February is the Month of Love and the perfect excuse to take to the road for a romantic weekend away.
There are few more magical places in South Africa to visit than the Garden Route, which stretches along the coastline across the Western and Eastern Cape. Think lush forests perfect for picnics, and beautiful and dramatic beaches for long walks.
Here are a few activities to enjoy along the Garden Route with your other half:
Go on a picturesque coastal hike at Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve, only 8km from Plettenberg Bay, is the perfect place to break away from busy city living. Located on the Robberg Peninsula, the nature reserve offers incredible ocean views, whale-watching opportunities, sand dunes, dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches.
The reserve has three circular hiking trails on which you can enjoy these sights, ranging from a quick 30-minute walk to a strenuous four-hour hike. Spice up your walk with a decadent picnic to enjoy as you take in the majestic views around you.
Be serenaded by birdsong at Birds of Eden
Birds of Eden in Plettenberg Bay is a bird sanctuary and home to almost 220 bird species and more than 3 500 birds. A 2ha dome spans the gorge of forest, which means the birds live a life of free flight in a large natural area.
The best way to enjoy the bird sanctuary is on a self-guided tour along the series of wooden walkways and suspension bridges. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned birdwatcher, as this is a unique opportunity to step into a world of birds. Among its inhabitants are exotic birds such as parrots, African birds such as blue cranes, and a number of duck and geese species, to mention a few.
Squeeze up close to your loved one at the Cango Caves
The Cango Caves, about 30km from Oudtshoorn on the edge of the Garden Route, provide a spectacular underground adventure where you can lose yourself in a world of dripstone caverns, stone halls and towering limestone formations.
All tours are guided and will give you a peek into the 4km stretch of cave system. You’ll definitely be mesmerised by the grand halls and giant formations. If you’re up for a challenge, you can also embark on an adventure tour if you’d like to crawl through narrow passages.
Get your heart racing with Fearless Activities
Fearless Activities in George offers a whole bouquet of action-packed adventures sure to get your heart beating. Go rock climbing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canyoning, surfing or even abseiling in the beautiful outdoors.
As long as you don’t have a fear of heights or water, this is one of the best ways to enjoy the mountains, rivers and valleys of the Garden Route. Although not a traditionally romantic outing, these adventurous activities will definitely be a memorable bonding experience!
Break away in luxury
When taking a romantic weekend away, you don’t always want to cram your time with activities. Sometimes you may want to lay low by the pool with a cocktail, and that’s activity enough. We understand, which is why we launched Mango Packages, an all-inclusive flight and booking platform for all your travel needs. Keep an eye out for weekly specials and you may find yourself at that pool sooner that you expected!