Garden Route Archives - Venues4Africa

Route Planner South Africa: Pit-stops on the N2

Planning one last road trip before winter creeps in? Why not attempt the longest and most beautiful road trip South Africa has to offer? Stretching from Cape Town to Ermelo in Mpumalanga, the N2 paves the way to the best East Coast destinations. The road is long, and we know how important it is for you to stretch your legs, so we’ve picked a few of our favourite pit-stops so that you can give the Wimpy coffee a break.

Peregrine Farmstall

A short drive along from the hair-raising and breath-takingly beautiful Sir Lowry’s Pass, is the popular Peregrine Farmstall. Located in farm country, this essential pit-stop boasts heaps of local produce and unique homemade delicacies. With mouth-watering pastries and dried fruit and nuts on offer, it’s the ideal place to stock up on the car-trip snack stash. Start your trip up the coast with the tasty and affordable all-day breakfasts and coffees served at the on-site cafe. Sit on the deck under cooling misters and enjoy people-watching as travellers stop to stretch their legs.

Open Daily:
Winter – 07h30 to 18h00
Summer – 07h30 to 18h30

Nanaga Farmstall

Somewhere between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown you’ll find the Nanaga Farmstall– a welcome oasis after a long stretch of highway. Browse a wide variety of homemade jams, relishes and chutneys, or take home some straight-out-of-the-oven breads, rusks and the perfect coffee-dipping biscuits. Nanaga is well-known for the flaky, golden deliciousness of their meaty pies and crispy roosterkoek, so make sure to try as many flavours as you can. The charming gift shop is filled with arts, crafts and interesting trinkets, for something to take home that won’t get devoured in the car.

Open Daily: 08h00 – 17h30

Ou Meul Bakkery, Riviersonderend

For years, roadtrippers have been in unspoken agreement. No South African road trip is complete without a stop at the Ou Meul Bakkery in Riviersonderend for a mouth-watering pie. With filling like chicken, bobotie, venison and steak, its flaky pastry is something you can really sink your teeth into. You can enjoy this buttery delight in the Ou Meul courtyard with a coffee, or you can take it to go. Make sure you check out the selection of sweet treats, and nibble on a milk tart or apple crumble, before you start back on the road.

Open Daily:
Weekdays: 06h00- 18h00
Saturday: 06h00- 15h00
Sunday: 07h00– 18h00

Blue Crane Farm Stall

Nestled in the rolling hills, 3km west of Heidelberg, you’ll find the bright blue roof of the Blue Crane Farm Stall. Specialising in fresh handmade goodies and farm bread still steaming from the oven, the Blue Crane is an N2 must. Feeling peckish? The restaurant uses only garden-fresh fruit and vegetable, and local ingredients so you can expect home-cooked meals dripping in farm-style charm. If you’re just stopping by, the bakery churns out fresh muffins and scones for a quick snack to tide you over till the next stop. The Blue Crane also boasts an aromatic Fragrance Boutique where you can buy scents imported from France; meaning you’ll leave The Blue Crane with not only a full belly and a backseat full of homemade pies, but you’ll smell amazing too.

Open Daily: 08h00- 17h00

If you’re going to be venturing out for the best East Coast road trip around, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got accommodation to match. Venues4Africa is the best route planner South Africa has on offer, so let us help you find the best spots to rest your head after a long day’s drive. Choose anything from comfortable Garden Route accommodation, to seaside getaways in Durban. Don’t let summer slip away, start planning now!

Image Credit:
peregrinefarmstall.co.za
bluecranefarmshop.co.za
Masroor Hamid
nanaga.co.za

Hidden Destinations along the Garden Route

The Garden Route, is a magical place and one of South Africa’s most popular stretches of road. It boasts vast white sandy beaches, fairy tale forests, rugged mountains and an abundance of wildlife.

With so much to see and do, there are many hidden gems, often overlooked, simply waiting to be explored.

