West Coast National Park
We begin our journey by driving from Cape Town up the West Coast. This is an area steeped in settler history, with farming and fishing traditions, and a host of fascinating landscapes, places and characters. We spend the afternoon within the West Coast National Park, with a large estuary and rolling hills full of fynbos and wildlife.
- Leave early from your hotel after breakfast
- Drive up to West Coast National Park
- We stop at Geelbek for a walk around, a visit to the bird hide, and lunch (at own expense)
- We check in to our lodging for the night
- The afternoon is spent around the Park searching for wildlife
- Stay in West Coast National Park Distance:+-100km.
- Main Destination:
- West Coast National Park
- Accommodation:
- Duinepos
- Meals & Drinks:
Cederberg Wilderness Area | Hiking & Bushmen Paintings
We move inland into the Cederberg Wilderness Area, a magnificent mountainous place with a myriad of trails, waterfalls, wildlife associated with the Fynbos region and incredible Bushmen paintings.
DAY 2
- Take breakfast
- Drive out of West Coast National Park, stopping over at the local working fossil park for a brief visit
- We continue onto the Cederberg Wilderness Area, checking in to camp
- We spend the afternoon walking to a nearby waterfall where swimming is possible
- Stay in Cederberg Wilderness Area Distance:+-200km
DAY 3
- We take a relaxed breakfast and morning
- We drive out to one of the many walks around the Area, where a trail in the bush leads us to Bushmen painting sites
- We enjoy wine-tasting at the local vineyards and a lunch
- The afternoon is spent relaxing around camp
- Enjoy dinner over an open fire in the bush
- Stay at Cederberg Wilderness Area Distance:+-100km.
- Main Destination:
- Cederberg Wilderness Area (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Algeria Cottages
- Meals & Drinks:
Namaqualand | Flowers for Africa
We continue our journey North, as we drive to the border of Namibia along the Orange River, stopping to break the long journey at various sites along the coast.
DAY 4
- We enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast
- Head out from the Cederberg, taking a scenic route to Lambert's Bay
- We spend time along the quaint harbour and visit the Gannet colony
- Lunch is had at a homely restaurant (own expense)
- We continue on the road, heading for Namaqua National Park
- Stay near Namaqua National Park Distance:+-350km.
- Main Destination:
- Namaqualand
- Accommodation:
- Springbok Apartments
- Meals & Drinks:
Augrabies Falls National Park | Wilderness along the Orange
We follow the Orange River upstream, driving through a fascinating arid landscape with strange and wonderful animals and plants. This day is spent checking into and exploring the wildlife of the Augrabies Falls National Park such as Giraffe, Eland, Klipspringer, Springbok and many smaller predators, as well as the Falls themselves. Hundreds of years of the Orange River flowing through this rocky landscape has carved a magnificent waterfall in the soft rock, which can be viewed, up close and personal. During the rainy summer season, the falls flow strongly.
DAY 5
- We enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast
- Drive onwards to the border of Namibia
- We head further into the desert landscape of the arid north, and travel to Augrabies Falls National Park
- Enjoy lunch at the camp as we settle in to our lodgings
- Have an afternoon game drive
- Enjoy dinner over an open fire in the bush
- Stay at Augrabies Falls National Park Distance:+-350km.
- Main Destination:
- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Accommodation:
- Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | Kalahari
We leave Augrabies Falls National Park and travel even further north towards the great Kalahari Desert. We drive towards the border with Botswana this time, and visit the extraordinary wildlife sanctuary of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. A landscape of dry rivers, red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and a surprisingly large amount of wildlife including the black-maned lions.
DAY 6
- Enjoy a game drive in the morning
- We enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading off
- We travel up to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Arrive at the camp, settling in
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive
- Stay at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Distance:+-400km
DAY 7
- Enjoy an early morning game drive
- We return to camp for a hearty breakfast
- During the heat of the day, we relax at camp
- In the afternoon we head off again on a game drive
- We enjoy dinner around an open fire back at camp
- An optional night drive spotting the nocturnal animals of the Kalahari is possible
- Stay at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
- Main Destination:
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Accommodation:
- Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Calvinia | Karoo
From here we travel on our longest route through the vast expanses of the Karoo south towards Cape Town, traversing some of the longest roads between two towns in South Africa. This landscape is an ancient inland sea and the vast flat spaces devoid of settlement are something to behold. At night, there is the serenity of night sky filled with stars.
DAY 8
- We enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast
- Travel down south to the town of Calvinia, with the world's largest post box!
- We enjoy a picnic lunch én route
- We check into our lodgings in the friendly town of Calvinia
- We allow the afternoon to roam the safe town which seems stuck in a time-warp, with great architecture, museums, and friendly locals
- We enjoy a dinner in the evening (own expense)
- Stay at Calvinia (4 Star) Distance: +-700km.
- Main Destination:
- Calvinia (Town)
- Accommodation:
- African Dawn B&B
- Meals & Drinks:
Tankwa Karoo National Park
We continue our journey into the heart of the Karoo, visiting the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Despite the arid area, settlers have been carving out a living and the history and characters of the Park are of interest. Even more interesting are the variety of animals and scenic vistas.
DAY 9
- We enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast
- We travel onwards to the Karoo
- We arrive at Tankwa Karoo National Park
- We check in to our camp and enjoy a lunch
- Take an afternoon game drive to spot some of the Karoo wildlife, and enjoy sundowners in this majestic landscape
- Dinner over an open fire in the evening
- Stay at Tankwa Karoo National Park Distance: +-150km
DAY 10
- We enjoy a morning game drive, or an optional game walk
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast
- Relax during the heat of the day at camp
- We enjoy an afternoon game drive with sundowners
- Return to camp for dinner over an open fire
- An optional night drive to spot nocturnal animals is possible
- Stay at Tankwa Karoo National Park.
- Main Destination:
- Tankwa Karoo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Elandsberg Cottages
- Meals & Drinks:
Scenic Route to Cape Town
From here we leave the Karoo, and enjoy a relaxed scenic drive back through the winelands and mountains of the Cape to our finish in the Mother City, Cape Town.
DAY 11
- We take a morning game drive
- Enjoy a breakfast én route
- We continue our game drive out of the Park
- Travel back to Cape Town, stopping for lunch (own expense) in one of the quaint and sophisticated towns along the way
- Tour ends with flights home or own itinerary
- Distance: +-350km.
- Main Destination:
- Cape Town (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: