You will be collected on arrival at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and transferred to your Guesthouse. Rest of day at leisure.
Your rental car will be delivered to your Guesthouse at a pre-arranged time. Leave Johannesburg, we recommend you follow the N1 south, travelling via Kroonstad and Welkom. Arrive in Kimberley and check in at your Guesthouse.
Distance Johannesburg - Kimberley: approx. 515 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Kimberley gained fame due to the diamond prospecting, and you can see the "Big Hole" which is the largest man-made excavation in the world. We strongly recommend that you spend the day visiting the "Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum". The diamond era started in 1866 with the find of a small, shiny stone in this area, which was found to be a diamond - the famous "Eureka Diamond". This attracted big numbers of diggers who came to Kimberley to seek their fortune. During the period 1871 - 1914, more than 50000 miners dug the big hole by hand, and found close to 3 tons of diamonds. Another famous diamond - "Star of South Africa" - was also found here. Learn more about this fascinating history during your visit to the "Big Hole and Kimberley Museum."
Meals included: Breakfast
Leave Kimberley and head for the Karoo region of Northern Cape. This is a dry land, but with the first rains, the seemingly arid soil of the Karoo bursts into abundant life. The hardy succulent plant and trees complement the sweet grasses on which the region's merino and fat-tailed sheep graze. The ever present wind-pumps testify to the countless streams flowing between fissures underlying the dry but fertile soil.
There are some small, isolated yet welcoming villages; a distinct Karoo architecture and imposing churches in the valleys, between the desolate, flat-topped hills. Sheep farming has long been the most important agriculture, there are also farms breeding springbok. Karoo Lamb is a famous brand, the animals graze on the many small shrubs and wild herbs and the meat has a distinct flavour, which is in high demand. Angora goats is also a popular livestock. Angora wool is in high demand all over the world.
Your drive today will take you through the small villages of Jacobsdal, Koffiefontein ("coffee fountain") and Petrusville. Arrive at your guest farm located near Hannover.
This is a working farm, and the accommodation is clean, simple and authentic. This is a family-run guesthouse and you can feel the warmth and kindness of your hosts. Their passion for the farm and the region they live in, will also open your eyes to the beauty of this semi-desert area. Traditional, wholesome food, clean air, starry skies at night - a complete rejuvenation for the soul.
Distance Kimberley - Karoo-Gariep: approx. 320 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
You are on a working farm and also a nature reserve. This morning, a walking tour on the farm together with the owner, this is approximately a 2 km guided walk where you will learn about the early history of the San people and their relationship with nature. The Anglo-Boer war also left its mark here, and you can hear stories of some of the skirmishes and battles that took place more than a hundred years ago.
The middle of the day is for relaxing and enjoying the swimming pool. Late afternoon, join the owner on a trip to the Hippo Pool, for sundowners. The farm owner is a keen conservationist and he introduced hippos back to this area approximately 15 years ago, there were hippos in the local rivers several hundred years ago but the last wild hippo was shot by a hunter in the 18th century. This re-introduction of hippos is an exciting development in returning some of the wildlife to the area. Enjoy a sunset drink on the viewing deck at the hippo pool.
This is followed by a Night-drive, where you may be able to see the "Karoo Shy 5", these seldom-seen animals are all found here. The "Karoo Shy 5" are the Aardvark, Aardwolf, Bat Eared Fox, Cape Fox and the Black Footed Cat. On clear evenings a stop will also be made to admire the starry skies.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Say goodbye to your hosts at the farm guesthouse and head south, travelling via Hanover, following the N10 road south. If you are interested in art, we strongly recommend a detour to Nieu-Bethesda, to see the famous "Owl House". A little further south - spend some time enjoying the incredible nature of the "Valley of Desolation".
Sheer cliffs and precariously balanced columns of Dolerite rise 120 metres from the valley floor, against the timeless backdrop of the vast plains of the Camdeboo. This is the product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over 100 million years. There are over 220 recorded species of birdlife, 336 plants and 43 mammals. Catch a glimpse of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, plenty of Kudu, Buffalo, the majestic Black Eagle and the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world.
A short drive further brings you to your overnight stop - in Graaff Reinet, a town with museums and a most impressive church in the middle of town.
Check in at your hotel, in itself a museum - the hotel was initially built in the early 1800s and has its own fascinating story, having been refined over the years into one of South Africa’s top 10 hotels. Although it bears modern touches and a contemporary atmosphere, it remains true to its roots with furnishings and antiques that point to the past.
Distance Karoo-Gariep - Graaff Reinet (excluding Nieu-Bethesda): approx. 255 km
Distance Karoo-Gariep - Graaff Reinet (including detour to Nieu-Bethesda): approx. 305 km
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning we recommend exploring Graaff Reinet, you have a short distance to drive today so you can take the morning easy, maybe just relax at your hotel's swimming pool?
Drive to Samara Private Game Reserve, you should arrive at Samara at 2 pm (14.00 hrs), which gives you time to check in, join your hosts for High Tea at 3 pm and go out for an afternoon game drive which leaves after High Tea.
During your stay at Samara, all meals and 2 game activities (drives or walks) are included each day.
Distance Graaff Reinet - Samara: approx. 36 km
Meals included: Breakfast, High Tea, Dinner
Today, you have two safari activities included in your programme. You can chose if you would like a gamedrive and a bush walk, or maybe two game drives? Your hosts at Samara will discuss the options with you.
Samara is uniquely situated at the meeting point of four of South Africa’s eight vegetation biomes: Grasslands, Nama Karoo, Savanna and Thicket. This diversity of vegetation creates a multitude of habitats for species that are specially adapated to the Karoo’s arid environment. Explore each of these biomes during your safari at Samara with the experienced guides, who will bring each biome to life during walks and drives.
