Cape Town & the Garden Route

Oversikt

Travel along the dramatic coastline at the bottom of South Africa

Reiserute Vis detaljert reiserute

Day 1

Start Port Elizabeth; transfer to Sundays River Valley.

The group flight generally arrives early afternoon. Land only passengers can meet the rest of the group at the airport; upon arrival we will transfer about 1hr to the the Sundays River Valley and the lovely Avoca Guest Farm. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax amidst this bucolic setting. *Avoca Guest Farm or similar*

Day 2

Game drives in Addo N.P.

This morning we head to Addo Elephant National Park. The third largest national park in South Africa, Addo is home to some 550 elephants (up from a mere 16 when the park was initially set up) as well as Black rhino, leopards, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras, various antelopes and dung-beetles. We will enjoy game drives (in our own vehicle) in the park and have the option of a 2nd game drive as well (at extra cost). *Avoca Guest Farm or similar*

Day 3

Drive to Storms River; explore Tsitsikamma.

Today we start heading west to the official start of the Garden Route at Storms River and Tsitsikamma National Park. Stretching along the coast, the park gets its name from a local word meaning ‘place of abundant water.’ The park is made up of rocky coastlines, fairy-tale forests, waterfalls and rivers. We have the opportunity to hike in the forest and along suspension bridges. The area is also a great place for bird-enthusiasts with a variety of sea, forest and fynbos (scrubland) species present. *Storms River Mouth Rest Camp or similar*

Day 4

Free day to relax, walk or explore the region.

We spend the day at Tsitsikamma where a number of hikes are available as well as other activities (though some may be dependent on the weather conditions such as canoeing). *Storms River Mouth Rest Camp or similar*

Day 5

Morning visit Knysna Heads; afternoon to Oudtshoorn.

We start our day with a visit to the Knysna Heads, two tall sandstone cliffs which form a channel through which the turbulent Indian Ocean enters the calmer Knysna Lagoon. We have a bit more time to relax in town before leaving for Oudtshoorn after lunch. As we head inland and over a pass the landscape changes drastically and we enter the Little Karoo, a much dryer and hotter region. Oudtshoorn itself became famous thanks to the trade in Ostrich feathers and is still, today, the ostrich capital of the world. Our Guest House is situated out of town in the tranquil rural Karoo village of De Rust. *House Martin Guest Lodge or similar*

Day 6

Visit Cango Caves and ostrich farm.

Today we spend all day in and around Oudtshoorn. We start by visiting the Cango Caves, an extensive complex of caverns with stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch we visit a local ostrich farm where we learn more about these wondrous birds. (the order in which we do these activities may be reversed). *House Martin Guest Lodge or similar*

Day 7

To Hermanus via Mossel Bay.

Returning towards the coast we make a stop at Mossel Bay and the Dias museum complex celebrating the influence of early Portuguese sailors on S. Africa and the location of the Post Office Tree (an old milkwood tree which was used to leave messages for passing ships since 1500). We then continue to Hermanus, famed as the whale capital of the world. *Windsor Hotel Apartments or similar*

Day 8

Free day; whale watching in season.

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Hermanus. From late August to November Southern Right whales are easily spotted from shore as they frolic in Walker Bay. A whale crier sounds his kelp horn when he spots whales off the coast. Those who want can also do a boat-based whale watching trip. There are also a number of other activities available from hikes to river cruises and lagoon-kayaking which are available year-round. Please note that during the Christmas departure we will be staying in Pringle Bay, on the eastern end of False Bay. Pringle Bay is a lovely seaside village with local art and crafts shops and markets and cafes. Nearby are Betty Bay with its penguin colony, the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Those who want will be taken to Hermanus (about 1hr away) to see the quaint town. *Windsor Hotel Apartments or similar*

Day 9

To wine region; afternoon wine tour and on to Cape Town.

Our next destination is South Africa’s famed wine region. The wine industry, which dates back to the 17th Century and was heavily influenced by French Huguenots, produces some of the best wines in the world. We will have the opportunity to taste some of these wines before continuing to Cape Town, the Mother City. *Sweetest Guest House or similar*

Day 10-11

Two days exploring Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and
Simonstown penguins.

