The South Africa Garden Route, a trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Our first taste of South Africa. The time available was short, so we decided to focus only on the south coast, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. A trip dedicated to the sea and its inhabitants.
A most fitting the Egypt Air flight took us to Johannesburg and then we moved to Cape Town
Withdrawn at the Hertz rental car (booked by Italy and noleggioauto Highly recommended ..) we started our. travel from Cape Town took us in Port Elizabeth.
We were impressed by the beauty of landscapes, mountains to the sea, forests, lakes. Dick immaculate beaches and deserted. A landscape reminiscent of northern Europe were it not that every so often you come across some baboons. An Africa that is certainly different, however, offers many emotions, dall'avvistamento whales near the beach, dive into the cage to meet white sharks, beautiful, and unfortunately at risk of extinction. Funny visit to the kingdom of penguins, funny and unforgettable casino and walk with the cheetahs at sunrise and sunset.
The friendliness of the people and their great willingness surprised us. We were welcomed in the various accommodation booked from Italy with much more warmth and kindness ... as well as in various restaurants visited during the trip and visited the parks during the journey.
We are aware that the area we visited is quieter and with fewer problems throughout South Africa, although unfortunately there are Bidonville.

 

10 days along the Garden Route

Two words on accommodation ....
Overnight in Cape Town at Verona Lodge (located near the Waterfront, within walking distance in 20 minutes) run by a couple very nice. Highly recommended.
City tour with a tourist bus found to have a global view of Cape Town.
Ascent of Table Mountain hike with a couple of hours ... suggestive and not at all crowded. Many stop at the first stretch ... better go do not forget to bring a bottle of water.
Excursion to the botanical gardens (nothing special)
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, through the road along the 12 apostles entirely carved into the rock. Breathtaking .. sin fog.
Overnight at the lodge Rockland Simons Town. Very beautiful with panoramic sea views, comfortable rooms, large apartments and manicured. From the terrace of the breakfast we saw the ns. first whale. Highly recommended!
Visit the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach in the early morning, basically just us and the penguins ... trigger-happy.
Continue on to the stage to Wineland with Fairview's cellar in Paarl, good wine and goat cheese! We tasted several wines and cheeses, bottles of wine ordered us to send in Italy (timely delivery) and we went wobbly but satisfied.
Arrival and overnight in Hermanus Walker Bay Artist Manor. It is definitely better.
Transfer to Gansbaai for shark carried out with the Shark Diving with Michael Rutzen. Tour a couple of hours by immersion in a cage to meet this beautiful animal is extinct.
Exciting .... despite the seasickness.
Do not miss the nearby beach of De Kelders where the whales come close to shore.
Overnight at Sea Aire Klenbaai (a short walk from the marina where the boats go out looking for sharks). Bright apartment with sea views, great rooms and equipped with everything. Highly recommended!
Drive to the location with accommodation in Plettenberg Crag at Moonshine on Whiskey Creek resort with wooden chalet surrounded by forest with Iacuzzi the guests placed on a wooden platform in the middle of the forest. Really nice and very romantic. Highly recommended!
In the area, hiking trails with the Cheetahs in the sanctuary of felines Tenikwa Monkey Land and visit the park where many live free monkeys, lemurs and gibbons. Do not miss the nearby Bird of Eden, a huge aviary with various birds. And so great that if you look at the sky it is difficult to believe that in an aviary.
Continue to Storm River Camp located on the coast of the Tsitsikamma in the park. A fabulous place, with the chance to stay in wooden chalets right on the cliff and go hiking through the woods and sea.
An unforgettable way to close the holiday.
This in a nutshell the ns. travel. Usually people spend a few days in this part of South Africa, but certainly deserves more time.