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South Africa has the world’s newest constitution, and in many ways the most enlightened, with discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation outlawed.
The town of Hermanus, thanks to its 60-tonne visitors and the international attention they bring, is a constant blip on Cape Town’s gaydar. The farmlands inland may yield a slightly less permissive attitude but tolerance and acceptance should prevail.
Route 62 has blush and pink overtones in all the right places and in many ways personifies the gay co-culture in South Africa: an alternative and altogether more attractive lifestyle with the emphasis on the good life and self-indulgence.
Plett is a bit rough around the edges and has a small permanent population; but many visitors come to this beautiful bay and the relaxed holiday atmosphere is impossible to resist.
Kynsna has a large and permanent gay population – hence the Pink Loerie – and with good reason, it being the most charming and picturesque town in the whole region.
While you won’t see any cross-gender coupling of lions on safari and there are no gay lodges, the Garden Route safari lodges will exercise the utmost discretion and most of the clientele will be of foreign, enlightened, origin anyway.
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The South African Rand (ZAR) has stabilised against all currencies to approximately R7.00 to $1 and R12.50 to £1 with minor daily fluctuations.
Foreign Exchange services are available at the airport and larger shopping malls; you need your passport and airline ticket to exchange money. We recommend obtaining Travellers’ Cheques before departure; a bank or your hotel will be able to cash them for you.
Credit and Debit Cards are accepted in most outlets, banks, and cash machines but South African bank charges are staggering. Car hire companies require an imprint of your credit card but you don’t have to pay with it.
Keep your receipts for anything you want to take home and you can claim a 14% Tax Refund on the total. The V & A Waterfront has a booth where you can get all the information you need and process the refund before you leave.
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The Garden Route enjoys a much lower crime rate than most of the country and you will find the pace is relaxed and friendly. Take sensible precautions in the larger cities - Port Elizabeth, George, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn and Knysna; avoid walking alone at night and keep your valuables stashed out of sight.
HIV is prevalent in southern Africa and you should be wary at all times, regardless of where you are or who you’re with, and always take the necessary precautions.
The Garden Route is a malaria-free area but if you’re going up north to the low-lying sub-tropics, you’ll need to take prophylaxis beforehand.
Doctors and hospitals are of a high standard if you can afford to go private so ensure your travel insurance covers medical emergencies. The alternative does not bear consideration.
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Unless you are from one of the far flung outer perimeter galaxies with whom South Africa shares a frosty relationship, three-month holiday visas are issued at the door. If you are in any doubt, we will gladly advise and comprehensive visa information is available from www.safrica.info
No vaccinations or inoculations necessary but don’t bring any animal produce into the country. Neighbouring countries have different regulations so if you’re going on a multi-country tour, check the requirements for each country from the destinations landing pages.
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Spring, from August to October, is the best overall time to visit the Garden Route: the whales like it then; Route 62 is neither too hot nor too cold; Plett and Knysna are less crowded and the game-viewing in the private reserves is still good.
Summer and autumn - September to April - is always good but avoid late December and early January unless you call a barrage of brash Joburgers a boon.
If you don’t like crowds, low season runs from May to August when the whales return for a final frolic and the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras comes to town keeping the locals up to mischief.
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A lot, considering the range of the climates along the 800km coastline and the semi-arid interior between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Hermanus shares Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate – hot, dry summers; cool, wet winters – but as you travel east or inland, things begin to change.
Route 62 becomes semi-arid desert after Barrydale with hot dry summers giving way to cool dry winters. Rainfall is minimal and winter nights – May to August – are pretty frosty.
It can rain any time of the year along the coastal region from George to Port Elizabeth through Plettenberg Bay and Knysna; the good news is the garden is always well-watered and most of the rain occurs in the evening. Summers are warm to hot and winters are mild but prepare for daily changes and cold fronts are frequent.
Tropical influences take hold as you travel further east: rainfall is concentrated in the hot summer months with less frequent and lighter winter rain. Still a temperate climate, summer highs are in the 30s and winter lows can swoop down to single figures during the night. That means your Garden Route Safari game drives are going to be on the chilly side without the sun.
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Price Guide
Coffee – $1.50
Men’s Health – US$5
Heineken – US$2.50
Car Hire – US$40/day
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South Africa Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). This is ideal for European clients as the time difference is minimal. South Africa does not operate Daylight-Saving Time. International Dialling Code for South Africa is 0027.
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For that once-in-a-lifetime experience, pre-book a seat on a whale-watching boat and get to see them breach metres from your lens. The boats have 50-metre restraining orders but the whale has an inquisitive streak.
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Karoo lamb gets its fragrant flavour on the hoof from a hardy indigenous herb
The Tsitsikamma National Park has 80km of coastline
Hermanus has the world’s only whale crier
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