A short while further you find another perfectly named place . Wilderness is loved by paragliders , kayakers , trail runners , and surfers . The Touw River cuts through the forest and bottlenoses in a tangle of lagoons and lakes before reaching the sea . Houses have been built alongside the water , nestled between high dunes and vertical cliffs . The road bends and buckles to find its way around the rivers and hills . Just remember to keep watch of the skies while riding through . Paragliders are always somewhere . Either hovering over the beach or speeding in the sky with lakes metres below them . You can turn off into the village and follow the signs up the hill to a spot aptly named the ‘ Map of Africa ’ looking north over the valley , two rivers have cut the shape of the African continent into the land . This is also one of the most popular launch sites for the ever determined to fly , paragliders .
Just before reaching the larger town of George , a small road sign pointing to Victoria Bay , can be found . Take the short spin down to the bay . It ’ s a tiny spot with houses built along just one small road wedged between a cliff and the ocean . The beach is normally populated by surfers and a short stroll along the road to the boardwalk , is really cool . The little shop makes a great soft serve icecream cone . At the end of the road , there is a rock outcrop that offers a perfect spot for a picture looking back at the village . The road is so short , that you will reach the end before your ice-cream cone comes to an end .
These little villages splattered along the Garden Route are all charming in their own way . Here I suggest a little diversion though . Behind these towns and a bit inland , is another road called the Seven Passes Route . This gravel route , winds between the forest and even though its dirt , it is in excellent condition . Elephants used to live amongst these indigenous trees and today , it is rumoured that a couple are still lost in the deepest inaccessible parts . The road eventually reaches George and the main N2 national road . From there , you can cut back down to the coast .
Our afternoon stop , was at a Luxury game reserve called the Garden Route Safari camp , just outside the town of Mossel Bay .
After a short struggle to find the elusive place , we were met by a hearty African welcome . Someone banging on a drum , a couple of ice-cold welcome drinks thrust into our still gloved hands and a cheerful couple greeting us .
We had been invited to have lunch and a private game drive at the Garden Route Safari Camp . Our guide , Stefan , was extremely excited to show us his office , a British racing
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