Welcome to the Eastern Cape of South Africa! It is a region of great natural beauty. This journey will take you through magnificent nature, deep and old history, crafts and arts, culture and not least amazing food, wine and relaxation!
At the airport in Port Elizabeth you will be met by your guide/driver for a guided transfer to St Francis. Approx. 1,5 hours drive.
Guided transfer from Port Elizabeth airport to St Francis Bay
Enjoy the day in St Francis and explore this little village.
After breakfast your guide will pick you up for a full day guided tour in Knysna.
Sandwiched between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna is known as the ‘Garden of Eden’. It is surrounded by world-renowned forests, lovely lagoons and pristine beaches. Visitors can look forward to an array of markets offering delicious food and organic locally-made goods, explore the town’s picturesque waterfront and quaint streets, adventure through the lush forest, skip over streams and catch a glimpse of the multicoloured Knysna Loerie, take a ferry trip to the famed Knysna Heads and sample the local oysters.
You will be collected by your guide who will take you to Graaff-Reinet.
Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest town in South Africa and is recognized as the home of magnificent examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and over 220 heritage sites (more than any other town in South Africa!). The past is preserved in four extraordinary museums which hold collections of photographic memorabilia, firearms, artworks and fossils, tracing the story of the Karoo - and the town - from pre-history right up to the present day.
Guided transfer from St Francis Bay to Graaff-Reinet.
You will be collected in the morning for guided transfer to Nieu Bethesda, a quirky charming town close to Graaff-Reinet.
Life in Nieu Bethesda potters along much as it did 130 years ago, when the village was founded. All around stretches the arid expanse of the Great Karoo, “where the land meets the sky”. This is a nature-lover’s paradise, a high altitude semi-desert that is home to the largest variety of succulents in the world – as well as eagles, hadehas, sacred ibises, secretary birds, blue cranes, flamingoes, otters, lizards, snakes, tortoises, bat-eared foxes, kudu, springbok, reedbuck, wildebeast, wild cats, ground squirrels and aardvarks.
Helen Martins’ Owl House, often cited as South Africa’s finest example of outsider art, is an extraordinary, other-worldly home of concrete and ground glass sculptures. Her creativity conjures up an array of emotions. The Owl House is a museum in Nieu-Bethesda.
You will also find cute coffee shops, artists, pubs, restaurants and shops.
Guided transfer from Graaff-Reinet to Nieu Bethesda. Stop at Valley of Desolation.
Today you can explore Nieu Bethesda.
Time to say goodbye to Nieu Bethesda. After breakfast you will be collected for transfer to Samara Nature Reserve. Time to see some wild life and soak in the luxurious life at Karoo Lodge Samara.
On arrival, lunch will be served, followed by afternoon safari and dinner at the lodge.
Guided transfer from Nieu Bethesda to Samara Nature Reserve.
You will be woken up early for your morning safari. After safari, breakfast will be served at the lodge. Relax by the pool, read a book or just enjoy the surroundings before lunch.
After lunch it is time for safari again. Walking safari is optional if you would like.
Dinner at the lodge. Optional sleep out under the stars.
Again the day is reserved for wildlife and game! 2 safari activities included. Picnic lunch by the river and dinner will be served in the bush.
After morning safari and breakfast you will be collected for transfer back to Port Elizabeth Airport. End of tour.
