South Africa Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Durban

Arrive in Durban any time and make your way to the joining point hotel. A brief departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in evening on Day 1 of your tour. Upon arrival look for information from your tour leader on the hotel bulletin board regarding the meeting time. Explore the beach front near our guest house, or venture into the centre of town, taking in the fair grounds, restaurants, water sports and the now world famous uShaka Marine World. In the evening at the meeting, you will meet your group, some of whom may in fact be arriving into Durban on a previous G.A.P Adventures tour.Very little is known about the first residents of the area around Durban as there is no written history of the area before it was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497. Da Gama had applied the name Natal (nativity) to this stretch of coast, first seen on Christmas day of that year. The first European settlers in the area where mostly survivors of shipwrecks. One of these survivors, Rodrigo Tristaa, survived a wreck in 1552 of the Portuguese galleon Saint John, was the first to make his home here.The Zulu nations formation provided wealth for a trade market in this area - European merchants set up a harbour where the base of trade with Zulus could be formed. Durban was thus created by a population of 26 hard-living traders and ivory hunters. It was named on 23 June 1835, after the governor of the Cape, Sir Benjamin DUrban. The centre of Durban grew around its sugar cane plantations, as large numbers of Indians were brought to work on the plantations. As a result, present-day Durban it the city with the largest Indian population outside of India. The city has grown into one of South Africa's best-known and most popular coastal resorts and commercial ports. With stretches of safe, sandy beaches and abundance of holiday accommodation destinations available and all-year sunshine attract visitors to this festive city every year. This city is enjoyed for its vibrant mix of cultures and experiences, with a large diverse population of people. The beach front area has the usual attractions, from fair grounds to restaurants, to water sports and the now world famous uShaka Marine World, where you need only bring your swim wear and towel.

Day 2-3 Coffee Bay (2B,2L,2D)

South from Durban, we travel through on to the Eastern Cape province, into the heartland of the Xhosa people, and to Coffee Bay, a paradise on a large stretch of Indian Ocean coast referred to as the Wild Coast. Here you will have a full day to explore the dramatic scenery of the rocky beaches, hidden lagoons, and coastal cliffs. Try your luck at surfing the waves, scuba diving, horse riding, or hiking one of the various nature trails in the rolling green hills.

Days 4-5 Hogsback (2B,2L,2D)

Leaving Coffee Bay behind we head on a scenic drive to Hogsback. The Hogsback mountains, in the Eastern Cape, are a part of the Amatola mountain range. The mountains are an ideal location to relax and soak up the scenery. Spend the next two days hiking along the many trails in the area, rock climbing or abseiling the many cliffs, or just relaxing by the garden at the hotel.The area is surrounded by three ridges that locals have said "resemble the bristle's on a hog's back". Come enjoy its indigenous forest with parrot and lourie, waterfalls, horse-rides and various walks. Hogsback is an ideal stop for nature lovers.

Day 6 Addo Elephant National Park (B,L,D)

Approximate Distance: 640kmEstimated Travel Time: 5 hrsToday we descend from the mountains of the Hogback area and cross many unique valleys as we continue on to the Addo Elephant National Park, a unique wildlife area. Although famous for the Addo elephants, this park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and we embark on an afternoon game drive in search of the resident elephants, black rhino, lion, buffalo and even leopard.Although the Addo Elephant belongs to the same species as the African Elephant, it is smaller, with more rounded ears and the females generally have no tusks. The park was named after the KhoiKhoi name Kadouw, which they gave to a forting place over the nearby Sundays River. The bush here is a combination of acacia, Spekboom, Gwarrie and Boerboon. The English name for the Spekboom is Elephants food.In 1919 the professional hunter, Major Jan Pretorius, was hired by the administration of the Cape Province to destroy the entire herd that inhabited the area at the time. It took him a year to kill 120, but he was then stopped due to a public outcry. Only sixteen Addo Elephants remained, but they were peppered with bullet holes, panic stricken, vengeful and cunning. And they declared war on man.In 1931, after a change in policy, the area was proclaimed as a national park. The Elephants, however, were still on the war path, destroying crops and attacking anyone who came near. Finally, in 1952, one of the beleaguered farmers of the area suggested that a fence made up of tram rails and lift cables be erected around the park. This finally kept the Elephants secure and out of the surrounding farming area.The black rhino was re-introduced into the park in 1961, and now the park is home to a number of different animals, including the big 5 (elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard), zebra, kudu, eland, warthog, and many types of buck.

