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Places to stay in Plettenberg Bay
There are literally hundreds of things to see and do in and around Plettenberg Bay and the greater Garden Route. After a recent visit we have added four more 'must-do' items to our ever growing list, and here they are!
Le Fournil De Plett Bakery, Main Road
This gorgeous little bakery and cafe bakes up a storm every morning, and I can honestly say that their almond croissants are one of the most delicious things to have ever passed my lips. Infused with a soft and buttery almond flavour and topped with toasted flaked almonds, they are perfection. The rest of their menu is equally delicious, with good coffee and breakfasts and lunches centered on their freshly baked breads and pastries (which you can also pop in to pick up as a takeaway).
The setting is delightful too - with cosy indoor seating and a lovely shaded outdoor courtyard with tables beneath the trees. Le Fournil is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors, so get there early and if it's holiday season be prepared for a little bit of a queue, but it's well worth the wait.
Adventure Land
It was with great excitement that we met up with friends for a day at the Adventure Land water park - we hadn't managed to get to it on a previous visit, and we had heard lots of good things. We were not disappointed! Situated just off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the park is set in an enormous clearing and surrounded by trees, rolling lawns and decked areas for picnics. There are 6 different waterslides and supertubes, a big swimming pool and a separate mini-pool and mini-slides for little kids. We were impressed at how immaculate the park was, and how well run and organised everything felt.
All of the adults and the kids had a great day. The first time on the 2-lane racer ride was a little scary - but we had to be brave in front of the children! Sitting on a big inflatable tube, you start out slow before picking up speed and rushing very steeply down the giant slide to the bottom (there is a lot of shrieking involved). After the first time, you're addicted!
Adventure Land is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. R125 per person and under 3's are free. You can bring your own picnics (no alcohol, no glass), and there is also a kiosk selling ice cream, snacks, hot food and drinks. We arrived early at opening time and spent a good 4 hours before we called it a day.
Zinzi Restaurant, Tsala Treetops
We had a birthday to celebrate while we were in Plettenberg Bay, and Zinzi came highly recommended as the place to go for a special meal. Once again, we were not disappointed. Part of the Hunter Hotel Group, Zinzi is found along the same lush forested road that is used to access Tsala Treetop Lodge and you feel as if you are entering a magical hideaway. Meaning 'abundance' in Swahili, the restaurant feels opulent but warm and welcoming at the same time with beautiful décor and huge glass windows that look onto an outdoor terrace, the grassy lawns and pond.
Our meal was excellent - beautifully presented - and every mouthful was savoured and enjoyed. Children are equally welcomed and catered for with a great kids menu. Sesame crusted salmon with an Asian style salad; pork belly with oriental slaw and spiced crackling; and a gourmet burger served on a cumin flatbread with halloumi, aubergine and sun dried tomatoes were just some of the highlights. Desserts included a really great crème brûlèe, a ginger cheesecake with fig ice-cream and a mango panna cotta with coconut and pistachio ice-cream - what's not to love? We had such a wonderful meal that we booked to return a second time during our stay.
Monkeyland and The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
We have visited Birds of Eden on a couple of previous holidays to the area but had been 'saving' Monkeyland until our girls were a little older and better able to enjoy it. And they loved it! Unlike Birds of Eden which you explore on your own, visitors to Monkeyland are taken on an hour long guided tour through the 12-hectare enclosed forest which is home to 18 different primate species.
It's a fantastic experience as you walk beneath the lush canopy of trees and are able to spot and watch the monkeys in a very natural environment. The cheeky Vervet Monkeys, the Ringtail Lemurs and the very curious young male Spider Monkey, Liam, proved to be the highlight of our visit trying his hand at pick-pocketing! The tour comes to an end at a 128 metre suspended canopy bridge which is great fun and gives another perspective on the forest below.
Next up was Jukani at the insistence of our girls. Our guide Elvis turned out to be a knowledgeable and gentle soul who obviously had a great love for his job and the big cats he introduced us to. The cats at Jukani have been rescued and re-homed from zoos - and even private homes - from around the world and each has a story to tell. Raised viewing platforms give you a great opportunity to see these magnificent animals, but extremely large enclosures meant that we didn't spot all of them on our visit (something we were quite OK with as Jukani is not a zoo).
Jukani is home to lion, cheetah, puma, Bengal tiger, Siberian tiger and jaguar to name a few. As much as or girls enjoyed the big cats, they were just as smitten by the amusing honey badger and the very entertaining racoons.
Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary make up the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA), and they are the recipients situated alongside each other in The Crags just off the N2 outside Plettenberg Bay, while Jukani is also just off the N2 a few kilometres closer to Plett. Open daily from 8am - 5pm (slightly longer in peak summer months). Combo tickets to visit any 2 or all 3 parks are available.
