7 Day Cape Explorer by Orange Africa Adventures

Tour Itinerary

7 Day Cape Explorer

A 7 day/6 night guided tour exploring the southern Cape coast, Garden Route, Klein Karoo and a truly unforgettable BIG5 experience in Addo Elephant Park & Schotia Game Reserve.

Included

* Accommodation (dorm - upgrades available)

* Breakfasts & Dinners

* Experienced Guide

* Air-conditioned Transportation

* Wine-tasting on Route 62

* Cango Caves guided tour (standard or adventure)

* Safari Ostrich Farm guided tour

* 3hr game drive in Addo Elephant Park

* 4hr sunset game drive in Schotia Game Reserve

* Tenikwa Wildcat Sanctuary

* Tsitsikamma Park (entrance fees)

* Storms River Boat trip (Tsitsikamma Park)

* Arniston Cave

* Stony Pojnt Penguin colony

Itinerary : 7 Day Addo Explorer

DAY 1 :

Cape Agulhas via The Whale Route and Hermanus

Included:

- Dinner

- Visit to lighthouse and southernmost point of Africa

Optional:

Guided Sea/Lagoon Kayaking in Hermanus @ R350pp-10%

Overnight:

Cape Agulhas Backpackers, Struisbaai

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the mother city behind, we head east passing the majestic Hottentots-Holland mountain range before turning off at Gordons Bay toward the coast and the scenic Whale Route (Clarens Drive).

With False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to our right, we head on toward the coastal town of Hermanus, rated as one of the best land-based whale watching sites in the world. Hermanus offers a colourful and entertaining stop for lunch - grab a bite in one of the viby-restaurants overlooking the ocean or wander down to the Old Harbour and museum. If its action you're after, the guided *Sea-Kayaking (accredited with qualified guides) along the Hermanus seafront is a must, getting close to whales and dolphin in season.

Our afternoon sees us head to the southernmost point of Africa and meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Cape Agulhas. Although renowned for its turbulent weather, evident in the shipwrecks hidden under the dark waters, Agulhas also plays home to an abundance of migrating whales and dolphin in season. After a visit to the point, we head on to the 2nd oldest lighthouse in South Africa for a magnificent view of the surrounding coastline and marine reserve (*SANPARKS) and the chance to send a postcard from the southernmost point of Africa!

At home tonight at Cape Agulhas Backpackers, with their great beds, delicious food and awesome vibe.

*Sea-Kayaking : Walker Bay Adventures

* SANPARKS : South African National Parks. Includes Addo and Kruger National Parks

DAY 2 :

Overberg, Garden Route and Wilderness

Included:

Breakfast & Dinner

Optional:

- Ski-boat Cruise in Agulhas @ R180pp

- Tandem Paragliding @ R450pp-10%

Overnight:

The Beach House, Wilderness

Start the day with a leisurely walk along the 'longest beach' in the southern hemisphere or hop on an awesome adrenalin charged *ski-boat ride, skirting this pristine yet rugged coastline.

Leaving Cape Agulhas we travel north past ever changing landscapes before heading through the picturesque town of Swellendam (est. 1745), dwarfed by the Langeberg mountain range. After a lunch stop we make our way to the start of the Garden Route and the seaside village of Wilderness, with its golden beaches and indigenous Milkwood forests.Spend your afternoon lazing on the sands or hover with the birds and *paraglide with trained instructors. Wilderness also offers a natural reserve (SANPARKS) teaming with birdlife and untouched beauty - paddle along the waterways or take one of the easy walks through the indigenous forests.

With the sea a mere stone's throw away, we relax in the comfort of The Beach House tonight and their awesome home-made, wood-fired pizza!

*Ski-boat ride : Way Down South Adventures, Struisbaai

*Paraglide: SA Paragliding Adventures, Wilderness

DAY 3 :

Bungy and Sundays River Valley

Included:

Breakfast & Dinner

Optional:

- Worlds Highest Bungy @ R620pp-10%

- Flying Fox @ R170pp-10%

Overnight:

Avoca River Cabins, Sundays River Valley

Breakfast at the Farmers Market this morning - choose form a delectable choice of breakfast goodies on offer before another exciting day unwinds…

We continue along the Garden Route with its magnificent waterways, mountain ranges and Mediterranean-type climate with a stop overlooking the picturesque Knysna lagoon. Perched on a magnificent vantage point, the Knysna Heads, one has an uninterrupted view of the Indian Ocean and arguably one of South Africa's prettiest towns below.

We cross into the Eastern Cape over Africa's highest bridge, Bloukrans, home to the world's highest Bungy Jump and start of the Tsitsikamma forests. Weather you take the leap or zip across the arch on the Flying Fox, the crew of *Face Adrenalin will professionally ensure an unforgettable experience for all!

Our afternoon sees us continue through the ever changing landscape of the Eastern Cape, littered with Aloe plants and our arrival in the Sundays River Valley, neighbouring Addo Elephant National Park. Our home for the next 2 nights, Avoca River Cabins lies nestled on the banks of the Sundays River and surrounded by citrus orchids and wild Africa, makes the perfect base for our BIG 5 adventure.

