South Africa Blog

Knysna, February 25, 2010 – The popular Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival will take place as usual this July (2-11), despite the 2010 World Cup. That’s the message from the festival team which is already working to put together a bumper programme for visitors to the 10-day event.

“It’s business as usual for the Oyster Festival”, says festival manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt, “and we’re ready to show South Africans that Knysna is the perfect place to be during the long holidays that schools will enjoy this year. “Our sponsors are on board and we’ve already had our first Joint Operations Committee meeting. We have no doubt that this year’s festival is going to be a great one.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna was very excited to be hosting both the French and Danish football teams during the World Cup, the final games of which will overlap with the festival. “We are planning to add some French and Danish cultural events to the festival programme. However, from the end of June the final World Cup games will be played in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and if the French and Danes qualify, that’s where they’ll have to be. So the Oyster Festival will be a great opportunity to escape from the soccer madness to Knysna.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna Tourism has been working with its members to ensure that there will be accommodation available at reasonable rates over the period of the Oyster Festival. “Most establishments have undertaken not to hike rates over this period”.

The festival has grown considerably in the last few years, specifically since 2004 when Pick n Pay signed a five-year partnership agreement with Knysna Tourism, which is the custodian of the festival. This agreement was renewed in 2009 for a further five years until 2013.

Today the festival programme has over 100 events and attracts more than 13,000 cyclists and runners who participate in the two main sporting events, the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Marathon and Half Marathon. Last year the festival raised a record R1, 189,957 for local charities.

To find a place to stay visit Knysna accommodation and for more information about the festival visit www.oysterfestival.co.za.

Seen on the SA-Venues.com Travel News Blog: WIN a 3 night stay at the biggest game reserve in the Southern Cape – Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve – and discover an “Out of Africa” experience just a few minutes drive from the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay on the Cape’s magnificent Garden Route.

The prize includes:
3 consecutive nights accommodation for 2 people sharing at the exclusive Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge
breakfast and dinner daily
a game drive OR (for an “up close and personal” experience) a horse safari each day

Plettenberg Bay Private Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 4 (rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). The reserve is situated on over 2,000 hectares of indigenous beauty and is malaria free. There are over 150 different species of game and birdlife. Join us on a horseback safari to interact closely with the wildlife, or simply relax and enjoy a 2 hour game drive in an open landrover with our experienced and well-informed guides and see our large variety of wildlife up close. Then retreat to the 10-suite Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge – reminiscent of the romantic colonial era of an “age gone by” – where you can relax and unwind, enjoying true African hospitality.

While antelope and Zebra roam carefree around the lodge, guests are often distracted by the rolling views which capture their eyes, drawing them down across the rolling lawns towards the indigenous forests. Then up over the tree tops of Giant Yellowwoods, to the craggy foothills of the region, and up into the magestic Tsitsikamma mountains in the distance beyond. It’s no wonder guests are reluctant to leave!

See full details about this competition and to enter click here.

Are you looking for a fun way to kick off the new year? Then head into Still Bay from 1-4 January for some fun filled days.

This is hot, action packed holiday festival with activities for everyone. Take part in some beach soccer, flag sprinting, fun rances, a lagoon race, beach volley ball or the beach style Iron Man competition. There will also be a Miss Bikini contest as well as childrens competitions, promotions, dancers and a Samba beach bar.

More Information: Telephone Werner Rall on +27 (0)44 874-2015
When: Friday, 01 January 2010 to Monday, 04 January 2010
Accommodation: Still Bay Accommodation

Come along and be a part of the 21st edition of this jam packed, hot and action filled adventure in George this Summer. Some of the fun sporting activities that everyone can be a part of are beach soccer, touch rugby, surfing and flag sprinting. There will also be children’s competitions, promotions and dancers as well as an after party. And if you are feeling bikini confident why not take part in their Miss Bikini pagent?

Venue: George’s Main Beach
When: Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Contact: Terra Firma Events on +27 (0)44 874-2015 for more information
Accommodation: George Accommodation, Herolds Bay Accommodation

The 2009 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival programme has been finalised and this year there are a record number of events spanning the 10 days of the festival. Touted as The Best 10 Days of Your Winter, the festival is being promoted by organisers as 10 days of fun and activities for the whole family.

