This trip begins in Cape Town, South Africa and travels through South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route before ending in back in Cape Town.
This trip departs from Cape Town early on Sunday morning. Should you wish to explore Cape Town, an earlier arrival, or later departure should be planned and accommodation can be booked through us
Day 1: Cape Town to Stellenbosch (L / D) Leaving Cape Town, we head into the surrounding wine growing regions and to the old university town of Stellenbosch. One of South Africa’s oldest towns and home to its second oldest University, Stellenbosch has many prime examples of the unique Cape Dutch Architectural styles brought about by the Dutch settlers to the Cape. We stop off at one of the region’s best known wine estates – Spier, where we have the opportunity to sample some of their award winning wines. During our visit at Spier you may also take the opportunity to interact with the wildlife and endangered birds projects located at the farm. We then head into Stellenbosch itself, where we have the afternoon at leisure to explore the town on foot.
Day 2: Stellenbosch to Gansbaai (B / L / D) We depart the lush wine region and head over Sir Lowry’s Pass where we are able to enjoy the magnificent view over False Bay, before continuing onto the seaside town of Gansbaai. Well known as a base for both shark cage dives and seasonal whale watching, this small village supports a large local fishing community along with a Fishmeal factory and Abalone Farm providing jobs to the majority of residents. Spend the afternoon exploring the seaside or tempt your adventurous side on a thrilling shark cage dive!
Day 3: Gansbaai to De Hoop Nature Reserve (B / L / D) At 340km², the De Hoop Nature Reserve is a favourite destination for hikers, cyclists, bird watchers and in the early summer months, whale watchers. The reserve lies adjacent to the largest protected marine area in Africa and provides a sanctuary for a vast and fascinating array of marine life. Home to 86 species of mammal including the rare Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra – both species that only exist within the Fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom; and 260 different species of birds, amongst which the Cape Vulture is highly endangered and it’s only remaining breeding site can be found within the Reserve. Various walks and hiking trails are spread over the Reserve; spend your afternoon exploring these at leisure.
Day 4: De Hoop Nature Reserve to Knysna (B / L / D) Waking early to the sounds of nature surrounding us, we pack up camp and continue towards to the beginning of the famous Garden Route, officially beginning at Mossel Bay, we then continue onto the well know town of Knysna.
The Knysna Lagoon is a fresh water inlet that lies behind 2 sentinel rock outcrops known as the Knysna Heads. A breeding ground for delicious Oysters, the lagoon is also a popular spot for local boat cruises to view the sunset, visit the neighbouring Featherbed Nature Reserve, or simply enjoy a few hours of sightseeing from the water.
Day 5: Knysna to Tsitsikamma National Park (B / L / D) This National Park encompasses a spectacular stretch of indigenous forest that stretches from the coastline up to the Tsitsikamma Mountain range and offers visitors the opportunity to see some of South Africa’s most colourful birdlife and flora. The park itself includes a stretch of natural forest alongside the coastline and a portion of the adjacent ocean. There are various walks and hikes available to explore this afternoon before setting up camp on the verge of the ocean.
Day 6: Tsitsikamma National Park (B / L / D) We spend today at leisure exploring the Tsitsikamma National Park and the many optional activities on offer in the region. Test your fear by throwing yourself off the famous Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bungee, experience black water tubing on the turbulent Storms River, or explore the forest from above on a tree top canopy zip-line tour. Alternatively continue exploring the forest on one of the many hikes on offer in the reserve.
Days 7 & 8: Tsitsikamma National Park to Addo Elephant National Park (B/ L / D) Waking to the sound of the ocean we break camp and head further up the coast and then inland to the Addo Elephant National Park. Arriving in the afternoon, we begin exploring South Africa’s 3rd largest National Park on a game drive before sunset. In the morning of day 8, we head off early to explore the park and search for not only the elephant herds the park is most well known for, but also lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species, as well as the unique Addo flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
Day 9: Addo Elephant National Park to Oudtshoorn (B / L / D) Departing early this morning, we head back toward the Western Cape and onto the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. Nestled between the Outeniqua & Swartberg Mountain Ranges, this town was once a hub of trade in the ostrich feather industry.
