THIS SPECIAL
OFFER IS VALID FOR MAY, JUNE, JULY & AUGUST 2006
Day 1 – Arrival in Cape Town
Upon arrival at Cape Town airport, you make your way to the
Rent-a-Car kiosk to collect your Group B hire car (Ford Ikon, VW Polo or
similar). You drive towards the city and check into the Winchester
Mansions. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to
laze on one of Cape Town’s fine beaches, such as trendy Clifton or
Camps Bay. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the Victoria
& Alfred Waterfront, South Africa’s trendiest shopping precinct.
We suggest you ride the cable car up Table Mountain in the early evening
to enjoy the spectacular views over the city and across Table Bay to
Robben Island.
Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis:
bed & breakfast
Day 2 – Cape Point
This morning we suggest you might like to take a drive around
Cape Point. The drive will take you along the Atlantic seaboard
via glamorous Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay.
Here you can take a boat ride from the fishing harbour out to the seal
colony on Seal Island. Continue via the scenic Chapman’s
Peak Drive to Cape Point. Looking at this dramatic promontory
jutting into the sea gives one an idea why early sailors nicknamed it
the Cape of Storms. You can then follow the coastline northwards
via Simonstown, where you can visit the penguin colony of Boulders
Beach. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs will
bring you back to the Winchester Mansions in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis:
bed & breakfast
Day 3 – Robben Island and Two
Oceans Aquarium
We suggest you return to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
You can take a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben
Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the
prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, the limestone
quarry and the old leper colony. This afternoon you could visit
the Waterfront’s Two Oceans Aquarium, which is highly recommended for
the insight it gives into life in the two oceans off the southern tip of
Africa – the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean.
Alternatively, museum lovers can visit the South African Museum and the
National Gallery. This evening would be a good time to go up Table
Mountain if the weather was inclement on your day of arrival.
Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis:
bed & breakfast
Day 4 – Winelands
You depart Cape Town and drive to the Cape Winelands, with its backdrop
of majestic mountain ranges and lush valleys. You check into
d’Ouwe Werf in Stellenbosch, the “town of oaks” and South
Africa’s second oldest town.
Overnight: d’Ouwe Werf Basis:
bed & breakfast
Day 5 – Winelands
The next day is spent following the various wine routes (Paarl,
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek). You can stop for tastings at wine
estates along the way and you will have the chance to purchase some of
the wines you have tasted. Particularly recommended are Fariview
Estate on the Paarl Wine Route, which offers cheese tastings alongside
the wine tastings, and Boschendal Estate on the Franschhoek Wine Route,
which offers very interesting cellar tours. Another sight worth
seeing in the Winelands is Spier Wine Estate near Stellenbosch where
there is a cheetah breeding programme that allows visitors to get up
close to these beautiful cats. A scenic drive over the Helshoogte
Pass (Hell’s Heights) takes you to the Franschhoek Valley where you
can visit the memorial to the French Huguenots, who sought refuge from
religious persecution in Europe and settled here in the late seventeenth
century. Franschhoek is a good lunch stop as it has a reputation
as the gourmet centre of South Africa. Paarl, with its three
imposing granite domes and monument to the Afrikaans language, is also
an interesting stop.
Overnight: d’Ouwe Werf Basis:
bed & breakfast
Day 6 – Winelands
to Knysna
This morning you begin your journey along the Garden Route. After
checking out of d’Ouwe Werf, drive over the spectacular Sir Lowry’s
Pass, catching your last glimpse across the Cape Flats towards Cape Town
and Table Mountain. You travel through the apple orchards of
Grabouw and over undulating wheat fields to Swellendam. This small
village nestling at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains has many
beautiful historical buildings. You continue to the seaside town
of Mossel Bay, where you can visit the “Old Post Office Tree”, a 500
year old milkwood tree used by 15th century Portuguese sailors as a mail
box. A scenic drive through Wilderness and the Lakes District
brings you to Belvidere Manor on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon.
