Die Garden Route ist eine Region an der Südküste Südafrikas. Sie erstreckt sich von Mossel Bay bis nach Port Elizabeth und lässt sich optimal mit einem Tauchurlaub in Südafrika oder Mosambik kombinieren.
Mögliche Sehenswürdigkeiten
Bloukrans Brücke
Die Bloukrans Bridge ist eine Bogenbrücke mit einer freien Spannweite von 272m östlich von Plettenberg Bay in Südafrika. Seit 1997 bietet dort die Bungee-Jumping Anlage, mit 216 Meter über Grund, den höchsten Sprung der Welt an.
Tsitsikamma Nationalpark
Der Tsitsikamma-Nationalpark gehört zum Garden Route Nationalpark und erstreckt sich über fast 100 Kolometer entlang der Küste. Zum Nationalpark gehört nicht nur der ursprüngliche Urwald an Land, sondern auch einen 5,5 Kilometer breiten Streifen des küstennahen Meers.
Cango Grotte
Die Cango Caves sind ein Höhlensystem, welches zu den schönsten Höhlensystemen der Welt zählt. Das Hohlensystem besteht aus drei Abschnitten, wovon nur der erste öffentlich zugänglich ist. Alle Höhlen enthalten umfangreiche Tropfstein-Formationen in beeindruckenden Grössen.
Straussenfarmen in Outdshoorn
Outdshoorn ist die Straussenhochburg Südafrikas und bekannt für die Straussenaufzucht. Einige der Farmen haben sich zu Show Farmen spezialisiert mit dem Ziel den Urlaubern diese ungewöhnlichen Tiere näher zu bringen.
Reiseablauf
Hier finden Sie drei Beispiele von verschiedenen Tour Möglichkeiten rund um die Garden Route. Je nach Wunsch eignen sich diese Touren super für Kombinationen mit Flügen von oder nach Durban oder auch Mosambik. Fragen Sie uns, wir beraten Sie gerne für die Optimale Zusammenstellung.
6 Nächte Garden Route
Beispiel eines möglichen Reiseablaufes:
Tag 1: Greater Addo Elephant National Park area
Nachdem wir aus Port Elizabeth abgeholt wurden, richten wir unseren Blick gen Addo Elephant National Park. Der Park, der bekannt ist für die Elefanten, nach denen er benann ist, ist durch eine kürzliche Erweiterung der drittgrößte National Park Südafrikas geworden. Die einmalige Vegetation von Addo fördert eine Vielzahl an Wildtieren und wir werden den Nachmittag des heutigen Tages auf der Suche nach den Tieren verbringen, deren Heimat der Park ist.
Tag 2: Tsitsikamma National Park
Wir fahren weiter nach Westen Richtung Tsitsikama, wo die Wunder der Garden Route auf uns warten. Wir machen einen kurzen Abstecher in das Surfer Mekka Jeffreys Bay, das bestens bekannt ist für seine Wellen und außerdem ein kleines Surfing Museum beheimatet. Unser heutiges Ziel ist die Tsitsikama Region, wo wir uns für die nächsten zwei Nächte niederlassen.
Tag 3: Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park ist eines von Südafrikas Top Marine Reservaten und an diesem Morgen machen wir uns auf die felsige Küste zu Fuß zu erkunden. Mit unserer Wanderung auf dem Waterfall Trail begehen wir den ersten Abschnitt des weltbekannten Otter Trails, dies ist keine einfache Wanderung und diejenigen die eine etwas entspanntere Option wünschen können von den Promenaden zum Storms River Mouth Gebrauch machen. Für die Abenteuerlustigen bietet der Waterfall Trail einen sich der felsigen Küstenlinie entlangschlängelnden Weg, an dem wir für ein erfrischendes Bad am Fuße eines eisigen Wasserfall anhalten. Diejenigen die die prachtvollen Wälder gerne aus der Vogelperspektive betrachten würden, können am Nachmittag an einer optionalen Zip-Line Tour über das Baumkronendach teilnehmen.
12 Nächte Sharks & Garden Route
Beispiel eines möglichen Reiseablaufes:
Day 1 – Durban to Margate
Leaving the city of Durban behind us we make our way south along the dolphin coast of Kwazulu Natal. About 2 hours south of Durban is the launch site for both Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, home to some of the best Apex Predator shark diving. We arrive at our hotel and settle in for our stay. This afternoon we will check all dive equipment, ensure the correct gear is allocated and have a dive briefing for the following days.
Day 2: Aliwal Shoal
The following two days we spend diving the famous Aliwal Shoal. Renowned for Raggie Tooth Sharks congregating in their hundreds, dolphins and the baited shark dive. Each morning we will travel the hour from our hotel in Margate to the launch site for Aliwal Shoal. Over the two days we will do 3 recreational dives on the Aliwal Shoal, including the famous “Raggie Cave”. The optional baited shark dive is well worth it, with Oceanic Black-Tip Sharks gathering in large numbers and possibly Tiger Sharks investigating the bait.