Samara is one of few private game reserves where walking forms an integral part of the safari experience. With fragile ecosystems and a ‘tread lightly’ policy, the preferred form of off-roading is on your own two feet, providing the ideal place for an unforgettable walking safari.
And what a way to explore the bush! Let the experienced guides walk you through the four vegetation biomes, pointing out the signs of the wild invisible from the vehicle. Marvel at busy termites as they go about their daily business, listen out for the call of the Honeyguide leading you to wild honey and feel your senses heighten in every way as you navigate the sort of landscape our prehistoric ancestors dwelled in long ago.
One of the highlights of a stay at Samara is the opportunity to track wild cheetah on foot. Often overshadowed by bigger predators in other reserves, at Samara the cheetah sits at the top of the food chain. Thanks to a number of habituated individuals, starting with the famous "Sibella", Samara has been able to offer unrivalled wild cheetah viewing to many years of their guests. Tracking cheetah on foot is an unforgettable and humbling experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, High Tea, Dinner
Your last morning safari activity, before saying goodbye to your hosts and continuing your trip. Travel back via Graaff Reinet and through Colesberg, to your overnight stop on the Gariep Dam. This enormous inland sea provides a relaxing interlude for travellers, especially for those who enjoy swimming, water-skiing, fishing and yachting.
Distance Samara - Gariep Dam: approx. 290 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Today you will travel a road which is often referred to as the "Highland Route" or the "Maluti Route", a beautifully scenic route taking you through Smithfield, Wepener, Ficksburg and Fouriesburg, to Clarens. The road follows the western border of Lesotho (NB - should you wish to add a visit to Lesotho to your programme, contact us for details).
Dominated by the Maluti Mountain Ranges, this scenic route offers the traveller various options from art, culture, history, rock art sites and spectacular scenery to a host of cultural experiences.
Once you arrive in Clarens and you have checked in at your hotel, spend some time strolling through Clarens, this small town is one of the most picturesque, arty little towns in South Africa. Surrounded by the Rooiberge and situated at the foot of Mount Horeb, Clarens is famous for its multi-coloured sandstone formations, a unique geological feature of the area. Enter the village and you will see the many beautiful homes, old and new, built with this sandstone.
This tree-filled town offers a wonderful display of colourful blossoms in spring time and in autumn the magnificent autumn shades of the Lombardy poplars is a big attraction for artists, photographers and nature lovers from all over.
Explore all the little town has to offer, many art galleries, gift shops, arts and craft shops, antiques, mosaic art etc. Clarens is a haven for many well known, established, as well as new artists and you’ll find various art galleries all over town, most of them around the square.
Distance Gariep Dam - Clarens: approx. 430km
Meals included: Breakfast
From Clarens, head east, towards the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Your route will take you through the Park, we strongly recommend that you spend some time enjoying this beautiful area. The park is named for the glowing golden cliffs lit by the sun, particularly the imposing Brandwag rock. Take a hike on some of the well-marked paths, or take a short circular drive. Wide open spaces and beautiful scenery.
Wildlife you are most likely to see include black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra. If you're lucky you could spot the rare bearded vulture (lammergeyer) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs.
Exit the park and drive through the bustling town of Phuthaditjhaba, heading closer and closer to the Drakensberg mountains, and arrive at your mountain lodge where you will spend the next three nights. The lodge looks across to the Drakensberg Mountains Mont-Aux-Sources and Amphitheatre, with endangered bearded vultures soaring overhead. This beautiful mountainous area is home to a variety of landscapes, rich flora and fauna.
Distance Clarens - Witsieshoek: approx. 80 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive a short distance to Leratong Village where you will meet your local community guide. Together with your local guide, take a hike (which will be customised according to your fitness levels). Start at the Monotsha Border Post, passing the source of the 200 km long Mohokare / Caledon River that divides Lesotho and South Africa. Discover two countries at the same time on this trail, no passports needed!
Hikers get to have unique experiences at about 2100m above sea level of meeting and greeting real herd boys along the trail taking between 2-6 hours.
After the hike, get to view locally made products and souvenirs, this supports unemployed villagers and helps create an income from tourism.
Meals included: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
A day at leisure at Witsieshoek. Your options today are:
Relax and just admire the stunning scenery and the fresh, clean air
Book a hiking tour (booked at the lodge) where you will ascend to the top of the Mont-Aux-Sources massif and see the source of the Tugela River.
Book a horse-ride with a local community guide, you will be riding through the village, meet local villagers and see how daily life unfolds amongst these mountain people.
Meals included: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
From Witsieshoek you will be heading back to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. The direct route is approximately 350 km, but - depending on your flight departure time - you may like to take a detour via the Vredefort crater ("Vredefort Dome"), this means your travelling distance will be approximately 425 km.
Vredefort Dome was created due to a meteorite impact, creating a crater approximately 300 km wide. This is the biggest meteorite impact that geologists have yet found on Earth and it is nearly twice as big as the impact that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. This makes it a site of great importance for scientists.
The meteorite impact happened about 2023 million years ago, at a time when there were no people or even animals or plants like we see today. The only living thing was a type of algae, like the green slime seen in dams today. To make a crater 300 km wide, the meteorite must have been about 10 km across and travelling at more than 10 km per second (36 000 km/h).
It is also the oldest impact crater that has been found on Earth. It is mainly for these reasons that it has been made a World Heritage Site. The Vredefort Dome is only the central part of the impact crater. It is called a dome because the rock layers were bent into the shape of an upside-down bowl 90km across by the impact.
Follow the driving directions provided, arrive at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and hand back your rental car.
Distance Witsieshoek - Johannesburg's OR Tambo Int. Airport:
- Shortest route: approx. 350 km
- Via Vredefort Dome: approx. 425 km
Meals included: Breakfast
