Group Size: 8 – 15 participants

km – kilometer & am – altitude meter

Day 1              Arrival South Africa

Arrival in George in the afternoon. Your tour guide will welcome you and transfer to the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay at the Garden Route. Accommodation for 4 nights will be the charming Corner Way Guest House 4*, which is located only 5 minutes on foot from the mostly empty beach. There is also the possibility of catching a lift with our tour bus from Cape Town to George in the early morning – free of charge.

Corner Way Guest House 4*

Distance by bus 105 km, 1.5 h

Day 2              Hike on Robberg Peninsula (Hike)

A 10-minute transfer takes you to the Robberg Peninsula. This area was inhabited already 120.000 years ago. A visit to the Nelson cave shows the ongoing research. A circular path leads clockwise over the rocky peninsula, which is often overgrown with succulents. Sturdy shoes and a little surefootedness are required. At the tip of the Peninsula you can watch the cape ear seals hunting and, depending on the season, the sea gulls breeding. (B)

Corner Way Guest House 4*

Hike est. 3-6 h

Distance by bus 10 km, 0.25 h

Day 3              Canoe Trip on Bitou River (Canoe)

On a 2 hour canoe trip you explore the peace and vivid bird life of the Bitou River. The afternoon is at leisure. If you like, you can go to the World of Birds, 20 km away, with the guide. One of the world’s largest free-flight areas has been created in a rainforest under huge nets. The Knysna Loerie – a native species of parrot – can be seen very well at the feeding stations. (entrance fee not included) (B)

Corner Way Guest House 4*

Distance by bus 10 km, 0.25 h

Day 4              Tsitsikamma National Park (Canoe+Cycle+Hike)

A one-hour drive takes you to the Tsitsikamma National Park. A two-hour canoe trip leads deep into the estuary to a cave full of bats. Cycle on the quiet Old Cape Road, first on the coastal plateau, then through the primeval forest of the Bloukrans Valley to the beautifully situated town of Nature’s Valley. A short hike on the beach invites you to explore, or you can just go for a swim. (B)

Corner Way Guest House 4*

Distance by bike 29 km, 360 am, tar road

Distance by bus 90 km, 1.5 h

Day 5              Knysna and Garden Route National Park (Boat + Hike)

Leave Plettenberg Bay and transfer to the neighbouring Knysna. Here you will undertake a boat cruise on the lagoon. In the Featherbed Nature Reserve you get off and with a bit of luck you can spot the shy Bauducker, one of the smallest antelopes in Africa, on a circular path. After visiting the centre of the village and the waterfront, you continue through the Lake District, which is part of the Garden Route National Park, to the Ebb and Flow Camp, located directly on the Touws River. We explore the rainforest on foot and watch giant king fishers and fish eagles on the way to a waterfall where you can swim. (3 hours) Accommodation is in rustic, clean wooden houses 2 *. (B)

Ebb and Flow Restcamp 2*

Hike est. 3 h

Distance by bus 80 km, 1.25 h

Day 6              Rain Forest and Klein Karoo (Canoe + Bike)

In the morning we paddle out one last time with canoes on the Touwsriver. Many of the 280 species of birds can be observed perfectly from the water, so binoculars should not be missing. With the tour bus we continue the Outeniqua Mountains, which at the same time mark the border to the Karoo. We cycle on a good gravel road through the Paardepoort past ostrich farms to Oudtshoorn.  Overnight stay in the charming Adley Guesthouse 4 *, which is under monument protection. In the evening, our host serves delicious grilled dishes, nowhere does a tender ostrich steak taste better. (B,D)

Adley House 4*

Distance by bike 43 km, 270 am, tar / gravel road

Distance by bus 50 km, 1 h

Day 7              Dripstone cave and ostrich farm (Cycle)

Cycle through the Schoemanspoort gorge to the Cango Dripstone caves. A one hour guided tour shows us the amazing big halls and fascinating formations. Continue cycling to an ostrich farm. On a guided tour we learn more about these big birds that are unable to fly. The afternoon is at leisure and can be used for a walk around town or to relax at one of the two pools. (B)

Adley House 4*

Distance by bike 30 km, 450 am, tar/gravel road & 15 km, 150 am, tar road

Distance by bus 15 km, 0.25 h

Day 8              Safari in Botlierskop Reserve (Hike)

Transfer (1 hour) to Botlierskop Reserve. On an open Safari vehicle we have the opportunity to view game. Giraffes, rhinos, elephants, lions, zebras and multiple antilopes can be spotted. After lunch and a break we will be taken by a ranger on a safari on foot. In addition, the fascinating insects and bird species can be discovered. (B)

