7-Day Cape and Karoo Highlights Tour
(Self-Drive option also available)
Cape Town - Cape Town
Day 1 – Matjiesfontein (Breakfast, Dinner)
From Cape Town we travel to Paarl where we stop at the KWV, South Africa’s leading exporter of premium products of the vine, where you'll be treated to an extraordinary experience. The KWV Wine Emporium is the perfect place to discover these wines and brandies, including Cathedral Cellar, Roodeberg, Perold, and Imoya. Guides with an in-depth knowledge will host you on a journey through the world of wine and brandy as you tour the KWV cellar complex, one of the world’s largest. From here we make our way to the historical village of Matjiesfontein where we overnight at the Lord Milner Hotel. On the fringe of the Great Karoo, the Lord Milner Hotel, the last authentic vestige of Victoriana, sits in all its past glory as a "must" stop on the N1 national highway linking Cape Town to Johannesburg and the northern part of South Africa. The Lord Milner's 58 guest rooms have been well maintained over the years and a high standard of service upheld.
The esprit de corps of the courteous staff, the clean crisp air and the warmth of the atmosphere surrounding the hotel, makes for a relaxing and revitalising stay. A pond, fountains, a riverbed and beautiful lush gardens can be seen around the hotel and guest rooms. Along with the blood-red sunsets, remarkable fauna and flora and its age-old traditions, Matjiesfontein and the Lord Milner Hotel lends itself to the ultimate tranquil escape.
Day 2 – Sutherland. (Breakfast)
Today we set off after breakfast for the Northern Cape town of Sutherland, which is situated at a height of 1450m above sea level on the southwest escarpment of the inland Plateau. At this height the area is exposed to all the cold air coming from the southwest. Due to the low moisture levels and thin air, heat radiation at night is high. The heavy cold air flows down to the lower valley where Sutherland is situated. Sutherland is seen to be the coldest place in South Africa. The lowest temperature in 33 years of minus 16.4 oC was experienced on 12 July 2003.
This afternoon we visit the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), which is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It is a facility of the National Research Foundation under the Department of Science and Technology. Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility and by promoting astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observing station near Sutherland in the Northern Cape, one of them being SALT – the Southern Africa Large Telescope. A little over five years after groundbreaking, President Thabo Mbeki has officially opened the SALT – the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, and equal to the largest in the world. Gathering more than 25 times as much light as any existing African telescope, SALT can detect objects a billion times too faint to be seen by the naked eye – as faint as a candle flame on the moon.
2005 has been the year when SALT began to reach its potential. In May, technicians installed the last of the 91 1-metre mirrors. On September 1 the SALT team released the first colour images from SALT's imaging camera, SALTICAM. Then, on October 11, the Robert Stobie Spectrograph was installed, the main tool SALT astronomers will use to analyse the light of distant stars and galaxies. At the same time, the final active optics for SALT’s primary mirrors was installed, and the final testing started. Overnight at a Luxury Bed & Breakfast establishment in the town.
Day 3 – Prince Albert (Breakfast)
Today we travel through the wide-open Great Karoo to the town of Prince Albert, a village in the Karoo. Prince Albert enjoys a superb climate, with a high sunshine index and spectacular night skies. The village is a small gem, with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings. Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots, olives, olive oil and cheese.
Overnight at the Swartberg Hotel, (or similar) which is a haven of character and atmosphere from the stylish rooms in the hotel and the cottage accommodation in the restful garden to the true South African delights of the dining room.
The Swartberg Hotel, a magnificent Victorian-style hotel with tasteful original decor, has comfortable and stylish decorated rooms and spacious cottages set in the garden. In summer lunches and teas are served on the veranda, at the swimming pool or in the air-conditioned coffee shop. Evening meals are served in the gracious dining room. During a chilly Karoo winter’s evening, when the mountains are capped with snow, log fires blaze in the lounge, dining room and ladies bar.
Day 4 – Oudtshoorn (Breakfast)
Today we cross the scenic Swartberg Pass, considered to be one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the world: an untarred road winds to the summit 1583 metres above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks, with breath-taking views at every turn. As you drive on you gain your first sight of the valleys and peaks of the Swartberg Pass. The natural characteristics of the Pass are magnificent – as are the man-made features. This was Thomas Bain's last engineering masterpiece.
We visit the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, which are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world. Some of the sandstone formations are even colourfully illuminated. The bizarre shapes in the caves are mainly composed of calcium carbonate. They develop as limewater drips from the stones and evaporates. The structures growing down from the cave ceiling are called stalactites, while those that grow from the ground to the top are called stalagmites.
