renowned for its scenery, sumptuous food and wine, and family-friendly stops. But it is also fast becoming the new adventure capital of the world.
A BRIDGE TOO FAR We were at Bloukrans Bridge in the Western Cape, halfway between George and Port Elizabeth, where the Face Adrenalin team has been giving serious thrill-seekers their fix since 1990. Even the walk to the platform would be enough excitement for most, as the wire mesh walkway offers rather alarming glimpses of the gentle stream a long way below (nervous types, don’t look down). The Bridge Walk costs from £5 and the jump from £43. I had already got my head for heights before the bungee after spending the morning zip-lining through verdant forest on the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, a half-hour drive away. Flying 30 metres above the
forest floor along a network of 10 EAT UP
South Africa offers great value and even better food and wine, so encourage adventurers to refuel at our pick of restaurants in charming harbour town Knysna. The Olive Tree, 21 Main Street: This was as relaxed as a restaurant could be, with no-frills food that put taste and top-notch ingredients first. Highlights of the menu were tender beef fillet, turbot-like fish kingclip, and local speciality ‘bobotie’ spring rolls filled with minced beef, dried fruits and a spicy sauce. JJs, Knysna Waterfront: Vegetarians beware – this was a meat-
lover’s dream. I tasted zebra, ostrich and kudu, although I missed out on the crocodile carpaccio. The bar-cum-restaurant had a friendly atmosphere and generous portions. Tapas and Oysters, Thesen Island (left): The winner of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival was bound to serve up a good feast. But the tapas here went way beyond tasty – and was enjoyed with live music and livelier surroundings.
travelweekly.co.uk — 24 July 2014
zip-lines up to 100 metres long would be exciting at any time, but we were there just after a few days’ rainfall, so the lush greenery and humid atmosphere – not to mention the array of birds and other wildlife that our guides pointed out along the way – made
it feel more like the tropics than South Africa. Prices start at £27 for the three-hour tour. It is also an optional extra on the eight-day Coast to Cape Town small-group safari by overland specialist Acacia Africa (from £695 land-only). The rainfall also made our next stop, quad biking with WildX Adventures, even more enjoyable. After all, what fun is quad biking without a bit of mud? The bush trail started off simple then moved onto more challenging twists and turns, and with an hour-long adventure from £16, there is no arguing about its value for money.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Catching our first glimpse of Plettenberg Bay, it was easy to see why Portuguese explorers christened it ‘bahia formosa’
FAST FACT Africa specialist
2by2 Holidays has seen a 25% increase in adventure
bookings over the past three years
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