Visit the Baviaanskloof Wilderness a magnificent mountain wilderness, the Garden Route and the coastal Tsitsikamma National Park. Take the world's highest bungy jump or a treetop canopy walk.
Overall operator rating 9.3/10 from 3 trip reviews
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I would like to say that my wife Anna and I experienced a fantastic time in my recent trip to South Africa. The country and the places I visited in particular (Cape Town/Garden Route/Port Elizabeth/Idwala Lodge were brilliant and better than I expected. My accommodation was well thought out and the tourist guidance by Colin was first class.
Colin would bend backwards in making sure that everything was fine, and I would not hesitate in using him again, for a country that I will definately be returning to sometime.
2
Client:
Paul Egerton - from United Kingdom
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our holiday was excellent, it went very smoothly.
We had no issues with any of the bookings, the accomodation was as described and the people very friendly and accomodatiing. All details were as agreed and the operator was always helpful.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to South Africa and felt that the 11-day itinerary arranged for us was excellent and gave us a the opportunity to see so many different places of interest, beautiful landscapes and memorable experiences. The accommodation was simply first class, and all the "optional" suggestions we found very useful. We loved the South African people - so friendly and courteous, the weather, and the delicious food.
A couple of things which were disappointing - Bush Sands no longer has predators, so although the safari was enjoyable, my much anticipated chance to see big cats in the wild did not materialise. Bush Sands removed the predators back in May 2005. Also, in Storms River, they were not doing the black water rafting - something to do with their licence, but again, this had been the case for some while, and my husband was very disappointed to miss the opportunity to experience that.
At the vineyard in Franshoek, they had a large function on the only day we were there, so we were unable to eat in their highly recommended restaurant overlooking the valley or to tour the vineyard and sample the wine.
These are disappointments which could be avoided if the operator regularly check that everything on offer is currently available.
However, overall we had a wonderful holiday and would certainly recommend this operator to our friends back in the UK.
Itinerary
Day 1. Leave Port Elizabeth for St Francis Bay via the spectacular Maitlands River Mouth and the Van Stadens Wildflower reserve. Accommodation will be in a luxury thatched cottage located on one of the bays canals.
The evening meal is at the award winning Walskipper open air fish restaurant located in the sand dunes at nearby Marina Martinique
Day 2. Head off from St Francis Bay after breakfast for the short journey to Shumba Safaris which was the first Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape to re introduce hunting lions.
Day 3-4. Continue into the Baviaanskloof the third largest wilderness area in the country after the Kruger National Park and the Kalahari.
The big difference is the lack of people, this area has not yet been discovered by tourists.
Baviaans is Afrikaans for Baboon, they were so numerous when the area was settled a little over 100 years ago a baboon leather factory was built to make baboon leather for braces, rucksacks, handbags and shoes which apparently were exceptionally good.
It is accessible only by gravel road an engineering masterpiece by Thomas Bains built between 1880 and 1890, it twists precariously along mountain slopes. It is 170 km's long and there are 40 river crossings, you will be grateful for the 4 wheel drive and experienced guide.
Buffalo have been reintroduced into the area which is also populated by Kudu and Leopard. Lions will be re-introduced in the near future
Spend 2 nights at Zandvlakte farm, this was a seed farm but the owners Piet and Magriet Krueger are making wonderful conservation improvements and reintroducing some of the Game that was wiped out in the previous century, stare in wonder at the star filled Southern night sky, spend the day hiking, fishing, horse riding, or on one of many 4 wheel drive trails or just take in the atmosphere of this remote mountain wilderness.
Take a swim in one of the many rivers you will cross. In the summer you will be amazed at the warm water. Thomas Bains Pass, turns and twists its way through the Baviaanskloof
Become an Eco Pioneer this is South Africa's best kept secret.
Day 5. Emerging from the Baviaanskloof travel the Prince Alfred's pass through the Outeniqua Mountains. The pass is an earlier Thomas Bains masterpiece took 11 years to complete and has changed little since it was finished in 1867. The highest point is over 1000 meters and descends to sea level, close to Plettenberg Bay. Spend time on the beach, visit the small town or take a boat trip and hope to see dolphins, sharks and whales which are routinely sighted in the bay, reputed to be the most beautiful bay in the world. After the gravel roads we will grateful for the excellent Tsitsikamma toll road which includes the Bloukrans suspension bridge, the highest in Africa and the site of the worlds highest bugy jump.
Day 6 - 7. Spend 2 days in Storms River at the entrance to the Tsitsikamma National Park, The choice of activities lies with our guests, for those brave enough,the worlds highest bungy jump. Enjoy some of the magic walks in the Tsitsikamma National Park,take a tree top canopy tour suspended in the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees,abseiling, Mountain biking, horse riding, snorkeling or just take afternoon tea at the rest camp and enjoy the stunning views.
Return to Port Elizabeth having had a holiday experience you will never forget.
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Included in price:- Cool drinks and snacks in the vehicle.
Day 1 Entrance fees to The Van Stadens Nature Reserve, Picnic lunch, dinner at the Walskipper Restaurant for own account allow 80-150 ZAR
Day 2 Breakfast, lunch Game Drive and evening meal at Shumba Safaris
Day 3 Breakfast. picnic lunch and evening meal at Zandvlakte farm
Day 4 Breakfast. lunch your choice of activity and evening meal at Zandvlakte farm
Day 5 Breakfast and evening meal at the Armagh Guest House at Storms River
Day 6 Breakfast and choice of activity choose from Blackwater tubing, Tree top canopy walk, Mountain biking, abseiling snorkeling or the world's highest bungy jump. Lunch and evening meal
Day 7. Breakfast and entrance fees to the Tsitsikamma National Park
Excluded: International flights, Telephone calls, Bar account, Items of a personal nature, Gratuities, Items not mentioned above
=============================== Our Company was established in 1998 to show guests, less visited and magical parts of Southern Africa, we specialize in tailor made tours often for as little as two people, this allows great personal service from our knowledgeable guides and enables guests to do as they please. We are not time bound and can spend extra time at a waterhole to get that special photograph.
We are members of SATSA (South African Touring Services Association) which requires, stringent insurance, financial and ethical controls.
