03/10/2024
SOLO TRAVELLERS / FRIENDS / FAMILY
13 Days / 12 Nights
Northern Cape – Western Cape – Eastern Cape tour
18 seats available
www.kalaharisafaris.co.za
Contact us for more information : [email protected]
10 March - 22 March 2025
23 August 2025 to 04 September 2025
22 September 2025 – 04 October 2025
Day 1
Departure from Upington to Springbok, situated in the heart of Namaqualand. We drive through the vast and open Bushman land, to arrive in the afternoon at Springbok Inn. Visit Hester Malan Flower Garden after Lunch. The Hester Malan Wildflower Garden comprises an exhibition of Namaqualand succulent plants and a rock garden and includes the farm of Goegap (which means 'spring').
Overnight: Springbok Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2
Depart to Goegap Nature Reserve. Goegap Nature Reserve is 1500 ha and supports close to 600 indigenous flower species, 45 mammal species and 94 bird species. We spend the day in this large reserve, enjoying one of the most beautiful wonders that Nature has to offer us. We do various game drives. Lunch made the traditional way can be taken at the Reserve. Late afternoon drive back to Springbok.
Overnight: Springbok Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 3
Depart to Namaqua National Park (including Skilpad Nature Reserve) Situated on the N7 national road we drive through the town of Kamieskroon and then 18km along the Wolwepoort gravel road. This 103 000 ha Namaqua showcase captures the full grandeur of the flower seasons. We spend the day at this reserve. Afternoon drive back to Springbok.
Overnight: Springbok Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 4
After breakfast we start our journey to Clanwilliam. Afternoon stop at your accommodation at Clanwilliam Inn. Unpack all the luggage and have lunch at the Inn. Have a short rest before visiting the Rooibos Tea tasting House where you can choose 7 flavours of the 100 blends they have to offer.
Overnight: Clanwilliam Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 5
Today we take a day trip up the Pakhuis Pass for a very scenic route. We stop at Christian Frederik Louis Leipoldts grave, 28 December 1880 – 12 April 1947), usually referred to as C. Louis Leipoldt, was a South African poet, dramatist, medical doctor, reporter and food expert. Later Leipoldt's career was varied. For a period he was a school medical doctor in London before becoming the Medical Inspector of Schools in the Transvaal and then in the Cape Province. He returned to journalism for a while (1923) but finally settled down as a paediatrician in Cape Town in 1925. He never married. He died in Cape Town but, because of his deep love for the Hantam, a mountainous and wild district north of Cape Town— his ashes were laid to rest in the rugged Pakhuis Pass (Storehouse Pass), near Clanwilliam.
The Englishman’s grave - In the second Boer War Lieutenant Graham Vinicombe Wi******er Clowes was killed during a scouting mission in 1901, this is his "apparent" grave. Clowe's body was lying in the heat for 2 days before being found, and then buried next to the road. His wealthy family from England ordered the er****on of a monument over the grave, which was in actual fact erected in the wrong place. Clowe’s sister Eileen visited Cape Town each year by boat. Then she was taken by wagon, over the Pakhuis Pass to the grave where she laid flowers. She also planted a tree. She was never told it was not the real grave. Recent, farmers found a grave about 2 kilometres from this grave monument, which is believed to be the actual site where Clowes was buried. There was talk in the area about where the “real” Englishman’s Grave must be, but no one had been able to locate it, until possibly now.
This is an easy gravel road drive with small gains/losses in altitude. Technically it does not resemble a mountain pass at all and is merely a pretty drive along the northern bank of the Biedouw River and involves some sharp turns and a minor change in altitude. What it lacks in statistics, it certainly makes up for in scenic beauty as the Biedouw River Valley is one of those tranquil, off the beaten track places that ends in a dead end at the head of the valley for most of the year, as the river crossing towards the end is too deep too cross. It's a place of steep mountains, crystal clear streams, stunning displays of spring flowers and old farm dwellings.
