Things to Do in De Rust

Rust en Vrede is a lovely little waterfall that runs 365 days a year – even though it is found in the Klein Karoo. During the summer many people enjoy a picnic or braai under the trees at the entrance followed by a walk and a swim at this gorgeous little spot.

Visit a sparkling ancient African cave system in the Karoo. One of the major attractions in the Garden Route and Oudtshoorn area is the Cango Caves, which extend for kilometres into the extensive limestone hills. Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, 30km north of Oudtshoorn are the 20 million year-old Precambrian caves. Africa's largest show cave system is definitely worth a visit just to see the beautiful crystal and flow structures alone. Although the massive system of tunnels and chambers stretch for over four kilometres, only a quarter of this is open to visitors. You can do a guided standard one hour tour or tackle the more adventurous one and a half hour tour, which includes some tight squeezes.

Experience the thrill of being almost tooth-to-tooth with a Nile crocodile or wrap yourself with a python at the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Valley of Ancients in the heart of the Little Karoo!Far more than just a petting zoo, this endangered species breeding facility is the oldest and largest cheetah contact centre on the planet. Visitors have the opportunity of interacting with hand-reared cheetahs as well as getting actively involved in conserving endangered species.Take a stroll on the ‘catwalk’ and view lion, cheetah, puma, white Bengal tigers, meerkats, pygmy hippos and many bird species. You can also visit rare and rather large reptiles at the snake park and crocodile pools.Run the race against extinction whilst having the time of your life and get involved with the Cheetah Preservation Foundation. Founded in 1988, the principal aim is to ensure the survival of the cheetah and other endangered species, as well as educating visitors as to the plight of the these animals.

Bergwater Vineyards are situated in the Prince Albert Valley, 20 kilometres from Prince Albert. The unique situation of the vineyards as well as the high quality of the irrigation water help to create excellent wines with a distinct taste.From the planting of the first vineyards in 1999, the owners aimed to farm in harmony with nature and to minimize all impacts on the natural environment. Vineyards were only planted according to the availability of irrigation water. No virgin land has been ploughed to plant these vineyards and only 70 hectares of the 3 000 hectare farm has been cultivated. Bergwater Vineyards are members of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative.Need to know? Bergwater Vineyards wine tasting and sales: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 16:30 and Saturday 10:00 – 15:00

A new wine growing area has been certified in the Outeniqua Mountains. Cool mountain mists keep summer temperatures moderate and create a long ripening season for the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines hold great promise for a region yet to be fully discovered and potentially well suited to the production of fine South-African wines.

Climbing 1000 metres in 12 kilometres, the Swartberg Pass is one of the steepest passes in South Africa. Running between Prince Albert in the north and Oudtshoorn in the south, the route offers spectacular views over the Little and Great Karoo.The road is not tarred and can be tricky in wet weather but you certainly don’t need a big 4x4 for the pass.Along with striking warped and twisted rock formations and interesting plant life, you will see some amazing drystone work supporting the picturesque hairpin bends. Master pass engineer Thomas Baines and his team of convict labourers took five years to build it in the late 1800s. Today it is a National Monument and largely unchanged.If you really fancy a challenge you could crank you way on the Swartberg Pass Half Marathon. The race route heads out of Prince Albert and into the Swartberg Pass, with sheer rock on both sides.

Take the kids to enjoy a quiet, relaxing farm environment and wide range of animal interactions at Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm. Meet horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, an angora goat, sheep, miniature pot bellied piglets, guinea pigs and rabbits. Come and pet them and feed them and even have a ride on one of the horses. It's an amazing, unique, interactive experience for the whole family!Older kids can walk with the horses and everyone can feed and pet the donkeys, sheep and goat or cuddle one of the friendly guinea pigs or the rabbit. Also on offer are short horse rides led by the owner in an enclosed camp - which makes for many great photos and memories.Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm help neglected and abused animals. The Greek word for horse is Ikkos, it also means the "Great Light", and the sanctuary aims to provide visitors with an enlightening all round equestrian experience.So, what goes on at Ikkos Equine Sanctuary?Rescue of abandoned and abused equines and other animals.Ikkos equine therapy - come and walk with their equines as well as groom, feed them and get to know them.Ikkos riding tuition - learn about horses in a fun and interesting way AND learn to ride.Ikkos eco horse riding trails and tours – absolutely stunning trails in natural veld private game reserve with a variety of game and stunning views!Adopt an equine or another animal here at the sanctuary – a unique gift for yourself or a loved one.Need to know? If you would like to make a booking (at least the day before) please send an SMS mobile text message to 076 6001115 to confirm your visit and get directions. The cost is R50 entrance fee that includes a tour round the farm to meet the animals, there is the option of pony riding at R40 per person and feeding the animals at R20.All entrance fees and donations go directly back into Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm for the care of the animals and towards the rescue of other animals in need of help.

Set in the heart of the Garden Route, the George Golf Club course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par course with 18 holes and bent greens. The course rating for men is either 70 (club – 5774m) or 72 (championship – 6100m), while that for the ladies is 72 (5188m).Visitors are welcome daily, with the exception of Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, which are reserved for members and their guests. Booking for golf is essential. Please note that no group bookings are allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays.Caddies and motorised golf carts are available for hire at the Pro Shop, as well as clubs and trolleys. Golf carts must be booked well in advance due to a small fleet of carts available at the club. The Pro Shop also sells golfing equipment.

Fancourt’s Montagu Golf Course is a much loved Parkland course that is frequently ranked as the number-one golf course in South Africa. Recently it had a major revamp with numerous holes being redesigned and two new additions. The course never gets cramped and there is more than enough time to appreciate the Fancourt golfing experience as it is restricted to members, their guests and resort visitors. It is recommended to book your desired tee time however. Serious players and anyone in need of secret training can warm up before playing on the full-length range as well as the chipping and bunker practice area. A handicap certificate, soft spikes and appropriate golf attire is required. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting.

Dinner theatre aficionados in George have a new state-of-the-art theatre to visit for good times, delicious food and quality entertainment. The Kalahari Restaurant and Theatre opened its doors in September 2010 to cater for discerning theatre fans and music lovers in the Garden Route. The 400 seater theatre will stage the latest productions from the main circuit in a warm and friendly environment. The theatre complex houses a separate bar and a 120-seater family restaurant with an outdoor deck. A beautiful grand piano mounted on a circular stage steals the limelight in the restaurant which also functions as a cocktail bar and entertainment area. Bookings for shows can be done at the theatre or through Computicket. Patrons are advised to pre-order snack platters and pizzas to enjoy in the theatre.

The setting that takes in mountains, water and wildlife characterises the magnificent Fancourt Outeniqua Golf Course, one of two 18-hole Parkland layouts at Fancourt. It’s hard to beat a round here and all levels of golfers will find it an excellent challenge for its design and fine conditioning alone. Designed by Grand Slam golfing legend Gary Player, it is similar to Montagu, and offers a variety of tees from which to play. Play is restricted to hotel visitors, members and guests to ensure overcrowding but it’s advisable to book in advance to ensure your required tee-off time. All golfers can warm-up on the full-length range and chipping and bunker practice area before playing. A handicap certificate, soft spikes and appropriate golf attire is required. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting.

Kingswood is an urban golf estate located in the heart of George. Undoubtedly the Sally Little signature18-hole golf course designed by Danie Obermeyer is the prime attraction, but there are a host of other leisure activities that you can enjoy - all in a setting of breathtaking, natural beauty. Neighbouring Fancourt and George Golf Courses, Kingswood offers spectacular views of the surrounding Outeniqua Mountains. With 850 residential opportunities and family facilities complimenting the experience, Kingswood Golf Estate is truly urban living redefined.

One of Fancourt’s renowned golf courses, The Links is unique to South Africa. The undulating dune-style landscape presents a demanding challenge in all weather conditions. Recognized for the wonderful year round condition and attention to detail, The Links is perennially popular and has some extraordinary holes. One of these is the par-3 second, with its bunker in the centre of the enormous green. The overall effect is balance in terms of corresponding length, position of hazards and shot values. ‘We included the bunker to break it up, but the front left of the green is severely sloped, so the golfer can use the contours to get the ball near the flag. You will never be stymied by the trap’ says Gary Player. The tees and fairways are a mix of Kentucky Blue, Rye, Fescue and Bent, with predominant Bent greens, allowing for the Pitch and Run shot and to enable the ball to 'chase' along the fairways. The atmospheric clubhouse is conveniently situated metres from the 18th green. Terraced areas and huge picture windows take advantage of the awesome course and mountain vistas.

Conveniently situated near George Airport at the confluence of the N2 highway and Knysna Road, Garden Route Mall is a vibrant regional shopping centre providing locals and visitors a relaxed one-stop shopping experience. The new elegant shopping centre offers easy access to all entrances from 3 000 parking bays and top-notch security. Shop till you drop at a selection of 125 shops, including big-name brands such as Woolworths, Truworths, Pick n Pay, Game and Queenspark as well as speciality shops and numerous restaurants. Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 09:00 - 17:00 Sundays and Public Holidays 09:00 - 15:00

