Day 1: Cape Town to Struisbaai: Overberg, Whale Route, Cape Agulhus
Departing Cape Town at 8:30 am and Stellenbosch at 9:30 am, our exciting journey begins today as we join the world famous whale route in Gordons Bay for a stunning drive along the picturesque R44 mountain pass overlooking False Bay to the vibrant coastal town of Hermanus. After an opportunity to take some photographs and lunch on the seafront, we continue to Birkenhead Brewery to sample some fine beers before moving on to the southernmost tip of Africa in Cape Agulhas National Park. After a visit to the lookout point we make our way back to our accommodation along “Die Plaat”, the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere (if time allows). This day is designed to be a relaxing one for you to get to know your fellow travellers, to get used to travelling in our vehicle and to settle into the comfortable routine of life on tour. Meals: None (Dinner on own account) Accommodation: Backpacker dorm -Cape Agulhas Backpackers Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, internet, swimming pool Route: Cape Town to Struisbaai ±260 km Travel time: ±4 hrs Included Highlight: Land Based Whale Watching in Hermanus / Shopping Beer/wine tasting at Birkenhead Brewery Optional Activities: **Shark cage diving (to be pre-booked & paid)
Day 2: Cape Agulhas to Sedgefield: Canoeing & Hike
After breakfast, we start driving inland again, this time towards the famed Garden Route! We visit an Aloe factory in Albertinia. For our last stop we will enjoy some fun with either a canopy tour, experience the thrill of crossing rope bridges, wobbly crossings and zip wires high up in the trees OR some Quad Biking. We finish off the day with some beach time down at Myoli Beach. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Cape to Addo Backpacker dorm: Sedgefield Facilities: Shared ablutions, internet, pool, entertainment areas Route: Struisbaai to Sedgefield ± 340 km Travel time: ±4 hrs Included Highlight (day 2/6):Aloe Factory / Canoeing & Hike Optional Activities (day 2/6):Treetop Obstacle Course & Zipline (seasonal - not in winter)
Day 3: Oudtshoorn day trip: Little Karoo, Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm, Wildlife Rehabilitation Ranch
We begin the day with a drive over the picturesque Outeniqua mountain range into the semi desert region of the Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn. Known as the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn is situated in a beautiful valley between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains, and offers the wildlife and adventure enthusiast loads to choose from! The Cango Caves will be the first stop and here we’ll embark on a 1-hour guided tour of the cave system to view its massive caverns and a wonderland of stalactite and stalagmite formations, millions of years old. Cango Caves is a world heritage site and one of the great wonders of the natural world.
If you enjoy spelunking and don’t mind trying to squeeze through some smaller gaps then you are also welcome to take the 1.5 hour adventure tour! Next is an option to view and ride ostriches on a working ostrich farm, or go on a guided tour of the Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch for an opportunity to pet cheetah, cage dive with crocodiles and view many rare and endangered animal species. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Cape to Addo Backpacker dorm: Sedgefield Facilities: Shared ablutions, internet, pool, free shuttle service to PiliPili Beach bar Route: Sedgefield to Oudtshoorn day trip ±190 km Travel time: ±3 hrs Included Highlight: Standard or adventure guided tour of Cango Caves OR Cango Endangered Wildlife ranch Optional Activities: Tour of a working Ostrich farm
Day 4: Sedgefield – Jeffrey’s Bay: Monkey Sanctuary, Elephant Sanctuary, Kloofing, Bloukrans Bungee & Tsitsikamma National Park
This morning we drive through Knysna on our way to the Crags where you have a number of options to choose from: 1. Elephant Sanctuary where you learn about, and interact with orphaned elephants OR 2. Monkey Sanctuary where rescued monkeys roam free in a large jungle area. Our next stop is the World’s highest commercial Bungee Jump at 216 meters where you have the opportunity to experience this adrenalin pumping activity or you can take a beautiful walk through the indigenous Tsitsikamma National Park to the Storms river swing bridges before we head to the famous surfing town of Jeffreys Bay where we stay at a backpackers directly on the beach. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation Backpacker dorm; Island Vibe Backpackers, Jbay) Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, restaurant, internet Route: Sedgefield to Jbay Travel time: ±2-3 hrs Included Highlight: Tsitsikamma Forest (choose between Tsitsikamma Forest & Bungee - Tsitsikamma Forest Included & Bungy Optional) Optional Activities: Elephant Sanctuary OR Monkeyland, Bloukrans bungee jump (216m), Bloukrans Bridge walking tour
Day 5: Jeffrey’s Bay – Addo National Park – Sedgefield: Game Drive (Addo), Surfing, shopping time (Jeffrey’s bay)
There are 2 options to choose from this morning. 1. Sleep in and take some time in the morning to explore the towns many surf factory shops, or go for a surf lesson in one of the most famous surf spots on earth. 2. Wake up early and head to Addo Elephant National park where we go on a morning game drive to view the multitudes of wild animals. Addo is home to the Big 5 and it also has the highest concentration of African Elephants in the world! We then take a relaxed drive back towards Sedgefield for the night.
If there is time available we will visit the famous Knysna Heads for some absolutely amazing pictures where the ocean meets the inlet to the Knysna Lagoon. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Backpacker dorm: Cape to Addo house - Sedgefield Facilities: Shared ablutions, internet, pool, entertainment areas, free shuttle service to PiliPili beach Bar Route: Jbay – Addo NP – Sedgefield +-470 km’s Travel time: ±6 hrs Included Highlight: Jeffrey’s Bay/Addo Entrance & Game Drive with Cape to Addo guide & Knysna Heads Optional Activities: Surf Lessons, Shopping OR Addo Game Drive with SANP (morning) This is where the 5 Day One Way to PE/ Jbay/ Knysna will end
Day 6: Sedgefield to Cape Town: Return to Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass
After a breakfast we begin a beautiful canoe trip down one of the many tranquil rivers in the area, followed by a short hike to a stunning waterfall. We then visit an Aloe factory in Albertinia and enjoy a wonderful scenic drive via Swellendam and Sir Lowry’s Pass. We arrive in Cape Town late Thursday afternoon/early evening. Meals: Breakfast Route: Sedgefield – Cape Town +-450 km’s Travel time: ±5 hrs Included Activities (day 2/6):Aloe Factory / Canoeing & Hike