On arrival you will be met by your Tour Representative. A basic introduction and briefing on the next few days' itinerary as well as safety procedures.
We will depart in convoy, entering the city of George and then on to the Montagu pass.
After the Montagu pass we will enter the Klein Karoo in its purest form. The landscape change is dramatic!
Arrive at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. Enjoy a sundowner drive with the sun setting over this vast semi desert.
Montagu Pass - This was the first road between George and Oudtshoorn. The Montagu Pass was opened in 1848, having taken 3 years to build by some 250 convicts at a cost of 36,000 Pounds Sterling. It lays claim to being the oldest, unaltered pass still in use in South Africa and covers 17,1 kms of magnificently scenic narrow, gravel road driving. The road compresses 126 bends corners and curves into its length and gradients reach a maximum of 1:6.
Early morning wake-up for a possible chance of viewing the elusive Meerkat and his social and family circle.
After breakfast we take the rarely travelled gravel back road, towards the quaint and artsy town of De Rust. On leaving De Rust we enter the scenic Meiringspoort, on past Klaarstroom and end up for lunch in Prince Albert - an unbelievable interesting, pretty and historically important village/town.
On leaving Prince Albert, we enter the iconic Swartberg pass. Difficult to describe but so thrilling to experience.
Over the Swartberg pass, into the beautiful secluded valleys, riverbeds, secret galleries and pop out in the Klein Karoo at Calitzdorp.
Meiringspoort, undoubtedly one of the most scenic mountain passes in South Africa. Stretching through a massive cleft in the Swartberg Mountain Range, this natural passage forms a convenient link between the Little and Great Karoo. Meiringspoort was officially opened to traffic early on the morning of the 3rd of March 1858. It was named after Petrus Johannes Meiring from De Rust.
The Swartberg Pass is the rubicon of gravel road passes. There is an allure and a mystique around this old pass, coupled with its status as a national monument, which elevates this pass to the very top of the list. It was Thomas Bain's final and best piece of road building. There are names like Die Stalletjie (Small Stall), Witdraai (White Corner), Fonteintjie (Small Fountain), Skelmdraai (Devious Corner), and of course Die Top.
The pass is very long at 23,8 km and it takes about an hour to drive, excluding stops. You will be treated to a wide variety of incredible scenery. The pass is not suitable for anyone suffering from acrophobia. It can be driven in any vehicle in fair weather. But be aware, after heavy rains, of mudslides and raging streams. During cold spells there is most likely to be snow higher up and it becomes very difficult to navigate. The Swartberg Pass has almost too much to offer the traveller with a never ending changing set of views - each as awe inspiring as the one before.
A leisurely breakfast and we tackle the backroads again on our way out of the Klein Karoo and into the Garden Route again via the Rooiberg Pass and Cloetes Pass on the way to Boggomsbaai.
We will drive the country back-roads to the secret holiday village of Boggomsbaai.
Sundowner with fresh Mosselbay wild oysters and champagne, followed by a kaggel-braai dinner with the legendary Fred Orban.
Accommodation would be at the Sandpiper Cottages.
Calitzdorp: Snuggled between the Outeniqua, Swartberg and Rooiberg mountains, you will discover the village of Calitzdorp. Ideally situated as a hub from which to partake in all that the region has to offer, including the majestic mountain passes and our exquisite flora and fauna. Fruit basket of the Klein Karoo, Home of 200 species of plants found nowhere else on earth, Night skies and sunsets, and Gorgeous Karoo architecture
The Rooiberg Pass was built in 1928. It joins the tiny village ofVan Wyksdorp with Calitzdorp over the Rooiberg Mountain. This is not a pass to be trifled with and although it can be driven in a normal car, a high clearance vehicle would be better. It is also a long pass at 14 km and contains some fairly rough sections. There are a total of 69 bends, corners and curves which include 6 hairpins and many other bends with a turning radius in excess of 90 degrees. It's a road for the less hurried traveller and offers wonderful views on both the northern and southern sides with valleys and ridges bedecked in fynbos and in winter you'll be treated to the sight of the bright orange flowers of hundreds of thousands of flowering aloes.
The pass has an altitude variance of 509m over a distance of 14 km producing an average gradient of 1:27 with the steepest parts measuring in at 1:7. All these considered, it is one you simply have to drive at least once in your life.
Cloetes Pass: This thoroughly enjoyable and fairly long pass of 19 km straddles the Vreysrant Mountains between Herbertsdale and Van Wyksdorp. The road is generally well maintained to a high standard, despite the gravel surface. There are at least half a dozen river crossings over low level culverts, which can be dangerous if the rivers come down in flood. If you are not prepared to walk it, then dont drive it.
Boggomsbaai is one of several small seaside villages that fall within the Fransmanshoek Conservancy, on the Garden Route. It lies just south of Mossel Bay, close to the mouth of the Gouritz River.
The small village is proud of the long strip of golden beach that stretches for miles along which one can walk for hours without coming across another person, and the access to bird life, particularly oyster catchers, is notable.
This stretch of coastline features on the Oyster Catcher trail, a popular five day slackpacker trail that needs booking months in advance, for it is highly regarded around the world for its coastal views and biodiversity.
Mainly due to Fred Orban, the residents of Boggomsbaai take their environment seriously. They protect indigenous plants and trees, and the little buck, hares, owls, tortoises and francolin that make the town their home.
Down on the beach the sands are devoid of litter. If you happen here between July and November, you can spot the southern right whale just offshore.
After a relaxed breakfast, we depart towards Vleesbaai to test your newly acquired driving skills on the Vleesbaai 4x4 dune route. This route is fun for everyone with some excellent scenery.
An Eco-Adventure amongst the dunes in the wild and magnificent Garden Route - Discover the wild beautiful side of the Garden Route on the farm 'Misgunst', situated on the Indian seaboard near the village of Vleesbaai - home to the unique Vleesbaai 4x4 Dune Route. The Vleesbaai 4×4 Dune Route puts a smile on any 4×4 enthusiasts face when talking about the great time they had there. They can hone their dune and deep sand skills in a gorgeous environment overlooking the sea.
"...a really enjoyable dune ride 12km of pure fun that can provide drivers of all skill levels an enjoyable couple of hours. At times you're only a stone's throw from the water's edge, although no beach driving is involved."
