Blogs from Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

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Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna July 25th 2023

Dear All I continue to drive along South Africa's Garden Route, the first leg of my epic Cape Town to Johannesburg adventure, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. I hit the road again the day after my whale watching trip in Hermanus, and had very much another driving day - I think there will be plenty more of these to come as South Africa is such a huge country, and my trip is not a simple down-the-road one. Fortunately I brought a good mix of songs on my MP3 player which I could listen to along the way - lots of classic US "Road Trip Anthems"! After bidding farewell to my cute and cosy cottage in Hermanus, I drove two hours firstly southeastwards to Cape Agulhas, learning quite quickly not to religiously follow my "Here We ... read more
Pontoon Bridge
Knysna Lagoon
Me

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna September 3rd 2019

Can't believe this is it, the last journey of our epic voyage. We were booked into the Springbok Inn for B&B but at 5:30 we were both up and decided to make an early start, again. We were on the road by 6 heading south down the N7 towards Cape Town. The roads were pretty quiet, and we made decent progress. The Northern Cape is very sparse but also beautiful at the same time. As we watched the daylight appear on our last road day it was quite emotional thinking back over the last week and a half. We got into the Western Cape and the scenery became more and more familiar with a real hint of spring in the air with the rapeseed fields coming into colour. We stopped for fuel just before Clanwilliam and ... read more
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Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna August 20th 2019

So after years of thinking about this we've actually plucked up the courage to do it. On Saturday 24th August at 4am we're leaving Knysna on the trip we always dreamed of since moving to South Africa in May 2016. This week has been mad, so many plans to make, accommodation to book, things to remember to get (puncture kits, first aid kit, camping gear, emergency rations, water, fuel, anti malaria tablets etc etc etc). Expecting to cover in the region of 6000km in less than 2 weeks with 8 days in Botswana and Namibia with a mini trip to see Vic Falls it's going to be epic. I've never written a blog before but I thought this would be a great way to share our experience(s) along the way.... read more

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna May 31st 2019

I was just about to think about getting up to finish off the blog from yesterdays travel and the power went out. How could I tell that the power had gone out? Well, our lodge is out in the countryside and there are few other lights outside providing any indication of what time of the day it is. So when my world went completely black there could be only one reason. So this was our first experience of ‘load shedding’ which we had read was common in South Africa due to a shortage of generation in the country. The authorities are trying to overcome this but two new power stations being built are over budget and construction has slowed. Anyway an hour later the lights came back on and life returned to normal. After another bountiful ... read more
The special light evident on the distant mountains
And now a change to sunlight on the mountains
The centre line hand rollered by the road workers

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna August 8th 2018

Aah, a slow day at last. We get to sleep in until 0700. Today we have a 1000 start so a very causal breakfast and then a very short drive to the waterfront for a boat trip on the Knysna Lagoon. Dropped off at the start of a mini shopping strip. Almost like some of the crew hadn’t been near shops for an eternity. Some had to buy and buy they did. We looked, but not inclined to buy like some of the others. One bought new shoes (as her husband said, she is a shoeaholis), another had a table cloth, new hat (of the tourist and bowl variety) and a puffer vest, another a new frock and a ring, and others with general touristy bits. These shops must love coach tours. Anyway, we finally do ... read more

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna August 7th 2018

Standard start, up at 0600 - wait, I should be sleeping in today, it’s Chris who has the early start. Bugger me, never mind, awake now so up as well. Today Chris is doing a meerkat adventure and I am doing an elephant encounter. Whatever that means. Time will tell. Breakfast was very nice as we had the pace to ourselves. And better still, I could double up as the meerkat group left at 0745 and the elephants left at 0945. As if I need extra buffet breakfast.............. Wandered the grounds taking pics. Really nice establishment - main building was an old farm house with exposed beams and old style floor tiles that they polish with candle and bees wax every 6 months. Look magnificent. Then the sun turned grey. Our driver appeared looking very glum, ... read more

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna April 6th 2017

Sometimes it is hard to believe that so many good things happen in such a short time. Last night, I had a fantastic time in Wilderness, at the Backpackers. One Black guy was playing the guitar and signing beautifully. I sat there and listened to him for a long time. Then I went to my tent, my home away from home and fell asleep while I could still hear him sign. I woke up fully rested, had a cup of tea and packed while I was chatting with the night guard. Before I hit the road again, I stopped at the Green Shed cafe one more time. My croissant came right out of the oven, and the owner looked like she came right out of heaven. She actually looked like an angel, and when I left, ... read more

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna August 29th 2016

Geo: -34.0405, 23.0719In the morning we did a nature reserve called Featherbed. Spectacular views. After lunch we did the Birds of Eden free flight bird sanctuary.Tomorrow we head to Kariega our first game reserve. We are getting excited.... read more
View from West Head of Knysna Harbour Entrance
View from West Head of Knysna Harbour Entrance
View from West Head of Knysna Harbour Entrance

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna August 28th 2016

Geo: -34.0405, 23.0719Our first stop today were the Cango Caves. Yes CAVES! Not the desert that we expected in Africa. Next we stopped at Cango Wildlife Ranch. They are into conservation. After our tour, we decided to get close up and personal with 3 nine month old cheetah. We continued to Knysna. The Indian Ocean is now the coast. These are considered wetlands. More on that tomorrow after our tour.... read more
Cango Caves
Cango Caves
Cango Caves

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Knysna March 14th 2015

We were invited by two friends of Alison, Sally and Henry, to come to their home for informal braai dinner. Their home is perilously perched on a hillside overlooking the pounding surf. We arrived after riding along rough bumpy gravel roads with names which sound a warning and say it all like "Turn Again Lane", "Turn Back Alley" and "Lands End Road." Phew. But once there, what a beautiful sight at sunset! The home was designed by Henry and is an architects dream, lovely open-plan concept, beautiful timber, designed for minimalist living. We sat around the balcony, seven of us in friendly conversation, enjoying the view while the braai cooked on an open grill. Then we moved inside .... For on the spot rum punches, great tasting food by Sally and Henry and more conversation. At ... read more
Turn Again Lane
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Fabulous location for a hideaway home




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