'THE ITINERARY'

ON THE EXPIDITION SAFARI, YOU ARE ABLE TO IMMERSE YOURSELF INTO THE LARGEST VARIETY OF WHAT OUR BEAUTIFUL WESTERN AND EASTERN CAPE HAS TO OFFER.

FROM THE SCENIC SPLENDOUR OF THE WHALE ROUTE, THE LUSHNESS OF THE GARDEN ROUTE, TO ONE OF THE OLDEST FORESTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, EVEN VISITING THE HOMELAND OF OUR BELOVED LATE NELSON MANDELA, THE WILD COAST.

PREPARE TO BE AMAZED BY OUR SPECTACULAR COUNTRY

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

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DAY 1

CAPE TOWN - OVERBERG REGION - MOSSELBAY 

• Explore the Cape Whale Route, with all it's natural beauty and coastal splendour, stopping along one of the most scenic coastal drives the Western Cape has to offer.

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• Optional visit to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African penguin in the world (not Boulders Beach), a place where the real locals love to go.

  
  

• Free time in the quaint coastal town of Hermanus, known as one of the best land-based whale viewing towns in the world,

during August – December.

• Here you will get to indulge in some local foods, discover little antique stores, craft markets, museums and even if your lucky, get to meet the artist at work while visiting one of the many art galleries within walking distance from each other.

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OR

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• Leave the Mother City behind as we pass over the prominent Hottentots Holland Mountains.

  
  

• Driving through vast apple and pear orchards and an array of Cape fynbos flora, we make our way to the Hottentots Holland Reserve in the heart of this magnificent mountain range.

• Here you get the Optional opportunity to Zipline* SAFELY over big river gorges, in between 13 platforms, longest slide being around 320m / 1050ft.

   ( full experience takes 4 hours + lunch included )

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*Zipline – 'a cable stretched between two points of different heights, down which a person slides by means of a suspended harness and pulley'.

(NOTE FROM HERE TOUR CONTINUES AS NORMAL)

• We make our way towards the Garden Route through the rolling hills of the Overberg region.

• Overnight in Mosselbay.

• If time allows, go for a leisure stroll along the beach front, or take a swim in one of the many safe rock pools.

• Tonight we visit a authentic braai* restaurant, situated on the harbours edge.

• Choose from a variety of traditional meals cooked on the open fire.

  
  

( vegetarian option available )

• *Braai - traditional way of preparing food, over the coals from a wood burning fire.

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​A South African delicacy.

DAY 2

MOSSELBAY - STORMS RIVER VILLAGE

• We enter the world famous, ecologically diverse, Garden Route.

• Start the day with a 3 hour open top safari in a Private Game Reserve, for a real Garden Route Safari experience.

• Get up close to Rhinoceros, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffe and Hippopotamus, just to name a few.

• Head deeper into the lush Garden Route, visiting special landmarks and optional extras.

  
  

Optional extras include: Township Tour / Elephant Walk

• Visit a special view site for panoramic views over one of South Africa's most beautiful towns.

• Overnight in Storms River Village

• Tonight your guide will lovingly prepare a beautiful Potjie* for the evenings meal.

( vegetarian option available )

*Potjie is a traditional way of preparing food, in a cast iron pot, over coals from a wood burning fire.

A South African delicacy.

DAY 3

STORMS RIVER VILLAGE - HOGSBACK 

• We make our way to one of the oldest forests in South Africa.

  
  

• On route we stop at the famous town of Jeffreys Bay, for some optional extras.

  
  

Optional extras include Horseback riding / Surf lessons / Retail therapy / Visit famous local coffee roastery

• From here we head north east, to the picturesque village known as Hogsback.

• Overnight in Hogsback.

• Tonight is pizza night, lovingly prepared by the staff at accommodation and famous for serving the best pizza in the village.

( vegetarian option available )

DAY 4

HOGSBACK 

• We enter the Grade 1 forest of Hogsback, where J.R Tolken found he's inspiration for Middle Earth.

• Choose between a variety of different walks within this magical wonderland, ranging from 2km to 6km.

• This pristine reserve boast with giant indigenous trees; and extremely rare species such as the 'Cape Parrot', 'Knysna Loerie' and 'Samango Monkeys' are still flourishing within this forest.

• In rainy times, all sort of fungi and mushrooms add to the magical feeling.

• Optional bath in the famous cliff bath on the property, overlooking the entire valley.

• Overnight in Hogsback

• Tonight for dinner it will be your guides chance to lovingly prepare a Braai*

  
  

( vegetarian option available )

*Braai - traditional way of preparing food, over coals from a wood burning fire.

A South African delicacy.

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DAY 5

HOGSBACK - COFFEE BAY

• We head down south east, to the Wild Coast, the homeland of our much loved ex-president, the late Nelson Mandela.

  
  

• This is where you will get to experience the proper feeling of Africa.

• See locals living of the land in colourful traditional mud huts, scattered all along the hills and valleys of the Wild Coast.

• After arriving in Coffee Bay, you will have some free time to unwind and take in the beauty of the landscape.

