With the soaring Table Mountain behind us, we travel against False bay as we wind our way along the incredible Clarence drive towards Hermanus and eventually to the bottom of Africa .
Cape Agulhas, the place where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic, the Cape of Storms has caused many an ancient mariners to brave its waters and wreck their ships in the name of exploration and adventure.
Our final destination today is the seaside village of Arniston on the Cape South Coast, check into your hotel and take a stroll on the long white sandy beaches that surround this small village.
You can either enjoy dinner (own account) at the hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean or maybe take a short meander into the historic fishing village of Kasiesbaai 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.
The harbour where you can watch the fishing boats come in is located right in front of the hotel. Next to the harbour you will find the historical fishing village of Kassiesbaai, which welcomes strollers and photographers.
Stony Point Penguin Colony, Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and Shipwreck Museum.
After breakfast, we head inland and travel along the N2 passing through the historical town of Swellendam and can really appreciate the change of scenery as we eventually enter the Garden Route proper along the coast just after Mossel Bay.
We definitely make a stop in the Wilderness to enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point and Map of Africa (weather permitting) or take a stroll along the beautiful beach. We are now in what is known as the "Lake District" as we drive via Sedgefield and Knysna, considered the heart of the Garden Route.
A visit to The Heads to enjoy the views from aobe the entrance to the lagoon and possibly a lovely sunset, before we reach our accommodation for the best 2 nights at Bitou River Lodge just beyond Plettenberg Bay.
Dinner (own account) can be enjoyed in Plettenberg Bay.
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 according to local legend is large enough to store an ox-wagon. 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.
Today is a full day of adventure in Plettenberg Bay, the Crags and Tsisikamma Forest regions where we can enjoy ...
> Ocean Safari to view dolphins and whales in Plettenberg Bay
> Hike along the Robberg Peninsula in Plett
> Featherbed Eco Experience in Knysna
> Hog Hollow Horse Trails
> Enjoy a 10km beach walk from Brenton on Sea to Buffalo Bay.
We also explore the Tsitsikamma region where you will have the chance to do the worlds highest commercial bungy jump at Bloukrans Bridge, enjoy a gentle hike to the suspension bridge over Storms River Mouth and then tuck into lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The list of optional activities seem endless in this adventure region:
> Treetop Canopy tour through the forest canopy.
> Monkeyland
> Birds of Eden
> Tenikwa Wildlife Centre
> Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Dinner (own account) can be arranged for you in the popular Emily Moon restaurant close by to your lodge.
We slowly meander back through the lake district and can enjoy a gentle canoe on the Touws River in Wilderness (own account), should you wish.
Heading over the Outeniqua Pass (one of many in the area) we drop into the Klein Karoo and arrive into Oudtshoorn. In the late afternoon 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, which boasts the highest number of sunny days compared to any other place in South Africa.
Relax and enjoy the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality, with dinner (included) at your lodge.
After breakfast, we journey along Route 62 (longest wine route in the world), travelling through the ‘Little Karoo’ towns of Barrydale, Montagu and the Robertson valley where you can enjoy some fantastic wine tastings (own account) before heading along the N1 to Cape Town.
If you wish, we can rather take a longer route and go past the Theewaterskloof Dam and over the Franschhoek Pass with its amazing views of the valley below, to enjoy a little of the food & wine capital of South Africa. This picturesque village is surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago.
Finally we arrive into Cape Town, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain and you are dropped off at the airport of your hotel.
Enjoy a Meerkat Safari (own account, weather depending and if you can wake up early enough) where you will head into the veld and await the cute Meerkats as they slowly come out of their burrow to start their day.
