TRAVELBUCKET

TSITSIKAMMA ADVENTURE LAND

GUEST BLOGGER:  Inge

Situated along the N2 highway halfway between Port Elizabeth and George in the beautiful Tsitsikamma area in South Africa, lies a place that offers you a chance to discover your inner child again.  You can find Tsitsikamma Adventure Land next to Tsitsikamma Gardens, 9km from the Storms River petrol station towards Port Elizabeth.

Upon arrival you are greeted with friendly faces and the wooden office already gives you a sense of what lies ahead.  As you walk into the office to do your paperwork, it feels like you are walking into a forest hut nestled in the Tsitsikamma Forest.  A 5min admin break is necessary before you are assigned and introduced to your guide who will lead you to your transport for the day.

Do not fear if you are not an experienced quad bike rider and do not think that if you are a motorbike rider that you know everything. Everyone is treated equally here.  Safety is extremely imported to the guys at Tsitsikamma Adventure Land and the pre-ride briefing is done thoroughly to ensure that you are comfortable and understand all the signs.

With the briefing done and the backpack with water secured to the quad bike the guide, with his guitar, jumps on and leads the way.  As you drive through farmland, all worries fade away when you realize this is going to be an enjoyable adventure ride and not a fast paced, extreme ride that is out of your comfort zone.  By the time you enter the pine plantations, you are at ease and the riding starts to come naturally as the guide looks over his shoulder every few minutes to make sure all the ducks are still in one row!

Soon you find yourself riding like a natural, taking so many photos through the plantations and indigenous forests that your phone starts to run out of space.  If you own a good camera, be sure to bring it along as you every so often stop off at the most picturesque spots and photo opportunities are plenty.  You wind through big pine trees in the plantation before following a stream with clear cool water into the lush green indigenous forest and stopping off at sandstone formations, lily ponds and low-water bridges where you take your time to grasp the beauty and adventure the Tsitsikamma has to offer.

The guides have a vast knowledge of the area as they are locals and they are so approachable that you never feel uncomfortable asking questions.  You might even be lucky and be serenaded in the forest by one of them while having a drinks break.  Surrounded by the indigenous forest, you soon forget that you are on an adventure, seeking some adrenaline! The quad bikes are well looked after and serviced before every ride.  They are big bikes with small engines, so you will not find yourself in a situation that you will be losing control of the machine halfway on the route.  The route is an easy one.  It follows the tracks through the timber plantations with one or two up and down hills where you will be given the opportunity to play a bit, depending on your skills!

The ride itself is a 2 hour ride through a 16km route with numerous stops.  This can only be done by booking a time slot with the Tsitsikamma Adventure Land office.  No access will be granted to private persons wanting to the explore on their own.  The costs are R590 per person, if you are brave enough to drive the quad bike on your own and R250 per pillion, if you would rather settle for a backseat and take the opportunity to ride with someone and that you can enjoy the scenery.

Whether you are a local or a tourist, this should definitely be on your to-do list.  Ours has been ticked off, but I am tempted to put it back on the list, because I would do this over and over again.  Here you will make memories that will last forever.  A must do for the whole family, young and old!  So pack your comfortable clothing and closed shoes, your sunscreen and camera and find them at S 33° 58.981 E 024° 01.823.

Contact their office on +27 (44) 280 3000/74 or info@mistysa.co.za to book your time slot now.

** For more information and some more pictures of our Tsitsikamma Adventure Land visit, have a look at our Facebook Page

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