Christine went to South Africa, the Garden Route & Kruger with Premier Holidays.
"We flew overnight to Cape Town, connected to George Airport, and then transferred to Knysna, which was about an hour’s drive.
Thursday
Tonight we stay in a pretty, family hotel, Knysna Hollow County Estate, about 5-minutes drive from the waterfront. The rooms are like little cottages around the grounds. The hotel is small but has 2 pools, paddle board courts and boules. There is a Padel Court here - I’d not heard of it before but here the sign said: ‘Everyone’s game’! We went to Knysna Waterfront for a fresh fish dinner at the Drydock Restaurant, which overlooks the waterways. The temperature in September was about 16°C.
Friday
From the Waterfront, we took a ferry boat to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Driven to the top of the Reserve in a 4x4 vehicle with a trailer, to take a moderate hike down. There are spectacular viewpoints with amazing views of this isolated area and rocky landscape on the coast.
The Featherbed Nature Reserve is the premier eco-experience on the Garden Route taking 4 hours. We learnt about the history and fauna and flora, during a guided walk through a coastal forest and 'fynbos' shrub land into ancient sea caves. Once we were at the bottom, we had lunch before boarding the boat back to the Waterfront.
Parkes Manor is a grand 1927 manor house in a classic design with contemporary blue and white print designs in the rooms, and an amazing ocean view - the water was cold! Knysna is a seaside town on the Garden Route on the Indian ocean and we saw a beautiful sunset. A drive to Plettenberg Bay to stay at Plettenberg Quarter. There are self-catering apartments within the hotel with larger rooms. The hotel is in the centre of Plettenberg with lots of restaurants and bars around. We had dinner at a five-star hotel called The Plettenberg which has amazing views out over the ocean and apparently, you can often see whales here.
Saturday
From Plettenberg to Tsitsikamma, driving past the Bloukrans Bridge at Kou-Kamma, the highest bungee jump in the world at 216 metres on the Eastern Cape! Further along the coast is a five-star hotel, Robberg Beach Lodge, Beachy Head. There are amazing coastal views, it’s expansive and spread out so guests have a lot of space. You can sit on the terrace and enjoy the views with a fine South African wine or a Savanna dry cider.
At Tsitsikamma National Park for a Canopy Tour, zip wiring through the treetops! The treetop tour is an eco-wilderness adventure in the wilderness of Tsitsikamma Indigenous Forest. Zip-lining was so exhilarating, and fun going from one platform to another, 30 metres above the forest floor with ten slides. Escorted through the forest canopy by guides for safety as you slide from tree to tree. Some found it a little scary at first, but were so glad they braved it as it was such a thrilling experience. The platforms, high in the Outeniqua Yellowwoods, provide an unbelievable view of the forest and guides explain the ecology. You might be lucky enough to spot a Vervet monkey!
We checked in at Tsitsikamma Village Inn for the night, rooms are comfortable and we had a tour of its Micro Brewery. Dinner was at the themed Marilyn’s 60s Diner with colourful retro cars.
Sunday
A leisurely lunch at The Sands St Francis Bay with an amazing beach. We stayed in a villa with separate rooms that look like a boutique hotel but part of a complex. In the afternoon, an excursion on the canals past the summer houses at Cape St Francis. We enjoyed a three course dinner at the villa with a private chef.
Monday
We head to Port Elizabeth Airport for a flight to Johannesburg, then another flight to Skukuza. In Kruger, at Satara Plains Camp, we stayed in single tents. Generators were on for power at certain times and the shower was a bag with hot water. Wi-Fi is only in certain areas and patchy, which I found quite liberating. The animal experience in Kruger was incredible, and I was surprised by how many animals we saw on the 3-hour transfer from the airport! We saw an elephant, lionesses, monkey and zebras in the 40°C heat.
Tuesday
Early to rise for a game drive. Animals tend to be more active at sunrise, so we keep an eye out for the Big Five! After spotting loads of animals, we head for camp breakfast, then met with provinces. The evening game drive is an unmissable experience, and you might be lucky enough to spot nocturnal predators like leopards, lions and hyenas. After sundowners on the game drive, we returned to camp for dinner and storytelling around the campfire.
Wednesday
After another game drive, we visit pop-up camp, Tshokwane River Camp, part of Kruger Untamed, which had a swimming pool and is set on a dry riverbed. Next year, they are hoping Satara Plains Camp will have a pool and hot tubs to relax in.
Thursday
The transfer back to the airport included a game drive en route and visiting
Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge. As well as having accommodation, you can stay on a train on the bridge. The train is a unique experience and even if staying in the alternative accommodation, you can go to the pool on the train that overlooks the wildlife. Although it is only around 20 minutes from the airport, there are still animals - elephants, hippos, and lots of monkeys!
I loved Kruger. This trip completely changed my view of this destination. I always thought you had to go to Kenya to see the amount of animals that I saw here in their natural habitat. It was wonderful! The Garden Route, followed by a Kruger Safari, would appeal to nature lovers and anyone who appreciates animal watching, food, and fine wine."
Christine Unwin, Abbotts Travel
To book or for more info on Premier Holidays contact Abbotts Travel at 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, on 0208 989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com
Comments