South Africa Walking And Wildlife Tour

Day 1

Depart Adelaide with Qantas Airways and South African Airways at 7.00am, arriving Cape Town at 8.50pm.

On arrival into Cape Town International Airport you will be met by our tour escort and guide and transferred to your accommodation where we will spend the next 4 nights.

Full day Table Mountain Hike including picnic lunch:

 

Day 2

Depart the city for Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where we collect picnic lunches and kit up for a moderate to strenuous hike of 5-6 hours up the eastern flank of Table Mountain.

Reaching the eastern summit, we follow the Smut’s Track path to MacLear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain, built by the celebrated 19th Century Royal astronomer.

The walk is an ideal introduction to the indigenous "Fynbos" flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the world’s 6 plant kingdoms, with some 8,600 flowering species. Besides plants like Protea, you may see Sunbirds and even Black Eagle as well as Rock Hyrax and other small mammals.

 

A lunch stop at MacLear’s Beacon affords ample time to absorb the vistas of Table Bay and the city below before we continue our walk west along the Table. The fit and energetic can choose to descend the mountain via the steep Platteklip Gorge path to Tafelberg Road OR continue the walk to the Upper Cable Station, to board the revolving cable car for a breathtaking mountain decent (weather permitting). You are met by your transport at the Lower Cable Station.

 

Note: Picnic lunch and drinks need to be carried by each hiker. Comfortable, robust walking shoes, sunhat and sun protection is necessary. A warm jersey and rain-proof jacket is also strongly advised. Your experienced guide will carry a cellphone and full medical kit.

 

Note: As an alternative to walking to the top of table Mountain you can take the cable car to the top and join the group there.

 

Day 3

Full day Peninsula tour with a walk at Cape of Good Hope nature Reserve including a picnic lunch:

Depart the city along the Atlantic Seaboard past the coastal suburbs of Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Clifton and stop for a photo op of Table Mountain’s towering Twelve Apostles. On past Bakoven and Llandudno, marked by shipwrecks, to the fishing village of Hout Bay. Here, board a boat to view the Cape Fur Seal colony on Duiker Island (weather permitting).

 

On return, head over the 600m heights of Chapman’s Peak Drive(if open), one of the world’s most spectacular passes, past the Cape’s longest beach near Noordhoek and the hamlets of Kommetjie and Scarborough - with a chance to sight Southern Right Whales just offshore from June to November!

 

Explore the rocky coastline and unique Fynbos vegetation, home to birds like African Black Oystercatchers and Cape Sugarbirds and view other endemic fauna like Cape Mountain Zebra, Bontebok and Baboon as we enter the Cape of Good Hope National Park. Climb (or ride a funicular) to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse, to capture the magical vistas of False Bay, and stop at the south westernmost point of Africa, the fabled Cape of Good Hope.

 

After lunch at a coastal restaurant, visit Boulders Beach, for a close-up with a colony of African Penguins, then head home through the naval village of Simonstown and over Boyes Drive, taking in views of the fishing harbour at Kalk Bay and the seaside havens of St James and Muizenberg.

 

Day 4

Morning Robben Island Tour, lunch at the Waterfront with afternoon visit to Township.

Depart from Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront by ferry for a 25-minute trip across Table Bay to Robben (Seal) Island.

 

This World Heritage Site and South Africa’s most revered national monument was a prison for some 450 years - for convicts, slaves, exiled Eastern princes, lepers, the insane and those punished for resisting oppressive rule.

 

Among its more famous inmates was 19th Century tribal chief, Makhanda, who lost his life attempting to escape by boat across the Bay, and South Africa’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela, who spent 2 decades of his life here along with some 3000 other political detainees.

 

This stirring tour is led by guides (some of whom were once inmates) and includes a visit to the Prison Block and the infamous Limestone Quarry, where prisoners toiled, as well as a drive around the island with it breathtaking views across the bay.

 

Return by ferry to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and enjoy spectacular views of the city and Table Mountain (weather permitting).

Lunch to be enjoyed at the Waterfront prior to departing for the Townships with our African guide.

