14 daags Cape Town - Cape Town (via Oudtshoorn,)

Experience the beautiful St Francis Bay Canals and Kromme River on a luxury 12 seater barge which is designed and licensed to carry up to 12 passengers on the waterways of not only the canals but also the Kromme and Geelhout Rivers.

River Break activities are tailored to suit the needs of the individual or group with trips ranging from a 1 hour cruise around the canal systems to a full day excursion up the Kromme River. This river system forms part of a conservancy and is a haven for birds and animals. On leaving the Kromme River your journey will take you along the picturesque waters of the Geelhout River until your final destination... your very own private farm.

On arrival at the farm known as the 'Bat and the Boerboon' you have the rest of the day to relax at the pool, paddle the still waters in a canoe, take a stroll through the fynbos thickets or simply sit and chill as your lunch is prepared.

Enjoy calamari starters followed by a full, traditional South African braai (barbeque) and a sumptuous dessert to end this awesome meal. At your leisure, board the barge for another relaxing cruise back toward St Francis.

For the full day river and farm adventure a minimum of 6 people is required.

Clothing, Classrooms and Conservation all in one day.For the last 2 yrs Cape St Francis Resort has been taking guests on a wonderful tour of local community projects and businesses. These insightful excursions offer participants the opportunity to meet everyone involved and really get to know the what, who and why's of each individual business and the people involved.

Get up close and personal with some feathered friends.Based next door to the light house in Cape St Francis the SANCCOB rehabilitation center is a leading marine non-profit organization with a vision to conserve seabirds and other sea-life, especially threatened species such as the African penguin.

Interact with local kids at a children's school at Talhado Children’s Haven which was started to address the needs of disadvantaged children in the area of St Francis Bay. Pre -primary education and a safe place to play, under adult care, were needed. Through 'Betty's Tour' you will meet these wonderful children and the teachers who care for them.

Meet some talented locals and maybe buy a garment or two - Although Nomvulas is still a small business it has developed a strong client base which keeps the pace of work consistent and provides a sustainable income for the staff.You will be given a personal tour by one of the knitters . The products produced are simply stunning and you will be spoilt for choice with the wide range of clothing and accessories.

Just 1 hours drive from Cape St Francis lies approximately 270 000 ha. of unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain known as The Baviaanskloof.

The nature reserves breath-taking scenery includes sights of deep gorges, twisting streams and rivers and towering mountain cliffs. Open plateau and valleys are scattered throughout the area resulting in truly magnificent and varied scenic vistas. The highest point in the mountain ranges is the Cockscomb in the Groot Winterhoek range that rises to a height of 1 758 meters above sea level.

We highly recommend a visit to the Baviaanskloof and all it has to offer and now you can do it style:
Leaving in our fully air conditioned people carrier we will take you on a stunning journey through the citrus valley of Patensie.You’ll then continue your journey along a breathtaking mountain road with scenery you'll never forget to Poortjies. Various walks are available with incredible view points to really take in the true beauty of The Baviaanskloof.

Your lunch time stop will be the majestic setting of Rooihoek, deep within the Baviaans mountains. With a clean crisp river, perfect for swimming, and pristine white sands Rooihoek is the perfect location to rest and refuel.On your return you’ll also visit a typical farm stall called Padlangs where teas and coffees will be served.

Bunkers, lakes, long drives and beautifully tendered greens draw golfers to the area year after year!
Famously known for it's surfing, The St Francis Bay area also offers 2 outstanding, and very different, golf courses.

Firstly there is 'The St Francis Bay Golf Club' situated within the heart of the picturesque village of St Francis. This full 18 hole course offers challenging holes for all levels, from short lake holes to long driver par 5s. The 19th hole or club house offers a wide variety of snacks, meals and drinks with stunning views across the course. Sit back and watch as the golfers finish their round on the 18th.

The popularity of 'The St Francis Bay Golf Course' and the “Calamari Classic” (a three-day tournament run in September each year) in particular has been evident when one looks at the list of players frequenting the Club. This list is made up of resident members as well as up-country members and visitors who travel from all over the country and abroad to come and play at 'The St Francis Bay GC'

'St Francis Links' , the second course in St Francis Bay, may not have been grazing land for sheep and rabbits, but a natural course between the beach and arable land it is. Jack Nicklaus has had the pleasure of taking Mother Nature’s best piece of links land and signed his name to something unique. 'St Francis Links' challenges all who play it and rewards those who respect it.