Day 10: Oudtshoorn (B / L / D) Today is spent exploring the two highlights Oudtshoorn is famous for – the Cango Caves and a working Ostrich Farm. As the largest open cave formation in South Africa, the Cango Caves offer visitors the opportunity to explore inside the vast caverns and see the spectacular dripstone formations. We explore the main cavern on a guided tour to see and learn how these folds of rock have formed over hundreds of years. Thereafter we head off to Oudtshoorn’s famous Ostrich Farm to learn more about these giant flightless birds - even try your skills at riding one!!
Day 11: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town (B / L) We depart early and make our way back to our departure point and final destination - the “Mother City” of Cape Town. In the late afternoon we arrive back in the city. Cape Town has many exciting attractions such as the famous Table Mountain, Robben Island, the beautiful Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, The Cape Peninsula and much more. Our tour ends on arrival and we part ways having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
We can book airport transfers and additional accommodation through our central reservations office. Please notify us at the time of booking if you wish to make use of this service.
Price : GB£ 345 plus Local Payment of US$ 350
Optional Excursions Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip.
Please Note - these prices are approximate and are subject to change - where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.
Shark Cage Diving – Marine Dynamics 200-300 US$ Dyer Island Whale Watching Boat Trip 150 US$ Dyer Island Eco Boat Trip 75 US$ Knysna – John Benn Boat Cruise 30 US$ Tsitsikamma Tree Top Canopy Tours 75 US$ Bloukrans Bridge – Bungee Jump 216m 115 US$ Blackwater Tubing 90 US$ Surfing Lessons CPT 45 US$ Abseiling Table Mountain 100 US$ Cape Point - day trip 90 US$ Township Tour - Cape Town (half day) 65 US$ Winelands - day trip 90 US$ *Activities in South Africa are payable in ZAR cash, or by credit card
Please Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
Your arrival transfer and pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in your trip price. Should you choose not to make use of these, or in the event that we are not updated with your arrival details, no refund will be paid for services not used.
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I recently completed the ten day Best of Botswana tour and it was wonderful!
Although I was unable to see the Makgadakgadi Pans due to flooding at this time of year, I thoroughly enjoyed all the time spent at the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
My guide, Shaba, and cook, Gee, were outstanding. They were both capable, conscientious and professional. They were also very friendly and a lot of fun. It was a great trip
My 16 year old daughter and myself went on the Victoria falls, Chobe, Okavango Delta and Kruger National Park trip for 11 days in June. We had an amazing time and as it was a family trip the ages were varied so everybody got along.
The nights were quite cold but we had been prewarned and so we rugged up but the days were magical with the advantage of no bugs or flies or heat.
Do keep in mind that there is quite a few optional extras but they are not all to everyones tastes ie (we didn't do the bungy jump but did enjoy the village tours at Victoria Falls, and particuarly the horse riding at Maun and the Okavango camp out was not to be missed).
This type of tour is definitely for the more adventurous person and Gift (our tour guide) Tubby (our truck driver) and Florence (our cook) certainly looked after us. I strongly recommend this tour. We had a blast.
I had a grand time on my 35 day plus 8 days overland Africa travel safari. I am 68 years old. Amy was great, also our driver Eloise was excellent and professional and the cook Duncan was first rate.
We ate a lovely variety of well balanced meals including a full roasted pig on one occasion. The fruits and vegetables were very fresh, bought from roadside stands on the way.
We travelled to South Africa and Africa with our 13 year old daughter and had an absolutely fantastic time.
This was our first time to Africa and the experience was amazing. The tour operator was a very professional company and we were very happy with the service, price and whole package deal. It all it was a good deal and enjoyable.
Our tour left Johannesburg and travelled through to Vic Falls. We had wonderful tour guides who were Gift, Tabby and Florence.
Our time in Africa was truly an amazing experience, we saw and learn't so much and the tour staff just added to that experience.
We have had a great taste to Africa and certainly want to return to see more.
We will recommend the operator to our family and friends and will use them again when we decide on our next African adventure.
We found the 11 day tour on the internet and compared to other tours we had priced the tour was by the far the best value for money.
