The Garden Route to Ostriches

The journey from Swellendam started in cloudy weather and as soon as we stated to climb the gorge towards Route 62 and the garden route we were in deep fog until we arrived at Barrydale when the skies cleared revealing magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. We stopped for a short time for hot drinks and chocolate before heading on towards Oudtshoorn passing the eponymous Ronnie’s Sex Shop! We arrived at La Plume Guesthouse in time for Anne to have a swim in the pool and to have drinks on our veranda before dinner. We enjoyed our first taste of ostrich meat which was delicious. Our accommodation is extremely spacious and comfortable with lovely views across the valley to mountains and fields of ostriches in the foreground.
25/4/24
Today we set off after a good breakfast to visit Cango Caves in the Swartberg mountains. Cango means ‘place of water’ in the local language. We had a guided tour led by Eric a local African who shared the history of the cave’s discovery and the limestone features which were majestic! Eric even sang some African songs underground in lauding the ‘click’ song! We bought some biltong snack in the shop for a later lunch. Once we left the Cave complex we drove on to the Swartberg pass. Driving up from the caves the road soon changes from tarmac to gravel winding through the valley and up towards the pass. The higher up the hillside we went the closer we came to the clouds and soon we were driving through thick fog. As we reached the summit of the pass the weather improved greatly and the clouds were replaced by sunshine although we could still see the clouds sliding down the mountain. Halfway down the pass the dirt road led us into the most incredible narrow gorge with a small river crossing the road as a ford. Much of the remaining journey followed a gorge as the river crisscrossed the road.
26/4/24
The day started with an early breakfast so that we could fit in a tour of the Ostrich farm with the farmer and owner of La Plume, Bartle. We learned all about the history of the family settling in Franschhoek before Oudtshoorn. The process of feeding and breeding the Ostriches was explained. We then continued our journey from La Plume to Plettenberg Bay and Lily Pond Country Hotel. the journey over the Little Karoo was wet for the first time in the holiday.Read more