Top Tips For The Garden Route, South Africa

The garden route is a route I would recommend that everyone do at least once in their lives. It is a lot more commercial than the wild coast from Durban to Port Elizabeth but that doesn't mean their isn't some amazing places to visit and things to do. If I could do my trip all over again all I would want is to have another 3 days at each place so I could really explore.

I have spoke a little about my trip so far but I felt I should highlight the best things I did in each area!

First stop of course is Jeffreys Bay (where my last post was about, find out about it here).

J-Bay is surfers paradise, they do some brilliant pony treking along the beaches if you wish, but the main reason to go is to learn how to surf. The hostel I stayed at was AMAZING, I really cant rave about it enough. Alot of people stay at place called Island Vibe, but if, like me, you love white linen, big rooms and a really welcoming atmostphere then Cristal Cove is for you too.

Relearning how to surf was made fun and easy, I got to meet new people and have a great time too and so without doubt I say grab a board and spend at least one day in the ocean.

In the evening, head to Kitchen Window, just make sure you have booked before hand at least a few days in advance in high season (Oct-April) as it is extremely popular and it is well worth the visit.

Plettenberg Bay was my second stop which was so different to J-Bay even though it was only a few hours down the road. We stayed in Plett Beach Front Accomadation that was to an amazingly high standard, right on the beach and offered free breakfast too, we staying in the dorm which was perfect, but look how nice the rooms are?!

I would say if you are looking to meet other backpackers though, stay somewhere else. Thankfully we dragged the people we had met with us so had a brilliant time.

Now I did two things in Plett, the first being the world's highest bridge bungee, standing at 216m. Yes it was terrifying, but my god was it one of the craziest, scariest most incredible things I have ever done (check out my video here) and I really was terrified when I stood on the edge! If you ever want to challenge yourself to the limit, jump into the air for a while. It sure does make you be thankful for every moment in life.

The other thing I did was whale watching, we had wanted to do this at Hermanus but due to the BazBus timetable we were unable too, we saw lots too thankfully but, if I were to reccomend whale watching, from what I heard, I would still say do it in Hermanus, they have such a high number you are garenteed to see something.

We ate at a place called The Table one evening, the food was nice and the atmosphere there was brilliant and if you're wanting a lively place for food followed by drinks I would definitely recommend it. Fancy a night club, you can just cross over the road, just remember, it's not quite up to UK standard just yet.

My third and final stop before Capetown was Mossel Bay. The only thing you must do there is shark cage diving with great white sharks! You are pretty much guaranteed to see them, especially in winter (our summer) as there is a seal colony with juveniles leaving the island for the first time and plenty of great white sharks there to try and catch a meal.

  As a huge animal lover, I think this was definitely one of the major highlights of my trip, we were so lucky to see so many sharks and it gives you a completely different view on them. To me now, they are beautiful ocean giants who are curious.

Another thing to do, if you have time is head to Pinical Point after booking tickets to see the origin of man, a place where the first sign of the modern day man was discovered. We hadn't booked sadly but instead we wandered along the costal path through the golf course, to say you will have house envy is an understatement, I never thought there could be so many beautiful houses in one place!

We stayed in the train, Santos Express, where you wake up to the view of the sea. It was a brilliant experience to stay there, although the bed were certainly not comfy. Make sure you check what adapter the cabins need as well because it certainly isn't a South African plug and not being able to charge laptops/phones/cameras can be a little annoying!

Wanting somewhere to eat? Head to the Protea Hotel. Their restaurant serves incredible food, and when we were there (monday night) sushi was even half price!

So there are some of my top tips for the garden route! Sat writing it makes me want to go back and do it all over again this second.

Have you ever done the garden route? What bits would you like to try?

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