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Garden Route Trip (3/7): Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

  • by benjo,
  • 30 May 2011
  • Posted in Traveling Garden Route

The 3rd day of our Garden Route trip started with a self made breakfast. After leaving the hostel we drove to Checkers to buy everything for a balanced meal – fruit salad, sandwiches, muffins and drinks. We decided to go to the Knysna Heads afterwards – the narrow entry into the Knysna Lagoon. There we relaxed, watched the rough sea and enjoyed the first sun beams of the day. Unfortunately the weather didn’t remain like that. Suddenly it became quite cloudy and misty.

Very First Safari Experience

 Hippo

On our schedule for this day was Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. It was to be our very first safari experience. We arrived without a booking, but it was no issue to book for the following game drive at 12:30. The weather was already bad at that time. It was cold and windy on the jeep. We had always imagined a safari meant sun, sweating and light clothes. Instead we were sitting with blankets in the 4wd vehicle to make us feel comfortable as much as possible.

During the game drive we spotted several animals: wildebeests, ostriches, springboks, rare black impalas, giraffes, hippos and many more. The highlight of the tour was observing the two lions. They have got one male and one female lion separated from the other animals in this private game reserve. Hence, it was not difficult to spot them in their own territory. Actually they were already laying at the entrance. It looked like they were prepared for the next tourist photo shoot.

Pity, but we didn’t view rhinoceros and buffalo which were also roaming through the area due to the bad weather.

Amazing Encounter

After the game drive we got warm again around the fire and drove on to Plettenberg Bay for lunch. We found a nice restaurant directly at the beautiful beach. Foolishly the waiter was unfriendly and arrogant. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the lunch and had another amazing encounter. A restaurant’s employee suddenly asked for attention. She had observed whales in the ocean. And she was right. Behind the surfers close to the beach probably 2 whales (she said Orcas) were splashing fountains and moving up and down in the water. We would have killed for binoculars at that moment. However, this was magical despite the distance.

Sleeping in Tsitsikamma National Park

This day ended in Stormsriver belonging to Tsitsikamma National Park. We slept in a nice Backpackers – Tsitsikamma Backpackers – and had a nice and clean room with shared shower and toilet. This hostel was fully booked for the next night, so we had to change accommodation for the second night we wanted to spend in Stormsriver as well.

Further Things to Do

Further things to do in Plettenberg Bay are:

  • Horseback safari in Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
  • Close encounter whale watching cruise
  • Hiking in the Robberg Nature Reserve
  • Visit Birds of Eden

 

If you have already been to Plettenberg Bay or done a safari trip share your experiences with me in the comment section.




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