Day 1- Sani Pass (D)
We will collect you from your overnight accommodation or from the Durban Airport, travelling on the edge of the "Valley of 1000 Hills" and then past the capital city of Pietermaritzburg onto the “Midlands Meander”. The Midlands Meander is what weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and pianos have in common. You will find them all, and a great deal more on the Midlands Meander map - South Africa's first, largest and most popular art and crafts route. From a very small beginning, the Midlands Meander has grown to well over a hundred stops on four routes. Originating with the arrival of the first settlers in the early 1800’s the area boasts many wonderful homes and barns, an attraction to lovers of architecture. As you tour the Midlands Meander you will also notice that this area is home to a number of the country’s most famous schools.
From here we travel inland, to the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the scenic route through the frontier towns of Bulwer, Underberg and Himeville. Overnight Moorcroft Manor (or similar). Moorcroft Manor Country House is situated amidst rolling green hills and breath-taking sunsets on the outskirts of the country village of Himeville, 8kms from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg.
Day 2 - Sani Pass. (Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning we transfer to our 4X4 vehicles for the ascent up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho. Breathtaking scenery and alpine conditions dominate this truly magnificent corner of this province. Once we have entered Lesotho we will stop off at a Basutho village where one can learn more about the life of these very friendly people, in this, one of the world’s poorest countries. Lunch will be at the “highest pub in Africa”, the Sani Top Chalet. We will also have some time here to walk along the edge of the escarpment for stunning views into KwaZulu Natal, before descending the pass to Moorcroft Manor. *NB. Warm clothing is a must, no matter the season of the year! You will also need valid passports for the crossing into Lesotho. The ascent of the pass is subject to the prevailing weather conditions.
Overnight Moorcroft Manor
Day 3 - Montusi. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today we depart for the northern Drakensberg Mountains and overnight at Montusi Mountain Lodge. Montusi Mountain Lodge offers genuine hospitality in the tranquility of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. Space, comfort and peace are what you will find when you treat yourself to the natural splendour and peaceful, romantic ambiance of this Drakensberg haven. Situated in the Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, Montusi is the only upmarket destination in the area with a full and uninterrupted view of the Drakensberg's most famous part, the Amphitheatre escarpment. Guests enjoy this spectacular scenery in the comfort of their private individual garden suites.
Day Four - Gariep. (Breakfast, Dinner)
From the Drakensberg we travel along the scenic Eastern Free State Province to the Gariep Dam. The Eastern Free State is the land of a thousand pictures, with each season offering its own attractions - roaring, open fires in winter, cherry blossoms and then succulent fruit in spring, hot summer days and golden autumn sunsets. The Eastern Free State is a feast for the eye, soul and gastronome. Cherry orchards cling to the sides of flat topped sandstone mountains which reflect the different colours of the sunrise and sunset, as you gently meander along the border between South Africa and the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Apart from cherries, other deciduous fruit and asparagus thrive in the champaign climate, making spring and early summer a feast of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many people visit the Eastern free State especially for its picturesque beauty. But no matter whether you are driving through, en route to somewhere, or just retreating from the rat race for a couple of days, you will be tempted to linger a while longer.
Forever Resorts Gariep is the perfect stopover between Gauteng and the Cape, 200 kilometers South of Bloemfontein in the Free State, just off the N1. The Resort is situated on the banks of Gariep Dam, the largest dam in South Africa and bordering the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, home to many species of antelope and the Cape Mountain Zebra. The dam is a water sport enthusiast’s paradise, stretching 90km in length and 374 sq km in size, making sailing, jet skiing and power boating a pleasure.
Day Five – Mountain Zebra National Park (Breakfast, Dinner)
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and have become an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain zebra. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 300 where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the cheetah, Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and gemsbok, while mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas. Caracal occupies the niche of primary predator.
We will go on game drives here, both upon arrival and for the most part of the next day
Day 6 - Graaf Reinet (Breakfast)
Today we leave Letsatsi en route through the Karoo to Graaf Reinet. The Great Karoo, an area in excess of 400 000 square kilometers was, approximately 250 million years ago, a vast inland sea. As the world's climate gradually changed from cold to hot the water evaporated leaving a swamp where reptiles and amphibians prospered.In recent history, less than two hundred years ago, large herds of antelope and zebras roamed the grass flats. The Hottentots and Bushmen, the last Stone Age people, shared the “Place of Great Dryness”. They differed basically in their cultures and lifestyles: the Hottentots herding their sheep and cattle in the age-old pastoral pattern and the Bushmen following their traditional nomadic pursuits of hunting and feasting. With the occupation of the area by stock farmers the sheep gradually replaced the game and the grass receded along with the changed grazing and weather patterns. During the Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902 three Republican Commandos, reinforced by the rebels from the Cape Colony, conducted widespread operations throughout the Karoo.
Graaf Reinet is home to more national monuments than any other town or city in South Africa. Round every corner a piece of our history is revealed to interested visitors. A short stroll down Cradock Street will reveal more than 50 of these historic homes. This afternoon, if time allows, we visit some of the historical buildings and museums.
We overnight at the historical Drostdy Hotel (or similar) in Graaf Reinet which was completed in 1806 and was originally the seat of local government for 40 years. It has undergone many structural changes during its lifetime, but in 1977 was restored to its original pristine elegance and it is still in operation today. The present hotel is a little museum that cannot fail to fascinate even the most unhistorical-minded person. It offers traditional Karoo meals in a unique setting of brass candlestick chandeliers and many tourists have commented on its wonderful ambience.
The Stretch's Court is a complex of mid-19th century cottages with wooden shutters and whitewashed walls offering beautiful bedrooms, some with antiques and brass beds. These houses were the homes of emancipated slaves in the mid-nineteenth century. Several stylish rooms are decorated with Victorian pieces, while the rest reflect a country style.
Day 7 - Oudtshoorn (Breakfast)
This morning we visit the “Valley of Desolation” outside Graaf Reinet before we make our way to Oudtshoorn via the towns of Aberdeen, Willowmore and de Rust. In Oudtshoorn we overnight at Fosters Manor. 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 and was declared a national monument in 1974.
Day 8 - Knysna (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today we visit the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, which are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world. Some of the sandstone formations are colourfully illuminated and 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. Lunch will be enjoyed at this farm.
From here we will make our way to Knysna, where we 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. The remainder of the day you are at leisure.
Day 9 - 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 Dias'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 10 - 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.
We drop you off at your overnight destination in Cape Town or at the airport.
|
|
