South Africa: Western Cape to the Elephant Coast

The accommodations and meals reflect South Africa’s unique cultural mix. A boutique-style inn graced with lovely verandas and South African country lodges with thatched-roof luxury cabins evoke the rustic character of the region while offering comfortable amenities. You experience South Africa to the fullest; experiencing the legendary natural wonders of an African adventure.

• Experienced, friendly and knowledgeable guides
• Transportation during the trip
• Accommodations while on tour; a boutique hotel, seaside country inns, mountain cabins, African-style lodge, all private baths
• All meals included; alcoholic beverages not included

DAY 1 Cape Town; Table Mountain; 1½-2 hours, easy to moderate; 2-3 hours of city walking, easy
Upon meeting at your first hotel, nestled on the lower slopes of Cape Town’s most prominent natural landmark—Table Mountain—you travel to the lower cableway station of Table Mountain. Weather permitting, you ascend the mountain by aerial cable car for a bird’s-eye view. The walk this morning is easy, looping around the top of the mountain along a stone path, with time to stop and admire magnificent views and unique flora. At the halfway point, some guests may choose a loop back to the visitors’ center while others follow a more moderate path culminating in a steep, 20- minute ascent.

Following a welcome lunch on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront you enjoy a leisurely walk through the city’s historic districts. Sites may include the Parliament Building, the presidential residence, the Anglican cathedral, the Cape Town Castle, the Cape Town Garden, St. George’s Street, and the Grand Parade.*

After this city orientation, you walk back to your boutique hotel to relax. This evening, you enjoy a welcome dinner at a festive local restaurant where you can sample a variety of African cuisines such as Cape Malay Curry and Kenyan Coconut Chicken.

*Please note that in an effort to avoid traffic and normal city congestion, the city tour is held on a Sunday. Therefore, some of the sites visited may not be open. We highly recommend spending pre-tour time in Cape Town in order to spend quality time in the many museums, galleries, and historical sites. Please refer to our “Additional Information on Cape Town” section of the itinerary for more information. The Cape Cadogan, Cape Town

DAY 2 Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve; 2 hours, easy to moderate with challenging sections including ascents and descents; Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; 2 hours, easy
After breakfast you depart for the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The 1½-hour drive follows a beautiful route with breathtaking vistas around each corner. En route you stop for an optional short visit to the Boulders Penguin colony before continuing to Cape Point.

The walk begins with a steep, 20-minute ascent on an asphalt path at Cape Point. A lookout point greets you with the famous view of what is popularly perceived as the Atlantic Ocean meeting the Indian Ocean—absolutely stunning—although geographically these two oceans join just east at Cape Agulhas. On a clear day looking back, you can take in the entire peninsula stretching as far as the eye can see. The walk continues along the coast and through the nature reserve along a moderate path of varying terrain including; dirt, boardwalk, rocks, and many steps. You pass the glorious flowers and foliage of the Cape—a variety of Protea, Cycads, and Pincushions. It is likely that baboon families can be spotted as well as the occasional buck.

Following a gourmet picnic lunch, the afternoon becomes a botanical fantasy as you explore the myriad natural wonders at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Your guide provides an introduction to the gardens and points out the more noteworthy areas. Time is allotted to explore on your own, or remain with your guide to acquire an in-depth understanding of the gardens’ 22,000 indigenous plants. The world is divided into six floral kingdoms, one of them being the Cape Peninsula—a remarkable distinction given the region’s relatively small geographical size. The botanical richness of the Kirstenbosch gardens is notable. Its visitors’ center should not be missed, even if simply for a cup of tea in an idyllic setting. This evening you enjoy an exquisite meal catered at your lovely hotel. The Cape Cadogan, Cape Town

DAY 3 Transfer to historical wine towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek; 2 hours of walking, easy
You depart early this morning for the Cape’s wine country. The visit includes the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, settled in 1679 and 1713, respectively. A 45-minute drive brings you to Stellenbosch, a village dotted with quaint Cape Dutch-style architecture, small shops, and teahouses. After a brief introduction you are free to explore the town on your own. Later you continue to Franschhoek where, depending upon the time of arrival, you may have time for a walk through a picturesque vineyard. The morning concludes with an elegant lunch and a bit of wine tasting at a wonderful winery boasting breathtaking panoramas of the Franschoek Valley.

This afternoon you drive approximately one hour to the town of Hermanus on Walker Bay, which is renowned for its whale migration. You may spot a Southern Right Whale in the bay (depending on the season).

