Adventures Through the Western Cape

DATES: 09 April 2010 - small group departure
(Other dates available as indvidual tours or as a self drive holiday)

An adventure through the Western Cape is a small group tour (maximum 8 people) that promises to show you the real South Africa. With an emphasis on "soft adventure", yet staying in exceptionally comfortable accommodation, this tour is ideal for those wanting to enjoy the beauty of the Cape whilst enjoying many of the fantastic activities that are on offer.

Available as a small group tour, or customised to suit individual travellers, experience Cape Town as never before, sip wine in the beautiful Cape Winelands, get up close and personal with sharks (optional), spend a morning observing amazing meerkats, take a life changing ride on an elephant as well as spend a morning in the wild, observing and tracking cheetahs.

All this and so much more awaits you on your own Adventure through South Africa`s Western Cape!

Adventures through the Western Cape includes:

• Guided walk up Table Mountain
• A sensitive but uplifting tour of the townships
• Mountain biking to Cape Point
• Kayaking amongst the penguins at Boulders Beach
• Wine Tasting
• Optional Shark Cave diving
• Ostrich Riding
• A close encounter with elephants and cheetahs
• Ocean Safari

And much more as itineraries can be customised to incorporate your interests!

Day 1 (FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 2010)

You will be collected from Cape Town Airport by your guide and transferred to Boulders Beach Lodge, check in and relax – take a walk on the beach and for those brave enough splash your toes in the cold Atlantic Ocean !

In the afternoon leave for a guided walk up table mountain, (for those looking for a more leisurely pace, take the cable car) Table Mountain is undoubtedly a walkers’ paradise. It is rare to find such beauty that can be explored on foot, so close to a major city. To explore Table Mountain on foot is the only way to fully appreciate this unique corner of Africa. Your walk up Table Mountain will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip and an experience to remember forever ...

Return to Boulders Beach Lodge and dinner at your leisure.

Boulders Beach Lodge:
Just meters from Boulders Beach, Boulders Beach Lodge is conveniently situated to explore the maritime town of Simons Town - a town that tells a fascinating story of South African’s history. One of the attractions of Boulders Beach is that it is inhabited by a prolific colony of African Penguins. Boulders Beach Lodge offers guests home away from home hospitality and comfort within a serene and tranquil setting.

The twelve en suite bedrooms are simplistic and tastefully decorated with corner baths in each room. Double and twin accommodation is offered and there are two self-catering units available for families, which contain all the necessary self-catering facilities.

A central restaurant at Boulders Beach Lodge has stunning views of the ocean and Boulders Beach and is a wonderful spot from which to watch the penguins, whilst keeping a look out for whales during South Africa’s whaling season (from July to November). On inclement days, meals are served inside around a crackling log fire. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and, given its seaside location, incorporates lots of fresh seafood.

Boulders Beach Lodge also houses a wellness centre equipped with a flotation tank and a specialised relaxation therapy room, offering treatments such as polarity, physiotherapy, massage, body stress release, reflexology, manicures, pedicures and waxing.
 
Overnight : Boulders Beach Lodge in a Double rooms [Bed and Breakfast]

Day 2 (SATURDAY, 10 APRIL 2010)

Experience the other side of Cape Town. Spend the morning in one of Cape Town’s Township with Uthando. Uthando South Africa is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town. This highly reputable organisation supports a broad range of local community based, sustainable, innovative and empowerment projects in the most destitute and marginalized communities in South Africa.

Overnight : Boulders Beach Lodge in a Double rooms [Bed and Breakfast

Day 3 (SUNDAY, 11 APRIL 2010)

Cycle Cape Point, the nature reserve has spectacular costal views, beautiful indigenous flora, over 1100 different species of Fynbos and a 300 - 500 meter cliff view from the most southerly tip of the Cape Peninsula. The drive to Cape Point is one of the most scenic in the world, with some fantastic views of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans , not to mention the indigenous Fynbos.

