Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as the locals refer to it, is undoubtedly the “jewel” of the Garden 
Route. Ultimately known for its beautiful beaches and even being named as Africa’s “best beach destination”, Plett is the place where the locals like to hang out over their holiday season.
As a family, we were no different to thousands of other Capetonians who have spent wonderful holidays in this seaside village. Each year though, we would always drag ourselves away from the beach for at least one day and go do something “different”.
Yours truly and the gorgeous beaches of Plett, dont miss the iconic Beacon Isle
Hotel in the background
These are my recent TWO “finds” – they are not necessarily new activities, which makes it rather easy to perhaps bypass them – take my advice, take the morning off from the beach to walk through a “real” Garden of Eden and then relax in the vineyards with tapas and bubbles – Priceless!
We planned to spend about an hour here, in the end, we were there for nearly 3 hours and I could have easily spent more time in this amazing Sanctuary.
Birds of Eden is not just any old aviary, it is the largest free-flight multi-species bird dome/aviary in the world – home to approximately 3000 birds. It’s HUGE, covering an area of 2, 1761 hectares (21.761 square metres and 375.372 cubic meters). The heights of the dome vary from 2 – 34 meters so plenty of room for those lucky birds to enjoy their lives in a completely safe haven. The wire mesh covers an area of 3.2 hectares and originally weighed 80 tones when it was built in 2005. This was replaced in 2012 and the new stainless steel mesh weighs a mere 8 tones – an interesting fact is that there is enough wire in the mesh to go more than half way round the earth!
In addition to the amazing birds the Sanctuary has some very special features which make it really unique. 70% of the area under the dome is indigenous forest. It does not feel like you are in an enclosure at all, especially as there is a mist system which simulates being in a rainforest – how cool is that?
There is a river that runs right through the Park in a natural lung so there is no pollution from any other water source. There is even a waterfall which you can walk behind, just like a real forest. The walkways and bridges are beautiful with strategically placed benches to sit on and just take it all in.
But, be careful you don’t doze off in these tranquil surroundings. Before you know it, a Hornbill or a Knysna Lourie or Green Turaco or one of the many different species of Cockatoo, or perhaps a Parakeet or a Macaw or a cute little Black-cheeked Lovebird will come and perch right next to you, almost as if YOU are the species they are checking out…..
I loved the dam area where there is a restaurant – here you can sit for hours watching all the different species of Ducks, Cormorants, Scarlet Ibis, African Spoonbills, gorgeous Caribbean Flamingos and Swans, even geese!
Do not miss this attraction and don’t forget your camera, I took about 300 photos 
A couple of friends had mentioned the restaurant at Bramon Wine Estate but, we live in Cape Town and have so many wineries within a stone’s throw from us, it seemed silly to want to visit a wine estate in Plett – but, then I heard that they make a rather good bubbly and to entice me still further, I heard they served tapas…I cannot resist bubbles and tapas.
The winery is closeby to the Birds of Eden but if you are travelling from Plett, it’s just off the N2 about 18kms or so going east or towards Port Elizabeth. The Tasting Room is visible from the highway and the restaurant a bit further down the road.
On arriving at the restaurant, it looks quite ordinary, but when you walk through the doors and see the view from the other side, it becomes very special, a real “find”.
Make sure you book early and try to get one of the tables that sit right in the Vineyard.
The views overlooking the Tsitsikamma Mountains are spectacular. Anton Smal, the winemaker joined us for lunch too which made it rather special – my hubby is in the wine industry so I am always lucky enough to meet the men behind the wines.
Our happy group with Winemaker, Anton Smal, in foreground on right
We were soon sipping their award winning Methode Cap Classique sparkling wine and eating the delicious homemade bread. There was much discussion about the menu and what tapas to order. In the end, every plate was delicious, beautifully presented and thoroughly enjoyed.
Some of our delicious Mezze / tapas dishes
If you are in the Plettenberg Bay area at any time, make a booking here, the food is superb, the wine delicious and the surroundings spectacular – definitely not something I expected on my “seaside” holiday.
Have you visited Bramon Wines or the Birds of Eden?
Hi Cynthia,
Enjoyed reading your Plett adventure. We have been to Birds of Eden but not to Bramon Winery and will definitely include a visit there during our next holiday in Plett.
I liked your comment in your email about “getting out of your comfort zone”. This is exactly what I intend doing in 2013 as well as some overseas travelling as your blog adventures have given me itchy feet and some great ideas.
Your photographs are outstanding – who knows, perhaps a new line of business for you ?????
Great blog Cynthia. Keep up the good work. I’m very impressed.
I really appreciate your comments Pam. I know I will have succeeded with my Blog if I can get you exploring new places!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Blog an respond.
Cynthia, this place looks amazing and the food appetizing. I can feel the breeze.
Hi Valentina and thank you for taking the time to read my Blog – you should put South Africa onto your bucketlist, there are many places just like this! I took a looksee at your blog too, so interesting and of course, I love Italy, my favourite overseas destination.
Oh to be in Plettenberg Bay, Cynthia! Your photos are so enticing. Just what I’m needing this grey English day. The bird sanctuary is outstanding.
Thanks Johanna, perhaps my pics will entice you to visit sometime? We are having a glorious summer!
The Craggs has some amazing attractions and has really developed into a destination very much on its own. Plett itself just hasn’t gotten hold of me. I’ve had two Plett “experiences” and neither has helped to win my heart. The first time I won an accommodation voucher and when I wanted to use it there were all kinds of problems with the person I won it from ending in us skipping the town and going to Knysna. The second time I also won two nights at a place. Water was cold and they forgot to serve us breakfast while a storm came up while on a whale watching cruise ending in no whales and a turning stomach. I just don’t seem to have much luck with the town. I’ll give it one more chance at some stage.
I am so sorry to hear about your “bad” experiences in Plett, such a pity but goes to show that the accommodation you stay in can make or break a trip.
Cynthia you really do choose the best places of interest on your travels.
I will definately make a point of visiting these places on my next Garden Route Tour! How many bottles and pics did it take to catch the cork leaving the bottle? Nice one.
LOL are you still in Knysna? That cork flying has obviously gotten to you and you will be surprised to know that it only took ONE!
WOW, WOW, WOW, that is one of my best reads on your blog so far Cynthia. Those pictures of the birds are beautiful. I managed to visit Birds of Eden in 2007, was spectacular and certainly look forward to going back in the future to see how things have developed. Beautiful!
As for Bramon Wine Estate, that is for sure on the list of new things to do on the Garden Route in the future.
This really was a beautiful blog and brought back so many wonderful memories down the Garden Route from my own child hood!
Thank you so much Josh and glad I could give you a ride down memory lane
The Birds of Eden really blew my mind, it is fantastic, I wish I could show you more of the amazing photos I took. And as for Bramon Wines, a very gorgeous spot and the food and champers devine, make sure you visit!
Like this post very much, especially those different birds in the aviary. Your photos are quite amazing too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Michael, appreciate you taking the time to read my Blog, I am working on my photography….and loving it!
Looks like a heavenly final day of doing something different.
The wine estate especially looks like it is right up my alley. I am missing summer and the warm weather amongst the vines. I live in Canada but it’s in a desert so it’s mild winters and hot summers with a ton of wineries within the valley.
Lovely images!
Murissa
Canada is on my bucketlist….