DAY 1: CAPE TOWN - SEDGEFIELD

• Coffee and breakfast stop at the No.1 Farm Stall in South Africa, Peregrines. A host of delicacies and refreshments are available and created from strictly local produce.

• It’s about a 4.5 hour drive to the heart of the Garden route along National Road 2, we’ll make sure to stop for lunch at one of the charming roadside stops along the way or once we reach Wildnerness.

• We’ll then head to the Map of Africa viewing point. The forest and hills have formed together to create a formation that mirrors the African continent, it’s uncanny! For the thrill seeker, guests are able to para-glide over the forests and lagoons of the Wilderness or Sedgefield.

• Our overnight accommodation is based in the seaside town of Sedgefield at the much loved Afrovibe Beach Lodge in rooms containing double beds just 80 metres from the Beach. Dinner is your choice of one of the local family owned restaurants, Knysna is not far from here which is also a possibility for dinner.

DAY 2 - SEDGEFIELD - STORMS RIVER MOUTH REST CAMP (TSITSIKAMMA)

• A visit to the Wild Oats Community Market in Sedgefield. This authentic produce market is brimming with the choicest locally-produced foods, both the take-home and breakfast variety. Including free-range meats, chicken, lamb, dairy and cheese, the market also specializes in fresh-from-the-field veg, freshly baked and bottled goods, as well as a wide variety of fresh-off-the-coals breakfasts.

• A 2 hour drive further down the coastline and we’ll arrive at the Stroms River Mouth Rest Campin the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. We’ll link up with the team at Untouched Adventures for one of the most enjoyed activities in the area, the 2-3 hour Storms River Kayak & Lilo adventure. Explore deep into the Storms River Gorge and enjoy the long, deep, quiet pools with deep caves and ancient indigenous forests that the Garden Route is famous for. (While the kayaking adventure is not a particularly strenuous task physically guests still do tend to tire later in the day).

• Our overnight accommodation will in SanParks Forest Cabins set less than 100 metres from the beach. Dinner will be a traditional South African braai prepared on an honest open flame grill, as it should be. Vegetarian options available if needed.

DAY 3: STORMS RIVER MOUTH REST CAMP - ADDO NATIONAL ELEPHANT PARK

• We’ll get an early start and have breakfast on the road before starting the 2 hour journey to we’ll head to the Addo National Elephant Park. The park boasts an elephant population of over 650 elephants and well as 4 members of the big 5. The chances of seeing elephants bathing at watering holes is always good as midday temperatures reach above 30 degrees celsius during this time of the year. We’ll spend 2-3 hours in the park which will include light snacks and drinks to enjoy at one of the epic lookout points in the park.

• Once exiting the park we’ll head to the pinnacle of the tour in terms of accommodation. The memorable Camp Figtree Lodge is set above all other peaks in the region. A travelers dream and a place to savor. You’ll be welcomed by the team and spend the afternoon lazing around in your luxury tent or around the pool. An amazing 3 course dinner is served on site for an additional $25 per person.

DAY 4: CAMP FIGTREE - HOGSBACK

• Breakfast on day 4 is served on the veranda with a spectacular view before we make our way through the heart of the Eastern Cape inland region on a 3.5 hour trip to the mystical town of Hogsback.  A magical world of mountains and forests. It is situated high up on the Amathole mountains of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and is surrounded by centuries-old indigenous Afro-montane forests.

• We’ll find a charming spot in town for lunch before heading to the Eco-Shrine by Diana Graham. This is an outdoor art exhibition set in the most breathtaking of settings. As Diana writes herself “My home is set on the verge of the indigenous forest in a dramatically beautiful landscape. It was exactly the right place to build an outdoor art installation, where ecology, art and a sense of the sanctity of Earth could all come together.” Diana will take us on a tour of each piece.

• Our overnight accommodation will be one of the large of array of cottages or cabin options they have in the town. Away with the Fairies and Laragh-on-Hogsback are possible options here. Dinner will be discussed closer to the time as restaurants in the area are seasonal.

DAYS 5-8/9: VARIABLE (TRANSKEI + DRAKENSBURG)

• I have left some wiggle room here until I get your email this evening. The thing that makes this part of the trip tricky to plan set in stone is the travel time. We have a 5 hour drive from Hogsback to Coffee Bay which leaves us the afternoon to do a walk to the hole in the wall and a beach sundowner. The next day we could make our way to the Mapuzi Cliffs and Caves which is a 5 hrs experience from 10am - 3pm. The rest of this day could be leisure time or we find another epic spot for sundowners. All of these activities can be done by using the Coffee Shack backpackers as a base (the day tours can be seen on their website)

• One thing we have to keep reminding ourselves of is of course COVID-19. Opting for private rooms in backpackers is highly suggested. As much I as would like to explore the local community projects and homestead dinners, we are in a rural part of KZN. A province with a high infection rate. Please let me know your thoughts and absolute wants for this area. The cows on the beach will be likely on both trail walks mentioned above.

• The trip up to the part of the Drakensburg that we want to be in is over 8 hours away. This is where extending the trip by one day might be advisable. I don’t mind driving an 8 hour stretch but it’s about what you want :) See the route here. If we do decide to break it up we could overnight in the Underberg region. Our 2 nights in the Central/Northern berg will be at the Tugela River Lodge. Good friends of mine in the area are family of the owners. It’s a beautiful property and central to loads of activities in the area. The other option we have instead of 2 nights there (which I also like) is the possibility of an overnight hike. I found this supplier which looks suitable for something overnight: Drakensburg Hiker.