Once at the Nature Reserve the bicycles are unloaded. We have the best bikes in town, each of our high performance Trek's or Gary Fisher's come with front suspension as standard. Cycling through this area it is an awe inspiring experience, smell the unique scent of the Protea, get close to the indigenous animals, feel the sea breeze in your face, and truly feel alive!
We have lunch on the beach at Cape Point and take in the vistas. Its moments like these that have made Cape Town one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
After lunch we pack up and head back to Boulders Beach Lodge

Overnight : Boulders Beach Lodge in a Double rooms [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 4 (MONDAY, 12 APRIL 2010)

You will be collected from the hotel and transferred you to Simonstown for Ocean Kayaking. One of the most unique places in the world - a penguin colony in suburban Cape Town! And the best way to see it is from the water. We leave from Simon's Town Waterfront and paddle past the civilian and Naval Harbour and out to Boulder's Beach. After visiting the penguins we stop on a lovely semi-private beach for refreshments, swimming and snorkelling (we provide the snorkels and bottled drinking water). Our double kayaks are very stable and perfect for those with no paddling experience.

Overnight : Boulders Beach Lodge in a Double rooms [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 5 (TUESDAY, 13 APRIL 2010)

Today we take you on a scenic drive through the Cape's premier wine regions. Visit Stellenbosch, the oldest town in South Africa. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. An air of quiet intellectualism and wine-making history abounds in this university town. We stop for wine tasting at Neil Ellis and Warwick Wine Estate before having a light picnic lunch at Boschendal Wine Estate. Continue to Franschhoek, this charming town in the most picturesque valley, retains a sophisticated French Huguenot style and is our destination for the day.

Residence Klein Oliphants Hoek
Residence Klein Olifantshoek, unassumingly positioned in the residential side streets of Franschhoek, was once a chapel and a sense of calm and quiet still prevails in the guesthouse. A variety of rooms and suites at Residence Klein Olifantshoek are comfortable and gracefully decorated and each has an en suite bathroom. The romantic Jacuzzi Suite upstairs has gorgeous mountain views and a private sundeck with a Jacuzzi and outdoor shower. A private veranda, plunge pool and king-sized beds make the hidden missionary suite special. The guesthouse also has a main courtyard with a swimming pool and recliners, which is accessible to all guests.

A passageway leads guests from a warm fireside lounge and reception area at Residence Klein Olifantshoek, directly through the kitchen past a wonderfully authentic wood-burning stove, into a stylish dining room. Chocolaty leather, crisp white table clothes, lots of silverware and gorgeous big wine glasses give the room an air of African colonialism, which is furthered by the adjoining cigar lounge and wine room boasting an excellent selection of fine South African wines.

Outside, overlooking a fragrant garden of roses, lavender and herbs and onto the Franschhoek mountains beyond, is a cool veranda. The food at Residence Klein Olifantshoek is truly exceptional. Delicious breakfasts are enjoyed on the peaceful veranda and dinners in the intimate and extremely romantic dining room are a lengthily and indulgent affair.

Franschhoek Main Street is a couple of streets down from the guesthouse and here boutiques, galleries and restaurants abound. Follow the Franschhoek wine route or venture further afield to the wine routes and towns of Stellenbosch or Paarl. 

Overnight : Residence Klein Oliphants Hoek in a Courtyard rooms [Bed and Breakfast]
 

DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 2010)

Today you have the choice to either go horseriding through the winelands or Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai?

Mont Rochelle Equestrian Centre is situated in the beautiful Franschhoek valley on the Mont Rochelle Wine Farm. Experience horseback riding through the vineyards and then out into the mountains and the valley surrounding the wine farm. Once you have put yourself and your horse through the physical paces, retire to Mont Rochelle's wine tasting facility and sample some of the country's best wines produced locally on the estate.

Alternatively, go shark cage diving in Gansbaai!

