For 5 days, we enjoyed exploring South Africa’s Western Cape along the Garden Route.

Day 1

We took a a short boat ride to see a very large seal colony at Hout Bay.

Upon our return, the boat was greeted by a band that looked like they belonged in New Orleans along with a friendly seal.

Before sunset we made it to Africa’s Southernmost tip at Point Agulhas which is where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean & vice versa.

A funny sign in L’Agulhas.

Day 2

This was mostly a driving day from L’Agulhas to Knysna (pronounced Nice-nah). Knysna is nice-ah! Due to strong winds, our nature walk there was postponed until the next morning.

Day 3

In the morning we enjoyed a lovely nature walk at the Featherbed Nature Preserve.

With all the verdant scenery, it was hard to believe that most vegetation on this island was destroyed by a fire only 7 years ago.

At the beginning of our hike we were given slingshots to shoot seed pods down the hill to help replenish the native plants.

Due to the rocks, currents & tides, as well as not having modern navigation devices, the harbor entry was rated as the most difficult in the world to navigate.

After this lovely morning hike, we visited the Knysna Elephant Park that helps orphaned & injured elephants.

At the park , you are given a chance to feed & walk with the elephants.

We were lucky to have our picture taken with Sally. She is the 34 year old matriarch & the oldest elephant at the park. She now teaches the young elephants how to survive.

Day 4

Before starting this day, I had a lovely breakfast at the cute Roadside Cafe restaurant in Plettenberg Bay which has a plant nursery as well as a petting zoo.

I had a very filling breakfast to prepare me for the 7 mile hike around the Robberg Nature Reserve.

The views around the reserve were spectacular which included being able to see various seal colonies from high above on the cliffs.

After passing the half way mark on fairly easy trails, the path involved bouldering having to scramble over & climb many rocks for over a mile. Thankfully, we made it through that rough stretch without any turned ankles or falls.

An hour before sunset we made it to Jeffery’s Bay. This town was made famous in the 1960s documentary movie “Endless Summer” which is about surfers 🏄 who travel the world surfing at various beaches all year long.

Day 5

Our last Garden Route day involved watching a few surfers at the beach & visiting the Birds of Eden bird sanctuary.

From the first moment we entered the sanctuary, we saw birds up close. This large facility allowed us to observe many species for a few hours.

My husband has an unusual hobby. He likes to do bungee jumps around the world when possible. He has now bungy jumped in New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Greece, & now South Africa.

He jumped off the Boukrans Bridge which at 216 meters (709 feet) high is the highest bridge in Africa & the world’s 3rd highest bungy jump.

As we left the Garden Route, we drove off into a beautiful sunset heading for the Karoo region.