Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

KOUGA ROUTE (SYMBOL: SHELL)
The Kouga Route stretches from the Tsitsikamma River to the Van Stadens
River and is situated between Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route. It
incorporates the towns of Humansdorp, Patensie and Hankie in the Gamtoos
Valley, the Langkloof Valley, the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area and the
coastal towns of Cape St Francis, St Francis Bay and Jeffrey’s Bay. The
Langkloof Valley offers spectacular scenic drives, especially during spring
(August/October) when the apple, apricot, plum and peach orchards are in
blossom. However, this route also offers access to an exceptional diversity of
natural features, mountain-wilderness areas, clean, bilharzia-free rivers and a
strip of coastline world-renowned for its excellent surfing. Human occupation
in this area dates back to more than a million years ago and the world’s oldest
cultural groups, the San and Khoi-Khoi (Khoisan), were responsible for the rock
art that abounds.
BAVIAANS ROUTE (SYMBOL: BABOON)
This route takes you from Willowmore, closest town to the Baviaanskloof
Wilderness area, on Road R329 to Steytlerville, nestled in the arms of the
Winterhoek Mountains and to the tiny hamlet of Wolwefontein, with its
interesting aloe and succulent garden on a farm nearby. Do not neglect to visit
the giant fig tree and the Beervlei Flood Control Dam. Take a little extra time
to make a detour to the magnificent 175 00-ha Baviaanskloof Wilderness
area.
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