The Garden Route in South Africa – Roadtrip Highlights for #FriFotos

Flowers along the Garden Route

The Garden Route in South Africa is one drive that everyone tells you to do during your visit.  As I did not want to rent a car and drive the three day trip alone, I signed up for a tour.  The tour ended up being me, a pensioner from Australia and the driver/guide – the classic road trip filled with drama.  We would start in Cape Town on Thursday and arrive Port Elizabeth on Saturday.  While there will be many posts upcoming about the three day trip, in keeping with the #FriFotos theme of “Road trip”, below are some photo highlights of my journey along the Garden Route in South Africa.

The beginning of the drive is flat with the more interesting views on either side of the car. The landscape changed as we twisted and turned through the mountains and the various elevations.

The Garden Route in South Africa
The Garden Route in South Africa
The view along the Garden Route
The view along the Garden Route
The scenic outlook along the Garden Route
The scenic outlook along the Garden Route
At the scenic outlook along the Garden Route
At the scenic outlook along the Garden Route

We would stop at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, a conservation effort to save endangered species (they have over 90) and educate the public.  It was a quick visit as each group is led through the various animal enclosures.  After spending time on three different safaris, it was difficult for me to see the animals fenced in.  While I understand they were rescued and could not stay in the wild, it still affected me.

Rescued but at what price freedom?
Rescued but at what price freedom?

Another stop is the famous Ostrich farm in Cango.  While not wanting to visit the farm, it turned out to be quite interesting. We would then drive to the Cango Caves – i knew nothing about them and what a highlight!

Ostrich farm friends
Ostrich farm friends
Checking the ostrich eggs
Checking the ostrich eggs
Cango Caves South Africa
Cango caves along the Garden Route

Stopping in Tsitsikamma National Park for lunch and a short visit, provided an opportunity to do a small hike (and some stairs) to the suspension bridges.  There are other available trails but I sadly didn’t have enough time.  The view of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding National Park were just stunning.  One of those places where you have no clue when you pull into the parking lot and are pleasantly surprised.

Storms River pathway
Mouth Trail – 1km to the bridges
Storms River Suspension Bridge South Africa
Storms River Suspension Bridge (one of three)
View of Indian Ocean -South Africa
View of the Indian Ocean

While not part of our itinerary (long dramatic story), we stopped at the Elephant Sanctuary and learned what they are doing for the rescued elephants.  This sanctuary has three locations in the area – we would view a film, tour the facilities and then go out to visit with the residents. After elephant overload on safari, this was quite a different experience – each had a different sad story of how they ended up here.

Elephant Sanctuary
Up close and personal with the elephant

The Garden Route in South Africa offers a plethora of activities and experiences during your road trip.  There were cute B&B’s, unique hotels, wonderful restaurants, friendly people and on my trip, lots of drama – all the ingredients for a memorable road trip.

4 thoughts on “The Garden Route in South Africa – Roadtrip Highlights for #FriFotos

  1. Great post. I’m really hoping we can make South Africa work at some point soon. Would love to hear the “long story” about the elephant sanctuary sometime.

    1. Andrea – it was definitely an amazing experience to be in South Africa – everyone should put it on their list and support the folks trying to keep the animals safe

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