Our email was answered by Liezl from reservations who could not have been more patient or helpful from start to finish, might I also add we were in Harare for a month prior and last minute from Harare I organised accommodation and transfers with Liezl also.
Moving on to the tour, our guide was Gift, our driver was tabis and our cook was Florence. The food was amazing and I will definately miss sitting around the fire talking stories with Tabis, Gift and Florence, three truly amazing individuals who are assets to the company
I will definately be recommending the operator and just want to thank everyone and keep up the good work and prices.
I took the Gorilla and Game parks tour from 3/13/11 to 3/26/11.
The tour itself. I won't go over everyday, but I highly recommend this company. I was very pleased with them and will be using them on my future trips to Africa.
The guide- Our guide, Mwangi, was hilarious! He was very friendly, gave LOTS of information about the animals we saw and the countries that we visited. He was highly approachable to ask questions or to just have a friendly chat by the fireside.
Our driver- Unfortunatly I didn't talk to our driver, Nicky, very much, but he was great. I know that if I had been trying to drive down some of those roads... well, we wouldn't have made it, Ill just put it that way lol. He always got into areas where we got the best shots of wildlife.
Our cook- Mwai (I think is how you spell it) was great. He was also funny and nice to talk to. I have NO complaints about the food. I eat a lot, and I never went hungry. Breakfast was usually the same (toast, eggs (cooked to order I might add, a luxury I'm not used to while camping) ceral, stuff like that) as was lunch (sandwiches that you made yourself). For dinner there was usually a soup followed by the main course. If you wanted to get seconds, no problem. We also stopped by many stores through out the trip and you could purchase snacks if you wanted to.
Camp life- I'm not gonna lie, driving for 7-8 hours most days was kinda rough. I\'m in pretty good shape, but at the end of two weeks I wanted nothing more than to have a nice shower and sleep on a really fluffy bed. Sleeping in tents was ok (I mean, how great do you expect that to be?), but again, after driving all day, setting up your tent, dinner, then sleep, wake up the next morning at 5am, pack your tent, breakfast, and it all starts over again (after we saw the gorillas our drive time dropped a lot which really helped). Everyone was expected to clean their own dishes and help around camp, which I think is a great idea, those 3 guys can't go everything by themselves.
Final thoughts- absolutely book a tour through this company... They are informative, friendly, and will make sure that your trip to Africa is nothing but amazing. I'm sure you can do more luxury safaris, but I have no regreats about 'roughing it'. You just have to keep an open mind, and be ready for the adventure of a lifetime :)
Absolutely AMAZING is a good way to describe the vacation.
The trip from Vic Falls down to Cape Town was incredible. The guide, chef, and driver were all very friendly and fun.
The service from the operator started far earlier than my holiday. All my questions prior to the trip (even from my original enquiry) were answered in great detail and so quickly.
The places we visited and people I met along the way all made this holiday one I will never forget. This was my first overland trip and I will certainly do another one.
Thanks again for an amazing holiday in Africa (my first and definitely not my last)!!
Thanks Bronwyn for all the great information and quick replies.
The tour was really fantastic saw the big five and heaps of other animals .Gift, our tour guide ,Enos our cook and Thaibi the best driver in Africa, were really great ,could not ask for any better people to make our camping tour a real happy tour.
Highly recommended and will be back for another tour. Thanks again for a very exciting ,memerable tour.
I am very happy to say I had an absolutely wonderful time on the trip.
Our guides, Givt, Tabhi & Inus deserve great praise for doing a spectacular job throughout the trip. By the end of our 11 day trips I considered them to be good friends. They were very knowledgable of all areas we visited, were happy to share historic and current stories and insight into the different areas.
We had an amazing time in Gweru at the Antelpoe park. We had 1.5 days and got to do all of our activites. It would have been easy to spend 2.5 days there, but then again it would have been easy to spend all week there as well. Great Zimababwe and Mutopos were the highlight of our trip.
This was the best trip of my life thanks to our excellent guides and the wonderful people of Zimbabwe. We have fallen in love with Africa and cannot wait to return with them to continue exploring and sicovering a most beautiful continent, culture and people!