Drive from Franschhoek to Gansbaai. The trip normally begins at 10h00 in the morning from Kleinbaai, which is 2 km along the coast from the village of Gansbaai. After a continental breakfast and a safety briefing you board our shark-chaser, Apex Predator for the 5 mile voyage to Dyer Island. After dropping anchor, we all begin attracting Great Whites with a specially-formulated 'Chum' mixture, made from completely legal ingredients. Sharks are seen 99.9% of our trips! Once the Great Whites arrive, you will have the opportunity to photograph these awe-inspiring animals feeding at the surface, right alongside the boat.
This is when you enter the cage! Get your underwater camera ready for taking up close pictures of these ocean predators, an exhilarating experience. The boat normally leaves the harbour at 10h00 in the morning and returns between 3 and 4.

After the shark diving, and time and energy levels permitting we stroll along the cliff path. Search the ancient dune pathways for remnants of "Bushmen" beads, tiny ostrich egg shell beads, fashioned by Khoisan women almost 20 000 years ago.

Overnight : Residence Klein Oliphants Hoek in a Courtyard rooms [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 7 (THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 2010)

Route 62 is one of the most beautiful travel routes in South Africa. The country road meanders through the fertile valleys of the Klein Karoo, past rugged rock formations. Time and again the road leads over steep passes, which open up to spectacular views of the wide land.

Today you will get the opportunity to ride an Ostrich - How many people can say they've ridden an ostrich? If you dare, you could try to sit on an ostrich, ride the ostrich and perhaps even take part in an "Ostrich Derby" (not for the faint hearted)!

Oudtshoorn is famous for its huge ostrich population, which thrive in the semi-desert conditions. Ostriches are the tallest living birds on the planet. When fully grown it weighs over 120kg pounds and because of their strong legs can run at 70 km per hour.

De Zeekoe
Explore this modern, expansive, privately owned, working alfalfa farm of 200 rolling hectares of succulent Klein Karoo. Around 3000 ostriches browse the pastures and hundreds of Springbuck and other naturally occurring game make this farm their home. A unique fossilised riverbed system, winds its way through a wild flower paradise. To fully enjoy De Zeekoe Guest Farm, Oudtshoorn and surrounds, a two to three day stay is highly reccommended. An outdoor paradise, fishing, canoeing, biking and hiking along the many nature trails to be enjoyed in safety within the borders of the farm. The Incredible Cango Caves the great Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountain passes are other attractions in the vicinity worth a visit. Located along the world famous R62 wine route, from Cape Town to Mossel Bay where it enters the Garden Route on the N2. Four hours from Cape Town, seven minutes from Oudtshoorn, and only two hours from Knysna! Research Biologist Grant McIlrath is involved in Nature Conservation and specifically the study of the Wild Meerkat. Farm tours and Wild Meerkat Tours available on special request

We offer 5 luxury rooms and 2 standard rooms. All tastefully styled with textures of wood, earthy fabrics, colourful rugs and soft lighting, a play on nostalgic decoration and fond memories. Well equipped with modern amenities and a private entrance. Lush gardens a mountain view, underfloor heating, air conditioning, bar fridge, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities.Unique Log cabins on the waters edge: Luxurious and completely private, our cabins reflect a true African style they are fully equipped and only 3 minutes' drive from the main house. Each open plan cabin offers 2 bedrooms and a large deck with a picturesque view of the mountains as well as a hearty fireplace. (The water level in the dam drops during the dry season). The log cabins are a conservation initiative using problem plants like Poplar wood, conserving our indigenous flora.

Overnight : De Zeekoe in a Luxury Room [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 8 (FRIDAY, 16 APRIL 2010)

Travel from Oudtshoorn along the Garden Route, the scenery changes from large wheat and sheep farms to dense forests, inland lakes, lagoons, mist cliffs, golden beaches, lush vegetation, a temperate climate and warmer sea.
Knysna, an old woodcutters’ town, is on the shores of a big lagoon, protected from the sea by a pair of rocky headlands. Knysna is well known for its oysters, quaint shopping alleys, arts and crafts, flora, water birdlife, and elephants!
Explore this quaint town (including a photo opportunity of the Knysna Heads) and lunch at the Knysna Waterfront before heading to your guest house.