• Accommodation is based on the beach, at a river mouth, surrounded by rolling hills.

  
  

• Overnight in Coffee Bay.

• Tonight we have dinner, lovingly prepared by the staff at accommodation.

  
  

( vegetarian option available )

DAY 6

COFFEE BAY

• We explore the wild coast, with a organized coastal hike to 'The Hole In The Wall'.

  
  

• This non-technical hike of 9km takes you to a instantly recognizable rock formation and a source of many legends.

• Locals believe this to be a gateway to their ancestors.

• Be back in time to enjoy sunset drinks on the hillside with a ocean view.

  
  

• Overnight in Coffee Bay

• Tonight your guide will lovingly prepare a meal on the fire, with meal choices to be discussed on tour.

( vegetarian option available )

DAY 7

COFFEE BAY - CHINTSA 

• With a slow start, we head west, to a place called 'River of the Crumbling Banks'

• After arriving at accommodation have some free time with a few optionals on offer.

  
  

Optional extras include: Horse Riding / Surfing Lessons / Beer Tasting

• This afternoon we visit a expert on Xhosa rituals, and a activist for woman's rights, in her Traditional Xhosa Village.

• An experience not to be forgotten.

• Overnight in Chintsa

• Tonight we have dinner, lovingly prepared by the staff at accommodation.

  
  

( vegetarian option available )

DAY 8

CHINTSA - JEFFREYS BAY 

• We head west, to the famous coastal town of Jeffrey's Bay.

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• On route we drive through Grahamstown, with over 70 heritage sites offering the best collection of Georgian, Victorian and early Edwardian architecture in the country.

• Arriving in Jeffrey's Bay, you will have free time to relax and unwind. 

• Take a stroll along a un-spoilt beach known for collecting beautiful shell's washed up by the crashing waves;

  or just relax on the beach and watch the surfers frolic in the breaking waves.

  
  

Optional extras include: Sunset Horse Riding

• Overnight in Jeffreys Bay.

• Tonight's dinner is at a very famous 'surfers' restaurant in the area, known for having the best food in town.

  
  

( vegetarian option available )

DAY 9

JEFFREYS BAY - WILDERNESS 

• We head further west, back into the 'Garden Route'.

• For the brave, there is the world's highest bungy jumping bridge, standing tall at 216m.

  
  

'Fear is Temporary, Regret is Forever'

• Optional extras include: Reputable Animal Sanctuaries 

• Receiving awards for best visitor experience, best animal welfare initiative as well as the overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism award.

• We end the day by Canoeing in a National Park along a peaceful and tranquil river.

  
  

( Stable canoe, paddles and life jackets provided )

• Overnight in Wilderness

• Tonight your guide will lovingly prepare a feast for the final evenings meal.

  
  

DAY 10

WILDERNESS - CAPE TOWN 

• Today we continue west, over the picturesque Outeniqua Mountains,

and into the semi arid desert of the Little Karoo, known for it's mountainous passes and scenic beauty.

• Stop at a famous restuarant serving traditional meals, along Route 62.

• Final optional extra include:

  
  

• Wine / Brandy tasting at a Wine Boutique representing more than 500 cellars and offering a variety of over 500 wines.

• Drive through the Breede River Valley, with arrival in Cape Town late afternoon.

INCLUDED:

• Private Guide + Tour Vehicle

• Pick up / Drop off at pre arranged location

• DORM room accommodation ( UPGRADE to private room available )

• 1 x Hand sanitizer per person

• 1 x Bottle of water per day

• 9 x Dinners / 9 breakfasts

• 3 Hour open top Safari

• Various scenic look out points

• Guided hike in 1st Grade Forest

• Guided Coastal hike to a iconic landmark on Wild Coast

• Visit Traditional Xhosa village

• Canoeing in National Park

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EXCLUDED:

Lunch

Optional Activities

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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• Penguin Colony - R30

• Surfing Lesson - R450

• Horseback riding on an un-spoilt beach - R500

• Emerald Vale Brewery - R80

• Bloukrans Bungy Jumping - R1450

• Monkeyland / Birds of Eden / Tenikwa Wildcat Sanctuary - R300

• Wine/Brandy Tasting @ Platform 62 

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ACCOMMODATION:

Day 1 -  Mosselbay 

Day 2 -  Storms River Village

Day 3/4 -  Hogsback

Day 5/6 - Coffee Bay 

Day 7 - Chintsa 

Day 8 -  Jeffrey's Bay 

Day 9 - Wilderness  

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WHAT TO BRING:​

• Sunscreen, very important

• Also very important, but not enforced, Re-usable water bottle to reduce our plastic waste

• Camera for those memorable moments

• Sun hat for excursions

• Comfortable walking shoes for excursions

• Swimming clothes for optional river and ocean swims

• Warm clothes for evenings

• Towel ( if choosing dorm accommodation )

• We are a malaria free zone in Western Cape, so no malaria medication needed

NOTE: All establishments accept payment by card ( except street vendors )

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DEPARTURE TIME:

Day 1: 07:00 - 08:00

DISTANCE TRAVELLED:

3040km / 1824miles