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Booking code: WKOT
02.11.12 - 15.11.12	USD 2750

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South Africa

Hiking tour: Cape Town, Wine lands and the Otter Trail

During 2-8 hour hikes explore the magic of the Western Cape by hiking on Table Mountain and the magnificant Otter trail. – Individual and group travel

On this varied tour, nature lovers can intensively get to know the Garden Route on single and multi-day hikes. We explore Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula before heading into the solitude of the Hottentot-Holland Mountains. In Montagu we enjoy the rugged sandstone formations, and then we continue on the most beautiful hiking route in South Africa, the Otter Trail. This tour takes us along the rocky, evergreen coast for 5 days where we stay in simple log cabins in Tsitsikamma National Park. At the end of the journey we do a safari in an open Land Rover in the second largest national park, Addo Elephant National Park, cannot be missed.

Tour schedule:

Driving and walking time in hrs; Hg = Height gain in feet

Day 1 Arrival in Cape Town and sightseeing tour

Your tour guide will welcome you at Cape Town Airport. Transfer to the guesthouse in a quiet location at the foot of Table Mountain. Depending on arrival time a sightseeing tour of the town follows: The castle, Parliament Gardens, Greenmarket Square, Bokaap. Finally some free time. Dinner is at Africa Cafe Speciality Restaurant. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs) (D)

Day 2 Hike on Devil‘s Peak

This hike is a secret and is of the tourist paths. We begin at the guesthouse and go through the district Vredehoek (Green Corner) in Table Mountain National Park. Many endemic plants can be found here. Pelargonium, outeniqua pincushion, bugle lily and many more. We have wonderful views as we hike along the 3000 ft high ridge of Devil‘s Peak. From here we can see the Table Mountain mesa. Descent on the Newlands Saddle back to the town. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time: 6 hrs; Hg +2850 ft) (B, L)

Day 3 Hike on the Cape of Good Hope

Drive to Simons Town on the Cape Peninsula. Visit a penguin colony. Afterwards we visit the Table Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which stretches from the waterfront of Cape Town all the way to the Cape of Good Hope. Hike to Thomas T. Tucker Ship Wreck on the wild Atlantic Coast, as well as through the varying coast of Fynbos to Sirkelsvlei (3 hrs). Picnic at the coast. Visit the Cape of Good Hope. Along the way we will hopefully see eland, bontebok, baboons and ostrich followed by a 1-hour hike to Cape Point above the rocky coastline. Return drive to Cape Town over the spectacular Chapman‘s Peak Drive. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 4 hrs; Hg +600 ft) (B, L)

Day 4 Hike in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

A short transfer to Stellenbosch. We start in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on the 3300 ft plateau of the Hottentot-Holland Mountains. Along the horse-shoe shaped route we hike through the wonderful fynbos, protea and erica. The view to the Cape of Good Hope, 60 miles away, is impressive. We stay in a guesthouse in the town. (Driving time: 1 hr; Walking time: 6-8 hrs; Hg +3900 ft) (B, L)

Day 5 Hike on the Bloupunt

After driven to Montagu, we hike through a shady gorge towards the 3630 ft high Bloupunt Peak. This is the home of baboons, mountain leopards, rock hyrax and puff adders. The view of Ashton, Robertson and Montagu, as well as the vineyard hills of the Breede Valley, are a reward after the climb. The rest of the day will be spent in the thermal springs of Montagu. We will stay overnight in a comfortable guesthouse in the town. (Driving time: 1.5 hrs; Walking time: 5 hrs; Hg +3000 ft) (B, L)

Day 6 Transfer and swimming

During a 4-hour transfer to the Indigenous Forest Nature‘ Valley, located in an indigenous forest, we stop to swim in Victoria Bay and the inviting Knysna Waterfront in the Knysna Waterfront Lagoon. We stay in a lodge in Nature‘s Valley. (Driving time: 4 hrs) (B, D)

Day 7 Tsitsikamma National Park and start of the Otter Trail

The morning is for you. Alongside the diverse hiking possibilities, the 3 mile sand beach is very inviting for a swim or a walk. After lunch we transfer to Tsitsikamma National Park. A short trip to the suspension bridge at the mouth of Storm‘s River. Afterwards we start the nicest multi-day hike in South Africa. For 5 days we will hike on secluded paths, sometimes on the waterfront, sometimes over the rocky coastline, towards Nature‘s Valley. At the varying overnight stops there are 2 simple block buildings, each with 3 bunk beds and a washable mattress. There is also a toilet and shower. Each location is carefully selected. There is always the opportunity to swim in the river mouth or the sea. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time: 2 hrs; Hg +600 ft) (B, L, D)

Day 8-10 Hiking on the Otter Trail

The route takes us through the indigenous, coastal forest and along sandy and rocky beaches. In the national park the baboons and bushbuck feel at home on land, the southern right or bowhead whales, seals and bottlenose dolphins in the sea, and in the air the seagulls and the endangered oystercatcher. As well as the coast, a 3 mile stretch of sea is protected from fishing, which has helped create a special variety of species here. On day 10, depending on the tide, we will walk or swim across the Bloukrans River. A unique adventure! (Walking time 4-6 hrs; Hg +600-1800 ft) (B, L, D)

Day 11 Back in Nature‘s Valley

A last climb from the coast brings us to a panoramic route back to Nature‘s Valley (3 hrs)
After 5 days away from people in nature you look forward to a cool drink and the sweat shed in the last few days calls for a drink. A short transfer to a beautiful guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay just 5 minutes from the never ending beach. We will stay two nights. (Driving time: 30 mins; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg +600 ft) (B, L)

Day 12 Rest day and swimming

The day is free for you. When you don‘t just want to lie on the beach there is plenty to do. The tour guide will help with the organisation:
• Visit the Monkey Primate Protection Area and/or the World of Birds – the impressive bird protection area with the worlds largest netted aviary. The feeding stations are a good place to watch the birds, especially the Knysna Loerie a native parrot species.
• Whale and dolphin tour in a boat or canoe in the bay. Good sightings in July to November.
• Hike on Robberg Island. Amazing views of the Tsitskamma Mountains. For those who want to hike to the peak can watch the Cape fur seals hunting. Visit the breeding colony of seagulls. The endangered oystercatcher is also here.

Day 13 Swim and transfer to Addo Elephant National Park

The morning is for you. In the afternoon we are transferred to the Sunday‘s Valley in Addo National Park. We stay in nice chalets on a farm. (Driving tie: 2.5 hrs) (B)

Day 14 Safari and return journey

A morning safari in an open jeep takes us through the second largest national park in the country. Alongside elephants, there are also kudu, buffalo, lions, zebra, hartebeest, wart hogs and tortoise. Final transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport where your tour finishes. (Driving time: 1 hr) (B)

For those who want to spend more time in South Africa and are interested in animals, we can recommend an extension for example in Kruger National Park or to the biggest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls, with a safari in the most elephant abundant national park of Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• 13 nights, of which 9 x guesthouses with private bathroom and 4 x log cabins on the Otter Trail
• 13 x breakfast, 7 x lunch, 4 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 and drinks

Hints

Travel Information
For the days when we will be carrying a 12kg rucksack on the Otter Trail, a good level of fitness and a steady footing is necessary, as all provisions will be dealt out between the participants. During the given dates of travel the climate in the hiking areas is comfortably warm during the day with temperatures of up to 82°F, nights can be cooler near the coast with temperatures dropping to around 59°F.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants