Volunters at Knysna

For our March Volunteer Trip, we cruised down the Garden Route in search of beaches, relaxation and fun! On the N2 freeway we passed through the vineyards, down to the coast to Mossel Bay where the official start of the Garden Route begins. Passing through thick forests, floral sanctuaries on the windy, rugged coastal highway, we finally arrived in Buffalo Bay! Buffalo Bay is an oasis for those who really want to get away from it all, the white sandy beach stretches for miles, the surfing is impeccable and development is scarce! We stayed the night in the Buffalo Bay Backpackers, where we met people from all over the world, tasted a traditional South African braai supper and watched the bright stars before heading off to bed.

We made a bold excursion into the Goukamma Nature and Marine reserve which is famous for its marine life, bottle-nosed dolphins and whales off the shoreline and coastal fynbos. We decided to tackle the Coastal Hike, a 10km trek in the hot sunshine! Before beginning our hike, we realized that in order to even get to the trail head we had to use our woman (and one man) power to pull the “ferry” across a river! We managed to do this with no casualties and had a laugh the whole way!

the “ferry”

We also enjoyed a day in Knysna, checking out the local shops and quaint town famous for its oysters! The volunteers also visited the Knysna Elephant Park, where they learned a lot about elephant conservation and rehabilitation. Jolanda Vroling, Ruth Hamilton and Lindsay Smith gave them some exercise by riding on their backs! We had a great trip, can’t wait to come back!

-Alyssa Myers