George – Various natural wonders waiting to be explored
Located in the picturesque province of the Western Cape, George is the capital of the Southern Cape and also the sixth oldest city in all of South Africa. Its location, situated below the spectacular Outenique Mountains, makes it the perfect destination to relax.
Visitors will find George centrally located between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, in close proximity to other cities along the Garden Route. As a result of the fact that George is easily connected to all other major cities in the country through rail, air and road connections, it has quickly become a hub for the region.
In recent years; however, George has begun to focus on developing it as a holiday accommodation destination. In fact, George is the only town along the Garden Route with the ability to accommodate thousands of guests with the ability to cater to a variety of tastes and budgets. Rates are often lower in George than in cities located on the coast, which means that visitors can take advantage of the proximity to the coast and excellent value for money.
Overall, the city exhibits a safe and peaceful country environment with a spectacular mix of rivers, mountains, forests, beaches, farmland, and wildflowers just waiting to be explored. The original inhabitants of the region, the Hottentots, called the area Outeniqua; which means man laden with honey. One visit to the region and it’s easy to see why this name still rings true today.
There are a number of various scenic attractions to explore in the area, as well as many different activities. One of the most unique attractions in the region is Oudtshoorn, the ostrich farm. Sunny winters and hot, dry summers have made this area the perfect breeding ground for the ostrich, the world’s largest bird. There was a time when the ostrich roamed completely wild in the area. Today there are some 400 ostrich farms in the immediate area, three of which have been designated as show farms. If you are looking for adventure, it certainly awaits you at this fabulous farm where you will have the opportunity to not only interact with this exotic bird species, but also take a ride on one.
For even more adventure and excitement, consider bungee jumping on the Bloukrans River. This is the highest commercial bungee jumping site in the entire world; rising to an astonishing height of 216 meters and offering a free fall of seven seconds. This is truly adventure at its best.
If you are looking to relax; however, look no further than the Outenique Choo-Tjoe, the last working steam passenger train in South Africa. This old steam train will transport you from George to Knysna and back, where you’ll have the chance to take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the Western Cape along the way. The train leaves every day in the morning and returns every afternoon.
