Travel Info

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The Setting for Bands of Glory

The farm is a beautiful ridge overlooking the valleys, surrounding farms and the Outeniqua Mountains. Surrounded by pine forest to the one side and indigenous forest in the valleys, its a beautiful place close enough to "the real world" but distant enough to allow for the perfect setting for the Bands of Glory Music Festival. The green fields make the perfect place for camping under the stars.

Approximate travel times and distances by car to Middelrug Farm:

Knysna town center (~20 km): ~25 minutes north-east ( mostly tar road with the last 7km on gravel / moutain pass )
Sedgefield (~10 km south): ~15 minutes ( mostly tar road with the last 7km on gravel / moutain pass )
George (~50 km east): ~45–60 minutes
Cape Town (~500 km west): ~5-6 hours via N2
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) (~350 km east): ~3-4 hours via N2

Weather – George, Western Cape (April 2026)

April marks early autumn in this region—generally temperate and ideal for outdoor activities:

Average high: 21–22 °C (~70–71 °F)
Average low: 11–14 °C (~52–57 °F)
Rainfall: Around 60 mm over 6–9 days, mild and sporadic
Daylight: Approximately 7–8 hours of sunshine per day
Advice: Bring layers for mild days and crisp evenings, plus protection for occasional light showers.

Flights to George (GRJ)

The nearest major airport is George Airport (GRJ).

From Johannesburg (JNB):

Flight time: ~1 hour 58–120 minutes
Airlines: Safair, Airlink, CemAir
Typical airfare: R 700–1 300 round-trip (~$70–$130)
- One-way fares can start from R 449
- Booking early (approx 40 days ahead) helps with best pricing
Frequency: Around 4–7 direct flights daily

From Cape Town (CPT):

Direct flights to George are available via Airlink and Safair; frequency increases seasonally
Expect 1-hour flight time with fares similar to JNB–GRJ routes.

From Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha):

No direct flights—likely route via JNB or CPT; consider 6–8 hour ground transfer.

Practical Tips & Recommendations

Hire a car in George or Knysna to access the site and surrounding farms easily. Public transport is limited in rural zones.
Accommodations: Camp on the farm or consider guest farms or B&Bs in Rheenendal / Knysna / Sedgefield.
Pack smart: Layers (long sleeves, fleece), rain jacket, sun protection, walking shoes, refillable water bottle.
Time zones: South African Standard Time (UTC+2). All local travelers within the country stay on same time; international visitors adjust accordingly.
Currency & language: South African Rand (ZAR); English and Afrikaans widely spoken.
Connectivity: Mobile reception is available but may be patchy in rural areas—download maps offline if driving.

At-a-Glance Summary

Nearest Town: Knysna (~20 km)

Airport: George Airport (GRJ)

Typical Flight Duration: 2 hours from Johannesburg, 50min from Cape Town

Airlines: FlySafair, Airlink

April Weather (Day/Night)~22 °C / ~11–14 °C

Rainfall~60 mm over ~6–9 days

Drive Time from Cape Town~5 - 6 hours via N2

Drive Time from Port Elizabeth~3 - 4 hours via N2