Welcome to the colourful and diverse Cape region of South Africa. You will be collected in the morning by our professional tour guide at your Cape Town hotel. With the soaring Table Mountain behind us we travel inland on the N1 highway via Route 62, considered the longest wine route in the world and we will definitely sample some of its vineyards along the way. It’s often said that South Africa has one of the most varied landscapes of any country, and there’s nowhere better to see this than on the drive from green, lush Cape Town to the semi-arid desert like Klein Karoo.
In a secluded valley, which was once a lake, we’ll discover Calitzdorp, South Africa’s port wine capital where we will enjoy lunch (own account). Port can be a bit of an acquired taste due to its strength and sweetness, but that’s a journey we are happy to help you start on. In the late afternoon we make our way into Oudtshoorn South Africa's ostrich Capital
Relax and enjoy the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality, with dinner at your country lodge.
Barrydale can best be described as a small town with a lot of character, enjoy a few minutes stop exploring the area with its quirky and fun little attractions and shops. For those looking for something local to take home, Hardys memories of Africa offers almost an unlimited supply of traditional African curios.
Calitzdorp is known to many as the Port Capital of South Africa. try from a few favourite cellars such as Boplaas and De Krans. for a taste of some of the best fortified wines in the country. Those looking for a bit more of a kick may want to travel a bit further towards Oudtshoorn to Grundheim Wines for a sample of our traditional "witblitz" a high in alcohol white spirit beverage.
Enjoy a country breakfast at the hotel before we make our way to a 20-million-year-old natural treasure at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves. Descend the 200 steps of Jacob’s Ladder into the Great Hall and continue into King Solomon’s Mine. Leaving this subterranean wonderland, we head back towards Oudtshoorn, where we take the opportunity to explore this one-of-a-kind Karoo town.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool at your country lodge.
If you wish and for your own account, we can arrange an early morning wake-up to go meet the cute Meerkats of the Karoo (weather permitting), just as they awake and come out of their burrows. Spend a few hours observing these cute animals as they go about their daily routine from up close in the comfort of your chair with a blanket, coffee and a knowledgeable host. You can then return to your lodge for breakfast before proceeding on with your day.
It's an early start today, as we need to head through the Langeberg and onto our overnight safari at Kariega Private Game Reserve, where we will arrive just in time for lunch.
Once checked into your luxury room its time to enjoy your late afternoon game drive in this lush and well-stocked Big 5 game reserve! Dinner is served in the boma (weather permitting) or lodge restaurant and lounge area. Retire to your room after a jam-packed day of discovery to unwind in the african bush and listen for the calls of the wild.
We always recommend spending an extra night at your Kariega Safari lodge, which will include two extra game drives increasing the chances of more and better sightings
Kariega Private Game Reserve
After your morning game drive, we head back down the N2 and can stop in at Port Elizabeth and South Africa's surfers' paradise at Jeffreys Bay, if you wish.
The area where we will spend most of our time today is the Tsitsikamma Forest / Storms River Mouth region. Tuck into lunch (own account) and enjoy a one-hour walk to the suspension bridge overlooking Storms River Mouth.
We then continue our journey towards Plettenberg Bay, our base for the next two nights.
Today is a full day of adventure in Knysna & Plettenberg Bay, where we can enjoy ...
> Ocean Safari to view dolphins and whales in Plettenberg Bay
> Hike along the Robberg Peninsula in Plett
> Featherbed Eco Experience
> Keurbooms River ferries
> Monkeyland and/or Birds of Eden
> Tenikwa Wildlife Centre or Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Depart for the Wilderness, which is surrounded by mountains, ocean, lakes and lagoons. The Wilderness makes for a tranquil and splendid destination. Enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point, and the Map of Africa look-out points (weather permitting).
A short visit to the historical harbour town of Mossel Bay, which was the first place that Europeans landed on South African soil. Visit the Dias Museum Complex, which is made up of several different museums, among them the Shell and Maritime Museums. The Maritime Museum sports a life-sized replica of the ship that Dias sailed in 1488. At the centre of the museum complex is the Post Office Tree. An ancient Milkwood tree that has served as a post office since 1500. As was done 500 years ago, you can leave a message for a loved one to read under a bottle or a horseshoe.
Lunch will be enjoyed (own account) at The Point before we make our way to the seaside village of Arniston on the Cape South Coast. We will travel along the N2 passing through Swellendam and then turn due south for the coastline again.
You can either enjoy dinner at the hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean or maybe take a short stroll into the historic fishing village of Kassiesbaai, where you are invited to take part in a traditional evening meal by candlelight in one of the fishermen’s houses. The meals are prepared by the fishermen’s wives, a rather authentic experience.
If feeling energetic, enjoy either of the following activities before the long drive down the coastline today:
> A gentle kayak (own account) on the Touws River in Wilderness
> Enjoy a 10km beach walk from Brenton-on-Sea to Buffalo Bay, where your guide will be waiting to collect you.
We journey to the rugged, windswept beauty of the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas.
A place where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic, the Cape of Storms has caused many an ancient mariner to brave its waters and wreck their ships in the name of exploration and adventure. Have a dip in both oceans, take a photo at the famous monument and explore the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum.
At the nearby Struisbaai harbour, you will have the chance to meet the local stingray, Parrie, which is always a treat for both young and old.
In the afternoon, we explore the scenic coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November).
Continue our sweeping coastal drive along Clarens Drive, with its panoramic views of Cape Point and Table Mountain, across False Bay. This tour ends back in Cape Town at your hotel or at Cape Town International Airport.
Here we’ll say hamba kahle, goodbye.
Enjoy a morning stroll to the Waenhuiskrans, the other name for the town and that of a cave only accessible on the low tide which asccording to local legend is large enough to store an oxwagon. A little further along the white sandy beach is the point where you can view ancient fish traps used the the bushmen for hundreds of years.
The Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum is well worth a visit to read up on the rich local Maritime history.
