AFRICA GARDEN ROUTE DESTINATIONS I
n terms of value for money, there are few better
destinations in the world than South Africa right now. The struggling rand is worth half what it was five years ago, making the country incredibly affordable to the British visitor. And unlike many other cheap
destinations that don’t offer much beyond sun and beaches, South Africa entrances on many levels. The country is strong on history, present-day culture, nature and wildlife, while superb food and wine are complemented by generally excellent infrastruc- ture and high-standard accom- modation. And the Garden Route,
when combined with Cape Town, is the perfect toe in the water.
w SELL: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICA Cape Town is the undoubted gem among South Africa’s cities, and many would be happy spending a fortnight’s holiday there. But for some visitors, going all the way to South Africa just for an extended (if world-beating) city break would be a wasted opportunity. This is where the Garden
Route comes in: stretching across the bottom of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces, it’s an easy addition
to Cape Town, offering entry- level adventure and nature, but nothing too outlandish or rough- and-ready. It’s very much Africa for beginners, but combines staggering scenery – both inland and along the coast – with wine regions and wildlife. One-way car hire is easy to
organise, starting in Cape Town and finishing in George or Port Elizabeth (or vice versa). And good-value flights back to the UK via Johannesburg from either of the latter are easily tagged on. The Garden Route is malaria-
free, English is near universal, and several towns, each with different vibes, can be picked as overnight
stops according to taste. Among these are Mossel Bay, where the Dias Museum pays tribute to the Portuguese explorer who became the first European to set foot on South African soil. There are also Point of Human Origins tours to the Pinnacle Point Caves, where the oldest archaeological records of modern human behaviour have been found.
humanorigin.co.za Farther west is Knysna, where
boat trips pootle around the big lagoon, and the forest backdrops provide a series of excellent hiking trails along one of South Africa’s greenest stretches. Arguably the loveliest
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PICTURE: GONDWANA GAME RESERVE
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