3–4 days on the eastern Garden Route: a slow itinerary from The Crags
Most people treat the stretch between Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma as something to drive through on the N2. That’s a shame. The Crags, about 18 km east of Plett, is one of the best bases on the whole Garden Route: indigenous forest all around, the Tsitsikamma Mountains on the skyline, and Plett’s beaches, the Keurbooms River, Nature’s Valley and Tsitsikamma all within easy day-trip range. Here’s how we’d spend three or four unhurried days.
Day 1: Wildlife sanctuaries and a long wine lunch in The Crags
- Morning: Monkeyland (primate sanctuary) and Birds of Eden sit side by side in The Crags. Do both if you have children. Jukani (wildlife sanctuary) and Tenikwa (wild cat sanctuary) are close by too.
- Lunch: The Crags has become a proper little wine area. Kay & Monty and Bramon both serve tapas-style lunches with tastings, and Newstead (near Plett) does the same. Plettenvale and Packwood are good for tastings.
- Evening: Back to the lodge for sundowners at the Boma, then dinner.
Day 2: Plettenberg Bay and the water
- Morning: A marine trip out of Plett. Ocean Safaris and Ocean Blue run whale and dolphin watching, and Offshore Adventures offers swimming with seals. If you’d rather stay on land, hike Robberg Nature Reserve on the far side of Plett.
- Lunch: The Lookout Deck or The Fat Fish in Plett, or Ristorante Enrico.
- Afternoon: A slow afternoon on the Keurbooms River (see Day 4), or a kayak or lilo trip with Untouched Adventures.
Day 3: Tsitsikamma for the adrenaline (or not)
- Bloukrans Bridge: the bungee jump (216 m) with Face Adrenalin is just east on the N2. Watching is free, and almost as nerve-wracking.
- Treetops: Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours runs guided ziplining through the forest, and kloofing with Africanyon is the wetter option.
- Storms River Mouth: the suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park is worth the drive.
- On the way back: drop down to Nature’s Valley for the beach where the river meets the sea.
Day 4 (optional): the Keurbooms River, properly
If you only do one thing, make it a guided boat trip on the Keurbooms River. The river and its estuary near Plett hold over 300 recorded bird species, from the Knysna turaco and African fish eagle to the giant kingfisher, Narina trogon and African finfoot. The estuary is also a nursery for endangered common eagle rays, and in summer smooth hound sharks gather in the channels. Cape clawless otters, vervet monkeys and bushbuck appear along the forested banks, under old Outeniqua yellowwoods.
Our own small-boat cruise is guided by Matt Fermor, who grew up here at Hog Hollow and holds an Honours degree in Conservation and Ecology from Stellenbosch University. It lasts about two hours (longer if the sightings are good), costs R1 000 per person including snacks and drinks, and takes a maximum of eight guests, with no age limit. Book by emailing [email protected] before you arrive, or ask at reception or any of the team during your stay. More on our River Cruises page.
Travelling with children?
- Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani and Radical Raptors (birds of prey)
- Plett Puzzle Park (a 3D maze) and the Adventure Land water park
- Tsitsikamma Segway Tours, surf lessons with Jamin Adventures, and kayak or lilo trips with Untouched Adventures
- The beaches around Plett, and Nature’s Valley
Practical tips
- You need a car. We don’t offer transfers, and taxis have to come out from Plettenberg Bay, so book them in advance.
- Plan your evenings. Restaurants are spread out, so most guests dine at the lodge. Dinner is a three-course meal and usually starts between 7pm and 7.30pm.
- Load-shedding. Our generator keeps the main lodge and the suites running.
- Mobility. The lodge sits on the edge of a gorge, with steps and slopes, so it isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.
Why base yourself at Hog Hollow
Hog Hollow Country Lodge has sat in a private nature reserve on the edge of the Matjies River Gorge since 1993. Our 16 suites are split between Forest Suites, on one level with wood fires and private decks, and two-level Duplex Suites for families. A full farmhouse breakfast is included, and evenings start with sundowners at the Boma before dinner at our communal table, or a table of your own.