We spend the next two days in and around Cape Town, Africa's most exciting city. Our activities in Cape Town will, to some extent, be dictated by the weather as visits to the top of Table Mountain, which has its own micro-climate, are determined by cloud cover and wind. Because of this, often, temperamental weather, it is best not to pre-book the cable car but to just buy tickets on the spot (not included) Those who are staying longer in Cape Town post-tour may opt to visit Table Mountain later if the weather looks as though it may be better then. There is also the option of visiting Robben Island on one of the days, however we recommend you pre-book Robben Island with us before the trip (but pay the tour leader locally). On one of the days we head down the Cape Peninsula. We follow the Atlantic Seaboard past the areas of Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay to the Cape Point via Chapman's Peak drive, if it is open. The highlight of the day is our visit to the famous Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 7680 hectares. The reserve is home to eland, bontebok, grysbok, springbok, wildebeest, baboon and ostrich. Rugged cliffs, unspoilt beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We will go on a walk through the reserve for approximately two hours. We first take a walk to the old lighthouse for the panoramic views, before following the pathway to the new lighthouse which offer spectacular cliff views. We then follow the downhill path to the Cape of Good Hope and the iconic board showing the most Southern Western point of the African continent where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Once we leave the park we stop at the former Royal Navy base at Simonstown and take time to visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach. *Sweetest Guest House or similar*

Day 12

End Cape Town.

Our final day of the trip we have the option of doing a township tour, strolling along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or exploring various other parts of Cape Town. Those on group flights will be transferred to the airport this afternoon for their flight home, those on a land-only basis the tour officially ends today.

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From this trip

Viktig Informasjon Vis detaljert viktig informasjon

• The trip destination

  
  * 9 nights hotels and guest houses and 2 nights chalets.
  * Travel by private minibus
  * No long drives
  
  

• Food

  
  All breakfasts included
  
  The food you'll encounter on this trip is very similar to the kind of food
  you'll be used to at home. There may be the opportunity to try some more
  unusual meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland. There are also some options for
  vegetarians.
  
  The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally
  coming from bore-holes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather
  have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would
  encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps
  diminish plastic consumption.
  
  

• at a glance

  
  * 9 nights hotels and guest houses and 2 nights chalets.
  * Travel by private minibus
  * No long drives
  
  

• trip for you

  
  We have graded this trip as leisurely/moderate as we base ourselves in
  comfortable accommodation and there are no strenuous activities. This is
  primarily a vehicle-based trip, although there are a few opportunities to go
  on walks in the Tsitsikamma National Park and in Cape Point Nature Reserve.
  All walking is optional. At Cape Point Nature Reserve we walk along good
  paths to the lighthouse and along the boardwalk. Both walks will take about
  two hours. The Tsitsikamma walk to the Storms River mouth is along a
  boardwalk and is about 1 hour long. There are many optional walks in the park
  that are a little longer and more strenuous. Travelling from Port Elizabeth
  to Cape Town rather than doing a round trip allows us to visit more places at
  a more leisurely pace with less driving and no need to back-track.
  
  Legal Note: all group members joining this tour will be asked to sign an
  indemnity form at the start of the holiday. This indemnity form is a
  requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association which our local
  supplier is a member of. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under
  the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains
  liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.
  
  

• accommodation

  Hotels & Guesthouses
  9 nights hotels and guest houses and 2 nights chalets. Most properties are
  privately owned, clean, comfortable establishments, all with en suite rooms
  or private bathrooms (in Hermanus we stay in apartments where one room is en
  suite and the other room has a separate bathroom for the sole use of that
  room). The properties are clean, comfortable establishments, all with en
  suite rooms. They are also located in areas selected for their charm whether
  it is amidst orchards, by the crashing sea, in the quaint village of De Rust
  or right in the centre of Cape Town. Wifi is available most nights but is not
  always very reliable. Single supplement available
  
  

• eating drinking

  
  All breakfasts included
  
  The food you'll encounter on this trip is very similar to the kind of food
  you'll be used to at home. There may be the opportunity to try some more
  unusual meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland. There are also some options for
  vegetarians.
  