In the late afternoon we take a sunset cruise

Periwinkle Guest Lodge
Periwinkle Lodge’s views of the ocean and Plettenberg Bay’s magnificent Robberg Peninsula are breathtaking. Six of the light and breezy en suite rooms at Periwinkle Lodge have sea and mountain views and their own balconies with panoramic vistas. The seventh room has a shower only and partial sea views. After breakfast, stroll across the road onto the vast stretch of pristine beach that fronts Periwinkle Lodge for a day of sun and swimming; venture into the town of Plettenberg Bay for lunch or dinner in one of its many restaurants; or schedule a game of golf - the Garden Route is home to many of South Africa’s finest golf courses. For intrepid and active guests, a plethora of adventure sports and activities await, from bungee jumping from the Bloukrantz Bridge (one of the highest jumps in Africa) to hiking through the Garden Route’s Tsitsikamma forests. The scenery on trails along the Robberg Peninsula is really spectacular.
 
Overnight : Periwinkle Guest Lodge in a Standard Room [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 9 (SATURDAY, 17 APRIL 2010)

Get up-close-and-personal with nature at Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of our resident African elephants and our well-informed guides- you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants – the world’s Southern most elephants. The park offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get close to these gentle giants, who live in a controlled, free range environment in the heart of the famous Garden Route in South Africa.

The elephant back rides offer you the once in a lifetime opportunity to ride on of these incredible creatures. After a briefing, your guide will transport you down to the lapa with its spectacular views of the Outeniqua mountains.
You will be able to appreciate these views even more atop the ellies as you ride through the indigenous Cape fynbos.

Overnight : Periwinkle Guest Lodge in a Standard Room [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 10 (SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010)

Ocean safari

Overnight : Periwinkle Guest Lodge in a Standard Room [Bed and Breakfast]

DAY 11 (MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2010)

Drive from Plettenberg Bay to Samara Private Game Reserve

Samara Private Game Reserve
Surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Karoo Lodge sits in perfect serenity with the reserve’s pristine wilderness. Combining colonial comforts with the essence of Mother Nature, the lodge treats you with exceptional service, meaning you can kick back and allow the tranquillity of the Karoo to envelop your soul.

If you choose, you can leave the game for another day and indulge yourself in the luxury of your suite and let our experienced therapist ease you into relaxation with her aromatic oils and local charm.

Echoing the pulse of the Karoo, the interiors seek to fuse the elegance of luxury colonial style cottages with the untamed beauty of the African bush. Cradled in the softest linen, you can lose yourself in the sleepy rhythms of the land as the tranquil sounds of the Karoo lull you into an idyllic state of relaxation and contentment. Quiet, but not silent, Africa’s voice whispers sweet nothings through the grasses.

Overnight : Samara Private Game Reserve in a Lodge Suite [Fully Inclusive]

DAY 12 (TUESDAY, 20 APRIL 2010)

Unparalleled and humbling experiences await you at Samara. With four of the country’s seven biomes, Samara’s abundant wilderness preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 mammal species. Among more common species, such as the Kudu and Duiker, the secretive Aardvark and the once-endangered White Rhino roam. Giraffes can be seen peeking over the thorny Acacia canopy, while Cheetah crouch, hidden in the grass, waiting for an opportunity to stretch their legs and test the speed of the Hartebeest.

Whether ensconced in the comfort of an open game viewer, or trekking through the fragrant Karoo bush, you will feel the deep pulse of the Karoo that makes Samara truly magical.

Discover the secrets of Samara as you explore the untouched Plains of Camdeboo that once staged the massive migrations of millions of Springbok. Fossils that predate the dinosaurs and well-preserved Bushman paintings offer a fascinating insight into some of the historical intricacies of our Earth’s past

Overnight : Samara Private Game Reserve in a Lodge Suite [Fully Inclusive]

DAY 13 (WEDNESDAY, 21 APRIL 2010)

Drive from Samara back to Port Elizabeth in time for your flight to Johannesburg.
*Optional flight to Port Elizabeth at a surcharge.

Cost :  Escorted tour - 09 April 2010 - from £ 1998.00 per person

*** Shark Dive supplement - £ 90.00per person

 Please ask us for more details or for a  customised and individual holiday quotation!