Local is Lekker - Road trip Port Elizabeth to Knysna

South Africa is an amazing country - from desert to sea, from mountains to forests, this country has it all. This December (2017), together with my family (my hubby and my 9-year-old girl), we went on a road trip to the East Coast. Port Elizabeth was our first stop just for 1 night. It is a lovely costal city. We didn't spend much time there, as the next morning we were up early to drive to Addo Elephant Park. And my, oh my... It was amazing.

(Tip: if you can, rather use an SUV or a bakkie, preferably anything than a sedan, due to the gravel roads). We've encountered plenty of animals - loads of elephants, zebras, wild pigs, various bucks, we even saw one jackal, which are rather scarce and don't come near people. To get from the South to the North it can take you about an hour (non-stop), but take your time and enjoy the scenery. There are several loop driving trails (not for sedan cards, I am afraid), where you can see even more wildlife species.

After Addo, we made our way to our holiday accommodation - Elandsrivier Guesthouse. It is located about 5km away from Stormsriver, on an active milk farm. They have only 4 units, but so pleasant, clean, with a private patio and a braai. Breakfast can be included in your room/rate. Your unit is cleaned daily, dishes are washed, and the beds are made. It is no different to staying at the hotel. The location is also great - right in the middle of all the sightseeing and attractions - on one side - Stormsriver, Plettenberg and Knysna, and on the other side Oyster Bay and Port Elizabeth, etc.

Our main attraction for this holiday was to explore the Tsitsikamma forest. We did the Canopy Tour (starts in Stormsriver Village). It is a total adrenaline rush, especially for someone like me, I am scared of heights. I did it, the whole forest heard me, but I was very proud of myself. The tour cost R650 per person, and it will take you about 3 hours from the moment you walk into their office until you are done with your lunch (lunch is included in the price). The highest point on this tour is about 30 m and the longest stretch is about 94 m. It is a very professional service and is very safe. I can recommend this to anyone.

Tip: if you travel to that area, and plan on going hiking and to explore the forest and national parks, the I would recommend that you get a "Wild card", as without it you will end up paying entrance fees to every single National park you go to.

My daughter and myself love horse riding, so I booked us to go horse riding on the beach at Oyster Bay Lodge. It was a great experience and costs R350 pp for an hour. But, don't try to go there in a sedan (our big mistake) - to get to this Lodge you will need to drive about 20 km on a gravel road.

We discovered a hidden gem - Jubilee Creek. It is about 30 km North from Knysna, again gravel and rather winding road, but it is worth it. It is a tranquil place with picnic/braai spots, small creek streaming through the forest, a walking trail and at the end of the trail a natural pool with a small waterfall. The whole trail will take you about an hour each way.

Another fun attraction we found on a way to Plettenburg was a 3D maze. It offers loads of fun for the kids and adults and it will cost you about R90 pp. It will keep you busy for at least an hour or two, depending on your direction skills. Afterwards, you can enjoy a glass of something refreshing at the coffee shop and play some table games (free of charge). Our favourite beach on the whole stretch between Port Elizabeth and Knysna was Nature's Valley. There is a beautiful lagoon, where one can swim away from the big waves. The water is much warmer than the ocean itself. If you are keen on doing some canoeing, rent a canoe from the Caravan Park (just up the road from the Lagoon. It will cost you R400 for the whole day, or you can also rent it per hour. We also went to the Wolf Sanctuary in Knysna. It has a good number of farm animals, as well as wolves, wolf-dogs and huskies, which are placed in spacious enclosures. The cost for this visit is about R100 per person. You will also get a small bag of food to feed the farm animals (not to be given to the wolves). On our way back home, to Bloemfontein, we stopped in at Port Elizabeth again, and spent some time at the ice skating rink. It was one of the biggest highlights for my daughter. The tickets cost R100 per person, including your skate hire and there is no time limit :-). If you are planning on travelling to the Eastern Cape, then be prepared to do lots of driving, as all the villages and small towns are about 50 to 100 km apart, and don't be in a rush, as there is something interesting to see almost on every corner.