The winter months along the Garden Route – and in Plettenberg Bay in particular – are generally temperate and windless, and this means when its not too chilly you can enjoy it’s beaches and wild areas right through the colder months, along with a plethora of wining and dining experiences.
Here are 10 things to enjoy this winter.
Spectacular hiking trails
Outdoor lovers are spoilt for choice on The Garden Route. There are walks, trails and hikes aplenty along the coast, through indigenous forest, and along rugged escarpment. Some of the most popular hiking routes are: the Giant Kingfisher Trail in Wilderness, the Woodcutters Trails in Knysna, and the Robberg Nature Reserve trails in Plettenberg Bay.
Eat oysters
Winter is the best time to eat oysters – and the Garden Route is full of places to enjoy them. Plus, the Knysna Oyster Festival takes place in the heart of winter. Over a 10-day period enjoy oyster eating, sporting events, wine tasting events, boat cruises and so much more. The 2021 festival takes places between 9 and 18 July.
Plett Arts Festival
Plett ARTS Festival this year puts Plett attractions, restaurants and secret gardens centre stage. Performances and exhibitions of all manner take place in unexpected places. Opportunities to explore and adventure in the wild and at the same time in the arts is an exhilarating experimental aspect of the festival. The festival takes places between 10 to 20 July 2021.
Fore!
The Garden Route was named the 2014 Golf Destination of the Year for Africa and the Gulf States. Practice your swing at a number of beautiful golf courses in stunning natural scenery.
Gastronomy on the Garden Route
…and while we’re at it. Here are a few more delicious experiences to be had. The Plettenberg is located in the heart of the Garden Route: an area famed for farm-fresh produce, oysters and seafood, one of the best bakeries in the country.
Adrenalin will keep you warm
The Bloukrans bungee jump is the world’s highest commercial bridge jump (216m) and is set amid the beauty of the Tsitsikamma Forest.
Take to the trees
Revel in the beauty of the forest with a Tsitsikamma canopy tour, where participants follow a course 30 metres above the forest floor.
Whale of a time
Whales are present in our bay is from mid May to February with the southern right whales arriving from June and staying to November, the migratory humpback whales arrive with their calves early November and stay until the end of February and we see them again during May and June.
The Plettenberg Bay Wine Region
One of the youngest wine regions in South Africa, there are now 18 producers in the area. It was awarded Wine of Origin status in 2005 and the region is making a name for itself for the production of Méthode Cap Classique (MCC). It’s also one of the most scenic routes: think vines shadowed by the Tsitsikamma Mountains, grapes growing on the edge of thick forests, or estate’s overlooking blue ocean vistas…
Wildlife sanctuaries
Enjoy animal encounters for a good cause by supporting Plettenberg Bay’s wildlife sanctuaries. Birds of Eden is the largest single span free-flight aviary in the world; Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is the world’s first free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary, which covers an area of 12 hectares of indigenous forest; and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rescued predators and other wildlife.
