TRAVEL NEWS - The Garden Route is one of the world’s most popular self-drive routes, stretching for 300 kilometers along the coastline of South Africa.
Boasting caves, wildlife sanctuaries, wine farms, meandering mountain passes, serene lakes and lagoons, and pristine beaches; the Garden Route is an explorers dream.
Between the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and the warm Indian Ocean lies the small village known as Nature's Valley. The Nature's Valley Rest Camp nestles on the banks of the Groot River, approximately thirty kilometers from the town of Plettenberg Bay.
Nature’s Valley offers a rustic experience with the choice of either camping or staying in forest huts. Each forest hut is equipped with two beds and shares ablution facilities. A shop and restaurant is located in the village where basic goods can be purchased. In The Crags, one can also find a fuel station, coffee shop, and farm stall.
The camp is a bird watching and hiking paradise with a variety of trails to choose from. Canoeing from the rest camp to the mouth of the Groot River is a great way to spend the day, or guest can enjoy swimming, sailing, dinghy and board sailing on the Groot River estuary. Nature’s Valley also has a gorgeous beach where guests can just sit and relax or take a nice walk.
Nature’s Valley is a great base from which to explore some of the best attractions along the Garden Route. Within easy reach of the camp is the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where one can view wildlife such as cheetah, serval, leopard, and various birds.
Other popular attractions include Monkeyland, Robberg Nature Reserve, Elephant Sanctuary, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Birds of Eden, and the Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary.
One could also explore vineyards, go kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, or take an ocean adventure.
Nature’s Valley is home to birds such as the African hoopoe, giant kingfisher, the crowned hornbill, and the red chested cuckoo. As it is part of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, other animals to be seen on walks include the striped polecat, genet, bush pig, blue duiker, wildcat, African bush elephant, and possibly even leopard.
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