Says Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau: “The Oyster Festival was historically focussed around the two weekends which featured the two major sporting events, the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon. However, the aim has always been to give the festival a full programme of mid-week events and I’m pleased to say that this year we have really achieved this goal with nearly 100 mid-week events including four exciting new ones.”

The new events are the Geo Oyster Geocaching Competition, the Pick n Pay Fun Event for the Disabled presented by DCAS, the Navigation Drift Dive Challenge and the Night of 1000 Pictures. The Geo Oyster Geocaching Competition is a daily event which offers a fun way to navigate around the greater Knysna Basin. The event will take competitors to a combination of nature, sports and festival destinations to find clues that will unlock the finish location.

The Pick n Pay Fun Event for the Disabled, the first ever Oyster Festival sports event for disabled competitors, will see wheelchair athletes and able bodied assistants race in events of between 3 km and 5 km. In the Navigation Drift Dive Challenge teams of scuba divers will attempt to navigate their way under water from The Heads to Thesen’s Jetty without surfacing.

The Night of 1000 Pictures is a two-night exhibition of photography, illustrations and paintings to raise funds for Knysna Hospice. Local artists have been asked to donate art works which will be sold to the public at R100 each.

There will also be a full programme of mid-week events at the Knysna Secondary School which is hosting a programme of feast and celebration with the Proudly Knysna Secondary School Campaign. The Oyster Carnival at the Knysna High School Fields is a perennial favourite with its fun fair and dog agility competition, while this year’s Pick n Pay Young Oyster Festival programme at Loerie Park will keep kids occupied in a safe and healthy environment for hours.

Other mid-week festival favourites include the Wade Bales Wine Festival, the Pick n Pay Oyster & Wine Mardi Gras presented by Tabasco, The Knysna Oyster Company Shucking Competition in partnership with Tabasco, the Longbarn Oyster Eating Competition and the Admiral’s Masquerade Ball presented by Zanzibar.

Mid-week sporting events include the Scottish Leader Whisky Bowls Tournament, the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run, Duesouth XTERRA, the Golf Digest Bell’s Knysna Classic and the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays Waitron Race. The SA Navy also makes its grand entry through The Heads midweek in a spectacle worth watching.

And if you’re just coming for the oysters, you’ll find 30 local Tabasco Hotspots where oysters will be served naked, cooked or garnished at very pleasing prices throughout the 10 days of the festival!

Says Rousseau: “We’d like to encourage festinos to extend their stay in Knysna to enjoy the full 10 days of the programme which is guaranteed to have something that will appeal to everyone. Make this the best 10 days of your winter!”

Related Pages & Useful Info:
Knysna Accommodation
Knysna Attractions
Visit the Garden Route

By: Helen Palmer, editor of www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com

The Garden Route stretches from Port Elizabeth in the north down to Cape Town in the south.  In some ways it seems hard to recognise the word “Garden” when applied to the section of coastline which takes in some 800+ kms of fynbos, mountainous hillsides, interspersed with long, sweeping expanses of fine sandy beach, as well as smaller inlets and coves.  I think that in the words “Garden” we are looking for a plethora of flowers, manicured lawns and cultivated correctness.  There is no doubt that you will find all this, but to me, it is the “other” things that make this such a spectacular piece of coastline. 

Each kilometre covered throws up something different, such as the surfing in Jeffrey’s Bay, where you’ll be able to catch the famous Supertubes once described as “the most perfect wave in the world”; the magnificence of Tsitsikamma National Park where acclaimed hikes such as the Otter Trail hug the coastline from Storm’s River Mouth to Nature’s Valley or the radio-active hot springs in Montagu, where swimming in the renowned healing properties of the 43 degree water is guaranteed to relax the most exhausted of bodies.