Take a sundowner cruise out onto the lagoon, which will take you out to
the Heads, the large sandstone cliffs guarding the narrow mouth of the
lagoon. You could then have dinner at a quayside restaurant.
Overnight: Belvidere Manor Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 – Knysna
Today is at leisure in Knysna. This quaint seaside village is full
of arty-crafty shops and roadside curio stalls to browse through.
Alternatively, you might like to delve into the past and catch the
historic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train to George and back. You
could do a tour of an oyster farm, take a walk in the Knysna Forest, or
drive out to the beautiful beaches at nearby Brenton-on-Sea or Noetzie.
Overnight: Belvidere Manor Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 – Knysna
You can spend another day soaking up the atmosphere in Knysna.
Alternatively, you could take a drive to Oudtshoorn in the arid Little
Karoo where you can visit an ostrich farm for an insight into the
world’s largest birds. You could also visit the Cango Caves and
embark on a magical journey through massive caverns and fascinating
limestone formations. You could also drive to nearby Plettenberg
Bay, known as South Africa’s Riviera. Plettenberg Bay has
several beautiful beaches that offer safe bathing. Midyear is
whale watching season in South Africa, when Southern Right whales
migrate from Antarctica to calve in the sheltered bays of the South
African coast. There are several licensed operators in Plettenberg
Bay offering boat-based whale-watching trips.
Overnight: Belvidere Manor Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 – Knysna to Lalibela
After checking out of Belvidere Manor, you depart Knysna and
enjoy a scenic drive over soaring single-span bridges and through the
Tsitsikamma Forest, an indigenous primeval forest with towering ancient
yellowwood trees, lush vegetation and deep gorges. Drive down the
pass to the aptly-named Storms River Mouth where there are numerous
short walking trails into the forest. You then leave the Garden
Route behind and drive to the Big Five game reserve, Lalibela.
Upon check-in at 13h00, you are served lunch at reception. At
14h00 you are transferred by landrover to your Lodge. After high
tea, you are taken on your first game drive at Lalibela. This late
afternoon/evening game drive is an opportunity to search for nocturnal
animals, such as the elusive bat-eared fox, aardvark, black-backed
jackal, aardwolf and the curious spring hare. You return to the
lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner.
Overnight: Lalibela Game Reserve Basis:
Fully Inclusive
Day 10 – Lalibela Game
Reserve
This morning after a light breakfast you are taken on another game
drive. Game drives at Lalibela bring you face to face with a
multitude of game species, ranging from the mighty Big Five (lion,
elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) to tiny blue duiker and rock
Hyrax. Lalibela is also home to African wild dog, cheetah, hyena,
hippo, giraffe, zebra, warthog and numerous species of antelope.
You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. There is time to relax
around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck,
or read a book in the privacy of your room’s private deck. After
tea you set off on another night drive, returning again in time for
dinner.
Overnight: Lalibela Game Reserve Basis:
Fully Inclusive
Day 11 – Lalibela Game
Reserve to Port Elizabeth
This morning you are taken on your last game drive at Lalibela.
After brunch you bid farewell to this African wonderland and are
transferred by landrover to reception, where your car will be waiting
for you. You drive to Port Elizabeth airport and return your car
at the car hire kiosk before boarding your flight.
Total Per Person Sharing: R7,995-00
Includes:
• 11 days Group B car hire (Ford Ikon, VW Polo or
similar) (includes unlimited mileage and supercover insurance)
• 3 nights at the Winchester Mansions on a B&B basis
• 2 nights at d’Ouwe Werf on a B&B basis
• 3 nights at Belvidere Manor a B&B basis
• 2 nights at Lalibela Game Reserve on a fully inclusive basis
(includes accommodation, all game drives, meals and all drinks)
Excludes:
• Car hire contract fee of R25, additional driver charge
of R110 and a one-way rental surcharge of R800 (These charges are
payable direct to the hire car company when you collect the car in Cape
Town)
• Flights
• Personal items and extras
THE
ABOVE PRICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF CONFIRMATION.
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