Trip at google maps
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Group size
Terms & Conditions
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| Booking code: WHWK 1 & 2 | |||
| 13.10.12 - 27.10.12 | USD 2950 |  |
book |
| 17.11.12 - 01.12.12 | USD 2990 | |
book |
Discount
5% discount on bookings made 6 months prior to departure| Extra services | |
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| 2012 Single room surcharge | USD 580 |
Gallery
South Africa
Hiking through the western Cape - between Table Mountain and the Indian Ocean
Enjoy the `highlights`of the Western Cape. During 1-6 hour hikes on the most beautiful trails and in the evening the comfort of a cozy guest house... – Individual and group travel
Nature tour through the diverse western Cape with short distances. The journey takes us on medium level hiking trails on Table Mountain, to the Cape of Good Hope, the Cedarberg Mountains, to the wine region around Stellenbosch, the Langeberg Mountains and the most southern point of Africa. The flora and fauna are just as diverse as the regions are. You will experience beach and renosterveld vegetation, coastal and mountain fynbos, many water and sun birds, as well as varying types of antelope.
Itinerary:
Driving and walking time in hrs; Hg = Height gain in feet
h4 Day 1 Arrival and first hike around the Lion‘s Head
Welcome from the tour guide at Cape Town Airport. After checking into and refreshing yourselves at the guesthouse we walk around the town. In the afternoon we go on our first hike around Lion‘s Head with beautiful views out over the town, Table Mountain and the Atlantic. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time: 1.5 hrs; Hg: +300 ft)
Day 2 Hike on Table Mountain
After breakfast we are transferred to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We look at the erica, protea, a variety of reeds, the medicinal garden and the desert house. We finally hike through the garden directly to the shady Skeleton Gorge on the 3200 ft high Table Mountain Escarpment. Over 6000 different plants can be found in the Table Mountain National Park, where everything from drosea to the national tree, the king protea, can be seen. A hike along the Table Mountain Ridge gives us wonderful views over the town. The descent is on the side of the Atlantic Coast. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time: 6-7 hrs; Hg +3000 ft) (B, L)
Day 3 Hike on the Cape of Good Hope
We will drive to the Indian Ocean to Simons Town to the Boulder Penguin colony. Our hike begins near the Table Mountain National Park on an almost even path along the breathtaking Atlantic coastline. With luck, we shouldn‘t only see dolphins and whales, but also baboons, ostrich and bontebok. Picnic on the beach. From the Cape of Good Hope we climb to Cape Point. On the return journey to Cape Town along Chapman‘s Peak Drive we enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of the South African coastline. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +900 ft) (B, L)
Day 4 Hike in West Coast National Park
Today we go to West Coast National Park, which is know for it‘s wonderful blossom between August and October. On the Strandveld hiking route we get to know the flora. There are lots of tortoise and antelope and the shy serval cat. We stop at the quiet 16 Mile Beach. A short transfer brings us to the guesthouse in Langebaan with a view over the lagoon. The seafood is very good. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 5 hrs; Hg +300 ft) (B, L)
Day 5 Visit the Rocherpan and Bird Island
Away from the tourists we pass Rocherpan, which is loved by migrating birds. On Bird Island in Lambert‘s Bay we are in an excellent place to do some bird watching of the biggest colony of Cape gannet as well as Cape fur seals. We continue to Clanwilliam, the centre of Rooibos Tea Plantations. (Driving time: 3 hrs) (B, L, D)
Day 6 Hike to the Maltese Cross
Visit a rooibos tea plantation. In the afternoon we are able to go to the heart of the Cedarberg Mountains. This Mountain Range is a wildness region and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A hike brings us to the 24m high Maltese Cross, a fascinating, free standing rock formation. Our accommodation is in simple chalets on a farm. The hearty farm kitchen and the local wine is outstanding. (Driving time: 1 hr; Walking time: 4 hrs; Hg +1200 ft) (B, L, D)
Day 7 Hike to rock paintings