  The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally
  coming from bore-holes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather
  have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would
  encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps
  diminish plastic consumption.
  
  

• transportation

  
  We use a minibus for this trip. Each minibus is fitted with forward facing
  seats and tows a luggage trailer. The minibuses have large windows for good
  views while touring.
  
  

• joining instructions

  
  *Travelling flight inclusive from London: 14 Days*
  
  The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
  Day 1 of the itinerary.
  
  *Flights from London*
  
  We normally use the scheduled services of South African Airways (depending
  on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we
  recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
  up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
  cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
  
  If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will
  need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been
  checked all the way through to Port Elizabeth (and even if you are told at
  Heathrow that you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you
  are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag
  drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight ‐ you
  do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.
  
  *Travelling land only: 12 days starting in Port Elizabeth and ending in Cape
  Town*
  
  Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Port Elizabeth in the
  morning of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point
  are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two
  weeks before departure.
  
  The trip starts at the airport in Port Elizabeth. If you have arranged to
  stay in Port Elizabeth the night before the start of the trip we can arrange
  for your transfer to the airport to coincide with the arrival of the group
  flights.
  
  Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to
  you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at
  least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our
  office or your travel agent.
  
  

• transfer details

  
  Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
  that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
  even if Exodus has booked it.
  
  If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able
  to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
  arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2
  weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
  must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
  
  

• weather info

  
  Summer months are from October to April and the average daytime temperature
  is 25ºC to 30ºC. The average night time temperature is 10ºC to 20ºC. The
  winter months are from May to September and average temperatures are about
  10ºC colder at this time of year. In general, however, the Cape Town climate
  is quite mild. The summer months are typically dry and warm, but the South
  Easterly wind can blow up to 70km/h at least a few times a month. This helps
  to cool things off, but can be a little unpleasant if one is walking in
  exposed areas. Most of the rainfall is in the winter but it is frontal rain,
  which comes off the Atlantic. Therefore it can rain solidly for 2 days, and
  in between there will be warm sunny days! Due to the ocean's proximity to the
  mountains and the winds, it is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on
  the higher mountains. Our programme is flexible enough to accommodate any
  major changes in weather, and yet still make it enjoyable.
  
  

• essential equipment

  
  Shoes you can comfortably walk in
  Daypack
  Hat
  Sun cream Sunglasses Binoculars Camera Water bottle
  A fleece top is also recommended for cooler days and nights. At all times a
  good waterproof
  windbreaker in your daypack is recommended should the cooler winds pick up.
  Please note that Winter is June‐September and it can get chilly
  
  Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn't yet
  widely available; they
  often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to
  the environment and we
  would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip we have decided to
  include drinking water in order to reduce the amount of plastic used. This
  means that safe filtered drinking water will be available throughout which
  means all you need to do is bring a bottle to re‐fill along the way.
  Please add this to your packing list!
  
  At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
  recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend
  packing only one piece of checked baggage.
  
  As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
  to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
  information prior to your departure.
  
  

• spending money

  
  Dinners can cost on average £12‐18 ($20‐30) per person and lunches from
  £5 to £8 ($8 to $13).
  
  
  *Optional Excursions *
  
  All prices listed are subject to change:
  
  Robben Island - R550 per adult. If you would like to book this excursion then
  please advise Exodus 4 weeks before travel. We will take all names and the
  tickets will then be payable locally - this is to avoid disappointment as it
  is a popular tour. Please note that the option of doing this excursion is
  dependent on flight times. Once you have signed up then we cannot accept
  cancellations. Refunds will only be issued if we are refunded by the ticket
  office for adverse weather conditions etc.
  
  Cable Car up Table Mountain R330
  
  Zip‐lining at Tsitsikamma NP R660
  
  Hermanus Whale Watching (in season) Boat based R900
  
  Addo extra game drive in the park R340 or R470 depending on the game drive
  
  Schotia Tooth & Claw game drive (near Addo) and bush dinner R2000
  
  

• tipping

  
  Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Tipping
  is obviously entirely optional but we recommend approximately £2-3 per
  person per day.
  
  

• not included

  
  * Travel insurance
  * Single accommodation (available on request)
  * Visas or vaccinations
  
  

Priser / Datoer

Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.