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 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.
Relax and enjoy the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality, with dinner at your country lodge.
Cango Caves tour
This morning you can wake really early to go meet the cute Meerkats of the Karoo (weather permitting & own account), just as they awake and come out of their burrows. After breakfast you can embark on an ostrich farm tour (optional) to learn about these exotic birds and their industry. They may have eyes larger than their brains, but they are nevertheless, very impressive (and taste wonderful).
We then head through the Langeberg, pop into the surfers paradise of Jeffreys Bay (if you wish), with a quick visit to Port Elizabeth and then onto our overnight destination in Greater Addo region.
Retire to your room before enjoying dinner (included) in the lodge.
Up early to spend the whole morning exploring Addo Elephant Park with your guide in your closed tour vehicle. Elephants we will see aplenty and hopefully the Big 5 with all other animals, birds and flora on display until you have had your fill.
We then head back down the N2 to the Tsitsikamma region which is full of adventure. 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
> Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
We will eventually arriving into Knysna, our base for the next 2 nights.
Dinner (own account) can be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants in the Waterfront.
Tsitsikamma / Storms River Mouth entrances
A full day to explore Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas with many optional activities from which to choose.
> Ocean Safari to view dolphins and whales in Plettenberg Bay.
> Featherbed Eco Experience
> Knysna Elephant Park
> Hog Hollow Horse Trails
> Enjoy a 5km beach walk from Brenton on Sea to Buffalo Bay.
We will visit The Heads for sunset and dinner (own account) can be enjoyed on Thesen Island tonight.
Depart to Wilderness where you can enjoy a kayak (own account) on the Touws River. Surrounded by mountains, ocean, lakes and lagoons Wilderness makes for a tranquil and splendid destination. Enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point and 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 horse shoe.
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 (own account) 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.
Enjoy a kayak on the Touws River in Wilderness with Eden Adventures
Diaz Museum entrance
Today is all about relaxing in this beautiful village, also renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November).
Later in the day we can visit the 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 mariners to brave its waters and wreck their ships in the name of exploration and adventure.
Your guide will drop you off at your Cape Town hotel or airport in the late afternoon and bid you farewell.
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.
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse entrance
