I don't know how many times my tourism friends in Cradock and Somerset East have asked me if I have driven over the Swaershoek Pass yet. I just heard about the beautiful Karoo landscape and stunning views but because the route is 76km of dirt road I've been a little hesitant. But that changed recently … Continue reading Crossing the Swaershoek Pass
Van Standen's Groge with the arch bridge crossing it The Van Staden's River west of Port Elizabeth is the boundary of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and a major landmark in the area. Most people cross the gorge on the N2 in a couple of seconds using the arch bridge while others take their time … Continue reading The Van Staden’s River gorge road bridges
The Tsitsikamma is one of my happy places. It is where I go to recharge my soul and get close to nature and that is what we as a family did a couple of week ago. It wasn't a comprehensive charge, but a quick visit one just to breath in the fresh Tsitsikamma air and … Continue reading Plaatbos forest and Storms River Pass
The Garden Route has many iconic passes. Some crossing over mountains and others through gorges. Some are part of main routes and are accessible to all, some are off the beaten track and only 4x4's are recommended while others are only accessible on foot or bicycle. The Montagu Pass outside of George is one that … Continue reading A Sunday morning drive up the Montagu Pass
Last Thursday morning I did a presentation at a tourism stakeholder workshop in the Tsitsikamma and after lunch moved on to George for a weekend exhibit. Having had some time on my hands I decided to veer off the main road and pick up a few Geocaches along Bo-Langvlei Road, the dirt road running behind … Continue reading Driving between Wilderness and George along the back roads
I don't think George is very high on anybody's list of possible holiday destinations. Yes, as part of the Garden Route but not standing on it's own. If that is how you think then I'm going to have to tell you how wrong your thinking is. Spending Easter Weekend in George showed me in four … Continue reading Three easy on the pocket George attractions
If you drive through the Langkloof from East to West you enter the valley just past Humansdorp and pass towns like Kareedouw, Jobertina, Krakeel, Louterwater, Misgund, Haarlem and Avontuur. The valley is about 160 km long and the R62 (the road running through the Langkloof) then meets up with the N9 near the town of … Continue reading Looking down the Langkloof from the Potjiesberg Pass
I have a special connection with the Tsitsikamma forest. It is where I go to plug in my soul for a bit of a recharge. It doesn't even have to be an extended recharge. Just a couple of minutes sitting in the forest next to a stream taking in the forest with all my senses is … Continue reading Exploring the old Storms River Pass
The Bloukrans River Pass must be one of the most beautiful passes in the Southern Cape and Garden Route areas. Unfortunately after the 2006 floods part of the road was damaged and rather than repairing it, the road was closed. Although officially closed it isn't blocked off and there is nothing stopping cars from driving … Continue reading A quick trip through the Bloukrans River Pass
The first sighting of the Cape, False Bay and Table Mountain one gets approaching from the east is from the top of Sir Lowry's Pass on top of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The view sight is situated at the top of the pass and about 920 meters above sea level. The view site gives a … Continue reading Sir Lowry’s Pass lookout
Firefly the Travel Guy 