Archived destinations
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South Africa’s Garden Route
27 January – 11 February 2012
The Garden Route
Indigenous forests, a rugged coastline, wetlands, mountains, rivers and hidden coves hint at the range of wildlife to be enjoyed on the Garden Route.
The Garden of Eden nature reserve has mighty Outeniqua yellowwood trees, as well as many other types of indigenous trees and plants. As well as forest birds, reptiles include the endemic Knysna dwarf chameleon, boomslang (tree snake) and puff adder.
The beautiful coastline of the Robberg Peninsula is a red sandstone promontory, its rugged coastline and high cliffs is a favourite venue for naturalists. Southern right whales, dolphins, Cape fur seals and seabirds are seen from the cliff tops,while in amongst the coastal fynbos there are small antelopes like the common duiker or grysbok. Archaeological digs are revealing some interesting facts about the early inhabitants (700BC) of the peninsula.
On a leisurely boat trip up the Keurbooms River we look out for kingfishers, fish eagles and riverine birds, while the boat takes us into the forest. In the Tsitsikamma National Park, the Knysna turaco, Cape batis and chorister robin are three of many forest birds to look out for.
The beach at Nature’s Valley is one of the most beautiful in South Africa. Occasionally we see Cape clawless otters here.
An early start for a day trip to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. The Swartberg Pass will take us through some craggy mountain scenery covered in ‘montain fynbos’. Up at this high altitude there are many of the protea family that survive the snow in winter and heat in summer. This mountain range of beautiful vistas and twisted strata separates the Great Karoo from the Little Karoo. Cape rock-jumper, Victorin’s warbler, Cape siskin and protea seed-eater are a few of the specials to look out for.
The Millwood Forest settlement was once a large gold mining town, but is now fast disappearing into the forest. Old rusting machinery and ruins show what the settlement once was. This area is an excellent area for birdwatching, with blue-mantled crested flycatcher, lesser honeyguide and terrestrial brownbul on our ‘to see’ list.
The Diepwalle Forest has the last few remaining forest elephants, though the chance of seeing one of these great animals is slim. Birds include narina trogon, African emerald cuckoo, green wood hoopoe and Knysna woodpecker. Above the forest towards the Spitskop Peak we will be out of the forest and into fynbos, a chance to do some botanising.
In Knysna Lagoon National Park the lagoon flows in to the Indian Ocean. Tidal mudflats attract many migrating birds. At the Featherbed nature reserve, only accessible by boat, we take a coastal walk exploring caves and looking out for the rare blue duiker.
At the Tsitsikamma National Park the indigenous forest and the Indian ocean meet. The national park has more than 220 bird species and regular sightings of common dolphins and southern right whales are made from the shore.
