Self Drive Kruger to Cape Town along the Garden Route

JOHANNESBURG TO CAPE TOWN COASTAL ROUTE

DAY 1: PILGRIMS REST

Drive to Pilgrims Rest from Johannesburg. On your way you can visit  Sabie with it’s beautiful scenic views. Sabie is a beautifully situated little town, and is one of the towns along the renowned Panorama Route. Sabie is located in a deep valley on the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountain range in the Mpumalanga (" place of the rising sun ") province of South Africa. There are many lovely views around Sabie, and spectacular waterfalls, such as the Sabi Falls, the Bridal Falls, Lone Creek Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

From there you will travel to the small historic town of Pilgrims Rest. Pilgrims Rest is also situated on the magnificent Panorama Route and in the area of Pilgrims Rest you find an abundance of natural, cultural and historic gems. Pilgrims Rest offers you a fascinating window into the past and captures the spirit of a bygone era and their people in the quest for gold. Overnight in Pilgrims Rest.

DAY 2: PILGRIMS REST

From Pilgrims Rest you can visit the beautiful waterfalls in the area as well as Burke’s Luck Potholes. A trip to Blyde River Canyons is a must and to truly capture the picturesque scenery of the Low Veld one should visit Gods Window.

Overnight in Pilgrims Rest

DAY 3: SKUKUZA

You enter one of the most popular tourist attractions, the Kruger National Park via Hazyview and your overnight is in its capital named Skukuza. The National Park was opened in 1898 at the instigation of then-president Paul Kruger. The park stretches from the Crocodile River in the south up to the Limpopo River, which is the international border in the north. Altogether it is 350 km long, 65 km wide and comprises an area of about 20,000 sq km. Overnight in Skukuza.

DAY 4: SKUKUZA

Today you have a full day for game viewing on your own pace. Overnight in Skukuza.

DAY 5: MALELANE

From Skukuza you travel more south of Kruger and stay at Malelane. On your way you try to spot as many animals as possible. Overnight in Malelane.

DAY 6: PIET RETIEF

You depart from the Kruger National park through Malelane Gate and drive through the historic town of Baberton on your way to Piet Retief. The town of Piet Retief, named after the Boer leader, was surveyed and established in 1883. Although almost completely destroyed in the South African (Anglo-Boer) War, Piet Retief is today the heart of an important timber producing area. visit the Oribi Conservatory, the only sanctuary in the country devoted to the protection of this graceful antelope. At the Piet Retief Game and Bird Sanctuary, visitors can see local fauna and flora as well as endemic aloe species. Overnight in Piet Retief we recommend Hanna's Guest House - +2717 821 0764 or www.hannas.co.za

DAY 7: ST.LUCIA

From Piet Retief you will head for St. Lucia. St. Lucia was formed about 60 to 100 million years ago when the Indian Ocean withdrew from the sandy coastal regions of Kwazulu Natal. The greater St.Lucia Wetlands is one of the world’s great eco-tourism destinations. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance has listed St.Lucia as having international conservation value. The region also satisfies the criteria for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage area. Overnight in St. Lucia.

DAY 8: ST.LUCIA

You have one more day to explore St.Lucia or enjoy one of the many activities. Overnight in St.Lucia.

DAY 9: UHMLANGA ROCKS

From St. Lucia you travel to the coast to Uhmlanga Rocks. If time you can still enjoy the golden beaches and warm waters. Overnight in Uhmlanga.

Day 10 : UHMLANGA ROCKS

In the morning you travel down to the city of Durban and enjoy a guided City Highlights Tour. A full day tour of the city of Durban, with the morning dedicated to showing you the cultural and historical contrasts of this city. You continue to Durban's newest attraction: uShaka Marine World, for lunch (not included). Afterwards enjoy a guided tour of this world class facility, which will comprise of a saltwater aquarium with both indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits of South Africa's unique Indian and Atlantic Ocean Marine life. Also included is a wonderful Dolphin, Seal and Penguin show. Your tour starts at 9am and you meet at the Edward Hotel at the beach front of Durban. Overnight in Uhmlanga.

DAY 10: COFFEE BAY

Today is a long drive towards Coffee Bay. Coffee Bay is located in an area called the Wild Coast. Coffee bay is located near the sea. They say that Coffee Bay's name camefrom a ship wrecked here in 1863 depositing its cargo of coffee beans on the beach. The Wildcoast is almost untouched paradise, an environmental haven with the feel of the “true” African coastline. Overnight in Coffee Bay

DAY 11: CINTSA

From Coffee Bay you travel through the Transkei to Cintsa, which will be the end of the Wildcoast (or the beginning if you come from the other side) At Cintsa you can still enjoy the dramatic coastline of the Wildcoast. Overnight in Cintsa.