Overnight: Clanwilliam Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 6
After breakfast pack up and start a new day full of adventure. Our next stop will be Lamberts Bay Bird Island Nature Reserve. It is an important breeding and roosting site for seabirds, particularly Cape gannets and cormorants. Cape fur seals can be seen sunning themselves on the island's rocks. In the island's well-situated gannet lookout, visitors can get close to the birds and witness their unique mating dances. Drive direction Elandsbay and stop at the Rooi Stoor Farm Stall. We drive south in the direction of Velddrif and visit the Bokkom Ave where you can buy “bokkoms” that is salted fish dried in the sun and wind and is eaten after peeling off the skin. In some cases, it is also smoked. It is sometimes referred to as "fish biltong”. Get some lunch at a local take away shop with delicious fish/calamari and chips. Stop at the harbour to have our lunch and walk around the harbour. Drive to Paternoster our next overnight destination and to walk on the beach.
Overnight: Paternoster
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 7
Today we visit the West Coast National Park. Against the backdrop of the azure, blue lagoon, white dunes, rare fynbos, green wetlands and unbounded waves, there is much to experience. A paradise for hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers, birders, and nature-lovers alike. West Coast National Park hosts a total of over 250 bird species annually, over a quarter of South Africa’s total. Visit one of the bird hides and spend some time enjoying the quiet. Unwind on the shore of the Langebaan Lagoon at Kraalbaai – a great spot for picnics. Explore the many rock pools along the seashore at Tsaarsbank. Water activities include kayaking, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, snorkelling, SUP (Stand Up Paddle), water-skiing and of course, swimming. After the day at West Coast National Park drive to Bloubergstrand late walk on the beach.
Overnight: Bloubergstrand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 8
Kirstenbosch is one of the world’s largest botanical gardens. It lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Kirstenbosch is one of nine national botanical gardens in South Africa. The name Kirstenbosch first appeared in documents from the late 1700s. However, it is not known where the name came from. Cecil Rhodes, a British businessman and politician, bought the land that is now Kirstenbosch in 1895. When he died in 1902, his left the land to the government of South Africa. There are more than 7,000 plant species, or types, in Kirstenbosch. The garden contains mostly South African plants, including native fynbos (scrubland) and forest areas. The garden grows beautiful flowering plants, such as the protea and heather, a large number of flowering bulbs, and huge cycads (palmlike tropical plants). Greenhouses grow plants from all climatic regions. There are three herbaria (collections of dried plants) that altogether hold about 300,000 dried plant specimens. Many types of birds can also be found living throughout Kirstenbosch. Kirstenbosch covers an area of about 2 square miles (5.2 square kilometers). Visitors can explore the park through several hiking trails. The Silvertree Trail is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. The Yellowwood Trail is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) long.
Overnight: Bloubergstrand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 9
Table Mountain is a South African mountain that is known all over the world. It rises above Cape Town and Table Bay. The mountain is often used as a symbol for Cape Town and for South Africa. On cloudless days the mountain can be seen from about 124 miles (200 kilometers) away at sea. Table Mountain is part of Table Mountain National Park. There are more plant species on Table Mountain than in Great Britain. Many wildflowers grow on the mountain. One of the famous flowers is the red disa. It is called the “pride of Table Mountain.” In 1503 the Portuguese navigator Antonio de Saldanha sailed into Table Bay. It is believed that Saldanha and his men were the first Europeans to climb Table Mountain. They called the mountain Tábua do Cabo (“table of the cape”). There are two peaks next to Table Mountain. Lion’s Head is 2,195 feet (669 meters) high. It is linked to another hill, known as Signal Hill. Devil’s Peak is 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) high. It was previously called Windy Mountain. On the Atlantic Ocean side of Table Mountain are a series of peaks known as the Twelve Apostles.
Chapman’s Peak is named after John Chapman, the Captain’s mate of an English ship, the Consent. The peak which looms overhead was not named after a governor or brave mountaineer, but a lowly ship's pilot. In 1607 the skipper of the British ship Contest found his vessel becalmed in what is now Hout Bay and sent his pilot, John Chapman, to row ashore in the hope of finding provisions. The pilot later recorded the bay as Chapman's Chaunce (chance) and the name stuck, becoming official on all East India charts. In the early 1920’s Sir Nicolas Fredrick de Waal, first administrator of the Cape Province, ordered the construction of a high-level road linking Cape Town with the Southern Suburbs. Chapman's Peak Drive is affectionately known as “Chappies” and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic Cape Town scenery, with sheer drops to the sea below and towering mountains rising above you. The twists and curves in the road seem endless and it is a photographer’s dream.
Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. It is located on the Cape Peninsula, in Simon's Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is also commonly known as Boulders Bay. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins which settled there in 1982. Boulders Beach forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. These African penguins are only found on the coastlines of Southern Africa (South Africa and Namibia). These penguins are currently endangered. As a result, the penguins are under the protection of the Cape Nature Conservation.
NOTE: IF CHAPMAN’S PEAK ARE CLOSED DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, IT WILL BE REPLACED BY TWO OCEANS AQUIRIUM AT THE V & A WATERFRONT
Overnight: Bloubergstrand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 10
Fairview winery
Depart at 09h00 from your hotel to Fairview wine, cheese or cured meat tasting founded in 1693 in Paarl. Named after Charles Back’s late mother, the Beryl Back Master Tasting Room continues to practice the legacy of warmth and hospitality that Beryl so lovingly instilled. Thanks to a long-held reputation for our exceptional customer service, Fairview has one of the most sought-after tastings in the winelands. Managed by our highly qualified Tasting Hosts, the elegant Beryl Back tasting room is set apart from the main tasting area, offering seated, tutored tastings in an exclusive, educational setting. To ensure a fresh experience for all our visitors, our team regularly plans varying tasting options and recommendations depending on season, trend and vintage releases. To top the experience off, each Master Tasting comes with carefully paired Fairview cheese, freshly baked artisanal bread and our farm-made olive oil.
Spice Route Destination
Next stop will be the “Spice route destination” also in Paarl. The historic farm itself dates to 1693 and was originally named Leeuwenjagt, meaning “hunting lions”. The heritage of Spice Route Destination goes back to the historical mariners who used to trade Eastern spices to Europe along the “Spice Route” for the spice trade in the 15th century. Spice Route, as it is known today, was initiated in 1997 by the current owners. There is wine tasting, chocolate tasting, beer tasting, Charcuterie tasting (cured meats) and wilderer spirits tasting. Depart to overnight in Robertson.
Overnight: Robertson
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 11
Robertson Winery
After breakfast we depart at 09h00 to Robertson Winery for a Cellar tour with 5 wines to choose from to taste. Platters of 3 cheese and 3 meats or 4 cheese and 2 meats available. From its very humble beginnings in 1852, the town of Robertson has always been filled with the most generous of people. Dr William Robertson, the Scottish minister whom the town is named after, the hard-working community that tends to the wine farms and everyone else here welcomes you with arms outstretched and warm handshakes. With the town a little more grown up by 1941, its stone church built by the community and serviced by missionaries, was no longer in use. It made the perfect place to establish Robertson Winery and was converted for winemaking and cellaring operations, involving everyone from farmers to bottlers in creating wines to share with the world.
Joubert Tradauw Wine Farm & Deli Alfresco
Here you can enjoy platters, little bites and some coffee or you can taste wine they have to offer. Sixty-one years ago, Schalk-Willem Joubert left Wellington for the fertile Tradouw Valley to farm mainly with fruit and wine grapes. His son, Jacobus Joubert, Meyer’s father, realised the potential of growing premium grape cultivars for the production of wine. They delivered Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to the Co-perative Cellar in Barrydale, Cabernet Franc was planted on the farm in 1982. In the late 1990’s, had a dream that was born whilst working as a child on the farm and making wine and working in the Napa Valley; they also worked in wine-tourism, which became a reality when an old building on the farm was restored and converted into an ageing maturation cellar. The fermentation cellar was built in 1998 out of stone from the rocky soils, characteristic of the farm. In 1999, the first grapes were harvested and crushed to produce wine. The R62 Merlot/Cabernet Blend (60:40) was released after a 14-month ageing period in Burgundy oak barrels. The production is currently just below 3000 cases per year. Meyer Joubert, an award-winning winemaker, studied viticulture at Elsenburg near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and thereafter in California’s famous Napa Valley for two seasons, before returning to South Africa to make his own wine. Meyer, who was born in the Tradouw Valley, moved onto the farm in 1995 with his wife, Beate who also worked in Napa making wine and supported him in his dream to make premium wines. They were blessed with four children: Hanna Katerien, Julia Heleen, Andreas Meyer de la Courtte and Lena Beate. Meyer Joubert was the first winemaker to identify the popularity of the world-famous R62 and liked the idea of Route 66 when they were in the US – consequently trademarked ‘R62’ as a wine. He produces the only R62 wine on this popular route.
