Life is crazy busy. Deadlines, parenting, juggling time and relationships successfully, etc. If you don’t make time to reconnect with family and friends, and for that matter, with yourself, then how will you keep your sanity? Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the perfect getaway for those who yearn to reconnect with family and friends. Create cherished memories and allow nature to soothe your weary self.
All you could possibly want in a rejuvenating holiday, is right here at your beck and call. Choose from a selection of custom tailored accommodation options at The Baroness, whether self-catering, bed and breakfast or half-board, and focus on the most important part of your getaway – your much needed reconnect. If you have an extended family, then choose the option of booking accommodation at Plett River Lodge – same owner, but located 5 minutes away from the reserve property on the banks of the Bitou River. Both of these accommodation options have an on-site restaurant, offering cuisine with a wide appeal, giving you a much-needed break from the toil of filling those empty tummies. Here is a sneak peek at what you can expect to see and experience during your winter wildlife getaway with us.
THE BIG FIVE! Nature and her bounty of creatures offers such a uniquely rejuvenating gift to those who linger to observe. There’s nothing like observing majestic animals in their natural habitat to slow things down and put life back into perspective. In addition to elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and lion, you will also encounter many species of antelope, giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile. Indulge in a two-hour game drive while the game ranger regales you with interesting facts on these four-legged locals.
A little critter that generally avoids the limelight is the honey badger. Named the most fearless animal in the Guinness Book of World Records for a number of years, this infamous, sturdy assassin is heavily built, with a broad head, small eyes, virtually no external ears and a relatively blunt snout. Fierce carnivores with a razor-sharp sense of smell, honey badgers are well known for their snake killing abilities and their insatiable appetite for beehives. Spotting them in their natural habitat is always a treat – sit back and experience the attitude.
If you’ve had your fill of being confined to motorized vehicles, perhaps the prospect of a two-hour game safari on horseback is a welcome change. Accompanied by a game ranger, the time will fly by while you have an up close and personal experience with the animals that call the reserve home. Saddle up and move on out for oodles of fun!
Bird lovers be sure to clean the lenses on your favorite binoculars because the reserve is rich with birdlife. Birding highlights include sightings of coot, black crake, ducks, geese, hamerkop, lark, plover, crane and so much more! Our fine feathered friends are literally too many to mention by name but guaranteed, you will be thrilled by their beauty and diversity.
The coastal hamlet of Plettenberg Bay and its outlying area is home to such a variety of little boutique shops, character filled eateries, spectacular animal sanctuaries and the like, that it is an absolute must to take some time out from your game drive holiday to experience as much as possible. If you are a keen hiker, then the Robberg Nature Reserve Peninsula will be an unforgettable experience. Both a national monument and World Heritage Site, the rocks from this region date back 120 million years to the break-up of Gondwanaland. Evidence of middle and later Stone Age inhabitation has been found in a few of the caves along the peninsula.
“Some highlight features of a visit here include spotting the rare blue duiker, the Western Cape’s smallest antelope; walking alongside one of the seven climbing-falling dunes on the Cape coastline; and viewing the highest navigational light on the South African coastline, at the Cape Seal Lighthouse (146m above sea level). The reserve also extends 1.8km offshore, providing protection to a range of vulnerable fish species. Visitors can expect inspiring landscapes, exciting dolphin and whale sightings in season, and to be accompanied on their walks or hikes by a variety of bird species and the occasional seal. An overnight hut is available for those who want to spend more time on this beautiful reserve” says Cape Nature media liaison. Spending time on this beautiful peninsula is just what the doctor ordered if you’re looking to reconnect with nature and your soul.
Interested in a little art and craft? The uniquely designed building just off the N2 at Old Nick Village, is home to the new, one of a kind, Mungo Weaving Mill. A culmination of many years of planning and hard work, Mungo Mill functions as both a working museum, showcasing the history of the age-old art of weaving through the centuries, as well as a place for the thriving production of top quality, natural fibre homeware textiles that are proudly South African. At Mungo Mill the creed of ‘Good quality with a conscience never goes out of fashion’, holds true. This is a very interesting place to visit and you will no doubt leave with a large collection of their beautiful handywork.
Winter in Plettenberg Bay is all about rebirth. From wild animals on terra firma to the graceful giants of the deep, it’s baby season! Where else in the universe can you run with the Big Five in the morning and then watch the whales in the afternoon? Okay, you’ve got me – there probably are a few places but Plett is aces. Whether by boat or by shore, you are able to watch these majestic creatures rise from the blue waters as they bring forth the new generation in our warm bay. The Cape fur seals are just as adorable. Watching the little pups play and frolic is something really precious. Oh, and be sure to look out for the famous pansy shells on Plett’s pristine beaches.
From the verdant serenity of the bush to the lazy sunny shores of her calm shores, Plett is the place to reconnect with family, friends, nature and most important of all, yourself. Allow the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve to host you while you enjoy nature’s powerful healing properties.