of the coastal towns, though, is Plettenberg Bay, which has excellent beaches and a relaxed, friendly vibe. This is also where an enormous colony of Cape fur seals hangs out. Offshore Adventures runs boat trips out to see them and, if conditions are favourable, it’s possible to get in and swim with the seals. offshoreadventures.co.za


w SEE: THE WILD SIDE There is an alternative to the coastal route. Going inland, largely along the spectacular Route 62, offers semi-desert scenery, eye-popping mountain passes and a fair few wineries. South Africa’s best-known wine regions – Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek – are just


Route 62 is effectively one long wine route with cellar doors open for tastings


outside Cape Town, but Route 62 is effectively one long wine route with cellar doors open for tastings. Robertson and Calitzdorp are good bets for sampling and buying a few bottles. Oudtshoorn, however, is the major inland hub. And it is fabulously odd. The self-styled ostrich capital of the world has several farms with tours for visitors. The one at Highgate


Ostrich Farm covers how the giant eggs are incubated and sometimes turned into artworks. There’s also a chance to hand- feed these somewhat ungainly birds, then watch employees leap aboard and race them bareback around a track. highgate.co.za


Oudtshoorn is also the base ABOVE:


Lilo rafting LEFT:


Ostriches in Oudtshoorn


for Meerkat Adventures, where animal-loving locals have spent the time and effort persuading meerkat colonies they’re not a threat. This means it’s possible to pull up camping chairs next to the meerkats’ burrow early in the morning and watch them go through their pre-breakfast routines before they run off for a day’s foraging. meerkatadventures.co.za The most fun way to head


back to the coast from there is along the Prince Alfred Pass, a 40-mile titan best tackled


in at least an SUV. The narrow, unpaved, winding track climbs up and snakes down mountains for seemingly hours, and it’s an utterly memorable drive. Once over the border into the


Eastern Cape, it’s adrenaline-rush territory. Tsitsikamma National Park is a prime spot for multi- day hikes, or travelling along the Storms River in a kayak or on a lilo with operators such as Untouched Adventures. untouchedadventures.com Farther along, and technically


beyond the official Garden Route, Jeffrey’s Bay is South Africa’s surfing capital, while logical end point Port Elizabeth is an affordable base for trips into nearby Addo Elephant National Park. Addo is well set up for self-drivers and, as the name suggests, a brilliant place to see herds of elephants. The rest of the big five are also present,


64 travelweekly.co.uk 25 August 2016


PICTURES: SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM/GREAT STOCK; UNTOUCHED ADVENTURES; PREMIER TRAVEL


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