In the late afternoon you arrive at your next destination, the unique Ocean Eleven. This property combines casually elegant accommodations with stunning natural beauty. Situated on high cliffs overlooking the bay, you can relax and enjoy the surroundings from one of the hotel's spacious decks before a very special dinner. Ocean Eleven, Hermanus

DAY 4 Grootbos Nature Reserve; 4 hours walking, easy to moderate; Fernkloof Nature Reserve; 1½ hours walking, moderate
This morning you set out for a discovery-filled day exploring the Grootbos Nature Reserve, a private reserve of more than 500 acres. Upon arrival, you enjoy a cup of fresh juice while your guide outlines the day’s activities. A naturalist guide provided by the Reserve leads a journey into the complex and fascinating world of fynbos ecosystems on the Grootbos Nature Trail.

Following the walk, you enjoy a gourmet meal, the spectacular view, and five-star hospitality. After lunch you have the opportunity to embark on a tailor-made afternoon of whale watching in season (June-December), visit the Klipgat cave, or stroll on pristine white beaches.

This afternoon, en route to the hotel you stop at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Here a 1½-hour loop trail begins with a 30-minute ascent. You walk through a large variety of flora, the proximity in which these diverse plants grow is fascinating, a photographer’s dream with Walker Bay as the backdrop. The day ends at a local seafood restaurant. Ocean Eleven, Hermanus
DAY 5 Transfer to the Garden Route - Plettenberg Bay; Tsitsikamma Forest - Hog Hollow; 2-3 hour walk, easy to moderate
After an early breakfast you depart for a six-hour drive to the famous coastal Garden Route, passing through the towns of Knysna and Wilderness before arriving at Plettenberg Bay. You stop en route for lunch and leg stretch.

Upon arrival at your luxurious accomodations for the next two nights, you have the option to either relax in the beautiful surroundings or join your guide for a walk. The lodge is set on the edge of a verdant indigenous forest in a private nature reserve with panoramic views of the surrounding forests, valleys, and mountains—one of the most beautiful parts of Africa, the Garden Route. Some may choose an additional walk on a forested trail down to the sea and back.

This evening, you are treated to the delectable food and friendly personalized service of your lodge. Hog Hollow Country Lodge, The Crags

DAY 6 Robberg Nature Reserve; 3-4 hours, moderate with challenging sections
This morning you rise to the chatter of birds outside the windows of your individual cabin. Following breakfast on the lodge’s deck, you depart for a visit to the Qolweni Township in Plett. A local guide leads you through the township and provides a unique perspective on contemporary life in South Africa. You meet individuals from the local community and learn about their way of life. The township of Qolweni has formed a Community Development Trust and by offering walking tours of the township and open-air theatre performances, they are able to raise funds utilized for development projects.

The walk today also passes through the Robberg Nature and Marine Reserve*, a peninsula offering different, spectacular coastal views changing every few feet. The trail is one of mixed terrain: hard-packed sand, large rocks that require scrambling on hands and knees, stretches of sandy beach, and boardwalk. Wildlife encounters may include the shy blue duiker (a small antelope), fur seals, dolphins, whales, and an array of sea birds. A picnic lunch is unpacked on a sand dune with the Indian Ocean in full view.

Following the walk this afternoon, you may have the option to join your guide for an additional walk on your lodge’s property, visit the nearby Elephant Sanctuary, walk through Monkeyland and Birds of Eden, or perhaps simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the lodge.

You reunite for dinner in the elegant candlelit dining room of the lodge’s main house. *The Robberg walk is dependent on the tide. An alternate route is near the town of Knysna that is easier and slightly longer in distance and may involve an optional canoe excursion. Hog Hollow Country Lodge, The Crags

DAY 7 Transfer to the Drakensberg Mountains; Optional walk; 2 hours, easy to moderate
You rise with the birds this morning to catch a one-hour flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban (with a 2½-hour drive to Port Elizabeth). From Durban you drive 3 hours to your next destination, Didima Camp, located in the ukhahlamba- Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site. The setting of your accomodations is simply striking— with high-peaked mountains rising all around. The Didima Camp, at Cathedral Peak, has been designed incorporating the art of the San people, one of the earliest known indigenous peoples of the region. The San Art Interpretive Centre, opened in 2003, provides insights into the art and culture of the San and includes static displays and audiovisual presentations featuring a reconstructed cave covered with accurate reproductions of San art. Now in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, you follow a driving route that passes scenic, rural Zulu settlements. Some of the Zulus’ traditional rondavel, thatched-roofed huts, are brightly painted and provide a spectacular contrast to their natural backdrops, the mountains.

You arrive at Didima Camp late in the afternoon with time for a short walk. Time permitting, you will set out on a trail to view San cave paintings. The San people left their history in pictures scattered throughout more than 500 caves in the mountains here. The route traverses a glorious field dotted with wildflowers, where a local Zulu guide explains the uses of native plants in treating the local community. In addition to the flora, baboons and other fauna may be sighted. To reach the paintings, you ascend a 20-minute stretch of rock and dirt pathway. Upon reaching the cave, your guide provides an introduction to the fascinating lifestyle and culture of the San People, including the significance of the eland. You dine this evening at the camp. Didima Camp, Drakensberg Park

DAY 8 Mike’s Pass; 7-9 hours, easy to moderate walking with sections of steep descents or shorter options to and from hotel
After a buffet breakfast you follow the route to the crest of Mike’s Pass. Encircled by panoramic, 360- degree views, you commence a full day’s walk. The trail is very gentle and mostly flat until concluding with a long descent. During the walk, you may catch a glimpse of the Drakensberg fauna, which includes bushbuck, duiker, blackback jackals, water mongoose, and baboons.

