The Garden Route holds visitors spellbound with its spectacular mountain passes, rivers, lagoons, beaches, birdlife and much more...
Framed by the majestic Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma and Langeberg mountains, Mossel Bay and Storm's River, the Garden Route still holds visitors spellbound. Go for a day hike in the incredibly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park, alive with fynbos, wild orchids, lilies, otters, baboons, small buck and 280 bird species. With its succession of bays, impossibly white sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and tidal pools, many of the country's premier coastal resorts are to be found here.
The Wilderness area, with its series of huge lakes and abundant wildlife, is a favorite destination for water sports, hikers and nature lovers. Knysna is perhaps the most visually arresting resort, with its famous sandstone Heads guarding the sea entrance to its huge tidal lagoon, as well as the surrounding deep green forests of the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Knysna is the country's largest commercial oyster farming centre, and for 10 days every July, the Oyster Festival draws thousands of festive visitors. The most magical way to arrive in Knysna is aboard the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a narrow gauge steam train that chuffs through incredible coastal scenery from the nearby town of George, the highlight being, crossing the broad Kaaimans River on a railway bridge. This region boasts some of the country's best loved hiking trails, including the Otter Trail, a 20 mile, 5-day coastal hike from Storms River Mouth through to Nature's Valley near the up-market resort of Plettenberg Bay. From Mossel Bay, where Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias landed in 1488, you can take a sunset champagne cruise to Seal Island, and if it's close encounters you're after, Sharkm cage diving is on offer.
Part of the semi-arid Karoo also falls within this route, in stark contrast to the lush coast. But it's not without its star attractions, most notably the famous Cango Caves, with their spectacular limestone formations. The nearby town of Oudtshoorn is ostrich country, where a brave few risk taking a ride on one of the strange bird's backs.
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The Country House is situated on the route to the Cango Caves, the Swartberg Pass and the circle route to Prince Albert via Meiringspoort. It is also within easy reach of the Cango Ostrich Farm and Cango Wildlife Ranch.
The Windermere Hotel enjoys one of Port Elizabeth`s most enviable locations, being a short walk from Kings Beach. The Windermere is a hip stylish hotel combining elements of contempory chic with classic comforts. The Windermere is the ideal starting or end point to the “Garden Route” and the perfect springboard to the Eastern Cape’s great malaria free game destinations including Addo & Kwandwe.
At Hog Hollow, expect outstanding cuisine, numerous activities to suit each guests need, and truly memorable hospitality. For the adventurous, the lodge is the perfect base from which to explore and experience numerous the surrounding forests of the fames Knysna region
