Yolanda, from our Cape Town office, attended SATSA’s Garden Route EAT, PLAY, LOVE fam trip where she explored the attractions and experiences of this beautiful region. Here is what Yolanda got up to!
Our first stop is Fancourt Hotel, beautifully set at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains near George. The luxury hotel offers 115 elegant rooms and suites and is an ideal destination for families, couples, golfing and special interest groups. We toured the new wing at Fancourt which looks wonderful. Very pleased all round to see the COVID-19 protocols in place. We thereafter attended a travel workshop with industry suppliers, which was a great opportunity to connect with people in the industry and hear about their challenges and victories over the past months.
We travelled to Oudtshoorn on our second day with a stop en route to visit a gem of a wine farm, Herold Wines. This boutique wine farm offers an intimate tasting experience, farm tour and entertaining, personal stories from the owner. Next on the map was the award-winning Surval Boutique Olive Estate and restaurant. A working farm offering farm-chic accommodation, contemporary cuisine and quality wines, whilst perfectly positioned to explore the Garden Route. We then meandered next door to Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, where we finished the busy day off with a sunset game drive. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers 34 air-conditioned, luxury safari tents with plenty to do including cheetah, elephant, lion, and meerkat experiences, spa and nature walks!
Our third morning begins with a Meerkat safari at Buffelsdrift, but the meerkats had other plans and decided to rather stay in bed! Next up on our venture was Cape Saint Blaize Artisanal Distillery, a distillery in Mossel Bay that draws its inspiration from Botanicals that are hand foraged from the varied local terrain. Each gin bottle is also locally made. A must-try is the Gin Masterclass – make your own bottle of gin, an initiative started during the pandemic to help with job creation.
Next, we were off to nature heaven, Gondwana Private Game Reserve with its luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine, knowledgeable guides and malaria-free, Big 5 Safaris. The lodge boasts panoramic views of indigenous Fynbos, the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains. Enjoy game drives, dining under the stars, mountain biking, hikes, Africology spa treatments, and the kids Junior Ranger program.
Connect with nature, two not to be missed Gondwana Safari experiences are:
Pioneer Trails Camp, a 3-night walking safari with luxury tented accommodation, all meals, private guide and staff.
Tented Eco Camp Conservation Experience, spend 3 or 5 nights learning about the ecosystem and getting involved! The camp is completely off the grid and plastic-free, yet includes all luxuries and a private team of staff.
Homeward bound, with a visit to the family-owned and operated Garden Route Game Lodge, perfectly placed at the start of the Garden Route. Enjoy an abundance of animal and birdlife, including the Big 5. The lodge is an ideal stop for guests with limited time to go on safari as they are able to partake in a game drive. Also, a wonderful place for families, as there are plenty of activities on offer for kids.
South Africa’s Garden Route offers a multitude of holiday options, from pure relaxation to extreme adrenaline! There really is something for everyone. Contact us for more information, recommendations, and tailor-made itineraries.