We will also visit a working ostrich farm where one can learn more about these fascinating birds. Commercial ostrich farming started during the late 1880's in South Africa; this was also the start of the ostrich industry worldwide. The fashion demand in Europe for ostrich feathers inspired the growth of the industry, with the Oudtshoorn district quickly being established as the “ostrich capital of the world”. During the first decade of the previous century, ostrich feathers gained record prices on foreign markets, ranking 4th on the list of South African exports, after gold, diamonds and wool. The consequence of this newly found opulence meant that ostrich farmers were able to build beautiful sandstone mansions. A unique feature of the farm experience is a visit to the Ostrich Palace "Welgeluk" which was built at the height of the feather boom in 1910. The homestead is a National Monument and is a superb example of the type of architecture that was used at the time. Safari Ostrich Show Farm was established more than 40 years ago.
Overnight Foster’s Manor (or similar) Experience the days gone by of ostrich feathers and feather palaces at Foster`s Manor Bed & Breakfast - the embodiment of the ambiance of the era when the ostrich and its feathers reigned supreme in the Little Karoo. The Ostrich feather palace, Foster`s Manor, was the only one to be established as a charming Bed & Breakfast. The Manor was declared a national monument in 1974 and was restored to its former glory.
Day 5 - Knysna (Breakfast)
This morning we depart Oudtshoorn via the stunning Outeniqua Pass to the town of George where we board the “Outeniqua Choo Tjoe”. This is the most scenic way to explore the Garden Route on the last mixed scheduled train in South Africa, travelling between George and Knysna. The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily (except Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route Lake District. The section from Victoria Bay along the Cliffside and over the Kaaiman´s River viaduct to Wilderness is the highlight of the journey.
The railway line between George and Knysna was opened to traffic in 1928 and when built was regarded as one of the most expensive sections of line in the world - today it is rated the most beautiful. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the various options on offer in this delightful little town.
Overnight at the Knysna River Club (or similar). The award winning Knysna River Club comprising of 35 luxury chalets is situated on the edge of the famous Knysna Lagoon, offering a unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable stay at one of South Africa's prime destinations.
Day 6 – Mossel Bay (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we make our way to the “Featherbed Nature Reserve”. This spectacular four-hour eco-experience includes a return ferry, walk and lunch and a 25-minute ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western head (The Reserve is only accessible by ferry.) Upon arrival, guests board a Unimog drawn trailer and drive up to the top of the Reserve. While stopping at a scenic lookout point, our specialist guides will share with you some fascinating tales about Knysna and the surrounding area while you enjoy the panoramic views. An optional 2,2 km guided nature walk takes you through the forest, onto the cliffs, into the caves and along the scenic coast. Once back in the Food Forest, a unique outdoor restaurant situated under the Milkwood Trees, guests can enjoy a spectacular 12 dish buffet lunch.
From Knysna we make our way to Mossel Bay where we visit the interesting Diaz Museum in the town. This building was originally erected in 1901 to serve as a grain and sawmill. It was adapted to serve as a unique Maritime Museum and houses, among others, the impressive life-size replica of Bartolomeu Diaz’s caravel, the ship in which he sailed into Mossel Bay in the year 1488. It also displays ship models of a bygone era, route maps to the East and exploration of the Dark Continent in general, as well as the Post Office Tree, the Granary, the Shell Museum and more.
Overnight Protea Hotel Mossel Bay (or similar). This luxurious 31-roomed Protea Hotel Mossel Bay is a graceful landmark, built in 1846, overlooking Santos Bay and harbour. Nestling on the Mossel Bay shoreline with the majestic Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop, the Protea Hotel Mossel Bay is singled out from other establishments. The stone walls and Mediterranean-style outbuildings belie the fact that the main building is one of the oldest in Mossel Bay and forms part of the Dias Museum Complex. Previously The Old Post Office Tree Manor Hotel, the Protea Hotel Mossel Bay, situated off Santos beach, could best be described as a hotel complex. It comprises of a breakfast patio with sea view, the Cafe Gannet Seafood Restaurant - Mossel Bay's Seafood House and the Blue Oyster cocktail bar, adjacent to the pool, which overlooks Munro's Bay and the Jacana curio shop.
Day 7 – Cape Town. (Breakfast)
This morning we make our way to Cape Town. If this is during the whale season (July to November) we travel via Hermanus, which is built along the shores of Walker Bay near the Southern most tip of Africa. Magnificent mountains watch over the town which is home of the Southern Right Whale. Nature lovers from all over the world visit Hermanus to view these magnificent creatures from the best land based whale-watching destination in the world.
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