The Tsitsikamma National Park is situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist Region known as the Garden Route, found in the Southern Cape of South Africa. The Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning, “place of much water". due to the high rainfall experienced in this Area. This sustains the lush natural vegetation, which is the natural habitat to a variety of animal and bird life. The original Khoi San people traversed the Coastline in harmony with nature – only taking what they needed to live on from their environment. Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word, meaning “place of many waters” or “abundance of water” due to the high rainfall experienced in this Area. This sustains the lush natural vegetation, which is the natural habitat to a variety of animal and bird life. The original Khoi San people traversed the Coastline in harmony with nature – only taking what they needed to live on from their environment.

European settlement started as early as the 1400’s, when the Portuguese traders came in contact with the original inhabitants attempting to find a spice route to Asia. Over the next 200 years, increasing numbers of travellers from foreign lands arrived, until the first permanent settlement took place in 1652, when Jan van Riebeek arrived at the Cape.
The Tsitsikamma’s spectacular scenery includes the Indian Ocean breakers, pounding rocky shores beneath 180 m high cliffs, ever-green forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through rocky ravines.
All this conspires to attract large numbers of international and local tourist to the Park. Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This is one of the largest single unit ‘no take’ (including fishing) Marine Protected Areas in the world, conserving 11% of South Africa’s Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline and provides a 'laboratory' for fisheries baseline research on endangered fish species. In 1964 when it was proclaimed, it became the first Marine National Park to be proclaimed in Africa. Approximately 30% of the park is covered in fynbos, scattered amongst the forest vegetation, boasting a wide variety of beautiful flowers, including proteas and heath. Many species of forest, fynbos and sea birds are present. The Tsitsikamma area has a long history of Marine and Forest utilisation and most of the local communities relied mostly, in one form or another, on these two ecosystems for their survival. Cormorants, Kelp Gulls and African Black Oystercatchers are prominent along the coastline. Pied and Giant Kingfishers can both be seen hunting fish at tidal pools or in the rivers that drain into the Indian Ocean. More inconspicuous, but also inhabiting these rivers are Half-collared Kingfisher and African Fin foot. The Tsitsikamma Forest is the haunt of the Knysna Lourie. Other forest species to watch or listen for include Emerald Cuckoo, Narina Trogon, Knysna and Olive Woodpecker, Chorister Robin and Grey Cuckoo shrike.
Although Tsitsikamma boasts a magical world of inter-tidal life and reefs in its marine part, there is also the famous terrestrial part of the park with its lush forest, delicate fynbos and sheer cliffs. One of the most conspicuous trees is the Outeniqua yellow-wood, Podocarpus Falcata.
With the completion of the road more development came and small communities were established – leading to the current Village of Storms River. Thankfully the forests are currently protected by SANPARKS, which works hand in hand with the local community and other tourism establishments to protect and preserve this unique natural asset.

29 km from Oudtshoorn, at the head of the picturesque Cango Valley, lies the spectacular underground wonder of the Klein Karoo - the Cango Caves.

The limestone beds of the Cango Group are made through movement in the Earth's crust, no longer in a horizontal plane. The layers of strata are also displaced laterally, forming dykes. Rainwater, combined with acidic carbon dioxide from decomposing plant material on the surface, flows through a fracture zone. Limestone, i.e., Calcium Carbonate plus water and Carbon Dioxide = Calcium Bicarbonate - which dissolves in water, flows out. This process of `cave making' takes Millions of Years. Calcium Bicarbonate gives off Carbon Dioxide and reverts back to Calcium Carbonate, and the solution crystallizes and evolves into the various formations which can be seen in the Caves (Stalactites, etc.). The time in making the many formations depends on the supply of water and Carbon Dioxide, and in the case of the Cango Caves, may have started several Millions of Years ago, whilst many are still in the making.

The Cango Caves is one of the World's Great Natural Wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages - fascinating limestone formations in a wide variety of colours.  An "underground wonder World" -according to legend the Caves were discovered during 1780. Early visitors had to brave the pitch darkness of the vast caverns from the poor light of self made candles. Over the Years improvements took place and today modern technology makes it possible that all the wonders of the Caves to be skillfully illuminated.

Koelfontein has been the proud heritage of seven generations of the Conradie Family. Every person who has been fortunate enough to lay down roots on this farm is grateful for the life its soil has bestowed upon them and their families.
This is the legacy of Koelfontein farm, one which continues to sustain the lives of all who toil here in the Ceres valley to ultimately bring its bounty to other families far and wide.
Koelfontein is said to be a farm like no other. The Conradie family has farmed here for seven generations and their lives are deeply rooted in the soils of this land. It was the smallest of seven farms granted to pioneers who settled in the Ceres Valley around 1823. Daniël Jacobus Conradie bought the 2500 hectare farm in the warm Bokkeveld in 1832. The farm got its name from a natural spring found within its gates.
The main focus of this farm is the fruit and their orchards cover 185 hectares of the farm. Daniël built the first dwelling which is now known as Die Kelder and the wine tasting venue.
Wine grapes and brandy distilling are also a part of the farm and you can still find the brandy still on the grounds. Noble cultivars were first planted in the 1990’s, followed by Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties.
The Koelfontein wine label was launched in 2002 and since received many awards. The family tradition of distilling brandy is honoured to this day when witblits is distilled from Hanepoot wine made here.

The Garden Route begins about four hours outside Cape Town, and includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, the starting point of which is constantly contested as Towns such as: 'Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia'. They join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay culminating in the Tsitsikamma Forest - a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and bird life. The Garden Route provides a coastline of some 300 km between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, and is one of South Africa’s most popular holiday destinations. Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly 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, amber coloured 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 an unforgettable holiday experience when visiting the Garden Route in South Africa.

