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South African Coastal Explorer (6 Days)
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Price: Tour Code SCCS Operates Duration Routing Includes Excludes Notes Accommodation |
Day 1 :
Depart from Cape Town and drive to Swellendam and Mossel Bay. Here we visit the oldest post office in Africa, the Post Office Tree, and the site of the first landfall made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias in 1488. Then we travel further over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo to visit an Ostrich Show Farm for some unique experiences, including ostrich racing. A ride on a back of an ostrich is not for the fainthearted. Oudtshoorn is also called the 'Feather Capital' of the world, as more than 90 percent of the world's ostrich farms are found here.
Overnight: La Plume Guesthouse (or similar), Oudtshoorn. (D)
Day 2 :
We visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa's foremost natural wonders. The fascinating calcite caves comprise an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. We travel over the Outeniqua Mountains to George and Wilderness for a visit to the Wilderness National Park lakes area. We skirt around the lakes to Knysna on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon, with its entrance to the sea guarded by two promontories known as 'The Heads'. The area also falls within a national park proclaimed to conserve the extraordinary natural beauty of the lakelands and adjacent indigenous forests. Knysna also offers shopping opportunities of unusual, locally made, arts and crafts etc.
Overnight: Fish Eagle Lodge (or similar), Knysna. (B,D)
Day 3 :
We explore the village and travel further via Plettenberg Bay for a short visit and then traverse magnificently scenic river valley passes. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park (Khoisan for 'the place of much water') stretching more than one hundred kilometres along a wild and rocky coastline characterised by massive cliffs, narrow isolated 9 beaches and shady indigenous forests along the river valleys. Our next stop is Storms River with the impressive Paul Sauer bridge across the valley, towering some 139 metres above the river . The final part of our journey takes us past a few coastal holiday villages to Port Elizabeth, also called the 'Friendly City' for a short city tour.
Overnight: Fifth Avenue Beach House (or similar), Port Elizabeth. (B,D)
Day 4 :
Our first stop is at Addo Elephant Park where we have an excellent chance to encounter these giants of the bush as well as other animals. Continue to Grahamstown, the small cathedral city which is considered the art capital of South Africa and is steeped in history. This afternoon we reach Port Alfred, a charming holiday village situated on the Kowie river mouth, for a short visit. We travel further to East London, the only river port in South Africa, and the place where a prehistoric coelacanth was caught in 1938.
Overnight: Crawford Lodge (or similar), Chintsa, East London. (B,D)
Day 5 :
Today’s journey is further along the coast and we enjoy the lush vegetation and rugged coastline. Turn inland and enter the former “homeland” of Transkei. We traverse over hilly grasslands dotted with Xhosa homesteads and through valleys and clear streams to Umtata, capital of the former homeland where we visit the Mandela Museum. From here we travel to Port St. Johns.
Overnight: Cremorne Estate (or similar), Port St. Johns. (B,D)
Day 6 :
The last day of our tour takes us through lush subtropical vegetation and numerous holiday villages dotted along the seaboard. Visit the Oribi Gorge for some spectacular scenic views. We reach Durban, the subtropical holiday Mecca of South Africa, in the late afternoon. (B)
South Africa Travel Guide
Do visitors need a visa to travel to South Africa?
Visitors from most Western European countries, Japan, and USA don't require visas. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa before you arrive.
Can you book a rental car in South Africa or should you arrange car hire in your own country before departure?
If essential, book car rental prior to coming to South Africa, as car rental companies might be fully booked when you get here. However, there are a number of well-known car rental companies to choose from at international airports and in locations across the country, so on the spot bookings should generally not be a problem.
Does one need an international driver's license for South Africa?
Foreign driving licenses are valid in South Africa for up to 6 months, but must be printed in English. However if you don't have such a license, you'll need to get an International Driving Permit.
How about laundry service?
Most establishments have in-house laundry services, most towns have self-operated launderettes where you can do your laundry at a very reasonable cost.
How much does one tip in South Africa?
10-15 % if the service fee is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies, tour guides, hairdressers and room service. By law hotel rates do not include a service charge.
Are there any smoking restrictions in South Africa?
Smoking has been banned in public areas in South Africa, but there usually are designated areas where you can smoke. The law also prohibits anyone under 18 from entering a designated smoking area and from buying cigarettes.
Do you need to take malaria precautions for South Africa?
Most parts of South Africa are malaria-free. Consult your doctor or travel clinic regarding appropriate malaria prophylaxis. You can further minimise the risk by wearing mosquito repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net.
Do you need vaccinations for South Africa?
Typhoid and injection against hepatitis A and B are both necessary.
Does one need a yellow fever innoculation before entering South Africa?
A yellow fever innoculation and certificate from travellers over a year of age coming from an infected area, is an official requirement.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is safe to drink, though one might consider bottled water in rural areas.
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