Overnight: Oudtshoorn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 12
Traditional Ostrich tour and classic meal
Duration :2h 20 min (Tour duration approx. 1h 20 min)
Our Traditional Ostrich Tour is not only enlightening but also fun for the whole family. You will be on awe of the beautiful scenery of the Klein Karoo Valley and the picturesque Swartberg Mountains. Apart from the views, you will be able to see ostriches like you’ve never seen before. When you book this tour, we will reserve a table in our restaurant for you. The Classic Meal is a generous 3 course meal where you can taste and enjoy ostrich egg and meat, like you’ve never tasted before. Menu options available on request at the pepper tree restaurant.
OSTRICH TOUR INCLUDES:
• Learn more about our incubators
• Learn more about ostrich anatomy
• Gizzard stones
• Feed an ostrich by hand
• Visit a breeding camp
• Visit the breeding room
• Visit the 3 different ostrich species
• Visit the Highgate factory where we manufacture products such as dusters, boas etc.
Cango Caves
The Cango Caves are a system of limestone caves in the foothills of the Swartberg mountain range of South Africa. The caves are about 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape province. They are known for their spectacular rock formations.
The Cango Caves were formed over millions of years, as underground water seeped into limestone rock and gradually dissolved it. This created gaps in the rock, which became caves as the process continued. Eventually a large system of tunnels and chambers was created. Water with dissolved minerals then dripped into the empty spaces. The dripping minerals hardened to form stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites hang from the roof and stalagmites rise from the floor.
A local farmer, Jacobus van Zyl, discovered the Cango Caves in 1780. There are signs that people have known about the caves for much longer, however. Groups of Khoekhoe and San people may have lived in the caves thousands of years ago.
The Cango Caves became a tourist attraction soon after they were discovered. They were declared a national monument in 1938. A full tour includes passage through such fancifully named chambers as King Solomon’s Mines, the Throne Room, the Fairyland Chamber, and the Devil’s Workshop. But visitors are permitted to enter only a part of the cave system, which stretches for more than 3 miles (5 kilometers).
Overnight: Oudtshoorn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
DAY 13
Red Shed Coffee & Berry Bar
Experience a delightful selection of beverages at our exclusive farm-style coffee bar. Treat yourself to the finest coffees, teas, milkshakes, smoothies, wines, ciders, cocktails, and delectable treats. Don’t miss out on our mouthwatering berry-flavoured options. Find your favourite flavour combination today!
Framboos Handcrafted Ice Cream
Framboos offers a unique experience for visitors to craft their own dreamy desserts, indulging in an array of delicious toppings. Prepare to be dazzled with our handcrafted gelato, soft serve, ice cream sandwiches or refreshing smoothies. Sink your teeth into our Belgian waffles, drizzled with mouthwatering sauces and served with a variety of toppings.
The Noshery Pizzeria & Deli
Visit this unique artisan deli and enjoy a serving of delectable classic and gourmet pizzas baked to perfection in a wood fired oven, their speciality cheeses and freshly baked breads.
Pick Your Own Strawberries
At Redberry Farm, the Garden Route’s favourite family destination, you can pick your own strawberries at their freshest and juiciest, straight from the field. Booking is not required; tickets are available from the Farm Stall. Choose a container size at the Farm Stall and head off to the strawberry picking fields where the real fun begins. A variety of strawberries are grown at Redberry Farm, each with their own unique size and flavour. End of tour.
Bounty Eatery
Abundance | Praise | Fruitful Fig Tree
Experience gourmet farm style food with a unique twist. All meals are freshly prepared with locally sourced produce, so your meal is healthy, delicious and sustainable.
Enjoy the range of breakfasts, mouth-watering roosterkoek and variety of healthy meals. Bounty has vegan, gluten free and dairy free options available to suit everyone’s dietary needs.
Overnight: George
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack Included)