The region provides a stirring study in contrasts. The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile Area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn, "Capital of the Klein Karoo", is set in a semi-arid Valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale.

The Garden Route stretches on the Southern coast from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. "It’s a nook of the Country that offers inspiration to writers and artists, whose presence gives the Garden Route a trendy flavour."

It is also a top priority of many a foreign visitor. The coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible: scuba diving; abseiling; fishing and more.

The Tsitsikamma National Park, perched on a tumultuous Indian Ocean shore is one of South Africa’s most dramatic protected areas, combining marine and land attractions. Its indigenous forests are a haven for birdlife. One of the most geologically interesting parts of South Africa is the Klein Karoo, with its towering mountains and sheer gorges. An important geological feature is the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone, situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions. Oudtshoorn itself, the heart of the ostrich feather industry when it was in its heyday the late 1800s and early 1900s, is well worth a visit. The grandiose, old feather palaces are still to be seen, while ostrich farms, now involved in the commercial production of meat, leather, eggs and feathers, can be toured, with the possibility of riding an ostrich.

The hospitality sector is arguably the leading source of income for Plettenberg Bay, generating an average of R3.9 billion in earnings annually pre-COVID. Tourism contributes significantly to Plett’s annual GDP and it is the largest employer in the town. As a world-class destination, international and South African guests flock to Plett’s award-winning and internationally recognized beaches.

The South African domestic market (South African travelers) traditionally made up approximately 90% of the sector’s income during the months of October / November / December, and the majority of businesses in Plettenburg, have relied on that December trade to sustain them, as for many of these, that income contributes to an average of 50% of their annual profit. Times have changed, and we are now seeing an emerging new type of traveler with different needs, this is evident according to the results of the annual Plettenburg Bay's Summer Survey conducted by: the 'Plett Tourism Association'.  This was for the months of October, November and December 2022.

'Hogsback is a magical World of Mountains and Forests.' It is situated high up on the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and is surrounded by Centuries-old indigenous Afro-Montane Forests. "One's overwhelming sense of Hogsback is the quiet, broken only by the singing of birds or the primeval call of the Knysna Lourie - even the chatter of a troop of Samango Monkeys as they feed and play in the canopies of trees. And when you do hear a motor vehicle you wonder who is coming to visit."

Named after the three distant ridges of the Amathole range of mountains that resemble the back outlines of running wild pigs, the little Town of Hogsback has become an arts and crafts colony, a photographer’s preferred location, a nature lover’s haunt and a honeymoon couple’s top choice of romantic hideaways, in the Eastern Cape.

This Village, high up on the Amathole Mountains and surrounded by Centuries-old indigenous Afro-montane forests, "Which has a dramatic natural beauty!". Look towards the Mountains and Escarpment and you will see several Waterfalls. In the other direction you can see the Tyume Valley and beyond. Overlooking it all are the "three Hogs". From the top of Gaika's Kop (1700 m) you have a panoramic view: The Elandsberg Mountains, even the Coastline some 120 km away' as the crow flies. "You are likely to see a Long-Crested Eagle or Crowned Eagle riding the thermals, in search of its next meal. In the late afternoon you may be fortunate enough to hear - or even see - a few of the highly endangered Cape Parrots returning home after a long day out, feeding. They nest in the Yellowwood Trees, in the Indigenous Forest. In winter you may find even the lower-lying parts of the Village, covered by a blanket of snow.

A silent Winter wonderland that seems far removed from the hot days and noisy thunderstorms of Summer!" Here you will also find magnificent Gardens, with exotic plants from Australia, Europe, North America, the Himalayas, China and Japan. The Gardens of Hogsback are an attraction that brings several gardening tour groups from as far as Cape Town and Johannesburg every year. A range of excellent accommodation is provided by several Hotels, Bed-and-Breakfast establishments, Self-catering Cottages, and Backpackers and Camping facilities.

Hogsback is home to several accomplished artists, including painters, potters, poets, musicians, singers, and photographers. They, as well as many other active and retired professional and business people, live a rich personal and community life here. Hogsback has an active garden club and book clubs. A number of parents on Hogsback choose; homeschool their children. Hogsback also offers so much to those who want to break away from the rush of City life - walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching, and mountain climbing. Or you can simply relax, enjoy an aromatherapy massage, head and shoulders massage, reflexology, or just enjoy reading a book. "Maybe in your retirement Years?"

The 30 000 hectare Groendal Wilderness Area protects the water catchment area of the Swartkops River (KwaZungha River), with the Groendal Dam in its centre. It lies about 10 km from Uitenhage, which is about 30 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth (37 km) on the R367.
Paintings and artefacts that you may stumble across in the series of caves in the wilderness area are protected by law. Lying within the Groot Winterhoek Mountain range, this wilderness area has rugged terrain incised by numerous streams and ravines. The vegetation is predominantly fynbos with a great diversity of individual species. Isolated pockets of indigenous forest occur in the ravines, and there are also elements of thorny, semi-succulent Valley Bushveld scrub.
There is not a wide range of mammal species within Groendal, but hikers may see baboon, common duiker, Cape Grysbok, bushbuck, grey rhebok and mountain reedbuck. Birdlife within the Groendal Wilderness Area is fairly diverse, with approximately 180 species having been recorded.
The beautiful Groendal Wilderness Area is the only established wilderness area in the Eastern Cape roughly 10 km from Uitenhage, renowned for its remoteness and myriad hiking trails.