Wittedrift – Secrets of nature beyond beach

Anyone who wants to see the Garden Route beyond the beach will find nature at its best here, with a myriad of options to explore. Testimony to the richness of its natural resources, Wittedrift plays host to Plett’s first birding festival in October this year. Nature lies everywhere in Wittedrift – from the quiet, rural roadside trees and shrubs of the Stofpad (bring your bikes and cycle this beautiful, peaceful 5km road) to the secretive waterways of the Bitou River, home to gorgeously-coloured kingfishers, the elusive otter, shy bushbuck and the magnificent fish eagle. The Bitou River is an adventure in itself. It winds its way gently through Wittedrift and down to the sea.

Discovery lies around every turn, and the overwhelming peaceful atmosphere redefines the word ‘adventure’. The otter makes its home here, bushbuck come to the shores to drink, birds both common and rare step soundlessly along the shallows in their hunt for frogs and small fish. Enjoy the walking trails run along the shores of the river or take a kayak from Moonriver or Bitou River Lodge and drift along the lily-fringed waterways. Bitouvlei Birding can settle you for as long as you like on the riverside lapa, from where you can commune with nature to your heart’s content. Bhejane Tours offers a unique eco-experience in their bio-mimicry camp on the shores of the Bitou, with guided routes by expert guides. No matter how you do it, the call of the Bitou wetland should be answered.

Moving away from the water, there’s plenty more to see and do. Go on an out-ride from Boschrivier Farm; it doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced or a seasoned rider, there is a horse for every level to give you a confident and enjoyable ride. The route will take you through forests, grasslands, across streams and all the way you’ll enjoy the freedom in nature that only horse-riding can give you. Hunger Games and Game of Thrones have inspired many to try and master one of the oldest weapons in the history of war – the bow and arrow. Howberry Hills farm has a great archery setup to get you hitting your target in no time. It’s elegant, takes skill, and will instill in you a sense of victory when you get it right.

Wittedrift boasts two game reserves. At the end of the Stofpad lies Giraffe View Safari Camp, where you can get up close and (almost) personal with a range of game, including the beautiful Masai giraffe with its starburst markings and of course the now famous Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. Take a drive over the grasslands and then up into indigenous forest for the variety and diversity of flora and fauna for which Wittedrift is becoming well-known.

Originally from Plett Tourism