DAY 12: JEFFREYS BAY

You have to leave early in the morning to get to Jeffreys Bay. Jeffreys Bay is a small coastal resort well known for it white sanded beaches and excellent surfing waves. It is called one of the top ten surf destinations in the world. Overnight in Jeffreys Bay.

DAY 13: JEFFREYS BAY

You have another day in Jeffreys Bay to relax a bit from the driving through the Wild Coast. You can enjoy the wonderful beach with its abundance of shells, you can browse through the souvenir and famous billabong shops or you can book one of the activities like sand boarding, surf lesson, horse riding etc. Overnight in Jeffreys Bay.

DAY 14: KNYSNA

In the morning you drive to Knysna. During your drive you can visit Tsitsikamma and the National Park,  Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, The Elephant Sanctuary and Plettenberg Bay on your way. Monkeyland is a sanctuary, where you will find all types of monkeys, who live in the forest. A guide will walk you through the forest, while telling you all about the monkeys you see. Birds of Eden is a subtropical bird park, where you walk through yourself. At the Elephant Sanctuary you can walk, touch and ride on an elephant. Plettenberg Bay is a wonderful sea side resort. Overnight in Knysna

DAY 15: KNYSNA

You have a day in Knysna to enjoy the town and its attractions. Knysna has several boat cruises to offer and an exciting amount of adventure activities. Also the town has been chosen Town of the Year several times. Overnight in Knysna

DAY 16: OUDTSHOORN

From Knysna you travel through the wonderful nature of Wilderness. You can have a break at Wilderness to enjoy the beach and little town. Continuing you travel to George and via the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. In Oudtshoorn you can visit the world famous Cango Caves, Ostrich Farms and the Cheetah Wildlife Ranch. Overnight in Oudtshoorn

DAY 17: HERMANUS

From Oudtshoorn you travel first a part of the R 62 until Barrydale, where you take the Tradouw pass towards Swellendam. You can visit Swellendam, the third town of South Africa on your way. You continue on the N2 until you get the turn off to the ocean to Hermanus. Hermanus is well known for its whale watching. The best time for Whale watching is from July till November. Overnight in Hermanus

DAY 18: STELLENBOSCH

From Hermanus you take the coast of flowers route to Stellenbosch. This is a beautiful scenic route. Stellenbosch is well known for its wine farms. Also the town has some interesting architecture called, Cape Dutch Style Houses. It is a beautiful town to visit with lots of historic interests. Overnight in Stellenbosch.

DAY 19: CAPE TOWN

We leave early morning to explore the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. On our way we visit Houtbay  and the penguins in Simonstown. At Cape of Good Hope we will visit the most south westerly point of South Africa. Overnight in Cape Town.

DAY 20: CAPE TOWN

Today you can explore all the famous attractions of Cape Town like Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, The company Gardens, Green Market Square, Kirstenbosch Garden and lots more. Overnight in Cape Town

DAY 21: AIRPORT

Today you bring your car back to the airport, where your trip ends.

http://www.enchantmenttours.com/kruger_garden_route.htm

Fishing for Yellows

I grew up on the farm Schaapkraal near the village of Commondale, in the Piet Retief district.  Commondale is very close to the Pongola River, which is not only the border between Mpumalanga Province and KwaZulu-Natal, but more importantly the home of the yellow fish.

My father started fishing this river as a young man together with my late uncle Bodo Filter.  Uncle Bodo lived in Commondale and worked at the Phantom fishing rod factory.  So not only was Commondale home to the best yellow fishing in the country it was also home to the best fishing rods.  Phantom closed many years ago and my dear god father went home to be our saviour many in 1999, but the yellows are still there.  Their biggest threat is polution, black bass and people like my friend Erlo Beneke.  Erlo is one of the most successfull fishermen in the district, who annually harvests the river and like my father Helmut Meier, does not know the meaning of catch and release.  Another son of the Pongola is Horst Filter.  Horst a well known environmental activist, but we know him as the protector of the yellow in the Pongola and its tributaries.  Horst is a legend in fly fishing circles and co-auther of The Colt Book on FlyFishing for Warm Water Species in Southern Africa (By Garth Brook and Horst Filter).  Rumours have it that Erlo once asked Horst to teach him how to catch yellows on a fly.  To which Horst replied: I first have to teach you to "catch and realease" becasue with your skill and persistance the yellows of the Pongola have now chance to survive.  So ... Erlo is still a pap gooier. As children we spend most Sundays fishing the Pongola with my uncles and my dad.  My grandfathers farm "Jachtdrift" is one of the legendary fishing spots in the districts.  Visit Feather and Fin B & B on the farm to experience it yourself.  It is a pity we never realy learned the art of fly fishing for yellows.   One year as a christmas or birthday gift, my mom, gave all of us a long weekend flyfishing with Horst.  We stayed at Wandersheim near Luneburg and had a wonderfull weekened with Horst fishing for yellows in the tributaries of the Pongola in the Luneburg highlands.

