adventures urges visitors to ‘get wet in the Plet’. The 1.5 hour trip took us by high speed RIB out to the Robberg Marin Reserve and its colony of 4,000 fur seals. Here, we were deposited into the sea with just a wetsuit, mask and snorkel to help us flounder amongst these graceful and inquisitive animals, who surrounded us, entertaining with acrobatics and even popping up to nibble (gently) at my mask. Our guide wore an electronic shark shield ‘just in case’, but the only other marine life we saw was a pod of dolphins. STAY: In Plettenberg Bay, the 200-room Beacon Island Resort’s pool, lawn and relaxation area overlooks the seal colony and lagoon area.
offshoreadventures.co.za
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SWIMMING WITH SEALS
CANOPY TOUR The three-hour Tsitsikamma-based eco tourism
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN
KNYSNA
ride through the bush. No need for a driving license (although considering my own ‘track record’ perhaps it would be preferable) as the guys at Wild X Adventures will have you kitted up and traversing its twisting and undulating sandy tracks in no time. There are various tracks for different abilities; some will have you sliding down huge ruts and dodging branches on your way. STAY: Wash away the mud as well as the tension at boutique hotel and spa The Turbine, fomerly a power station, now a stylish waterfront retreat incorporating original features, on Knysna’s Thesen Island.
wildx.co.za
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the Southern Cape, with more than 2200 hectares of rolling grassland, backed by the Tsitsikamma mountains and populated by 35 species of game and 101 types of bird. Choosing to do the horseback safari we knew we wouldn’t see any of the resident predators but the payoff was the magical peace of non-motorised transport and being able to ride right into a herd of zebra. We also saw kudu, impala, ostrich, giraffe, hippos, rhino and much more up-close, with the help of our knowledgeable guide. STAY: Stay in an ensuite room onsite at the Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge, a 10-room colonial-style stone lodge built in 1822. The dining boma has views of Plettenberg Bay below.
plettenbergbaygamereserve.com
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HORSEBACK SAFARI Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the biggest in
QUAD BIKING Prepare to get dirty with this noisy and bumpy
commercial bungee bridge and nothing short of breathtaking, whether you decide to jump off it or just watch! The bridge straddles a spectacular gorge with views of the ocean one way and mountains the other way, with the distant brown Bloukrans River an eye-popping 216 metres below. The jump site is located under the bridge and supporters can follow their brave friends right to the jump point via a caged walk way. We watched the braver members of our group jump and waited to see them get hauled up the other side! STAY: The Rex Hotel, Knysna has huge suites equipped with elegant soaking tubs, self-catering kitchenettes and comfortable lounge areas for post-adrenaline crashes.
faceadrenalin.com
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two 45m abseils right next to a magnificent waterfall in Wilderness National Park’s spectacular Kaaimans Gorge. The first is an easier route to get you used to the ropes and the second one is slightly more challenging. What makes the experience particularly special is that instead of landing on terra firma, abseilers land in a canoe at the bottom and can then enjoy a more sedate water tour of the gorge. STAY: Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa is set on the Pezula Private Estate with views of Knysna Lagoon and is close to Noetzie Beach. Facilities include a championship golf course.
eden.co.za
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ABSEILING Eden Adventures gives its guests the chance to do
PORT ELIZABETH
BUNGEE JUMP Bloukrans bungee is the world’s highest
SIX OF THE BEST 15
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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