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Coastal Tour - South Africa
Included Highlights
Southern Tip of Africa
De Hoop Game Reserve
Route 62
Seasonal Whale Watching
Tsitsikamma National Park
Otter Trail hike
Addo Elephant Reserve
Wild Coast Beaches
Wild Coast Hike
Ostrich Farm
Cango Caves
Knysna Boat Trip
Nelson Mandela's Birth Place
Optional Activities
Bungi jumping
Quad biking
Sea Kayaking
South African Safaris
Coastal Tour - South Africa
Cape Town to Durban
8 Night / 9 Day Overland Safari
2 Nights - Inns/Lodges
7 Nights - Cabins
From the Cold Atlantic currents, storm battered rocks, and pristine white beaches around Cape Town, we will move northward through to the crystal clear, warm Indian Ocean and unspoiled sandy beaches of Durban. On this tour we endeavour to explore the area thoroughly and to enjoy the many nature reserves and activities encountered en-route.
The tour is designed for active participants who wish to make the most of the time available; we cover vast distance, but also include walks and other activities. Bungalows and Inns are used, some basic but always comfortable, all are chosen for their location. A certain amount of fitness and flexibility will be required; more suitable for those looking for adventure.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Transport from Cape Town to Umdloti (or Johannesburg + R300-00)
Meals
Coffee, tea, fruit juice at breakfast
Accommodation
Permits and park entry fees
Group equipment
Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm, boat trip
Professional guide
Rates Exclude:
Tips, curios and optional excursions and extras
Alcohol and soft drinks
Day 1: Cape Town - De Hoop Nature Reserve [D]
Departing from the Cape Town Inn at 08h30, we follow the rugged coastline through the numerous fishing villages to Hermanus - well known for offering the finest land based whale watching (May - December). Our next stop is the southern most tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the warm Indian and cold Atlantic oceans meet. This afternoon we will spend time game watching in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, acclaimed for its unique fauna, flora and spectacular scenery. We overnight in comfortable bungalows, clients may be expected to share - more than 2 per bungalow.
Day 2: Oudtshoorn - Knysna [B, L, D]
An early start, we leave the coast and cross the mighty Outeniqua Mountains to enter the dry Karoo Interior. We follow the "famed and funky Route 62" toward Oudtshoorn where we visit the Cango Caves; one of the world's great wonders. We will also visit a commercial Ostrich farm to learn more about these huge flightless birds. Late this afternoon we traverse the Outeniqua Pass and then travel through the Lake District en-route to our Log Cabins hidden in the heart of the Knysna forest. Our home for the next two nights will be the Knysna Inn.
Day 3: Garden Route [B]
This day will be spent exploring this renowned region and its many attractions. We will walk in the forest in search of the elusive Knysna Lourie. We will visit sun-kissed beaches, and will enjoy a boat trip around the Knysna Lagoon and through the Heads in search of dolphins and whales (weather permitting). Tonight we dine at a restaurant in the vibrant woodcutter town of Knysna. (Lunch and dinner are own expense).
Day 4: Port Elizabeth - Addo [B, L, D]
Today we will travel to the Tsitsikamma Costal National Park where we will walk part of the acclaimed "Otter Trail". Continuing along the coast, we will pass through Port Elizabeth en-route to our camp near Addo Elephant Reserve where we stay in comfortable cabins.
Day 5: Addo Elephant Park [B, L, D]
This day will be spent exploring the Park. Renowned for its herds of African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Dung Beetle's, and other interesting species. this Park is one of Africa's conservation success stories. We return to our cabins for the night.
Day 6: East London [B, L]
Back to the coast today, we wind through the frontier area settled by the 1820 settlers. We will pass through numerous costal towns before making for East London where we check into the DRIFTERS EAST LONDON INN, a cosy inn situated near the beachfront. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided township tour and will enjoy a drink in a local shebeen. We return to The Inn and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner own expense.
Day 7 - 8: Wild Coast [B, L, D]
Today we travel into an area once designated as a Tribal Homeland during the apartheid ear (Transkei). Nelson Mandela was born here, and our route takes us past both is birthplace and the holiday house that he had build to replicate his prison house. This afternoon we arrive at the remote West Coast Inn where we will spend two nights. This inn is part of a community project, and is hidden in a natural cove offering excellent swimming opportunity. A full day is spent here with time on the beach and enjoying the surf. To stretch our legs we will conduct a hike along the Wild Coast.
Day 9: Durban [B, L, D]
A reasonably long drive today, but well rested, we pass through the scenic hill's of the Eastern Cape, dotted with rural villages where women work in the fields and men tend their cows as they have for centuries. Our journey then takes us past the many resorts of the Kwazulu - Natal South Coast before we enter Durban - South Africa's holiday city and home to Africa's busiest harbour. Our stop tonight is just north of Durban at the Dolphin Coast Inn, situated literally on the beach, this is the perfect place to unwind after the many days of traveling. Tonight we enjoy a "braai" on the patio before falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves.
Day 10: Tour Ends [B]
The tour ends this morning after breakfast.
Clients wishing to stay on at the Dolphin Coast Inn may book extra nights in order to enjoy this superb stretch of unspoiled beach before flying out of Durban.
- This tour involves a fair amount of walking, so a small daypack is advisable.
- Clients should also be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
- Spending money required will be for tips, curios and any other optional excursions
- All trips are accompanied by two professional guides for optimum efficiency, catering for a maximum of 20 people per vehicle
- Remember, help us to help you by participating and keeping an open mind and remaining flexible
Luggage
A barrel bag or internal frame backpack is best suited for this trip (suitcases do not fit into the space provided and will not be permitted). An extra tog bag or camera bag is advise
Group Size and Age
Our group size usually numbers between 6 and 20 persons. By travelling in small groups, means that we don't invade campsites and can avoid wasting time in constantly having to wait for people. It also enables us to maintain a far more personal service with our clients. From our experience our groups are normally made up of individuals, couples and sometimes groups of friends aged between 18 and 55 years. The mere physical and youthful mentality, which prevails on these tours, makes them generally unsuited to anybody over the age of 55 years. The minimum size of a group for a guaranteed departure must be 6 people, although we may run with less.