Pecan Nursery Piet Retief

PECAN PRO NURSERY

Pecan Pro Nursery is a wholesale pecan nursery, selling directly to the grower for over 15 years.
Owner Heiko Meier and his wife Agatha ensure that customers get the best quality and service.

Pawnee, Choctow, Ukulinga, Shoshoni and Western are our speciality. We also produce Cape Fear, Navaho, Elliott, Desirable and others to order.

We at Pecan Pro Nursery are known for our well developed root systems. Multiple tap roots with lots of feeder roots ensure a high percentage survival of tress with transplant.
We take orders now for collection in August.

Feel free to contact the owner Heiko Meier for any advice regarding cultivar selection, orchard layout or pecans in general.

Heiko Meier
Phone no: 017 821 0990
Fax no: 017 821 0998
Cell: 082 553 7831
Address: P.O. Box 22, Commondale 2385

Rates / Facilities

B & B Rates:

• R220 PPS
• R300 Single
• Children under 6 - free
• Children 12years + pay full rates
• Dinner on request = R75.00 PP
• Full English Breakfast or Health Breakfast

Facilities:

• 3 en-suite Bed Rooms
• exit into Garden
• DSTV
• Kitchenette & Fridge
• Communal Lounge with DSTV
• Communal Dining Room
• Laundry on request
• Secure parking
• regret no internet

Wir sprechen Deutsch

We speak english

Ons praat afrikaans

Black Bass Dam on Farm

Pool in Tropical Garden

Rooms

Hanna's Farm Guest House has three en-suite rooms

Facilities include:

• Kitchenette & Fridge
• DSTV
• Exit into Garden
• Secure Parking

Room 1

Room 2

Room 3

Map

View Larger Map

More about Piet Retief

Wheretoholiday: the small town of Piet Retief is situated on the Assegai River in the extreme South East of Mpumalanga. Weary travelers heading from Gauteng to the coast would be well-advised to rest in one of the many well-maintained guesthouses in the area. Piet Retief is the last major town before reaching the Elephant Coast, so it is also a good place to stock up on last minute items.

It is situated in the center of huge timber plantations and was originally established in 1883 on the farms Osloop and Geluk. The town gets its name from the voortrekker Piet Retief who was killed by the Zulu King Dingane in 1838, and whose descendants were the founders of the original village. Settlers of many nationalities, many of them Scots and Germans, found Piet Retief to be a charming village and an attractive farming area. The surrounding area abounded with indigenous hardwoods, including yellowwood and other valuable timbers, and these were initially cut up into planks and sent to the Transvaal Republic.

There was large scale planting of wattle between 1900 and 1910, and after the advent of the railways in 1911, forestry and woodworking soon became important industries in Piet Retief, and timber was transported from the area to the whole of South Africa and exported overseas. Piet Retief has developed into an important center for the timber industry with over 75000 ha of forest. Scottish and German influence can still be seen in the area, and German is still the first language of many families.

Emergency Contact No - Supaquick

Are you travelling to Sodwana for a weekend of scuba diving or fishing. One contact number that travellers to Piet Retief always seem to need is that of Supaquick. Contact Werner for repairs as well as for new tyres. If you need accommodation for the night please call Hannas 017 821 0764. www.hannas.co.za Piet Retief Supa Quick- Werner Peters
Contact us:	(017) 826-4892 / 083 779 9228
Visit us at:	36 Market Street Piet Retief Mpumalanga

Spur Steak Ranches Piet Retief

Piet Retief has its own Spur! If you are running late enjoy a scrumptious steak at Tuscarora Spur Phone: 017-8262903 Ermelo Road, N2, Piet Retief before heading further through town and further on the N2 to Hanna's Guest House. 

Contact Hanna on 017 821 0764. www.hannas.co.za. Many of the local farmers a descendants of 19th century German immigrants. This is probably why the Piet Retief Spur is one of the few Spurs Eisbein on its menu.