Groups...

Guided trips : 5 mini - 12 max
Self drive: 2 mini - 8 max

Age min : 12 years

Accommodations...

In pleasant chalets at Addo National Park and charming accommodation along the way.

Transport...

Minibus with air condition.

Meals...

All meals taken at accommodation or restaurant

Difficulty...

This tour is accessible to all and is not particularly physically demanding, but you do need to be healthy for the few hikes that we offer.

Conditions...

What is included …

Guided tour:
Accommodation, mentioned meals, mentioned activities (except for optional activities), transport in minibus, equipment.

Self drive:
Rented car for the duration of the trip with insurance, unlimited kilometres and drop off fee in Cape Town, accommodation.

What is not included …

Guided tour:

Flights, optional activities, park entrance fees (to be paid to the guide at the entrance: 66 euros per person), certain meals, cable car to go up Table Mountain, personal shopping, tips.

Self drive:

Flights, meals, activities, petrol, park entrance fees, drinks, personal shopping, tips.

Day by day

Days 1-2: Addo Elephant National Park

Welcome by your guide on your arrival in Port Elizabeth. Immediate departure for Addo Elephant National Park. This park shelters the rare survivors of the huge herds of elephants which used to populate the Cape long ago. Greater Addo will eventually stretch right to the sea and will be the only African park to be able to claim to host the "Big 7". (The "Big 5" are already in Addo: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard.). The Great White shark and Southern Right whales make up the maritime balance. Enjoy game drives in the park for two days and overnight in chalets within the park.

Day 3: Knysna...

Take a final morning game drive before leaving Addo and setting off to Tsitsikamma National Park for lunch. The Garden Route stretches along the coastal region of the Western and Eastern Capes, from Port Elizabeth to Mossel Bay.

"Tsitsikamma" means "place full of water" in the language of the Khoisan, who first inhabited the area. The park conserves a 100km littoral zone - a narrow strip about 5km wide at the foot of the Outeniqua mountain range. Abrupt dramatic cliffs, subtropical forests and kloofs dug by rivers contribute to its beauty.

We then continue to the small village of Knysna where we overnight. Dinner in restaurant.

Day 4 Knysna…

On this morning, we offer a 3-4 hour hike in the dense Knysna forest, best known for its beautiful ancient trees and its few remaining elephants. The rest of the day will be spent on a safe swimming beach. Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 5: Oudsthoorn…

Leaving for Karoo driving through the panoramic road of the Swartberg Range.
In Oudsthoorn, we visit an ostrich farm where you might want to enter an ostrich back riding race! After lunch, we continue our journey towards the famous Cango Cave and its phantasmagorical rooms of stalactites and stalagmites. At the end of the afternoon, we reach our camp in the heart of the Karoo where landscapes of red eroded rocks blend harmoniously with the endemic vegetation. Cottage accommodation.

Day 6: Karoo…

Hiking day in the Karoo enjoying the semi desert mineral landscape, typical of the Swartberg Mountain range and its steep gorges.
Overnight same place

Day 7: Karoo- Ceres…

We continue our journey through the magnificent landscapes of the Karoo, stopping for lunch in Montagu. Then we carry on towards Ceres, in the heart of a fruit farming valley. Overnight in a B&B. Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 8: Cederberg…

Morning departure towards the Cederberg mountainous massif. This mountain range separates the “Mediterranean” region of the Cape from the semi desert biome of Tankwa Karoo.
These mountains are home to the Cape leopard, scientifically believed to be a smaller sub species of the leopard. The other great predator of the area is the Verreaux’s eagle easily spotted flying over the cliffs, searching for its favourite prey, the daman.

After a 3 hour hike, we reach a small remote village, home to about a hundred “coloured” people who have been living there for generations over the past two hundred years.
We spend the night in their welcoming homes and have dinner there.

Day 9: Cederberg…

After breakfast, we keep walking for 4-5 hours towards the most untouched part of the massif. Overnight in a cottage in the Cederberg.

Day 10: Wine Route…

Departure to the Wine Route. Stop in Paarl for lunch, continuing towards Franschoek. The afternoon is spent exploring the vineyards and the local food. Overnight at a B&B. Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 11: Franschoek…

A day hike in the Hottentots-Holland reserve in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom (7 hours). Overnight at the B&B. Dinner at the restaurant

Day 12 : Cape Town…

Depart to Cape Town. After check-in we head for the waterfront where we have lunch (excluded). This afernoon, if the weather permits, we climb Table Mountain. At the top you will be rewarded with a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of the Mother City and its surroundings. If you prefer a less strenuous route to the top, just take the cable car! (Own expense.) Overnight in a B&B in Cape Town.

Day 13 : Cape Peninsula…

This day is dedicated to exploring the spectacular Cape Peninsula, including the seal colony (boat cruise at your own expense), penguin colony at Boulders and, of course, the Cape of Good Hope at Cape Point. Back in Cape Town, there may be spare time to enjoy the city at your leisure – or relax on one of the beautiful beaches. Overnight at the same guesthouse in town.

Day 14 : Cape Town…

Spend the last morning of the trip enjoying Cape Town’s many attractions, such as the superb National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch or visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned (these at your own expense). A last transfer to Cape Town international airport marks the end of the trip.