Sprawled next to a blazing campfire toasting marshmallows, one truly begins to appreciate the beauty of Africa!

*Face Adrenalin : Worlds highest bungy jump @ 216mtrs

DAY 4 :

Addo Elephant National Park and the Sundays River

Included:

- Breakfast & Dinner

- 4hr morning game drive in Addo

- 2hr night game drive in Addo

- Park Fees

Overnight:

Avoca River Cabins, Sundays River Valley

Sunrise and another day dawns… In search this morning for the BIG 5 in one of South Africa's largest National Parks and home to the BIG 7! Addo Elephant National Park (proclamation in 1931) stretches over 5 of the worlds 7 biomes and includes a marine section. Malaria-free, the park offers an abundance of wildlife that includes over 450 elephants, lion, black rhino, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, a variety of antelope and so much more…truly wild Africa!

After lunch we head back to Avoca and spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun or exploring the Sundays River on foot or kayak, with its abundance of birdlife.

Early evening sees us head back to Addo Elephant Park for a * 2hr guided game drive under the darkness of night and a great chance to spot some of the illusive nocturnal animals.

Back home at Avoca River Cabins tonight.

DAY 5 :

Jeffreys Bay and the indigenous forests of Tsitsikamma

Included:

- Breakfast & Dinner

- Walking Trails in Storms River

Optional:

Tsitsikamma Zipline Adventure @ R300pp-10%

Overnight:

Tube n Axe Backpackers, Storms River Village

Leaving Avoca and Addo behind, we head for the world renowned surfer's paradise, Jeffreys Bay. Home to some of the world's best waves and golden beaches, Jeffreys Bay offers trendy restaurants for lunch and a multitude of factory shops offering branded surf-wear at discounted prices. Plenty of time to shop, eat and catch some sun!

The afternoon sees us enter Tsitsikamma, meaning place of much water, with its indigenous closed canopy forests and SANPARK reserve stretching 5kms to the Indian Ocean. For some outdoor fun zip across cascading waterfalls at Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures or take one of the easy walking trails through these protected forests, teaming with birdlife - look out for the gruff call of the beautiful Knysna Lourie bird.

With the forest as a backdrop, we settle in at Tube n Axe Backpackers with its awesome setting, traditional 'potjiekos' and great entertainment!

* Potjiekos : Traditional South African stew

DAY 6 :

Elephant Sanctuary, Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn

Included:

- Breakfast & Dinner

- Cango Caves guided tour (standard or adventure)

Optional:

The Crags Elephant Sanctuary

- Walk and Feed @ R170pp-10%

- Walk, Feed & Ride @ R400pp-10%

Overnight:

Backpackers Paradise, Oudtshoorn

A short drive to our first stop this morning at the Crags Elephant Sanctuary, home to rescued and rehabilitated African elephant. The Crags Elephant Sanctuary offers a truly unique experience to interact with these majestic giants up close and the surrounding forests offer a fantastic setting for an unforgettable bareback elephant ride.

Meeting point of 4 mountain passes, Outeniqua Pass offers a magnificent view of the road travelled and a last glimpse of the Indian Ocean before crossing in to the Klein Karoo. Translated as place of thirst, the Klein Karoo with its arid landscape offers another glimpse of our diverse country with its history, culture and the ostrich!

The afternoon sees a visit to a World Heritage Site, the Cango Caves, with its wonderland of carved limestone formations and massive caverns.

One has the *option of the more relaxed standard tour taking one through the vast caverns or for the more daring, the adventure tour offers the unique chance to explore the maze of tunnels that lay deep beneath!

Aptly named, Backpackers Paradise offers just that…super wide dorm beds, a great ostrich BBQ and the best chocolate brownies!

* Cango Caves : Option of either tour included in tour price

DAY 7 :

Ostrich Capital, Klein Karoo and Route 62

Included:

Breakfast

Optional:

Cango Wildlife Ranch @ R65pp (discounted)

- Cheetah Petting @ R145pp

- Croc cage diving @ R200pp

or

Safari Ostrich Farm @ R28pp (discounted)

Arrival:

Cape Town @ 18h00

With the Swartberg mountain range looming in the distance, we head off to another exciting activity in the area.

Cango Wildlife Ranch is the oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide and offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with hand reared cheetahs and other endangered cats and animals. Pet cheetah or try the world's first croc-cage diving.

or

Visit the Safari Ostrich show farm, an operational farm where one can see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields. From the breeding camp to the Ostrich Derby, a highly entertaining and educational tour with the chance to ride!

We head back to Cape Town via the Klein Karoo and Route 62, its diversity of vegetation and scenery making it a destination in itself. Stopping for lunch at Warmwaterberg Natural Hot Springs, grab your costume and hop in to these mineral waters for a rejuvenating swim.

Once through the Huguenot Tunnel, one gets a first glimpse of Table Mountain in the distance…

Look forward to having you on tour with us!