Plettenberg Bay Things to Do

The game reserve of Plettenberg Bay is the largest of the Southern Cape. It has all the big animals you want to see such as lions, zebras, hippos, giraffes, waterbuffalos, wildebeast, crocodiles, rhinos and all sorts of antilopes. You can also spend the night in their lodge.

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We decided to visit Monkeyland which is located just a short distance from the beautiful Plettenberg Bay , it is the world’s first multi-specie free roaming primate sanctuary. Monkeyland opened its doors in 1998 and this unique primate sanctuary is currently the top eco-tourism attraction on the Garden Route. Monkeyland’s aim is to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates and the sanctuary caters for several species of primates who are free to move about the forest and go about their monkey business! It is wonderful to listen to the guide explaining how they de-humanise the monkeys before releasing them into the forest where they can be monkey's again and do what come naturally and not what was tough by humans. Currenlty they have three gibons that they are de-humanising and after three years, they still want to mix with humans and not other primates.
Monkeyland offers visitors the chance to experience a true primate safari, the reward being to see these interesting and amusing animals as they are meant to be: free and in a natural habitat. Watch small squirrel monkeys swinging in the trees or vervet monkeys going about their daily grooming rituals. On the guided safaris you can expect to see a large variety of primates, ranging from Gibbons to Lemurs. The expert rangers will tell you all about these fascinating mammals as you encounter them roaming free in the forest. They also point out, identify and explain the many other wonders of life in the forest, from the rich diversity of bird life to the intricate workings of the forest itself.

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Located just outside of Plettenberg Bay you will find the world’s largest free flight bird aviary, the Birds of Eden Sanctuary. This unique two hectare dome which spans a gorge of beautiful indigenous forest, offers a truly unique and African experience. Some 100 species of incredible African birds are housed at the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, some endangered. As a visitor to the Birds of Eden Sanctuary you will feel as though you are truly in the wild with hundreds of birds swooping, flying and calling around you. Beware as one of them might just decide to come and rest on your shoulder. It happened to me and it frightened me half dead!
The sanctuary has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk-behind waterfall as well as an amphitheatre, which has the ability to seat over 200 visitors for interesting talks and displays. Visitors can also enjoy a snack at one of the sanctuary’s eateries whilst watching birds like the African Grey Parrot and the Blue Headed Pionus dart about the forest.
There are 1.2 kilometres of wooden canopy walkway hanging in the clouds to lead you through this beautiful place and to bring you close to the variety of birds. It sounds like a long walk, but there are benches everywhere where you can sit and rest if you feel so inclined and it is very easy to walk.

Cost Of Tickets
Adults - R115.00 to R125.00 depending on season
Child – R57.50 to R62.50 depending on season

Combo (Monkeyland and Birds of Eden)
Adults - R184.00 to R200.00 depending on season
Child – R92.00 to R100.50 depending on season

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I was a bit sceptical about the place, but my friend wanted to go and get in touch with the wolf within, so we went. cost is R60 per adult and R30 per child. They have three pens with wolves. Two of them only have two in, but the large on has 12 wolves residing there. At the time of our visit they also had 6 cubs. They have some wild dogs, emu's, mountain tortoises, ponies, ducks, rabbits and other stuff to keep the children also amused.

At Harkerville you will find a little cluster of shops with a restaurant and the labyrinth that you can walk. The labyrinth is of lavender, so you have fantastic smells coming from the plants, but beware as there are quite a number of bees also enjoying the flowers.

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A visit to the elephant sanctuary is not cheap, but worth the money I think. We decided to not only feed and touch the elephants and walking with them in the forest but also to go for a ride. Not a very comfortable ride I must say, but well worth it.

Take a scenic drive and visit the Trumilk Dairy in the Bitou Valley for cheese, and wine tasting. Trumilk Dairy recently received an award for the best feta cheese in South Africa. Their production includes cheddar cheese and a handmade Camembert. Carefully selected wines from the Cape and Klein Karoo compliment cheese that can be tasted and bought on the farm.

Near Storms River is an environmentally friendly and sustainable fern-harvesting and cultivation industry. You can view the indigenous ferns of the Tsitsikamma forest. Teas and light lunches are available as well as guided tours of the nursery and export facilities.
Open daily 9am to 5pm.