Experience the natural beauty of Cape St Francis and the surrounding area via stunning reserve and coastal walks

Cape St Francis is home to no less than four beautiful nature reserves, Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, Seal Point Nature Reserve, Seal Bay Nature Reserve and Irma Booysen Flora Reserve.
These reserves offer a wide variety of walks suitable for all levels of fitness and experience. These walks, hikes and trails take you through natural coastal lands filled with indigenous plant and wild life.

What is so special about these areas?

South Africa is extraordinarily rich in plant and animal life and scientists have classified the different kinds of vegetation across the land. The southwestern Cape region is especially blessed in plant species, so much so that it is recognized as one of only six Plant or Floral Kingdoms in the world. Known as the Cape Floral Kingdom, it extends roughly from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town and inland, covering about 90,000 km2 and is home to 9,000 plant species, 70% of which grow nowhere else in the world (i.e. endemic to the Cape).

These plants are not scattered randomly across the landscape. Instead, from one hill to the next, different plant species grow together in their own communities. This means that the entire region is divided into these vegetation types, comprising plant species that grow in their particular area and nowhere else.

Our local vegetation type is the St Francis Fynbos/Thicket Mosaic and only grows on the lime-rich coastal sandy sites scattered between Tsitisikamma in the west and Port Elizabeth in the east. The conditions under which this vegetation type can grow is a relatively small area comprising 0.2% of the Cape region. Botanists from all over the world have visited the area discovering new species of plant life that are only found in this area.

Keep those eyes peeled for wild life

Look out for bushbuck, grysbok, common duiker, bushpig, porcupine, vervet monkey, caracal, yellow and grey mongoose and otters. You can sometimes see the rare African black oystercatcher and occasionally an endangered Jackass penguin. Bottlenose and common dolphins are often seen offshore and, from August to December, southern right whales may be spotted.

There are many other activities on offer such as whale and dolphin excursions, surf lessons with video, a hit with children, bicycles for hire , bird watching, canal and river cruises, kite surfing , horse riding , deep sea fishing out of Port St Francis on Fiona M.

All bookable through Resort Adventures.

Whether you are a foodie , interested in sea creatures or our local community the unique Calamari Tasting is a must on any itinerary.

Port St Francis is the only privately owned working harbour in South Africa and home to the

squid ( ink fish ) industry. Over 60 freezing vessels come and go for 8 months of the year, leaving for up to 21 days with crews of between 14 and 26 to find what is known locally as Chokka.

So combine a beach walk or Betty’s Tour with a calamari tasting where you can hear about the sustainability of the industry , the method of catching and showing guests the raw product and then the tasting itself, freshly prepared. It showcases not only the difference between the local and imported calamari but also the elements of the fish.

A must do, a unique once off opportunity to taste the best local calamari our country has to offer to appreciate why it is called “white gold”.

For guests traveling to Addo, our Tooth and Claw Safari offers an unforgettable experience. Led by your dedicated guide from Bellevue Forest Reserve, you'll journey to a premier safari destination in our own vehicle. This exciting safari includes close-up encounters with lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles, with the chance to observe these majestic animals from very close range. The experience also includes a delicious dinner and drinks, ensuring a memorable evening in the heart of the wild.

Giraffe on Safari Credit: Loodt Buchner

Zebra on Safari Credit: Loodt Buchner

Boma Fire on Tooth and Claw Safari Credit: Loodt Buchner

Boma Dinner option Credit: Loodt Buchner

Elephant up close Credit: Loodt Buchner

Hippopotumas Credit: Loodt Buchner

Lion on Safari Credit: Loodt Buchner

Lion on Safari Credit: Loodt Buchner

Wellness and relaxation are key attractions at Bellevue Forest Reserve. While we are developing our in-house Wellness Centre, guests can currently enjoy the Afri Spa on-site at Bellevue Forest Reserve.

Therapists can offer massages in your room or at Elephants Lodge's outdoor spa gazebo. Both overnight and day visitors can book treatments, but it’s essential to book in advance.

