For most people, particularly if they are adult Third Culture Kids or Cross-Cultural Kids, the mention of an African safari brings up the visuals of massive forests replete with wildlife species and exotic fauna alongside indigenous tribes. Those seeking a fantastic safari experience can head to the iconic Garden Route coastline of South Africa.
The diversity of landscape and wildlife in this region can rejuvenate anyone’s mind. This is sought more by people who want a more personalized safari and touring experience. Self-drive safaris are growing in popularity in the Garden Route region.
WHY OPT FOR A SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN THE GARDEN ROUTE
There are various reasons people choose self-drive safaris on the Garden Route. These are:
- An offbeat tour: The allure of regular African safaris is undeniable. The packages covering tourist attractions like Serengeti, Kruger National Park, and Masai Mara draw millions of people yearlong. However, the allure of a self-driven safari along the mesmerizing South African coastline is hard to resist, too.
- The variety of sights: While exploring the breathtaking landscape of the rocky coastline, one can examine myriads of sights. These include whale watching, exploring enchanting forests, and watching exotic wildlife.
- Ample Customizations: A self-drive safari offers abundant customization provisions. This can be ideal for couples and families who prefer relaxed and laidback tours. It is also helpful in keeping costs within limits.
- Reduced hassles: A road trip on the Garden Route is usually a smooth experience. The traffic is manageable, and maneuvering the roads in Cape Town is not difficult.
- Various accommodation choices: Plenty of accommodation options are available along the South African coastline. One should not face hardship in locating suitable game lodges garden routes.
The ideal time for a self-drive safari
The Garden Route coastline is known for its temperate climate. However, wildlife lovers should choose the period between May to September. The winter months are also ideal. Those interested in whale watching should visit between June and November.
Places to cover on a self-drive safari along the South African coastline
According to credible sources, there are numerous attractions to cover on a coastal self-drive safari spanning the Garden Route. The major ones are:
- The Tsitsikamma National Park is alluring with its beautiful coastal landscape and indigenous forests.
- Plettenberg Bay scores with its mesmerizing beaches and dolphin watching.
- Knysna has its enchanting lagoon and various cafes and boutiques.
- The Addo Elephant Park has fantastic flora and fauna.
- The coastal town of Hermanus is famous for whale watching.
- The iconic R62 road is known as the longest wine route.
Things to keep in mind when planning the trip
Analyzing some aspects becomes necessary to ensure the self-drive safari turns out to be enthralling.
- Planning the trip well in advance is recommended. Contacting the agencies offering vehicles and self-drive assistance much ahead of the tour is necessary. Enquiring about issues like insurance coverage for off-road usage makes sense.
- Driving along the route in Cape Town and elsewhere should not be challenging, but keeping a detailed map will be helpful.
- Based on one’s convenience level, choosing vehicles like an SUV or a compact car is recommended.
To obtain more insight, checking out portals like https://www.safari.com/ will be helpful.
— By John Bell
