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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*
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*
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*
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*
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*
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. We then enjoy lunch at Buffelsdrift where will overlook a waterhole that occasionally is visited by elephants, giraffe and springbok. In the afternoon we visit the beautiful Meiringspoort Waterfall and enjoy a short walk in the area. (the order in which we do these activities may be reversed). *House Martin Guest Lodge or similar*
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 or similar*
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. *Windsor Hotel or similar*
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*
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. 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*
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.
* 11 nights hotels and guest houses.
* Travel by private minibus
* No long drives
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.
* 11 nights hotels and guest houses.
* Travel by private minibus
* No long drives
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.
Hotels & Guesthouses
11 nights hotels and guest houses. Most properties are privately owned,
clean, comfortable establishments, all with en suite rooms or private
bathrooms. 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 (please note that in Cape Town the group
might be accommodated in different Sweetest Guest House properties). Wifi is
available most nights but is not always very reliable. Single supplement
available.
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.
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.
*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.
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.
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.
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.
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 - R600 (Note: If you would like to book this excursion then
please advise Exodus at least 4 weeks before travel (ideally when you book on
the trip). We will take all names and the tickets will then be payable
locally - this is to avoid disappointment as it is a popular tour. 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
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.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
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.