Protea Hotel Mossel Bay 4*

Distance by bus 90 km, 1.5 h

Day 9              Diaz Museum and bike tour (cycle)

Right next to the hotel is the Diaz and Shell Museum. The highlight of the visit is a replica of a caravel that was built for the 500th anniversary of the landing of Bartholomäus Diaz and that was sailed to Mossel Bay in 1988. If you don’t feel like visiting the museum, you can go swimming on the safe beach. Short transfer to Albertinia (1 hour). With the bike we continue on a beautiful varied gravel road to the village of Riversdale. Accommodation is in the stylish rooms of the De Doornkraal Vinotel 4 *. In the evening you can be pampered in the garden restaurant. (B)

De Doornkraal Vinotel 4*

Distance by bike 53 km, 635 am, tar / gravel road

Distance by bus Bus 55 km, 1 h

Day 10            Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve (Hike)

After an hour’s drive, the very beautiful Grootvadersbosch nature reserve is reached. The Grysbok circular hiking route leads through the dense forest and into clearings in the Boosmansbos wilderness area where Cape Fynbos blooms. This is part of the Capensis UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short transfer brings you to the charming Gaikou Lodge in Swellendam, the third oldest city in South Africa. (B)

Gaikou Lodge 4*

Hike est. 5-6 h

Distance by bus 100 km, 1.5 h

Day 11            Wineland Breede Valley (Cylce)

We cycle away from the guest house on a hilly gravel road, later on a quiet asphalt road to the Weltevrede wine farm. Accompanied by a delicious cheese platter you can taste the local wine before we continue the bike ride along the Breede River to the Springfield wine farm. Mineral-rich soil and old traditional cultivation methods have made the winery an insider tip. Those who still feel up to it can cycle the last few kilometres to the comfortable Gubas de Hoek Guesthouse 4 *. The hosts cook fresh and healthy dishes with organic ingredients. (B)

Gubas de Hoek 4*

Distance by bike 72 km, 710 am , tar / gravel road

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

Day 12            Stellenbosch and Cape Peninsula (Cycle)

A two-hour transfer takes us to Stellenbosch. Known for its location, the good wines and the numerous historic buildings, the town has its own charm. After an informative tour, a bike tour  leads to the Jonkershoek nature reserve. Particularly stunning are the blooming Proteas that give the reserve its status as a world natural heritage site. Afterwards drive to Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. Overnight stay for two nights in the Boat House Guesthouse 4 * whose rooms all have an impressive sea view. (B)

A Boat House 4*

Distance by bike 19 km, 200 am, tar / gravel

Distance by bus 185 km, 3 h

Day 13            Active at the Cape of Good Hope (Hike + Cycle)

Visit the penguin colony in the morning. Afterwards drive to the Cape of Good Hope. From there, a scenic footpath leads to Cape Point. You cycle Olifantsbos in the reserve. Here and on the beautiful Sirkelsvlei circular route (walking time 3 hours) you can find species of animals such as bontebok, eland and cape zebra, as well as oystercatchers and giant tortoises. We will pass the remains of a ship that ran aground 100 years ago. If you feel like it, you can cycle back to the guest house on the panorama road with a tail wind. (B)

A Boat House 4*

Hike est. 1 h

Distance by bike 28 km, 200 am, tar road & 24 km, 300 am, tar road

Distance by bus 50 km, 1.25 h

Day 14            Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch and Table Mountain (Hike)

In the morning visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. 8% or 18,000 of all plants occurring worldwide are found in South Africa and an impressive selection grows on the east side in this garden. From the garden you hike through the shady Skeleton Gorge to the Table Mountain range. After reaching the Maclear’s Beacon (1067m), the path leads directly along the spectacular edge to the Table Mountain Cable Car. The city centre and the harbour are literally at your feet. Short transfer to Bantry Bay Suite Hotel 4*. The Gold Restaurant offers a delicious selection of African dishes from the continent and is a great ending to this trip. (B)

Bantry Bay Suite Hotel 4*

Hike est. 4 h

Distance by bus Bus 50 km, 1 h

Day 15            Time at leisure until return flight

Until departure everyone can explore the city on their own. The Malay Quarter, the Parliament Garden and the Greenmarket Square can be reached within 10 minutes. Then transfer to Cape Town Airport for the return flight.

Distance by bus 20 km, 0.5 h

There is still a lot to discover, the Waterfront with the Zeitz Art Museum, Robben Island with Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, a tour of the Langa township (also possible by bike), etc. Therefore, it makes sense to add another few days in Cape Town.

A medium level of fitness and some team spirit is required for this trip. The climate is as varied as the travel route: The temperatures in the Klein Karoo can soar to 35 °C, and at night it can be cold, especially in the higher altitudes with temperatures 12-20 °C.