Days 7-8 Tsitsikamma (2B,2L,2D)

Approximate Distance: 235kmEstimated Travel Time: 5 hrsIndigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite in the village of Storms River. Optional Activities in the area include hiking a portion of the Otter Trail or along the coastline, abseiling, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat rides, canoeing, whale watching, or even the worlds highest bungee jump. On Day 8, well visit the Tsitsikamma National Park.Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning, place of much water. Covering a thin belt of marine along 68 dramatic kilometres of South Africa's most spectacular, the Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. Here, surging waves crash over rocky coastline and old hardwood forests knot the coastal cliffs. Although Tsitsikamma boasts a magical world of intertidal life and reefs in its marine part, there is also the famous terrestrial part of the park with its lush forest, delicate fynbos and sheer cliffs. The park thus offers a variety of habitat for many species of birds; cormorants (Cape and White-breasted), Kelp Gulls and African Black Oystercatchers are prominent along the coastline, and the forest hosts African Crowned Eagle and African Wood Owl, plus some of the accipiters such as African Goshawk and Black Sparrowhawk.The highlight of the Tsitsikamma National Park is the Storms River Mouth, a large and abrupt estuary over which a precarious rope-bridge is slung. In addition, there are the more sheltered water ways such as the Natures Valley Lagoon and the Groot River. Walking is the main activity in the park you will have time to hike a portion of the famously spectacular Otter Trail. A walk in the area is well worth it the scenery of the unspoiled nature in the area is breathtaking.

Day 9 Outdshoorn (B,L,D)

Approximate Distance: 250 kmEstimated Travel Time: 7 hrsAfter visiting "The Heads" in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon on the coast, we take a scenic drive to travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the area known as Klein Karoo (Little Karoo), where we make the quite town of Oudtshoorn our base. In the late afternoon, well visit the interesting Cango Caves.The Cango Caves are sculptured by nature through the ages, and is filled with mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours. They lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1.5km in width and almost 16km in length. This part of the continent was once below the ocean. As the continent rose, the Little Karoo found itself above the water level. The caves started to form some 20 million years ago, when the water level dropped to such an extent that the ground water could start to seep into the limestone. As the water seeped into the ground it absorbed carbon dioxide from the decaying plant and animal matter in the soil and this made it fairly acidic. As it seeped into the limestone, cavities were created that filled with water. Rivers also formed on the surface and cut deeply enough into the limestone to allow them to reach the level of the water pockets. This caused the water to flow out about 4 million years ago. The cave was then, for the first time, exposed to air and the speleothems (cave formations) began to form. The portion of the caves that are accessible to the public extends for 1.2km, with a further 4.1km being kept closed for conservation.Oudtshoorn, situated on the edge of the Garden Route, is the principal town and commercial centre of the Klein Karoo region. Shielded from the coastal belt clouds, wind, and rain by the mountain ranges, Outshoorn enjoys more sunny days than any other town in South Africa. The town is an oasis-like setting in a fertile valley cupped by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, and originated as a settlement along the Grobbelaars Rivers which meanders southwards from the Swartberg, providing fertile soil and water for irrigation. As such, mainly agricultural crops thrive here, including produce such as lucerne, tobacco, fruit, grapes and grains.Oudtshoorn is notably the ostrich capital of the world. Here ostriches are found in great numbers and the region produces the worlds best feathers, leather products and meat. Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, three have distinguished themselves worthy enough to be named show farms. In addition, the Klein Karoo is one of South Africa's eight wine regions, where the sweet and desert wines are well known.

Day 10 Stellenbosch (B,L)

Approximate Distance: 350kmEstimated Travel Time: 5 hrsOur journey takes us further west to quaint and beautiful Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. Well get settled at our camp and continue to explore the wine farms and vineyards to get a taste of the area, of course of its outstanding wines.At the Spier Wine Estate as they offer a Cheetah Outreach Programme, were you can enjoy a personal encounter with a hand-raised cheetah. Spier is also home to Eagle Encounters, a programme which rehabilitates birds which have been injured, poisoned or illegally removed from their nests, and then returns them to the wild.For the young at heart, you may try to visit Monkey Town (an exotic monkey rehabilitation centre), situated just outside Somerset West, not too far from Stellenbosch. The Monkey Town centers aim is to provide refuge and rehabilitation to primates that have been displaced as well as to increase public awareness of the problems concerning habitat conservation of these primates.Additionally, Stellenbosch has many museums and galleries that house national and international art collections and the Stellenbosch Conservatoire is the countrys oldest music school.Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself Stellenbosch means "(van der) Stel's forest". It is situated on the banks of the Eerste River ("First River"), so named as it was the first river he reached and subsequently followed during an expedition over the Cape Flats to explore the territory east of Cape Town. The town grew so quickly that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a magistrate with jurisdiction over 25,000 km sq in 1685.Stellenbosch lies in a fertile valley surrounded by vineyards, orchards and mountains. The area has a Mediterranean-type climate, with hot summers, cool winters and clear, sunny skies. It is at the start of the Cape Fold mountains, which have created soil favourable to vines. Soon after the first settlers arrived, this grapes were planted by the French Huguenots, in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the heart of South Africas wine industry. Together, the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek valleys form the Cape Winelands, the largest of the two main wine growing regions in South Africa. Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area includes 106 cellars most of which are open the public. The South African wine industry produces about 1,000,000,000 litres of wine annually.