 

We then meet Vivian at the Iliso Care Society in Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats. Spend time gaining a personal insight into the work that she does and learning more about the area in which they live.

 

Founder Vivian Zilo established the Iliso Care Society in June 2005. She solicited the help of four other women to begin providing services to her community. The organization is registered in terms of the Non-Profit Organization Act of 1997 through Social Development. Zilo and her collaborators started their organization by doing research around their community asking people exactly what they needed. The response was that poverty and unemployment were the key issues. After the establishment of the Iliso Care Society, the main objectives were to fight poverty, encourage community empowerment, organize workshops for youth, provide safety and care for orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly and school children. ICS started giving meals to 100+ beneficiaries once a day from Monday through Friday, but the numbers were increasing each and every day.

 

Khayelitsha means "new home" and was established in 1984 during the tribal war outbreak in K.T.C and Crossroads informal settlements. Like many other townships, it was created during the apartheid era as a dormitory area for the working class.

Return to your hotel via Langa and gain an insight into the impacts of racial segregation under the apartheid government as well the current new housing developments having a positive effect on the lives of many township residents.

 

Day 5

Full day Winelands Tour with walks between wineries.

Depart the city to the Winelands region in the nearby Boland Mountains, for a leisurely exploration of historic Wine Route towns, their liquid delights and famed hospitality.

 

The Cape Winelands are some of the most beautiful in the world, with a heritage that lives on in beautifully preserved historic estates, boasting distinctive Cape Dutch-style architecture and a rich 400-year old winemaking tradition that has produced some of the world’s most classic and celebrated wines and some of the newest and most exciting.

 

There are a variety of route options that reveal the historic wine regions of Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, or emergent wine areas like Walker Bay, the Swartland, and Worcester. Meet winemakers and personalities at some of South Africa’s premier estates; learn first-hand about this vibrant industry, its colourful history and traditions and savour wonderful wines that showcase the unique terroirs of the Cape in a myriad of styles, from classic Old World favourites to fruit-driven "early-drinking" tastes from the New World.

Overnight: Roggeland Country House (Bed, breakfast and lunch)

 

Day 6

Depart the Winelands for Bushmans Kloof to arrival in the early afternoon.

Enjoy the many activities on offer at the lodge.

 

Sunset Nature Drives: Ride in a game viewing vehicle with your ranger to explore the wilderness reserve in all its diversity. Enjoy the ever-changing landscapes, the wonderful plant life and get close to some of the Cape’s rarest and most endangered species. Sundowner drinks and snacks are served at a scenic spot during the drive.  In spring (July-October) the world-famous Cape wildflowers carpet the reserve in spectacular displays of colour.

 

Early morning rock art excursion: With over 130 rock art sites, Bushmans Kloof represents one of the most densely painted rock art areas in South Africa. A glorious morning drive and a short hike through the aromatic fynbos leads you to secret caves where your ranger will provide insight into the ancient lost culture of the San and their fascinating spirit world.  Enjoy a scrumptious Bush Breakfast next to a cascading waterfall and drink in the sight of a myriad wildlife together with your cup of delicious steaming hot chocolate.

Or satisfy your adventurous side with a nature hike, mountain biking, canoeing, or swimming in crystal clear rock pools.

Overnight: Bushmans Kloof Nature Reserve (fully inclusive)

 

Day 7

Full day to enjoy all that the reserve has to offer.

Below is a typical day at Bushmans Kloof.

 

The day starts early with a light Continental breakfast – served in your room, or a bush breakfast next to a cascading waterfall before you set off on your guided rock art walk. After working up an appetite, you’ll return to the Lodge for the legendary mid-morning Bushmans Kloof Brunch – a dazzling buffet of fruit, yoghurt, cereals, cold meats, cheeses, and a choice of hot light meals.

 

Sensibly, the next meal is a sumptuous High Tea in the finest country manor style, with the addition of scrumptious Dutch-style pastries adding a South African touch. High Tea is a tradition passed down from the original Scottish owners.

 

On the evening nature drive, sundowners and snacks are served at one of the scenic spots or lookout points. And then it’s back to the Lodge to freshen up for dinner. Dinner is a true gourmet affair and can be enjoyed in a variety of fine dining and al fresco venues, depending on the weather or your personal preference.

