ALOE-DRIFT SAFARIS - TOURS ITINERARIES

4 DAY GARDEN ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS TO CAPE TOWN

Day 1. After breakfast we depart for the Tzitzikamma region with its verdant vegetation where we visit The Big Tree, an 800 year old mammoth of the forest. We continue to the Tzitzikamma Coastal National Park for breath taking scenery and lunch overlooking the Storms River Estuary and the Indian Ocean. Here we may be fortunate enough to spot whales and dolphins at play. After lunch we travel towards Plettenberg Bay for a guided tour of Monkey Land, a sanctuary for abused and injured primates. Upon completion of the tour we proceed to the trendy town of Knysna where we spend our second night. We enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants at the Knysna Quays Waterfront.

Day 2. Today we leave the coast behind as we travel through the lakes district and over the Outeniqua Mountains to Oudtshoorn in the semi-arid Karoo Region. Here we get to visit an Ostrich Show Farm where we are able sit on and/or ride one of these flightless birds. The world famous Cango Caves is another of our visits for the day where we walk through caverns with formations dating back millions of years.

Day 3. We depart Oudtshoorn and  the day sees us crossing the Outeniqua Mountains again to pay a brief visit to the town of Mossel Bay to visit the Diaz and shell museums. After tea break we proceed to  the coastal town of Hartenbos wedged between the sea and the mountains, South Africa’s whale spotting capital.

Day 4. An early start takes us to Cape Town. Along the way we admire the expanse of False Bay with its many smaller bays and beaches with a stop the Penguins at The Boulders – the only continent based African Penguin colony. At Cape Point Light House & Nature Reserve we breathe the cleanest air in Africa & also view the Southern tip of the Peninsula before drive along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive with its breathtaking views.

This tour may also start in Cape Town and end in Port Elizabeth at no extra cost.

Optional add-ons to this tour:-

1. 2-day Cape Town City Tour – Table Mountain, Robben Island, Seal Island Cruise, V&A Waterfront, 2 Oceans Aquarium – min 2 persons.

2. 1-Day trip to the Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth –  min 2 persons.

5 DAY GARDEN ROUTE TO CAPE TOWN SAFARI

Day 1. We depart the first day and make our way to Knysna which is our first over night stop. En route we visit The Big Tree, an 800 year old Yellowwood Tree set amongst a lavish natural garden of Tzitzikamma ferns and shrubs. We next make our way to the Tzitzikamma Coastal Marine Park with its wonderful vista of towering cliffs and ocean. Here we have lunch with a view of the Storms River estuary. With some luck we may see dolphins and whales frolicking close in-shore. While we bask in the after effects of lunch and a glass of wine, we continue in the direction of Plettenberg Bay for an entertaining visit to Monkey Land, a sanctuary for abused and injured primates. Upon arrival in Knysna we have time to freshen up before we sail on the Paddle Cruiser for sundowners and dinner while we view the beauty of the Knysna Lagoon.
Overnight at Knysna Hollows Lodge or similar.

Day 2. After a refreshing sleep and a hearty breakfast, we first ascend to the top of the colossus known as the Knysna Heads, the headland which guards the entrance to the lagoon from the Indian Ocean for a view of the rugged coastline and the sprawl of the lagoon. We next have a short browse through one of the malls to peak at some shops, and after a cup of coffee we continue to our next destination, Oudtshoorn. We travel via the lakes district, the town of George and over the Outeniqua Mountains before we arrive in the semi arid region known as the Karoo where we visit an Ostrich Show Farm. This visit offers the opportunity of sitting on and/or riding an ostrich. Tonight we overnight in luxury tented accommodation at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Day 3. After breakfast we have an opportunity to interact with and feed orphaned, rescued elephants. This is an experience of a lifetime that will always stay with one. The world famous Cango Caves are next on our itinerary. The beauty of these caverns is something to behold. We also visit the Auditorium for an audio/visual presentation of caverns that are not open to the public due to their sensitive nature and inaccessibility. We return to our accommodation to freshen up before we have lunch in the town. The afternoon takes us to Cango Wildlife Ranch. We view an array of cats here which include the White Tiger and the Cheetah, with us being able to cuddle the latter. For the brave at heart, crocodile cage diving can be arranged!!!!!
Back at Buffelsdrift we are taken on a game drive to view the wildlife at the reserve and to enjoy a sundowner in the bush before returning to the camp for dinner. After a busy day, the comfort of the luxury tented accommodation beckons to us again.

Day 4. We start the day off at sunrise with a game drive before the nocturnal animals seek shelter for the day. After breakfast we bid Buffelsdrift goodbye as we make our way once again over the Outeniqua mountains – our destination Agulhas – the Southernmost tip of Africa. After enjoying the environment and lunch, we head for our next overnight stop, Hermanus. This whale watching capital of South Africa is wedged between the Overberg Mountain ranges and the western extremity of the Indian Ocean.
Overnight at 4 Pines Lodge. Tonight we have dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Day 5. The last leg of our journey takes us along the shores of False Bay with its many coves, fishing villages and extensive beaches. We stop at the Boulders to see the only mainland based breeding colony of African Penguins. The next stop is the Cape Point Nature Reserve and Lighthouse to breathe the cleanest air in Africa as it is brought to our shores by the prevailing winds off the Southern and Antarctic Oceans. This vantage point gives us the opportunity to view the expanse of False Bay and the Peninsula. At this point we leave the Indian Ocean behind and drive along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean until we reach Cape Town, better known to South Africans as The Mother City, for on these shores is where our modern history began.
Accommodation tonight is not included unless add-on 1. below is opted for.

This tour may also start in Cape Town and end in Port Elizabeth at no extra cost.

Optional add-ons to this tour:-

1.2-day Cape Town City & Surrounds Tour – Table Mountain, Robben Island, Seal Island Cruise, V&A Waterfront, 2 Oceans Aquarium –  min 2 persons.

2.1-Day trip to the Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth – min 2 persons.