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On entering the town of Oudtshoorn we were welcomed by hundreds of ostrich farms as far as the eye can see. In fact, Oudtshoorn boasts over 400 Ostrich farms. The area is dry but possesses a certain inviting atmosphere. Oudtshoorn is enchanting with lots of old Victorian homes, gorgeous gables and antique stores. Oudtshoorn certainly took us back in time where ox wagons were the means of transport and the women wore rather warm dresses. Here in Oudtshoorn you will get the sense that this is a community where everyone knows everybody else’s business. A small town like this is all about friendship, family and living together as one big community.

Photographs: Right: Inside the Cango Caves
Left: Ostrich Mom and chicks. (See more Ostrich photographs and info at: http://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/birds_ostrich.htm

The climate in this Region is incredibly warm and dry. Even so, Oudtshoorn surprisingly boasts a few fantastic wine farms including Boplaas. When we arrived at these wine farms, we were welcomed with dried and sweetened fruit pieces which are very popular in this area. The people here are always very hospitable.

We explored The Cango Caves, Crocodile farm, Ostrich farm and the Cango Wildlife Reserve. The Cango Caves is truly a marvel! It lies in the Swartberg Mountain range, which is a Heritage Site. The Cango Caves are situated in a lime stone belt measuring 1.5km in width and almost 16km in length. The Cango Caves were originally inhabited by the Khoisan peoples thousands of years ago. It is a truly mystical place. Only the main section is open to the public in order to preserve the majestic formations.

The limestone formations are fascinating! There are certain parts where we had to get on all fours or even crawl around on our stomachs in order to see all the viewable areas in the cave. It is definitely an exciting experience!

The Crocodile Farm forms part of the Cango Wildlife Reserve. The entrance is a giant Croc’s mouth wide open making you feel as if you are entering its belly instead of the actual farm! The croc’s here are enormous and rather scary. To get really close and personal, one can now go Croc Cage diving! After we visited all the lazy crocodiles, we were lead to the wildlife reserve where we got to admire cheetahs, lions and tigers.

There are a few Ostrich farms that host shows and boast a few curios shops. We decided to take a visit and ended up purchasing large ostrich eggs and jewellery. After viewing a few of these amusing creatures, we watched the ostrich show. Here, a few people from the audience are invited to race on an ostrich against others. This is when our trip became the most amusing! One poor gentleman was completely thrown off and landed on his back. The other gentleman’s ostrich decided to stop during the race, excrete a few things and then carry on. The problem was, when the ostrich decided to suddenly stop, this gentleman was flown right off. Although we were amused, he most certainly was not!

Our trip to Oudtshoorn was definitely a memorable one. Outshoorn may be small and quaint, but it is certainly a worthwhile destination.

Related Links:
Oudtshoorn Accommodation
Oudtshoorn Hotels
Karoo Accommodation

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Plettenberg Bay may be a small town, but there are so many exciting things to do there. I had never really spent much time in Plettenberg Bay. This time round, I decided to stay a while …

Plettenberg Bay is absolutely exquisite and lush boasting large lagoons and a stunning coastline. I decided to surprise my husband with a weekend away so we stayed in a gorgeous place known as Bitou River Lodge. All the rooms in this luxury Bed & Breakfast overlook the Bitou River, and canoes are provided for guests to explore the wetland area with its wonderful birdlife. After we arrived we decided to get a few more snacks and go for dinner at a place that I went to when I was a child. Plettenberg Bay is a small town so we did not expect to find a shopping mall. However, we came across 2 large shopping malls both boasting all amenities and fantastic restaurants.

We headed off for dinner to Moby Dick’s situated right on the beautiful beach. This place definitely boasts the best seafood! As my husband and I feasted on a delectable platter of prawns, muscles, fish and calamari, we were so surprised at how many whales and dolphins we could watch that were close to the shoreline. It was incredible! That is when we decided to go whale and dolphin watching the next day. I had always wanted to go whale watching so I was utterly thrilled at the idea!

The Southern Right Whales migrate their way to the magnificent South African coastline every year to mate, calve and feast. Most can be seen along the Western Cape and especially in Plettenberg Bay. The best time to go whale watching is between July and October.

