Page 249 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE GARDEN ROUTE T O GR AHA MST OWN  247

O Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary 8 Tsitsikamma southern right whales, are
Tel 044 5348409. Open 9am–4pm See pp248–9. often spotted off-shore, while
daily. 8 Every 15–20 minutes. & terrestrial wildlife includes
∑ jukani.co.za Cape grysbok, yellow mon-
O Monkeyland goose, African black oyster-
Tel. 044 534 8906. Open 8am–5pm catcher and African penguin.
daily. 8 Hourly tours. & Since 1878, the Cape has
∑ monkeyland.co.za been guarded by the 28 m
(92 ft) tall Seal Point Light-
O Birds of Eden house, which houses a small
Tel 044 534 8906. Open 8am–5pm museum and offers fantastic
daily. & ∑ birdsofeden.co.za
views of the bay.
7 Nature’s Valley O Cape St Francis Nature Reserve
Tel 042 298 0073. ∑ capestfrancis.
Tucked away in a forested co.za
gorge about 10 km (6 m) 0 Jeffreys Bay
south of the N2, Nature’s Valley
is one of the prettiest but least- * 27,000. @ Da Gama Rd. Tel 042
visited villages on the Garden 293 2923. ∑ jeffreysbaytourism.org
Route. The village runs down The beautiful sandy beach at
to a magnificent sandy beach St Francis Bay This once sleepy seaside town,
separated from the eastern reputedly named after the
border of the Garden Route's 9 St Francis Bay whaler Captain Jeffreys and
Tsitsikamma Sector by a wide, * 5,000. @ Village Centre. referred to as “J-Bay” by locals, is
shallow and dramatically Tel 042 294 0076. now the centre of South
beautiful lagoon whose ∑ stfrancistourism.co.za Africa’s surfer scene. It is often
surface is usually as calm as ranked among the world’s top
the forested surrounds. The Running along a wide sandy 10 surfing spots, with a tubing
village lies at the centre of a 50 beach 30 km (19 miles) south right-hand break that offers a
km (31 miles)network of day of Jeffreys Bay, this picturesque ride more than 1 km (half a
trails that lead deep into an seaside town of thatched and mile) long in the right
ancient forest of towering white-washed houses is known conditions. The town is busiest
yellowwoods, as well as for its superb surfing, though it in early July, when the World
traversing slopes lined with lacks the trendy scene Surf League (WSL) holds its
the country’s most easterly associated with its northern only African championship tour
tracts of fynbos. The cool forest neighbour, Jeffreys Bay. It is event there.
is inhabited by a wealth of also very popular with hikers Jeffreys Bay’s blue flag beach
colourful birds, along with and nature-lovers thanks to the is perfect for sunbathing and
several types of antelope. five nature reserves and swimming, while the Jeffreys
Non-hikers who want to abundant walking trails in the Bay Shell Museum, established
explore the forest and enjoy immediate vicinity. The pick in 1945 by Charlotte Kritzinger, is
the views can cruise slowly among these is the Cape St the finest collection of its sort in
along a looping pair of Francis Nature Reserve, the country, showcasing 600 plus
backroads that connect which protects a rocky shells from all around the world.
Nature’s Valley to the N2 at headland and unspoiled
Kurland 22 km (14 m) east coastline immediately south E Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum
of Plettenberg Bay, and at of town. Bottlenose dolphins Da Gama Rd. Tel 042 293 2923.
Tsitsikamma, a further 13 km and, from August–December, Open 9am–4pm Mon–Sat.
(8 miles) east. About 3.5 km
(2 miles) east of the second
junction, the Bloukrans
River Bridge not only marks
the provincial boundary
between the Western Cape
and Eastern Cape, but it is
also the platform used for what
is reputedly the world’s highest
commercial bungee jump at
216 m (709 ft).

Bloukrans River Bungee Jump
Tel 044 697 7001. Open 9am–5pm
daily. ∑ faceadrenalin.com A surfer catching a wave at Jeffreys Bay, one of the area's best surfing spots

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