Overnight: Bushmans Kloof Nature Reserve (fully inclusive)

 

Day 8

After a leisurely brunch depart back to Cape Town for sightseeing or shopping at the Victorian and Albert Waterfront.

 

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the V&A Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina. We invite you to discover the experience... live, work, shop and play at the V&A Waterfront.

 

Day 9

Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for flight to Durban

On arrival at Durban Airport the group will be met by their new driver and depart for the Drakensberg Mountains for the next 3 nights.

Overnight: Cathedral Peak Hotel (dinner bed and breakfast)

 

Days 10 and 11

Full day to enjoy all the activities on offer at the lodge, or take a full day hike through one of the many hiking trails in the area.

 

The spectacular Drakensberg Mountains have taken their rightful place on the international tourism stage with the proclamation of the 243,000 hectare uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park on 29 November 2000 as a World Heritage Site (WHS). In addition to recognising the unique natural beauty of the 'Berg, the WHS title also focuses world attention on the park's rich collection of rock art, the last visible signs of the San Peoples. In order for any site to be included in the World Heritage List it must meet one or more of the Natural Heritage Property or Cultural Heritage Property criteria. The uKhahlamba Drakensberg satisfies two of the four natural criteria and two of the cultural criteria.

 

International recognition was granted to its unique richness of biological diversity, its endemic and endangered species, its superlative natural beauty as well as its masterpieces of human creative genius in the form of tens of thousands of San rock paintings.

 

Within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park there are some 600 rock art sites, collectively representing cover 35,000 individual images. Remarkably the rock art in the Park is better preserved than any other region south of the Sahara. The oldest painting on a rock shelter wall in this Park is 2,400 years old while more recent creations date back to the late nineteenth century. With an abundance of birds and plants, as well as some of the worlds' most sunning scenery and rock art, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is one of South Africa's premier tourist attractions.

 Overnight: Cathedral Peak Hotel (dinner bed and breakfast) 

 

Day 12

Today we travel into the Battlefields area for a stop over at Fugitives Drift en route to our game lodge.

 

Zulu wars, Shaka, Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Colenso, Spioenkop, Ladysmith, Dundee, Churchill, Blood River, Cetshwayo, Boers ... these are some of the terms which are associated with the internationally renowned KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields area of South Africa.

 

Walk in the footsteps of famous military strategists - Shaka, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and General Louis Botha - they were all part of the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields. The wind sighs and whispers the secrets and sorrows of great battles, made visible by lone forts and small graveyards on these undulating landscapes ringed with rocky outcrops.

 

The legacy of our Zulu Kingdom's critical, blood-soaked conflicts today lives peacefully - reconciled in this fascinating region's myriad Battlefield sites, historic towns, national monuments and museums - and in HQs of the British regiments who make a 'pilgrimage' to these fields of bravery and supreme sacrifice.

Overnight: Fugitives Drift Game Reserve (dinner bed and breakfast)

 

Days 13, 14, and 15

Today we head for our game lodge – Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve

 

Here one can partake in the game drives or guided walks through the reserve in search of the big five. The rangers in the field are highly experienced and have extensive knowledge of the fauna and flora of the area. They love their work and have the opportunity to witness the changing of the seasons, monitoring the wildlife and being part of a new adventure each day.

 

The reserve is filled with wonderful and interesting things in nature and evidence of the animals, insects and birds that live here. The fauna and flora of the area covers a multitude of species. On a guided walk many smaller things will be pointed out to you by our expert rangers who have the knowledge and expertise to recognise tracks, signs and a host of other things in the fagile eco-system that is all connected and there for a reason.

Overnight: Mkuze Falls Game Reserve (full board and 2 game activities per day)

 

Day 16

After the final game drive and breakfast the group will bid farewell to the lodge and head for Johannesburg Airport for their flight out.

Depart Johannesburg Airport with South African Airways and Qantas Airways at 3.55pm, arriving into Adelaide at 5.40pm the following day.

 

Day 17

Arrive into Adelaide at 5.40pm.