This past weekend we spent a rather chilly night in the Karoo, celebrating a friends 40th Birthday. It has been quite a while since we have travelled along the N1 in that direction but we were keen for an adventure. [Read more…]
The Overberg – Black Eagle Lodge
During the October school holidays we decided to do something a bit different for our family getaway – let’s just say we all like our creature comforts. So we did our version of getting in touch with nature and stayed at the eco-friendly Black Eagle Lodge. There is no electricity in the cottages but they have solar power for lighting and gas for heating water and cooking. I hate to sound like a sissy but camping is not my cup of tea and this is as close as we will probably get to roughing-it!
Black Eagle Lodge is situated off the N2, just before the town of Caledon, nestled in the Overberg Mountains. The drive, from Cape Town, takes you past the turn-off to Hermanus and Botriver, this area is beautiful and mostly farming country. The Overberg has always been one of our favourite places to holiday and spend time exploring. The area has great accommodation and an abundance of great restaurants and wine farms.
The Villa accommodation was luxurious but understated and with its stone-clad exterior blended well into its surroundings. The view from the Villa, was totally amazing, the landscape spreads like a tapestry, of colour, in front of you and all you can hear are the calls from the abundant bird-life in the area. It truly was a return to nature!
The working farm which surrounds you is magnificently kept and boasts wheat fields, flocks of sheep and herds of feisty looking cattle. All there is to do, is leave the city behind you and submerge yourself in the relaxed atmosphere and explore the natural world around you.
Activities on the farm include mountain biking, hiking, fly-fishing, hunting for lizards with the kids and spot the Black Eagles. The stars at night are breath-taking and we spent many a night sitting outside, next to a blazing fire, sipping good wine!
Although you feel like you are completely secluded from the hustle and bustle of city life, you are centrally positioned for fun day trips. We decided to venture out one day and take a trip to Hermanus. En-route to Hermanus, we took a trip through the Hemel-en Aarde valley. The Valley boasts some amazing wine farms – such as Hamilton Russell , Bouchard Finlayson and Whalehaven; a boutique vineyard – to name but a few.
Hermanus, is a beautiful sea side town which we love visiting and if you are lucky you may get to see a few whales when you are there. If you are planning a trip there, the end of September is a good time to go, they host the annual Whale festival then – which is a great deal of fun! It can get very busy during this time, so pre-booking accomodation is essential. There are great restaurants in the area as well – most of them, with a view of the sea. Another popular, rather quaint town to visit in the area is Greyton.
So if you are looking for a relaxing, reinvigorating break, then Black Eagle Lodge, in the Overberg is the place to go!
Images: ©FAR Photography
The Majestic Garden Route
The Majestic Garden Route and East Coast are one of our favourite local destinations in South Africa. The trip from Cape Town to Knysna is approximately six hours by road. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit, and you are in complete awe of the beauty that surrounds you. It also allows me to indulge my passion for photography!
The Majestic Garden Route
The Milkwood tree, which is synonymous with the area, has a distinct smell. I associate this smell with that ‘holiday feeling’; it lets you know you are away from it all. The resort Under Milkwood, on Knysna Heads, takes its name from these majestic trees.
Leisure Isle
We have enjoyed many memorable holidays in Knysna and after a break of two years returned, this year, for our Easter break. Our choice of area to stay, in Knysna, is Leisure Isle. If you are lucky enough, you can rent a home directly on the Knysna Lagoon. It offers the tranquility of island style living, with the most fantastic views and the town is a mere 10 min car trip away. The area is ideal for families; children can happily bike ride around the island.
Walking across the Lagoon at low tide is something you have to do, it is a somewhat surreal experience.
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| Looking across the Lagoon towards the Heads |
The Knysna Heads
The Knysna Heads is also a popular area, also with fantastic views from a slightly different perspective, looking down on to Knysna and the Lagoon. The area boasts a handful of restaurants, which as you can imagine, have the most spectacular views.
Thesen Island
Thesen Island is a Martha’s Vineyard style development, is a more recent addition to the area and is a very popular choice for holiday rental. We have stayed there in the past but still, prefer the peace and tranquillity of Leisure Isle. The marina on Thesen Island sports many shops and restaurants and a boutique Hotel, catering to holiday makers every need.
Knysna is a skipper’s paradise, with all sorts of vessels on display and plenty of boating shops in the area. There are a variety of boat trips on offer, for those of us who do not own our own boat. These scenic adventures depart from the Knysna Waterfront and provide the seafaring traveller a variety of options; from simple sightseeing to a luxurious trip including a meal and drinks.
Knysna forest
If it’s the outdoors that you enjoy, the walks and trails in the area are fantastic. The enchanting Knysna forest is wonderful for children of all ages. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa and was once home to vast herds of the Knysna elephant. If you would like to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, then a visit to Knysna Elephant Park is a must.
Other Garden Route Attractions
Other interesting things to do with children while in the area, other than visiting the beautiful beaches; you can pay a visit to Monkeyland, a primate sanctuary or Birds of Eden, a bird sanctuary. They are both in the Plettenberg Bay direction, heading out of Knysna going East. Both of these venues will keep you and your family enthralled for hours.
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| Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay |
Although the weather was rather inclement during our trip, this Easter, we still managed to enjoy the sights and do all the touristy things. We were even treated to a trip across the Knysna Lagoon, on a beautiful catamaran, which was a definite highlight of the holiday. Knysna is a place for relaxing and getting away from city life, and we always enjoy it immensely. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful country!