• Let me know your thoughts around this part of the trip. We can also plan it closer to the time.

Day 9/10 - DRAKENSBURG - ECO KAROO LODGE

• After our time in the Northern Drakensberg we start our journey back down south again. The first part of this lengthy stint will see us go through the awesome Highlands Gate National Park. Possibly the most scenic of them all and a perfect goodbye to this region. We’ll brunch in the quirky little town or Clarens which is filled with most interesting restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and more.

• After Clarens we enter into the Free State province, they say you can watch your do runaway for 3 days here and I believe them. This part of the trip will only transitional and more about getting to our next destination.

• Our overnight destination will be at the esteemed Eco-Karoo Lodge in Luckoff. The Viljoen brothers brothers embraced what this unique landscape has to offer. They’ve diversified from mainly Dohne merino farming, to include cattle, cotton, potatoes, wheat, game and hunting. Embracing the Karoo, where the skies, the stars, the mountains and the plains all meet, the Eco Karoo Lodge was a natural extension to this farm with its 4200 hectares of unmatched beauty and tranquility. Dinner will again be a traditional South African braai under a start lit sky.

Day 10/11 - ECO KAROO LODGE - ROAM PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

• We leave early to continue our mission back down on a 6 hour drive south to the haven that is the Roam Private Game Reserve. The focus at Roam is on eco-tourism and providing visitors with the opportunity to experience a conscious safari in the remote wilderness of the Karoo. The team at Roam have many conservation initiatives that focus on rewilding the Great Karoo. Knowledgeable guides will take you on a once in a lifetime adventure tracking wild cheetah on foot through this vast and picturesque landscape. Accommodation here is full board and includes all meals and game drives. The cost is 1950 ZAR per person per night which is a steal for this level of luxury.

• This video about Roam says it all and I actually suggest a 2 night stay here and we can make our way straight back to Cape Town the next day depending on your decision)

Day 12/13 - THE CANGO REGION

• If you have chosen to only stay the one night a Roam Karoo we then move onto the Cango Region after our morning game drive.

• A visit South Africa’s oldest and most incredible attraction. The Cango Caves are one of the 7 wonders of Southern Africa. A expert led tour into the 7 extraordinary chambers of the caves awaits.

• Our lunch stop is at a quaint and private family owned wine farm, this has been a huge highlight for Revelers of the past! An old barn has been converted into a beautiful restaurant, some of the best views of the trip are served up here. You’ll also be able to try their wine and wagyu tasting! (This is often the evening dinner experience should time dictate)

• Overnight in cottages/hotel rooms/glamping or farmhouse accommodation in the Langeberg mountains before we take the 5 hour drive back to Cape Town along the famed Route 62.

Includes:

• 11/12 X Nights of accommodation in an array of different levels and styles

• Breakfast on 7 mornings

• Dinners on 3 evenings (braai dinners, optional fish braai where available & a traditional lamb potjie pot dinner)

• Transportation in a luxury SUV

• Evening transportation to restaurants where necessary

• Private guide for duration of the trip

• On-board water for all days including water needed for hikes

• Entrance Fee to Tsitisikamma National Park

• Entrance Fee to Royal Natal National Park

• Entrance Fee to Addo National Elephant Park

• Kayaking & Lilo Adventure at Storms River Rest Camp

• 2 X Safari Experiences (Addo National Elephant Park + Roam Karoo Private Game Reserve)

• Snacks and Drinks on Safari (Addo National Elephant Park)

Excluded:

• All meals not mentioned above

• Optional experiences listed below

Optional Experiences:

• Paragliding over the Wilderness Lagoon (1100 ZAR) *weather permitting

• Bungee Jump at Bloukrans (1400 ZAR) *150 KG maximum weight (World’s Highest Bridge Bungee)

• Bungee Bridge Walk (250 ZAR)

• ATV Forest Trail Adventure (500 ZAR)

• Hikes where step on guides are needed in Transkei (200 ZAR - 500 ZAR)

• Drumming experience in Transkei (100 ZAR)

• Kayaking or or boat trips in Transkei (200 - 400 ZAR)

• Overnight experience on hike in Drakensburg (TBD)

• Wagyu & Wine Pairing (200 ZAR)

• Anything we find along the way really ;)

Tour Companions:

We employ the concept of tour companions rather than tour guides. This really will be like traveling with a new best friend. We run the tour at your pace and according to your preference. Your hosts will be Blaine Smith or Ryan Louw (Co-Founders), local South African tourist guides. Blaine has lived in 5 of South Africa’s 9 different provinces and currently ventures all over the country on various expeditions. Ryan chose to make the Western Cape his home after a stint up north, you won’t find a bigger patriot for his country and a better Western Cape expert anywhere else! Both are extremely well traveled, with a wealth of knowledge and an unrivaled passion for local travel, you’ll be in the best of South African hands.

Pricing:

The tour can be adjusted to suit your needs and budget. Please take time to review the first option presented above and let us know your thoughts and if you have any questions..