New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve at the Lodge – End of the Garden Route

We started at 10 AM from our hotel in Plettenberg Bay and headed east. The Garden Route showcased its diverse landscape once again today.

Our first stop took us to the Big Trees in the Tsitsikamma National Park. A short walk led us deep into the dense, humid rainforest. Here stand centuries-old Yellowwood trees, some over 800 years old and more than 35 meters tall. An incredibly peaceful place.

After that, we continued to Jeffreys Bay. Initially, we had considered staying here for the night but spontaneously changed our minds. Jeffreys Bay is known as a surfer's paradise and is world-famous for its legendary waves. However, today the sea was surprisingly calm. There were hardly any waves and, accordingly, almost no surfers in the water. Quite the opposite on land: preparations for the New Year's Eve party were already in full swing, with stages and decorations being set up.

Next, we headed to Port Elizabeth, officially known today as Gqeberha, which marks the end of the Garden Route. I really wanted to see this city, but to be honest, I was very disappointed. We felt so uncomfortable, especially me, that we didn't even get out of the car. The city appeared run-down and dirty to me. So we drove straight on without stopping.

On the drive from Port Elizabeth to our next destination, the road passes by large townships. The simple dwellings line the route and highlight the social contrasts of this region, even before the landscape transitions into the national park.

Our destination for the day—and for the next two nights—was the Africanos Country Estate Lodge. As soon as we arrived, tranquility set in. Spacious, stylish, and right in nature—exactly the right place to wind down the year. We celebrate New Year's Eve here quite relaxed. Celebrating is, however, relative, because the alarm clock rings early: Breakfast is at half-past six.

The reason for this is a very special experience: Tomorrow morning we will go to Addo Elephant National Park. The tickets are already booked, and we are very much looking forward to the safari.

Thus ends this eventful day along the Garden Route—with ancient trees, a calm sea, and a quiet year-end in the midst of nature.

I wish everyone reading my blog a happy New Year, lots of luck, and above all, health for the year 2026!