We depart from Cape Town or Stellenbosch early on Monday morning for Hermanus. (Shark cage diving clients will be picked up very early in the morning by the diving operator, and will miss the first half of Day 1). We follow the scenic coastal road, stopping at Bettys Bay to view a colony of endangered African Penguins. You can spend the afternoon in Hermanus, famous for hundreds of Southern Right Whales that visit during the whale season (July to November). There are some great local markets selling fresh organic produce, artisan breads, handmade cheeses and more. In the afternoon we will drive on to Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa, where we visit a viewpoint known as the “real” place where the warm Indian and cold Atlantic Oceans meet. Many sailors have met their stormy end here, with the violent swell and changing currents pushing ships onto the shallow waters of the Agulhas Bank.
Included: Dinner, entrance to Stony Point Penguin Colony
Optional activities: Shark cage Diving at R2880 (valid until 31/12/2021), Whale watching boat trip (in season, July – November) at R950 (valid until 31/12/2021).
Shark Diving and Whale Watching MUST be booked the week before the tour departs, as they take place on the first day of the tour. Boat trips are weather dependent and sightings are not guaranteed, whales may only be spotted July to Nov
Betties Bay Penguins
Penguins at Bettys Bay & Dinner
Shark cage diving .
Whale watching boat trip (July – November)
We travel to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, known as the Ostrich Capital of the World, where the largest ostrich population in the world resides. Then via the scenic Route 62, which is South Africa’s longest wine route at 850km. You will be able to experience the subterranean beauty of the Cango Caves on a guided adventure tour. Descend the 200 steps of Jacob’s Ladder into the Great Hall and continue into King Solomon’s Mine. To help with slowing down the heart rate, we follow this with a sampling of the local wine.
Included: Breakfast, local wine tasting, Cango Caves adventure tour & dinner
After breakfast we head over the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain pass (the Portuguese named these mountains ‘Serra da Estrela’ meaning Mountains of the Stars) where we will explore Wilderness National Park with some canoes. Relax with an easy paddle up the Touws River through indigenous forest, enjoying the abundance of bird life. 40 minutes downriver, the canoes will be left for a 2km hike along a boardwalk which will take us to a lovely waterfall and rock pool. After the canoeing, we will head to the famous town of Knysna via the spectacular Lake District of the Garden Route. This up-market little town is filled with restaurants and a tranquil waterfront, where you will be able to have lunch and do some shopping. After Knysna we will head to the Knysna Heads viewpoint for some impressive views over Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. You can explore Sedgefield in the late afternoon with its remarkable views and beaches.
Included: Breakfast, canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park & Dinner
After breakfast, off to Tsitsikamma National Park. En route we will stop at Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters). There is plenty of time for the adventure seekers among you to test your courage. The afternoon will be spent in Tsitsikamma National Park with its unique combination of indigenous forest and beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. The park has a wide choice of activities for all, including long and short hikes, crossing a suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth. Late afternoon we will leave the Garden Route for Big 5 country, Addo.
Included: Breakfast, entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park & Dinner
Optional activities: Bloukrans bungee jump at R1400 (valid until 31/12/2021). Treetop canopy tour at R695 (valid until 31/12/2021).
We will spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park. We will spend 2 – 3 hours exploring the 28,000 hectare National reserve with over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, lion, black rhino, warthog, zebra, eland, koedoe, hartebeest and many more animals. After an exciting morning of game viewing we will drive to Port Elizabeth, where the tour will end at approximately 1:00-2:00pm on Friday afternoon.
Included activities: Entrance and 2 – 3 hour drive with tour vehicle through Addo Elephant National Park
Optional activities: 2-hour open vehicle game drive with Addo field guide at R420 (valid until 31/12/2021)
