Spoil yourself with an unforgettable tour

Discover the lifestyle of the Southern Cape

Day 1
Depart at 10h00 from Cape Town International Airport, travelling along the N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass, past Caledon and Swellendam where we visit a fairy garden with indigenous  trees, plants and herbs!

We take the off-ramp to Malgas and Infanta where we will have supper and overnight in the Malgas Hotel on the banks of the Breë river.  The historic little town used to be a regular stop over point for stream boats that transported fruit, wine and other supplies up and down this wide river.  The inhabitants will tell their own stories.

(We will gladly assist with flight arrangements from Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg Airports)

Day 2
After breakfast we depart for Infanta where the Breë River flows into Sebastiaan’s Bay. This bay is also called the whale incubator.  Using the only hand driven punt in South Africa, started in 1860, we cross the river for a short visit to Witsand.  We stop at the well known Blue Crane Farm Stall and then we travel further on the N2 via Heidelberg, Riversdal, Mossel Bay and George to Victoria Bay where we will spend the next three nights next to the sea.  Maretha de Wet will be our hostess.

Day 3
Early morning walk along the sea.

After breakfast we depart for Knysna where we will travel to “The Heads” by boat.  We will also visit the oyster farm and waterfront and become acquainted with of the beautiful Plettenberg Bay and Keurbooms River.

Dinner and overnight in Victoria Bay.

Day 4
Early morning coffee and rusks.

This morning we experience the forests and mountain passes of George in a power carriage and we enjoy a late breakfast next to the railway track.  We explore George and surrounds, visit a cheese factory and ensure we still have some time left to spend by the sea.

Dinner and overnight in Victoria Bay.

Day 5
This morning we say farewell to the beautiful Victoria Bay.  We travel along back roads to find places where time has stood still.  We pay a visit to Gouritzmond, enjoy a delicious lunch at Vermaaklikheid on the banks of the Duiwenhoks River  -  untouched by time and technology. Here you can really still escape the pressure of our modern lifestyle. The ideal place for nature lovers, photographers and artists. We follow the Blombos road where the well known Blombos Cave was discovered by Dr Chis Hensilwood in 1991.  Excavations found here are regarded as the earliest proof of the modern man.  Tonight we sleep on the banks of the Goukou River in Stilbaai.

Day 6
After breakfast we follow the N2 via Riversdal and Heidelberg.  Just after Swellendam we turn off to L’Agulhas. We visit the shipwreck museum at Bredasdorp, the Kapula candle factory and we stop for tea in the main street.  We pay a visit to Waenhuiskrans, named after a cave that is said to be so large that an ox-wagon will be able to turn in it. This coastal little town is also known as Arniston – named after a ship that sank there in 1815.  L’Agulhas is the most southern point of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic oceans officially meet.  Our overnight accommodation here for the following two nights ensures a beautiful view of the sea.

Day 7
After breakfast we visit the old lighthouse, built in 1848, with its beautiful museum and tearoom. The adventurous among us, can climb to the top of the lighthouse. We then pay a visit to Struisbaai with its 14km long white beach. From there we take the route past Elim, the old Moravian mission established in 1848 and which is now a national monument. Our route takes us past Baardskeerdersbos, Pearly Beach, Franskraal en Gansbaai where we visit the port and abalone farm.

Overnight in L’Agulhas.

Day 8
We will pack up with heavy hearts because today we head back home. Our route takes us past Bredasdorp, Napier en then along the coast through Stanford, Hermanus, Kleinmond and Betties Bay. We stop at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden adjacent to the R44. The land was purchased in 1938 with a view to conserving the exceptional beauty for future generations.  There are beautiful hiking trails and a restaurant where refreshments can be enjoyed and gifts purchased. We then continue towards Hangklip where the breathtaking view over False Bay starts. False Bay was so named by Portuguese mariners because it was sometimes mistaken for Cape Point in bad weather. We journey through Pringle Bay, Rooiels, Kogelbaai, Gordons Bay, Strand and Somerset West on the slopes of the  Helderberg to be on time for flights back home.

Price:

The total price for the 9 day tour is R8 850 per person sharing.  There is a levy of R1 650 per person staying single and not sharing accommodation. The price includes the following:

• All travelling costs
• All accommodation
• All gate and entrance fees to the sights as set out in the itinerary
• On board refreshments in the form of mineral water
• All meals as per the itinerary (two meals  per day plus other meals as per the itinerary)
• Public liability insurance of R10 million
• Passenger and liability insurance of R20 million

SUMMARY

Lifestyle of the Southern Cape

Day 1
Depart at 10h00 from the Cape Town International Airport along the N2, over Sir Lowry’s Pass, Caledon and Swellendam.
We take the off-ramp to Malgas and Infanta where we stay overnight in the Malgas Hotel on the banks of the Breë River.

Day 2
After breakfast we depart for Infanta and Witsand.
We travel along the N2 via Heidelberg, Riversdal, Mossel Bay and George.
Dinner and overnight in Victoria Bay.

Day 3
After breakfast we depart for Knysna where we travel to “The Heads” by boat and visit the oyster farm, waterfront, Plettenberg Bay and Keurbooms River.
Dinner and overnight in Victoria Bay.

Day 4
This morning we experience the forests and mountain passes of George while travelling by power carriage and we enjoy a late breakfast next to the railway tracks.
We explore George and surrounding areas, visit a cheese factory and leave enough opportunity to spend time at the sea.
Overnight and dinner in Victoria Bay.

Day 5
We pay a visit to Gouritzmond, Vermaaklikheid on the banks of the Duiwenhoks River and Jongensfontein.
Tonight we sleep on the banks of the Goukou River in Stilbaai.

Day 6
We follow the N2 via Riversdal and Heidelberg.  Just past Swellendam we turn off to Bredasdorp and Waenhuiskrans.
Dinner and overnight in L’Agulhas.

Day 7
Struisbaai with its 14km long white beach.
We also travel through Elim, Baardskeerdersos, Pearly Beach, Franskraal en Gansbaai where we visit the harbour and abalone farm.
Overnight in L’Agulhas.

Day 8

Route to airport:
Bredasdorp, Napier and then along the coast over Stanford, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Betties Bay, Hangklip, Pringle Bay, Rooiels, Kogelbaai, Gordon Bay, Strand and Somerset West.
Cape Town International Airport.