Garden Route Game Lodge

Garden Route Game Lodge, near the small rural farmers of Albertinia is often described as "guarding the entrance to South Africa's world famous Garden Route". It is situated in the Cape Flora (fynbos) Region and is ideal for quiet family getaways.

From Cape Town, follow the N2 towards George. About 5 km after Albertinia (3½ hours from Cape Town) turn left into the reserve which is well sign-boarded.

From George, follow the N2 towards Cape Town, past Mossel Bay and after 50 km, turn right into the well-marked game reserve.

Albertinia back ground

Currently there are no tour or activity products listed for Albertinia. Check for Accommodation products.

Albertina is situated 52 kilometers from Mossel Bay on the N2, as well as the mines and aloe products, the town relies heavily on its agricultural, there are some excellent walks, horse riding, game drives, bird watching, and vine yards, all within easy distances.

Albertina had been growing as settlement from around the mid 1700s as mainly agricultural settlement, although red and yellow ochre were first noticed by Sir John Barrow in 1797; however this natural resource was not utilized until much later. In 1908 a big diamond was discovered at nearby Aasvoëlberg - literally Vulture Mountain - but no further finds were recorded.

The settlement continued to expand over the years and eventually the Dutch reformed Church decided Albertina required its own church.

The town was named after the reverend J.R. Albertyn of Riversdale, who planned the establishment of a separate church community. On the 10th of September 1898 the church council of Riversdale bought the farm Grootfontein from a Mrs H. Lourens. A rectory was built by the congregation of Riversdale, and on 17th February 1900 a minister, the reverend D.J. Malan was ordained. Albertinia was proclaimed a town on 18 November 1904.

In 1925 W.R. van As began commercially mining ochre, today Albertina is the principle source of ochre in South Africa, as well exporting the product worldwide, the natural earth product is used mainly in the manufacture of paints.

Aloe ferox is today a major export product of this area. The leaves are collected during the winter and drained of their bitter-tasting sap, then boiled to form a concentrated product. This area is one of the two principal sources of aloe sap concentrate, the other being the West Indies. The sap of the Aloe ferox is an important ingredient of several medicinal products, many of which are also manufactured at Albertinia.

Agriculture plays the major role with the cultivation of grain (wheat and oats), dairy farming, sheep and cattle farming.

Another product in abundance and harvested is thatching grass, family Poaceae, species Thammocortis insignus, and Restionaceae.

Back Road Safaris offers individual and group tours and holidays across a tremendous spectrum of tastes, interests and travel styles. This includes meaningful cultural exchanges; family fun; memorable adventures; simple, restful breaks; and special-interest activities like golf, whale watching or wine tasting.

Our value-for-money itineraries are renowned for their cultural diversity, scenic beauty and stunning variety of wildlife. And, of course, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo - our playgrounds - are known for their mild, comfortable weather and warm, friendly hospitality.

Back Road Safaris is based in Mossel Bay - in the heart of the Garden Route and just 40 km from the airport at George.