The dense semitropical OKEFENOKEE SWAMP stretches over thirty miles down to Florida from a point roughly thirty miles southwest of Brunswick. Tucked away among its astonishing profusion of luxuriant plants and trees are something like 20,000 alligators, over thirty species of snake, as well as bears and pumas. You can only get in at the Okefenokee Swamp Park , a private charity-owned concession at the northeast end, on Hwy-177, off US-23/1, not served by public transportation (June-Aug daily 9am-6.30pm; Sept-May daily 9am-5.30pm; $14-18; tel 912/283-0583). Admission includes an hour and a half boat tour through the swamp (slick yourself with bug repellent), a serpentarium, a good interpretive center on wildlife, an observation tower, reconstructed pioneer buildings - and a lot of placid alligators sunning themselves in oblivious bliss.

Unlovely WAYCROSS , ten miles north, holds bargain motels such as the Pinecrest , 1761 Memorial Drive (tel 912/283-3580; up to $35). The town's Okefenokee Heritage Center , 1460 N Augusta Ave (Tues-Sun 9am-5pm; $4), has occasional displays on the history of the swamp.

Okefenokee Swamp

• Okefenokee Swamp

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