Klein Karoo

Day 1: Port Elizabeth

The Klein Karoo Group Tour beings in Port Elizabeth. On arrival in Port Elizabeth do a short city tour; see the Campanile, Kings Beach, Horse Memorial, and Donkin Street. Travel to Addo Elephant Park situated deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area after intensive hunting – today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 350 elephants, 280 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Experience an open-vehicle guided game drive through the park.

Depart on Shebeen and Township Tour, your opportunity to relax and meet the locals, play a game of pool or dance to African rhythms. Overnight.

Overnight: Summerstrand Inn, Port Elizabeth (DBB)

Day 2: Port Elizabeth to Kariega Game Reserve

Depart to Kariega Game Reserve, this malaria free “Big 5” private Game Reserve is set in 5000 hectares of pristine African wilderness bordered by the picturesque Kariega and Bushman’s Rivers. Kariega incorporates contrasting riverine, bushveld and grassland eco-systems and prides itself in the abundance of general game and birdlife supplementing the “Big-5”. The reserve hosts more than 25 game and 250 bird species, including Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, Wildebeest, a wide variety of Antelope and several resident raptors. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in an open vehicle with an experienced ranger keen to share knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Afterwards sample the specialty, the venison of the beautifully situated restaurant in Kariega Game Reserve (included).

Overnight: Kariega Lodge, Kariega Game Reserve (FB)

Day 3: Kariega Game Reserve

Take a leisurely trip to Kenton-on-Sea between the Bushman's and Kariega Rivers to enjoy a relaxing morning on the golden beaches before returning to Kariega. (Weather permitting) An alternative is the unique experience of a game walk on foot in Kariega Game Reserve that you can do at your own leisurely pace. Or enjoy a canoe trip down the Kariega River to increase the opportunity to view the variety of bird species.

Enjoy a light lunch at the restaurant in the Reserve. In the afternoon a sunset river cruise along the thickly forested river bank will provide a perfect opportunity to view a wide range of kingfishers and other birdlife or listen for the cry of the Fish Eagles that nest along the river. Enjoy your dinner around the campfire under the stars. (included)

Overnight: Kariega Lodge, Kariega Game Reserve (FB)

Day 4: Kariega Game Reserve to Graaff Reinet

Depart early from Kariega Game Reserve to Graaff Reinet. Travel via the historic town of Grahamstown renowned for its museums, many schools, the Rhodes University and more than 50 churches. Visit the unique and intriguing Observatory Museum. The eccentric design of the Museum is a reflection of the man who built it, HC Galpin. A watchmaker by trade, Galpin dabbled in astronomy, constructing a cupola above his shop to house his telescope and his camera obscura.

Continue to Graaff Reinet known as the gem of the Great Karoo. It is the fourth oldest town in South Africa and it has retained much of its 19th century charm and rural atmosphere. Lining the streets of this historic town are over 240 National Monuments – rows of Victorian dwellings, typical Karoo houses and Cape Dutch buildings.

During the afternoon visit the Valley of Desolation. A specialist guide will accompany you on your visit to the Valley of Desolation, situated in the mountains 700 metres above town in the Karoo National Park surrounding Graaff Reinet. Enjoy awesome views of the spectacular rock formations and the arid Karoo plains. Experience the freedom and majesty of the black eagles soaring overhead.

Discover the diversity of fauna and flora. There are over 220 recorded species of birdlife, 336 plants and 43 mammals. Catch a glimpse of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, plenty of Kudu, Buffalo, the majestic Black Eagle and the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world.

On your return you have the opportunity to see game on the Karoo plains. During the evening your host and hostess, Buks and Louise Marais will introduce you to the "Wit Hond" and you will experience true Karoo hospitality.

Overnight: Karoopark Guest House, Graaff Reinet (BB)

Day 5: Graaff Reinet to Aberdeen to Willowmore to Oudtshoorn

Beatiful Gardens Enjoy breakfast and check out. Venture into the heart of the Great Karoo via Aberdeen, Willowmore and De Rust to Oudtdshoorn. It is a country flooded by sun; lonely, sparse, wind-swept, treeless on the flats for many miles. This is merino sheep and angora goat country where some of the finest stud farms are found. Pass through the small Karoo town of Willowmore that is central to this wool and mohair region.

Continue to Oudtshoorn, feather capital of the world. A pretty town and capital of the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo). It lies in an area separated from the sea by the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains, and from the vast expanse of the Great Karoo by the Swartberg Mountains to the north. Ostriches are still the area’s chief industry and tourist attraction, but this is also an area of immense natural beauty.

Continue to De Opstal Country Lodge in the picturesque Schoemanshoek Valley. The Lodge consists of a group of typical Little Karoo farm buildings, the entire complex has an old world ambience. Enjoy dinner at the lodge (included)

Overnight: De Opstal Country Lodge, Oudtshoorn (DBB)

Day 6: Oudtshoorn

Visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, one of South Africa's greatest natural attractions. Cango's exquisite tour of dripstone, curtain-like formations hanging from cavern roofs, calcite flowers, stalactites and stalagmites takes visitors 800 metres into the mountainside.

Visit the Cango Ostrich Farm in the morning for a complete and comprehensive guided tour and become familiar with ostrich farming and the life cycle of the ostrich. Visitors are introduced to the Ostrich industry - from eggs, the chicks to the mature birds and allow visitors to sit on and ride the Ostriches. Those who are not so daring can hug and feed the birds.

Visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch for an exciting tour of their crocodiles, snake park and cheetah land. Here you can experience the thrill of stroking a cheetah (own account - funds go to cheetah breeding program). From a raised walkway, the Catwalk, you will see lion, puma, jaguar and white Bengal tigers in action. You'll discover their habits and find out fascinating facts about these noble creatures. Imagine more than 400 crocodiles and alligators lounging leisurely in all their prehistoric ugliness. Other animals include Randy, Ricki and Ronnie the raccoons, Herbert and Hilda the Pygmy Hippos, a pack of wild dogs, many flamboyant flamingoes, pretty proud peacocks and many more.

Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: De Opstal Country Lodge, Oudtshoorn (DBB)

Day 7: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

Enjoy breakfast and check out. Travel from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town on the "Route 62", one of the most beautiful travel routes in South Africa. The country road meanders through the fertile valleys of the Klein Karoo, past rugged rock formations. Time and again the road leads over steep passes, which open up to spectacular views of wide land.

Travel via Calitzdorp to Robertson where you pay to the House of Klipdrift for a brandy tasting and lunch (own account). Continue past Worcester to Cape Town.

Take the Cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). View what Sir Francis Drake described as “the fairest cape in all the circumference of the earth”. Check into your hotel.

Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront, Cape Town (BB)

Day 8: Departure

The last day of the Klein Karoo Group Tour is spent at leisure before you depart. Suggested optional excursions are:

Half Day City Tour.
Cape Town Safari.
Half Day Township Cultural Experience.
Half Day Shopping tour to Ostrich Leather, Gemstone, Diamonds, Gold and Art factories.
Harbour Champagne cruise (1 hour).
Two Oceans Aquarium where you see marine life of the southern oceans.
Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Helicopter flight across the peninsula.

Or simply spend the time relaxing and doing some shopping at the V&A Waterfront. Late afternoon transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your outbound flight.

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