With the soaring Table Mountain behind us we travel inland on the N1 highway via Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn. As soon as you leave Cape Town, the scenery starts to change dramatically. 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. Enjoy a comfort stop in the small artists town of Barrydale at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains that rise out of the plains surrounding them.
Back onto Route 62 we head towards the heart of the 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. 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 country lodge.
Oudtshoorn boasts the highest number of sunny days compared to any other place in South Africa, so we are sure you will enjoy a country breakfast in some morning sunshine before we depart the Klein Karoo and travel over the Outeniqua Pass towards the Garden Route via George to Knysna.
Tuck into lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest region, before making your way down to Storms River Mouth for a short coastal hike to the suspension bridge road. Dinner tonight can be enjoyed at the Knysna Waterfront or on Thesen Island (own account).
If you wish and for your own account, we can arrange an early morning wake up to go meet the cute Meerkats of the Karoo (weather permitting), just as they awake and come out of their burrows. Spend a few hours observing these cute animals as they go about their daily routine from up close in the comfort of your chair with blanket, coffee and knowledgable host. You can then return to your lodge for breakfast before proceeding on with your day.
After breakfast, we return along the ocastline to Wilderness. 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).
Our final destination today is the seaside village of Arniston on the Cape South Coast, we will travel along the N2 passing through Mossel Bay, Swellendam (great lunch venues) and then turn due south for the coastline again.
You can either enjoy dinner at the hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean or maybe take a short stroll 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.
A must at low tide is the 1,5 km walk to the Waenhuiskrans caves. The cave is most spectacular. Longer walks will take you to Struis Point, Galjoengat and to the De Mond Nature Reserve. This is a most beautiful walk for the moderately fit.
The combination of shallow, clear, warm water and numerous fantastic vantage points makes Arniston one of the best land-based whale-watching destinations in the world. You may very well see a Southern Right Whale and her calf bask and frolic in the crystalline turquoise waters of the Mozambique current mere metres from the coastline.
After breakfast we visit the rugged, 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.
We continue our journey to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November). Enjoy some time walking the cliff paths viewing whales, maybe joining a boat based whale watching trip in Walker Bay (your guide can arrange) and there is also the Hemel-en-Aarde valley behind the town for some great wine tasting (own account) and picturesque lunch venues.
Continue on our coastal route through Bettys Bay and along the scenic Clarence Drive which hugs False Bay with its panoramic views of Cape Point and Table Mountain across the bay.
We eventually arrive back in the Mother City of Cape Town and bid you a fond 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.