Form our chalets we hike along a crystal clear river to a fascinating sandstone formation. Under a ledge you can marvel at the rock paintings of the Khoi San, the indigenous peoples of South Africa. Finally, we drive to Ceres, an important centre for fruit farming. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +900 ft) (B, L, D)
Day 8 Hike on the Paarlberg Mountains and wine tasting
We drive over the beautiful Bainskloof Pass to the wine region around Paarl. A round trip takes us on the ,pearls‘, two massive granite rocks with dreamlike views over the wine region. On a wine estate we can taste the good Cape wines. We will stay in a guesthouse in Stellenbosch. (Driving time: 1 hr; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +900 ft) (B)
Day 9 Hike in the Wemmershoek Mountains
After visiting the Hugenot Memorial we head up to the 1800 ft high Franschhoek Pass. A beautiful hike, with moderate climbs and dreamlike views of the Cape Mountains beings us to the 3000 ft high anticline near the Paarde Berg. After our return we drive through Robertson to the beautiful mountain town of Montagu. Our accommodation for the next two nights is in a quiet, victorian guesthouse. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +1200 ft) (B, L)
Day 10 Hike on the Bloupunt
We hike through the imposing Kogmanns Gorge with it‘s unique Cape vegetation up to the almost 2850 ft high Bloupunt Peak (6 hrs). In the constantly damp valley there are different types of orchid and lilies, for example the calla lily. How does a relaxing bath in the hot springs of Montagu sound? (Driving time: 0 hrs; Wlking time: 6 hrs; Hg +2250 ft) (B, L)
Day 11 Hiking in the indigenous forests of the Boosmansbos Wildness Region
We drive through the Tradouw Gorge Nature Reserve on the green side of the Langeberg Mountains. On today’s hike, in Boosmansbos Wildness Region, there is the largest indigenous forest in the western Cape, with beautiful local ironwood and yellowwood trees (3 hrs). We will stay in the third oldest town in South Africa, Swellendam, in a quiet guesthouse. (Driving time: 2.5 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +1200 ft) (B, L, D)
Day 12 Lagoon hike in the De Hoop Nature Reserve
After a visit to the interesting Drosty Museums a ferry in Malgas, the last ferry to be pulled by hand in the country, takes us over the Bree River to De Hoop Nature Reserve. This is the most important nature reserve for the renosterveld, a special subspecies of the Cape fynbos, which is threatened by growing settlements. A hike takes us along the lagoon with over 200 bird species. We will stay two nights in a thatched lodge in the reserve. (Driving time: 1.5 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +300 ft) (B, L, D)
Day 13 Beach walk on the Indian Ocean
In De Hoop there are mountain zebra, duiker, mountain goats, black-backed jackal and eland. We hike on a secluded beach through dreamlike dune vegetation and between July and November we can watch the up to 18m bowhead and right whales (Balaenidae). (Driving time: 0 hrs; Walking time: 5 hrs; Hg +600 ft) (B, L, D)
Day 14 Whale watching in Hermanus
We will drive to the most southern point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where we will see the historical lighthouse. The Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet here. We continue to the coastal town of Hermanus where we hike along a coastal road on the Walker Bay in search of whales (2 hrs). A unique coastal coastal road takes us over Kleinmond to Gordon‘s Bay. Out comfortable accommodation has an impressive view out over False Bay and the Cape Peninsula. (Driving time: 3 hrs; Walking time: 2 hrs; Hg +300 ft) (B)
Day 15 Return journey
The transfer to Cape Town Airport ends the varying nature tour. (B)
Services
Included in price:
- English speaking tour guide
- 14 nights in guesthouses, lodges with private bathroom
- 14 x breakfast, 11 x picnic lunch, 6 x dinner
- All travel and transfer in air conditioned minibus
- All entrance fees for sightseeing program
- South African travel guide
Not included:
- Flights to and from South Africa
- Tips
- Meals not mentioned above
Hints
Travel Information
A medium level of fitness when on normal walking paths is enough for the hiking routes. At the given travel times the climate of the hiking regions is comfortably dry and temperatures can reach 82°F.
This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants.
