CAPE ROUTES UNCOVERED

A 6 day circular escorted touring programme which explores the diverse landscapes and experiences on

offer in the Western Cape of South Africa. The tour traverses three major regions – Route 62 into the Klein

Karoo, the picturesque Garden Route and the Cape Riviera / Whale Route which has so much more on

offer than just whales during season.

Highlights

• Route 62 • Garden Route • Whale Route • Cape Riviera

Information

• Tour Code – IL-CRU6 • Departure – Tuesday • Transport in an air-conditioned luxury

vehicle • English speaking THETA registered tour

guide / ranger • Includes 5 Breakfasts

Day 1 Tuesday

Depart Cape Town and travel along Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (not included in cost). Continue to Oudtshoorn – the ‘feather capital’ of the world. Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon. Overnight Hlangana Lodge (standard room) or similar

Day 2 Wednesday (Breakfast)

Enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves – one of the natural wonders of the world. Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna – the gem of the Garden Route. Enjoy an oyster farm tour This is a hands on, indoor oyster demonstration where you learn all about this famous delicacy, have a go at "shucking" or opening an oyster and tasting the difference between the wild and cultivated varieties. The demonstration includes 2 oysters per person (one wild and one cultivated). Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Knysna Hollow Country Estate (standard room) or similar

Day 3 Thursday (Breakfast)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by a boat trip on the lagoon to the Knysna Heads. Sit back and relax, enjoy the feeling of the African sun on your face, the wind in your hair, while viewing Knysna from a unique vantage. Enjoy hearing all about one of SA's favourite coastal towns, Knysna, from a local, homegrown perspective! Continue to The Crags near Plettenberg Bay where you would visit Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and Birds of Eden - current winners of the Lilizela Tourism Visitor Experience of the Year Award - 'Wildlife Encounters', Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award, Overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism Award and in the category 'Best Animal Welfare Initiative' Jukani is home to big cats such as lions (white and tawny), cheetahs, tigers (Siberian, Bengal and white), leopard (spotted and black), jaguar, pumas, caracal, serval cats and other wildlife species such as zebra, springbuck, zorilla, honey badger and various snake species. Birds of Eden is the world’s largest free-flight bird aviary (50 metres high, covering 23 000 square meters of forest) and is the only Fairtrade accredited bird sanctuary in South Africa. Spend some time in the town of Plettenberg Bay or on the white sandy beaches before returning to Knysna for overnight. Overnight Knysna Hollow Country Estate (standard room) or similar

Day 4 Friday (Breakfast)

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Today the journey takes us into the Overberg region of the Western Cape. Travel to Mossel Bay where we will visit the Bartholomeu Diaz Maritime Museum and the Old Post Office Tree. Continue the journey to Swellendam which is the third oldest town in South Africa. Here you shall stop for lunch (to own account), and, time permitting, visit the old Dutch Reformed Church. The day ends on arrival at the coastal village of Hermanus. Overnight Auberge Burgundy (standard room) or similar

Day 5 Saturday (Breakfast)

Breakfast at the guest lodge. The popular resort town of Hermanus, situated between mountain and sea, has gained world-wide recognition as the world's foremost land based whale watching destination. This has resulted in the former fishing village showing a tremendous growth over the last few years. A myriad of activities and sites of interest abound in the immediate vicinity of Hermanus. Start the day with a drive into town for a stroll along the cliff paths and a visit to the old harbor museum. During season (July to December) you may be lucky enough to spot whales frolicking in the bay. Continue to Creation Wines for a wine tasting experience in the nearby Hemel-En-Aarde wine route. An option also exists to embark on a boat trip or Shark Cage Diving (to own account). Overnight Auberge Burgundy (standard room) or similar

Day 6 Sunday (Breakfast)

After breakfast, proceed to Cape Town, the Mother City via the scenic Whale Route along Clarens Drive. Morning visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. This lovely garden is situated in the centre of the coastal fynbos where the flora is at its richest. It encompasses mountain slopes with wind-clipped heathlands, deep gorges with relict forests, flats and marshes with restios, sedges and bulbs, as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with specialized salt-adapted plants. The Garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. Continue to Stony Point Penguin breeding colony which is near an old abandoned whaling station where, from 1917 until the Great Depression, around 300 whales were killed each year for their oil. The whaling station finally closed in 1930 and without any particular reason, the penguins started to breed at the abandoned station. Continue to scenic drive along the route also known as the Cape Riviera. The road hugs the shoreline all the way from Betty’s Bay to Gordon’s Bay and Strand. There are many stops along the way for panoramic views and photo opportunities. Arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon where your tour ends on arrival at your Cape Town based accommodation or the Cape Town International Airport.

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