Treatments include foot massages, pedicures, head, neck, shoulder, back, and full-body massages, plus a kiddies’ spa menu.

Afri Spa provides five-star service with natural, eco-friendly products. Their foot scrub uses salt, essential oils, and locally sourced Spekboom, known for its healing, hydrating properties.

Full Day Addo + Giraffe & Buffalo Safari
Experience the wild in the heart of nature. Our Addo trip, combined with exclusive Giraffe and Buffalo encounters, offers an unforgettable safari in the Eastern Cape. Game viewing is guaranteed to be spectacular.

Inclusions:
- Return transfer to Bellevue Forest Reserve
- Addo Game Drive
- Giraffe Walk
- Buffalo Excursion
- Breakfast & Lunch

Itinerary:
- Arrival at Bellevue Forest Reserve (Olifantskop Lodge), greeted with morning coffee or afternoon High Tea
- Meet your guide for a briefing
- 45-minute safari activity followed by breakfast (morning) or sundowners (afternoon)
- Morning: Registration at 07:15, coffee from 07:15–07:30, activities from 07:30–09:45
- Afternoon: Registration at 15:00, High Tea from 15:00–15:30, activities from 15:30 onward

Be part of an exhilarating African experience with our TALL FIVE Giraffe Walking Safaris. As one of Bellevue Forest Reserve’s specialty excursions on a 2,500-hectare private game reserve in the Greater Addo region, this is an experience like no other.

Filled with breath-taking moments, guests experiences a intimate walk through the heart of the Addo Valley Bushveld accompanied by a highly experienced FGASA trained armed trails guide. This is where beautiful memories are made, as you feel the African sun giving life to this amazing safari experience. Bigger groups can be accommodated with prior arrangement, as well as a mid of day time slot (11H00am).

Commencing right after you have enjoyed your beverages and will last about 45 minutes. Hereafter you will return to the lodge where you and your group will enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at our Eagles Nest Lookout Lounge for the morning trips and sundowners in the bush for the afternoon activities.

Experience the African safari like never before with our Buffalo Encounters. A behind the scenes, curtains open excursion that won’t be found around just any corner. Here a maximum of 10 guests get to be part of a 4×4 vehicle drive, facilitated by a Game Ranger and view from up close as Buffalo’s are fed and monitored on a daily basis.

Based on a section of our 2,500-hectare private nature reserve in the Greater Addo region, this is an experience like no other, giving you a glimpse into the natural habitat of these amazing species as you ride through the Buffalo Camp of the nature reserve. The morning breeze makes this trip more amazing, departing our lodge at (07h30) daily after a morning coffee and lasts between 45 – 60 minutes, followed by a scrumptious breakfast at our Eagles Nest Lookout Lounge.

As the day draws to a close, creating picturesque views the afternoon Buffalo Encounters tour leaves camp after Drinks and snacks and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Where after guests are entertained in the bush for sundowner drinks and snacks before ending the day at Elephants Lodge again.

The tour will show you how a modern day working commercial farm operates.

Our tour guide, Koos, starts by telling you the fascinating story of how Oudtshoorn owes its history to the ostrich. Indeed the ostrich feather started it all … and the rest (as they say)… is history!

Koos, will take you for a drive around the farm to show you the adult ostriches. You will get a chance to meet the curious and friendly, young ostriches in the farm paddocks.

He then will show you how we breed the chicks. You will see how we use advanced farming methods to care for the eggs and provide the right environment for them to hatch into healthy young birds. Once hatched, our chicks then go into the nursery for their upbringing. As they grow, so they move into bigger paddocks along with all the other chicks they bonded with in the nursery.

If you want to do shopping, some of the local things that we recommend you buy as gifts or souvenirs are the following places. Mooiplaas Country Guesthouse also has an on site curio shop.

Our on-site spa facility is one of the best Oudtshoorn spa facilities, offering treatments and massages to suit every guest’s needs. Add some extra pampering to your holiday.
Treatments include massages, facials, hand & foot treatments, exfoliation, body wraps and more – with the signature range of Kalahari spa and beauty products.

Experience a touch of Africa – in the comfort of our luxury farm style surrounding.

Mooiplaas Guesthouse boasts a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the farmlands of Oudtshoorn. Take a dip and enjoy a cocktails pool side on those hot summer days.