As we clothed ourselves with scarves and bini’s, my husband realised that he gets very seasick. But we could not resist going! We jumped on the boat with 3 other couples and our guide, named Lindsay, informed us of what was in store. As the boat sped its way into the waves, we prepared for the splash! The sea was rather angry that day. Whenever the boat stopped, it would give way to the giant swells causing it to go up and down. I was the only one, of course, thoroughly enjoying myself and practically hanging off the edge of the boat whilst everyone else was clinging to their seat for dear lives! When I turned around, I could see my husband’s face go green. Until, we saw them. 2 whales up close and personal in all their glory! What an awesome sight! It is almost as if the world stops as you admire these endearing creatures. They even breached for us making a rather large splash! I had never thought I would ever see a whale do that. It is a spectacular sight that you mostly witness on postcards. This time, I got to see it for myself. We had the fantastic opportunity to witness at least 6 whales that day.

Dinner and breakfast was spent at a restaurant in the Beacon Isle Hotel situated right on the rocks in the sea. As we feasted on our delectable steak that evening and stuffed ourselves the next morning on the buffet breakfast, we could watch the wave’s crash on the rocks and splash up against the windows! What a perfect way to enjoy our meals.

Plettenberg Bay boasts a large number of superb curio shops where a vast array of interesting and beautiful things can be bought. We made our way to “The Heath’ as we do every year. The Heath has a fantastic restaurant, a completely unique furniture shop and superb curio shop where luxurious handmade loofah soaps can be bought. The next stop was ‘The Potter’ where the most beautiful pottery can be bought.

Our weekend getaway was spectacular! I was so glad that I chose Plettenberg Bay to surprise my husband and simply relax and unwind. On the way back, we stopped at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. That became another adventure all on its own, I’ll tell you about that next time!

Related Links:
Find Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay Map
More info about Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay may be a small town, but there are so many exciting things to do there. I had never really spent much time in Plettenberg Bay. This time around, I decided to stay a while …

Plettenberg Bay is absolutely exquisite and lush boasting large lagoons and a stunning coastline. I decided to surprise my husband with a weekend away so we stayed in a gorgeous place known as Bitou River Lodge. All the rooms in this luxury Bed & Breakfast overlook the Bitou River, and canoes are provided for guests to explore the wetland area with its wonderful birdlife.

After we arrived we decided to get a few more snacks and go for dinner at a place that I went to when I was a child. Plettenberg Bay is a small town so we did not expect to find a shopping mall. However, we came across 2 large shopping malls both boasting all amenities and fantastic restaurants.

We headed off for dinner to Moby Dick’s situated right on the beautiful beach. This place definitely boasts the best seafood! As my husband and I feasted on a delectable platter of prawns, muscles, fish and calamari, we were so surprised at how many whales and dolphins we could watch that were close to the shoreline. It was incredible! That is when we decided to go whale and dolphin watching the next day. I had always wanted to go whale watching so I was utterly thrilled at the idea!

The Southern Right Whales migrate their way to the magnificent South African coastline every year to mate, calve and feast. Most can be seen along the Western Cape and especially in Plettenberg Bay. The best time to go whale watching is between July and October.

As we clothed ourselves with scarves and bini’s, my husband realised that he gets very seasick. But we could not resist going! We jumped on the boat with 3 other couples and our guide, named Lindsay, informed us of what was in store. As the boat sped its way into the waves, we prepared for the splash! The sea was rather angry that day. Whenever the boat stopped, it would give way to the giant swells causing it to go up and down. I was the only one, of course, thoroughly enjoying myself and practically hanging off the edge of the boat whilst everyone else was clinging to their seat for dear lives! When I turned around, I could see my husband’s face go green. Until, we saw them. 2 whales up close and personal in all their glory! What an awesome sight! It is almost as if the world stops as you admire these endearing creatures. They even breached for us making a rather large splash! I had never thought I would ever see a whale do that. It is a spectacular sight that you mostly witness on postcards. This time, I got to see it for myself. We had the fantastic opportunity to witness at least 6 whales that day.