Hoekwil

As you make your way along the N2 from Cape Town, you’ll eventually reach a small town named Hoekwil. Here, encounter the ancient Outeniqua Yellowwood tree, or ‘Big Tree’, which is estimated to be 850 years old . The Big Tree rests in the hidden Woodville Forest, which itself is a great destination for a family-friendly expedition. Hiking and walking trails are wheel-chair friendly and offer beautiful designated picnic areas.

Wild Oats Community Farmers Market

While passing through Sedgefield, the town known for its classic cars, why not stop over at the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market held every Saturday between 7:30 and noon. This market supports the principle of small-scale producers, local nature and conservation efforts, as well as fair and ethical pricing.

Buffalo Bay

An easily-missed turn off just before Knysna will take you to Buffalo Bay, a small, secluded seaside town within the Goukamma Nature Reserve. Boasting one of the most unique and safe swimming beaches along the Garden Route, it is the ideal location for a seaside holiday.

Nature’s Valley

Nature’s Valley is the last village before entering the Eastern Cape. A small hamlet of about 50 houses, development has been minimised to avoid spoiling the nature of the village, and its peaceful way of life. Despite being situated along the Garden Route, and forming part of the Tsitsikamma National Park, the valley has remained largely undiscovered. Its overwhelming beauty and tranquil atmosphere is sure to enchant you.

Storms River

Nearing the end of the Garden Route is Storms River, another village that echoes fine living in a very raw and natural sense. This is where the famous Otter Trail begins, making it’s away along the Garden Route to Nature’s Valley.

Adventurous activities available here include canopy tours, bungee jumping, kloofing, and fishing.

To plan your trip along the Garden Route, or to find out more about the above destinations, simply email , visit our website, or contact +27 (0) 21 422 2135.

Image Credit:
slack12
matt knoth
Jochem Koole
Harold Kuiper
Andre@ DB

New Year’s Travel Resolutions in South Africa

With every New Year comes new prospects, new adventures, and New Year’s resolutions. This year, make sure to take full advantage of the notion, especially when it comes to travelling. After all, travelling, whether it be local, national or international, is a whole lot more fun and exciting than say, dieting…

Image Credit - Darren Smith

Here are some definite musts for any traveller seeking to centre their New Year’s resolutions around travelling in South Africa in 2016, whether it be a single trip or a multitude of excursions.

Wild Card – SAN Parks

Anyone travelling within Southern Africa should invest in a Wild Card. This will not only provide added incentive to accomplish the New Year resolution of travelling and spending quality time with friends and family, but it will save you money. Instead of paying a daily rate to enter the parks, you can use your Wild Card. With a variety of options to suit your needs, and with 365 unlimited access to the wild spaces of Southern Africa’s best parks and reserves, the wild card is a definite must. Image Credit - Allan Watt

Prices vary between R300-R945 as a once off payment and depend upon which cluster of Wild Card you purchase, and which package. Please visit the San Parks website for further information.

Excursions Bucket List

Create a list of tourist attractions within your local area and throughout Southern Africa that you have always wanted to visit, that you tell your foreign friends about, but haven’t actually experienced. Image Credit - miquitos

These things can range from well-known tourist attractions such as taking the cable car up Table Mountain in Cape Town, or visiting the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. Additionally, other attractions that make a statement include the Big Pineapple in Bathurst, and Bungee Jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge.

Take the Road (Or Routes) Less Travelled

With a similar mind-set to creating a bucket list, exploring the various routes throughout Southern Africa is also a great way to keep your travelling-related New Year’s resolutions intact. Choosing a route to drive, instead of flying to a destination, could prove to be life-changing. Image Credit - Malcolm Manners

Along some of South Africa’s most famous routes such as the Garden Route, Route 62 and Namaqualand Flower Route, you find some hidden treasures that make South Africa stunningly unique. What’s more, the drive itself becomes part of the adventure – lending itself to bonding time with friends and family and appreciation of the country.

Don’t forget to check out Venues4Africa when you book accommodation for your travelling New Year’s resolutions!