Day 3: Protea Banks Diving
We spend today diving the famous Aliwal Shoal. Renowned for Raggie Tooth Sharks congregating in their hundreds, dolphins and the baited shark dive. Each morning we will travel the hour from our hotel in Margate to the launch site for Aliwal Shoal. Over the two days we will do 3 recreational dives on the Aliwal Shoal, including the famous “Raggie Cave”. The optional baited shark dive is well worth it, with Oceanic Black-Tip Sharks gathering in large numbers and possibly Tiger Sharks investigating the bait.
Day 4: Protea Banks Diving
Over the next three days we will have 5 dives on the Protea Banks Reef where we hope to see some of the worlds largest marine predators. During these three days you will also be offered a Baited Shark Dive. Diving both North and South Pinnacles we will go in search of schooling Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, Guitar Sharks and large rays. An optional Tiger and Bull Shark baited dive at Protea Banks will be offered during our stay. This dive takes place in open water, hanging in the blue whilst possible Tiger, Bull, Hammerhead and Oceanic Black-Tip sharks come in to investigate the scent trail around us. A full safety briefing and training session is included and this is a breathtaking experience.
Day 5: Protea Banks Diving
Over the next two days we will have 5 dives on the Protea Banks Reef where we hope to see some of the worlds largest marine predators. During these three days you will also be offered a Baited Shark Dive. Diving both North and South Pinnacles we will go in search of schooling Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, Guitar Sharks and large rays. An optional Tiger and Bull Shark baited dive at Protea Banks will be offered during our stay. This dive takes place in open water, hanging in the blue whilst possible Tiger, Bull, Hammerhead and Oceanic Black-Tip sharks come in to investigate the scent trail around us. A full safety briefing and training session is included and this is a breathtaking experience.
Day 6: Protea Banks Diving
Today we dive on the Protea Banks Reef where we hope to see some of the worlds largest marine predators. During these three days you will also be offered a Baited Shark Dive. Diving both North and South Pinnacles we will go in search of schooling Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, Guitar Sharks and large rays. An optional Tiger and Bull Shark baited dive at Protea Banks will be offered during our stay. This dive takes place in open water, hanging in the blue whilst possible Tiger, Bull, Hammerhead and Oceanic Black-Tip sharks come in to investigate the scent trail around us. A full safety briefing and training session is included and this is a breathtaking experience.
Day 7: Durban – Greater Addo Elephant National Park area
We travel this morning to the Durban International Airport where we board our flight to the east coast town of Port Elizabeth. On arrival you will be transferred to your camp in the Addo Elephant National Park area. In the afternoon we visit Addo (subject to flight arrival time). Recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a wide variety of wildlife and we will spend the afternoon in search of the animals.
Day 8: Tsitsikamma National Park
Setting out early this morning we make a brief visit to the surfing mecca of Jeffreys Bay. Most famous for its waves this little town is also home to a small Surfing Museum. We then turn west to the Tsitiskamma region where we set up for the next two nights and where the wonders of the Garden Route await.
Day 9: Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park is one of South Africa’s premier marine reserves and this morning we set out to explore the rugged coastline on foot. Our hike along the Waterfall Trail sees us cover the first section of the world renowned Otter Trail. This is not an easy hike and those who prefer a more leisurely option can make use of the boardwalks to the Storms River Mouth. We return after our hike and will have the chance to enjoy the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon – experiencing the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learning about the history of the area and its indigenous fauna & flora.
Day 10: Heart of the Garden Route
The Garden Route is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches, forest walks and an exciting menu of optional adventures. While our morning is set aside for an exploration of Nature’s Valley, this beautiful village offers us a chance to enjoy a hike or simply relax on the pristine beach in this paradise. We end the afternoon on the beautiful beaches of the Keurbooms Lagoon. Today offers a number of optional activities and your guide will assist you with a plan to get the most out the day, the truck will run a set schedule of pick-ups and drop-offs giving you the freedom to join or leave at the places of most interest to you.
Day 11: Oudtshoorn
We make our way inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains and descend to the town of Oudtshoorn. We head to the famous Cango caves to enjoy a guided tour where we marvel at the astonishing formations that have formed in these impressive limestone caves.
Day 12: Route 62 – Hermanus
Travelling through the valley of the Klein Karoo, we follow the winding tarmac of Route 62. Road trips in South Africa are an exploration of the rural highlights that dot the lesser known byways of the land. No journey would be complete without sampling the offerings of a “Padstal” along the way. These small farm stalls offer a selection of homemade treats and bakes and are an important cog in the economies of rural towns. One of the more quirky highlights today is Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub!
Day 13: The Cape Whale Coast Route
Made up of a collection of villages, farms, rivers, bays, coves and valleys, the Cape Whale Coast is a pristine stretch of the South African coastline which runs from the town of Rooiels for roughly 150km, to the east. Beginning early, we will have a short time to stroll along the boardwalk in Hermanus in search of the southern right whales that frequent the shores in the months of July to November. Next we stop at the largest breeding colony of the African Penguin, Stony Point Nature Reserve before travelling along the coast to a wine farm in the Stellenbosch region to sample some chocolates & wine. Your tour comes to an end upon arrival in the city centre of Cape Town.