Starting next to the railway bridge near the Ebb and Flow North Restcamp on the Touw River, the Half-collared Kingfisher Trail replaces the Giant Kingfisher Trail. Step right into superb woodlands of indigenous yellowwoods, white stinkwood, white milkwood, wild pear, climbers, lichens, flowering bulbs and ferns. Numerous species of trees are labelled along the way, enhancing the experience of forest diversity. Look out for the brilliantly coloured half-collared kingfisher for which the trail is named. Other forest specials to twitch about are the Knysna turaco (loerie), Narina trogon, brown-hooded kingfisher, dusky flycatcher, blue-mantled crested-flycatcher and tambourine dove. Take a break at one of the rustic picnic spots next to the river bank. Interesting display boards identify some of the woodland-dwelling birds and animals that are frequently seen. The trail leads to a waterfall and rock pool which is a great spot to cool off before returning on the same path. The 7.2km return route is not strenuous and usually takes three hours. Permits are required – there is a pay entrance at Ebb and Flow.

Forest, ferns, fynbos and mountains will knock your socks off in this magnificent Garden Route reserve. The Outeniqua Nature Reserve lies near George and is easily accessible from Mossel Bay, Knysna and Oudtshoorn. The 38 000-hectare reserve is set in the rugged Outeniqua Mountain ranges which run parallel to the coastline. It lies between the high-rainfall coastal region and the dry Little Karoo. As a result the plant life is diverse, with the moist southern slopes predominantly covered with beautiful mountain fynbos. In September and October the proteas and ericas cloak the hillsides with spectacular blooms. The northern slopes are much drier, covered with hardy, interesting Karoo veldt. Bushmen paintings of animals, hunters and honeycombs may be found on secluded rock faces throughout the reserve, providing clues to their culture and lifestyle in this region. The Attakwaskloof in the west carries the historical trails of elephant herds that no longer roam here. There’s also evidence of early explorers and settlers carved into the rocks by ox-wagons trekking over the craggy mountain range. Animals to spot include klipspringer, grey rhebuck, small rodents, baboon and the elusive leopard. Large birds of prey including the black eagle are frequently seen. Cape sugarbirds, glittering sunbirds and other fynbos species can often be seen flitting between protea bushes. A number of day hikes depart from the reserve office in Witfontein. Be prepared for extremely changeable weather. Those who really want to get away from it all can do the two-day Tierkop Trail and sleep in the rudimentary hut on Tierkop peak.

Named after the perky black and white kingfisher with a distinctive noisy call, this rambling route is perfect for whiling away a few peaceful hours around the Wilderness Lagoon. Starting at the Ebb and Flow South Restcamp, this mellow 10-kilometre trail follows the Serpentine River floodplain. Depending on the weather, the route can be done in reverse starting early in the morning along the two-kilometre sandy beach section. The boardwalk section runs along the Wilderness Lagoon to the Touw River mouth. Interesting information boards describe the numerous kingfishers that live along this shoreline.

One of the least demanding walks in the Wilderness area, the 5 km Brownhooded Kingfisher Trail follows the meandering course of the Duiwe River. Lush river woodlands line the riverbanks and the path crosses the river frequently. Take care when crossing after the river has flooded – particularly on wet slippery rocks. After a short distance the trail branches off along the tree-lined Klein Keurbooms River to the turning point – a beautiful rock pool. This lovely setting is perfect for a leisurely picnic and cooling off on a hot day. Knysna turacos are frequently heard and seen flapping between the treetops. Other birds to look out for are fish eagles, Martial eagles, Cape Battis, Burchell’s Coucal, Cape robin, little egrets and the brownhooded kingfisher. Permits are self-issuing at the entrance gate. A small fee is usually charged in peak season.

In the heart of South Africa's lush Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beachesgently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains – all elements that characterise the Wilderness National Park. Walking trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna lourie, or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. During spring, a carpet of flowers, further enhance the verdant beauty of this national park. Looking for an action packed holiday adventure? Then, Wilderness is your playground. Experience whales and dolphins from Dolphin Point. Hire a canoe or bicycle, go abseiling, kloofing, paragliding or hang-gliding. Go boating, fishing at Island Lake or hike to the waterfall above Ebb and Flow Restcamp. You do not have to be super fit to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. There are loads of activities for young, old, energetic or idle. Stroll along a forest path or visit the bird hide and discover the wealth of bird life. Lie back in a canoe on a quiet backwater and watch the world float by. Wilderness National Park stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve, giving welcome protection to five lakes and the Serpentine, which is the winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb-and-flow Restcamp.

Wilderness Beach is unspoilt, safe and breathtakingly beautiful. Warm Indian Ocean waves break onto this golden sandy beach that stretches for seemingly endless kilometres. Time almost stands still as the hours slip by while you wander and enjoy this coastal Eden and its creatures. It's a good spot for whale and dolphin watching.