Loerie - Hankey - Patensie - Baviaanskloof

 The Gamtoos River Valley is a vibrant mix of nature, agriculture and cultural influences with plenty to see and explore along this diverse route. Citrus fruit grown in the area is the main form of export and other crops include potatoes, vegetables, tobacco and even avocados.

Loerie hosts the Naartjie Festival during the month of September, Hankey, the oldest town in the valley, is home to the largest Sun Dial in Africa (diameter: 36.4m). This area was also home to South Africa's first inhabitants, the Khoi and Mfengu people, centuries ago. Ironically, it was only in 2002 that the remains of Sarah Bartmann, a Khoi-San woman, were laid to rest upon a hill outside the town. She finally returned to her homeland in death after spending a tragic and lonely life as an object of display in Europe during the 18th/19th centuries. The most magnificent views of the Gamtoos floodplain can be seen from the Toposcope in Hankey. Golfers will also be keen to putt on the well-kept greens of the 9-hole Hankey Golf Course.

Patensie is the last stop before entering the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area. Guarded by the majestic Cockscomb mountain, this little town's activities revolve around the Citrus Industry. It has become a very popular tourist destination with many B&B's and self-catering establishments, as well as fuel-stops, banks and shops to choose from. Tourism Information can be obtained from the Tolbos Country Shop and Tea Garden. Visit the impressive Kouga Dam built in 1967 - the first double-arched dam engineered in South Africa. Along the way, look out for unique rock formations - you may even be suprised to see Queen Victoria's profile!

The Gamtoos River Valley lies adjacent to the world famous Garden Route, approximately 75km from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth (one of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup Final host cities), and is easily accessible from the N2 Highway. There are many other attractions close by such as:

• Jeffrey's Bay - surfing mecca
• Cape St Francis - luxury resort town
• Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve
• Game Reserves with Big Five sightings
• Addo Elephant National Park

The Valley boasts a warm, pleasant climate all year round and is free of tropical deseases, such as malaria.

The Baviaanskloof is nestled between the Baviaans Mountain range in the north and the Kouga Mountain Range in the south. This 192 000 ha conservation area, recently awarded World Heritage Site status, is home to an amazing diversity of habitat types and species. From Forest yellowoods to karoo bossies, thicket spekboom to fynbos proteas, the Kloof is a nature lover's paradise. Numerous campsites and lodges, hiking and 4x4 trails are a must-see and keep a look-out for the San Art which adorns the pristine cliffs. The Baviaans Mega Reserve project, an exciting Eastern Cape Government and Wilderness Foundation initiative, is attempting to align and facilitate the conservation of the region's biodiversity and natural resources, with the agricultural and rural development needs.