Dinner and breakfast was spent at a restaurant in the Beacon Isle Hotel situated right on the rocks in the sea. As we feasted on our delectable steak that evening and stuffed ourselves the next morning on the buffet breakfast, we could watch the wave’s crash on the rocks and splash up against the windows! What a perfect way to enjoy our meals.

Plettenberg Bay boasts a large number of superb curio shops where a vast array of interesting and beautiful things can be bought. We made our way to “The Heath” as we do every year. The Heath has a fantastic restaurant, a completely unique furniture shop and superb curio shop where luxurious handmade loofah soaps can be bought. The next stop was “The Potter” where the most beautiful pottery can be bought.

Our weekend getaway was spectacular! I was so glad that I chose Plettenberg Bay to surprise my husband and simply relax and unwind. On the way back, we stopped at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. That became another adventure all on its own, I’ll tell you about that next time!

Related Links:
Find Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay Map
More info about Plettenberg Bay

The Garden Route is a coastal corridor on the eastern coast of South Africa, where ancient forests, rivers, wetlands, dunes, stretches of beach, lakes, mountain scenery and indigenous fynbos all merge to form a landscape of restorative beauty. This is a strip of land like no other in the world in terms of beauty, natural attractions and unique flora and fauna – hence its name. Three of the country’ s top hikes take place here. The ” Otter Trail”  and the Tsitsikama and Dolphin trails and man’s footprint has made little impact on the rugged and sometimes inaccessible coastline.

The Garden Route is a paradise for eco-lovers, bird watchers and solitude seekers and one of the most beautiful parts of the Cape. It lies sandwiched between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean and is on every tourist’s itinerary. The route is a popular holiday destination during summer and a tranquil hideaway during the winter months – both seasons are equally beautiful and attractive due to the largely Mediterranean climate.

Peppered along the coastline are a number of coastal villages and seaside resorts set on beautiful beaches and craggy bays. Staying at any of these affords one the time to drive, walk or hike through the Garden Route at one’s own pace, drinking in over 200 km of one of the finest parts of the country.

Garden Route Links:
The Garden Route
Garden Route Attractions & Destinations
Garden Route Hotels
Garden Route Accommodation
Garden Route Guest Houses
Game and Nature Reserves

Scattered along the Garden Route, fashionable seaside resorts abound, attracting jet-setters from around the globe. Tiny coastal villages appeal especially to outdoor people who enjoy an unstructured holiday agenda. Mountains crowd close to the shoreline which is dotted with beaches and bays, and wonderfully coloured wild flowers delight the eye.

Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee a truly unforgettable holiday experience …

Useful Links for exploring the Garden Route of South Africa:
» Explore the Garden Route, South Africa
» Destinations and Attractions
» Garden Route Accommodation (includes the popular towns of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness and George)
» Hotels in the Garden Route Hotels
» Garden Route Day Trips and Tours
» Romantic Honeymoon Venues
» Golfing along the Garden Route
» Accommodation by Special Category (eg. Health resorts, pet friendly lodgings, Game Lodges etc.
» Special discounted offers

Bon Voyage – Happy Travelling!

Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg mountain Range, the Garden Route Game Lodge guards the entrance to the Garden Route Coast. Only 3 ½ hours drive from Cape Town, this malaria free, private game reserve is home to an abundance of animal and bird life including the BIG 5. (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino).

Visitors to the Garden Route Game Lodge can enjoy game viewing in open Landrovers, luxury accommodation and a memorable dining experience in our Boma restaurant. Our friendly staff and management are there to take care of your every need to complete your unforgettable stay.

Wildlife News: Buffalo released at Garden Route Game Lodge: On the 15 May, in the early hours of the morning, 3 new buffalo arrived at the Garden Route Game Lodge. The buffalo, (2 cows and a bull) originally came from a game reserve in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. The buffalo were initially released into boma to allow for them to adjust to their new environment under the watchful eye of the resident wildlife veterinarian and excited field rangers. After 2 weeks the gate to the boma was opened and the buffs were released into their new home.