My South African Land Package – part 2

Embracing an exquisitely beautiful lagoon and surrounded by ancient forests, Knysna (pronounced ny-znah) is probably the most famous town on the Garden Route and where my family comes from. Formerly the center of the timber industry, supplying yellowwood and stinkwood for railway lines, shipping, and house-building. The lagoon is popular with sailing enthusiasts, and there are plenty of boat trips on offer.

Inland from Knysna is an area called Rheenendal where you can embark on your own Eat, Pray, Love journey as you eat, play, sleep your way along the Rheenendal Ramble. Dive into the natural rock pools at the Drupkelders, picnic at Jubilee Creek, relive Knysna’s gold rush at the Millwood Museum or explore the forest with a guided walk. Enjoy the adrenalin rush of exceptional single track mountain biking, or stroll to Dalene Matthee’s big tree and walk your own circles in our forest. It is whilst in this area that you will come across a restaurant that is very close to my heart – Totties Farm Kitchen.

Florence Eleanor Van Reenen (nee Cross), my great great grandmother was born in Dunedin New Zealand, in 1878. She arrived in South Africa as a Florence Nightingale Nurse during the Anglo Boer War. Affectionately named ‘Tottie’ by the Van Reenen family as she used to call her Grandchildren ‘Little Tots’. In 1922 Tottie started the original general dealer store and butcher shop in Rheenendal which serviced the needs of the staff from her husband’s sawmill and woodcutters from the Millwood district. In 2011 my brother and his wife took over and now run the restaurant and produce some of the finest South African dishes in the area.

The closest airport is in George, a nearby town which is nestled between the ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains.  Also home to the famous Fancourt Golf Course. In fact, the Garden Route is a golfers paradise with no less than 12 golf courses within a short drive from one another designed by the likes of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Ernie Els.

On the other side of the Outeniqua mountain range is the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn which is famous for its ostriches, but it has much more to offer. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.

So if you can spare an extra 2 days or more then the Garden Route is a must if visiting Cape Town – car journey time is approximately 6-hour drive or a flight to George will take about 45 minutes. Just east of Knysna is Plettenberg Bay with its beautiful beaches and a few hours drive further is Addo Elephant Park – malaria free national park.