Day 11 Cape Town (B)

Approximate Distance: 97kmEstimated Time: 1 hrCape Town offers many different activities something for everyone. Visit Robben Island, Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or visit the old French Hugonote town of Franschoek and surroundings (1h drive). For the not so faint hearted there is numerous adrenaline activities in the surrounding areas, from skydiving to abseiling to a Shark diving trip at Hermanus (1h drive). Or wonder through the city centre with some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens). Do not miss the wonderful Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium and numerous other small museums and theatres.Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The city is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoxisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers. Cape Town is the third most populous city in South Africa, with over 3 million inhabitants, and is the provincial capital of the Western Cape. It is also the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located.The oldest existing building in South Africa, the Castle, was built in 1666 to protect the new settlement at the Cape. Still operational as a military base, today its five imposing stone walls also house a museum with artifacts dating back to the 17th century and troops dressed in historic uniform parade on its cobbled grounds.Nearby, across the Grand Parade, stand the Drill Hall and Cape Town's Italian Renaissance-style City Hall, completed in 1905. The Slave Lodge, the second oldest building in Cape Town, has served many purposes in its nearly three centuries. Originally built as accommodation for the slaves of the Dutch East India Company, it was also Cape Town's first post office, a library and the Supreme Court. Today it is home to the SA Cultural History Museum and its displays of ceramics, toys, silver and textiles from Cape Town's past, as well as artefacts from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.The historic Company Gardens, established by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 as a vegetable garden from which to supply fresh produce to passing ships, today offers city dwellers and office workers a peaceful refuge from the bustle of the city's commercial centre. A cobbled avenue, lined with oak trees, leads to the South African Museum, the South African National Gallery, the Bertram House Museum and the Jewish Museum, which is housed in the oldest synagogue in South Africa.Just beyond, South Africa's Parliament buildings stand in imposing array around the cobbles of Stal Plein ("plein meaning "square"). Numerous other buildings of historic interest, such as Koopman de Wet House in Strand Street, Heritage Square in Bree Street, and many along the upper reaches of Long Street, are dotted throughout the city centre.Situated on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, the Bo-Kaap (literally "upper Cape") is home to many descendants of the Malay slaves brought to the Cape during the 17th century. Most of the families, which inhabit its colourful rows of houses, are devout Muslims, and the call to prayer can be heard in the narrow, cobbled streets throughout the day. The Bo-Kaap Museum portrays aspects of Cape Muslim culture.For shopping, dining and entertainment the V&A Waterfront is a hotspot for foreigners and locals alike. Still a working harbour, the Waterfront is an example of creative architecture and restoration and has become South Africa's most visited tourist attraction. The Waterfront offers over 250 shops from designer boutiques to craft stalls, a host of restaurants and coffee shops and plenty of other activities.The top of Table Mountain offers spectacular views in all directions and gives a birds eye view of the city. The upper cable car station is situated at 1067m and the revolving cable car makes sure that your trip up and down gives you a good look in all directions. Once on top, you can follow paths to various look-out points, make use of the telescopes, and enjoy a light meal or simply a sundowner drink in the restaurant. In summer, early evening is a great time to plan your trip as the sunsets are beautiful. Regardless of the weather in the city, take a light jacket as it can often be cool on the mountain top (and sometimes the cable car may even close due to high winds).After Alcatraz in the United Stated, Robben Island (Island of Seals) is possibly the best-known prison island in the world. Having served over the centuries as a penal settlement, leper colony and lunatic asylum, its notoriety has come more recently from the fact that former President Nelson Mandela and many of his colleagues were imprisoned here during the apartheid era. Visitors can travel to the island, a world heritage site, via an organized boat tour, which departs daily from the V&A Waterfront.

Day 12 Depart Cape Town (B)

Tour ends after breakfast at approximately 08:00 am.