You may choose a shorter walk to Rainbow Gorge. The trail leads from the hotel across streams to pristine waterfalls and to enticing natural pools. You can see a variety of birds (which may include the black eagle, the hadeda ibis, or the cape weaver) and brightly colored butterflies along the way, always with stunning views of the mountains guiding you. Following this walk, you may choose to visit the San Art Interpretation Center at your hotel.

Other active options include horseback riding, golfing, trout fishing, or relaxing by the pool (please note that some of these activities are available at your own expense and for fishing, you will be required to bring your personal fishing gear). Dinner this evening is in the camp’s main dining room. Didima Camp, Drakensberg Park

DAY 9 Transfer Zululand to St Lucia Wetlands; 1 hour walking, easy
You embark early in the morning to your next stop—St Lucia. On the six-hour journey towards the coastal town, time permitting, you stop at a Zulu settlement to view the lifestyle of this fascinating tribal culture.

Late in the afternoon you arrive at your home for the next two nights—the Hluhluwe (pronounced shush-louie) River Lodge. This special setting welcomes with individual luxury thatchedroof cabins and views of the Hluhluwe floodplain and False Bay (on the western shore of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands). You may enjoy a walk to stretch your legs amidst wildlife including impala, nyala, grey duiker, and other antelope.

Weather permitting, dinner this evening is in your own boma (traditional African seating around the campfire) under a canopy of stars and surrounded by birdsong from some of the reserve’s 400 avian species. Hluhluwe River Lodge, St Lucia

DAY 10 Game viewing in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
After tea and rusks (South African biscuits) you begin a morning of game viewing in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. You drive through undulating hills in this magical park inhabited by all of the “Big Five” (elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, lion, and water buffalo) along with 84 other mammalian species and 350 bird varieties. Predators include cheetah, leopard, lion, spotted hyena, and wild dog. Herbivores present are wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, hippopotamus, impala, kudu, nyala, and zebra. Birds include dozens of species of eagles, hawks, buzzards, hornbills, vultures, owls, herons, and many smaller birds. Reptiles such as crocodiles and harmless monitor lizards (resembling miniature dragons) also inhabit the park.

This afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Activities available include horseback safari, river boat cruise, ATV touring, afternoon game viewing, or simply relaxing on this last full day in the African wilderness (please note that some of these activities are available at your own expense). You share a farewell dinner under the African stars, sampling an array of African and Continental cuisine followed by a traditional pudding cake soaked in port wine. Hluhluwe River Lodge, St Lucia

DAY 11 Game viewing in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park; Departure
You spend your last morning in South Africa venturing out for another round of game viewing. The animals that may have eluded you yesterday could make an appearance on your last day in this African paradise. You say farewell at Richards Bay airport this afternoon.



Note: The above is a 2008 itinerary. The 2009 itinerary will be available soon - please call for details

Itinerary Changes
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

A Note about Transfers
Due to the fact that we visit a number of different regions on this tour, our transfers on Day 3, Day 5, Day 7, and Day 9 are long. The approximate driving time from Cape Town to Hermanus is 2 ½ hours, from Hermanus to The Crags is 6 hours, from The Crags to Drakensberg is 6 hours split up by a 1-hour flight, and from Drakensberg to St Lucia is 6 hours. Please understand that our itinerary has been designed to space out the driving days and allow ample time to relax and enjoy the exciting walks unique to each of the regions we visit. Also be assured that our destinations are well worth the travel! All of our coaches are very comfortable and air-conditioned.

Giving Back
Please note that Country Walkers is making a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour to the Qolweni Township Community Development Trust in Plettenberg Bay. We will visit the Qolweni Township on Day 6.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
No Departure Date Information was found for this Tour. This could be due to our website undergoing an update. Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

• "Big Five" wild game viewing

• Wine country walks and tasting's

• Bush country, forests, vineyards, mountains, and the Garden Route

• Culture of the Zulu and San peoples

• Boutique hotels and country lodges

• Historical tour of Cape Town – voted one of Travel & Leisure’s Top Ten Best Cities, World’s Best Awards 2008

Walk Ratings
• Easy to moderate with challenging sections
• 4-8 hours of walking per day, one day of 7-9 hours

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

Single Supplement $900

* Price does not include mandatory internal airfare

As arrangements are confirmed at least a year in advance, the tour price is subject to change. Reserve early to guarantee the best available price.

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