Day 2 - Day 6: Private Game Reserve, Timbavati
The Timbavati is recognized as one of the best private game reserves in the world. It is located adjacent to the Kruger National Park, and, as there are no fences between the reserves, wild animals can move freely throughout this huge conservation area. Your group will have the exclusive use of a very comfortable lodge, and the full-time services of your guides as well as an experienced ranger and a tracker. Game drives (at least 2 drives per day are included) are all conducted using open-topped 4x4 game viewing vehicles, which allows for very close up and personal animal interactions. |
Day 8: Cape Agulhas
After breakfast, the group will depart on a leisurely drive to L'Agulhas via Caledon and Bredasdorp. Upon arrival, the first stop will be a visit to the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, where those that are brave enough can climb the 71 steps up to the lantern gallery (there are magnificent views over the surrounding coastline), and browse through the small museum which contains many interesting seafaring artifacts. There will still be plenty of time to visit the spot which marks the southernmost tip of Africa and the official meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the wreck of the Meisho Maru. |
Day 9: Hermanus
On this day, the group starts off with a relatively short trip to Gansbaai, where we will be treated to an exclusive tour of the Danger Point Lighthouse. Renowned and commemorated as the site of the Birkenhead disaster, this location is also an excellent whale-watching and bird-watching venue. Then it's on to Hermanus, where everyone will be delighted by the playful antics of the Southern Right Whales which frequent Walker Bay at this time of the year. Arriving in the early afternoon is perfect for photography, and also allows ample time and opportunity to experience the other attractions that this unique seaside town has to offer. |
Day 10 - Paternoster
The Stony Point Penguin Colony near Betty's Bay is just a 30 minute drive from Hermanus, and will be our first stop of the day. This rugged spot is seldom crowded, and allows for an intimate interaction with these comical little seabirds. Cape Hangklip lighthouse is nearby, and a quick trip followed by a short and easy walk will get us to this beautiful location. Clarence Drive, arguably one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, then takes us to Gordon's Bay, where we head off past Cape Town and up the West Coast to Paternoster, our home for the next two nights. |
Day 7 - Wed 09 Nov: Hermanus to Fish Hoek
The Stony Point Penguin Colony near Betty's Bay is just a 30 minute drive from Hermanus, and will be our first stop of the day. This rugged spot is seldom crowded, and allows for an intimate interaction with these comical little seabirds. Cape Hangklip lighthouse is nearby, and a quick trip followed by a short and easy walk will get us to this beautiful location. Clarence Drive, arguably one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, then takes us to Gordon's Bay, where we head up to the Steenbras Lookout Point before moving on to our luxury accommodation in Fish Hoek, our home for the next two nights. |
Day 8 - Thu 10 Nov: Fish Hoek
The group will start this day with a morning charter boat trip to get some closeup views of the Simon's Town Dockyard and Roman Rock lighthouses, as well as sightings of the seabirds, and maybe even the whales and dolphins, which populate False Bay. We then drive along the coast to Cape Point, where some energetic hiking will reward us with not only two lighthouses, but also the many splendid viewpoints that this famous location has to offer. We travel back to Simon's Town via Red Hill Road to visit either the South African Naval Museum or the Boulders Penguin Colony, or perhaps both if time allows. |
Day 9 - Fri 11 Nov: Fish Hoek to Cape Town
There are another four lighthouses on the menu for this day. Starting off with Slangkop Point, the route then takes us via the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive to Hout Bay (where we will spend some time at Mariner's Wharf) and on to the Green Point and Mouille Point lighthouses on Cape Town's foreshore. After a couple of hours visiting South Africa's two oldest lighthouses, we travel the short distance to Woodbridge Island to see the Milnerton lighthouse, then move on to nearby Bloubergstrand which is where we will spend the night. There should be enough time for a walk on the beach, and to watch the sun set over the ocean. |
Day 7: Cape Columbine to Cape Town
It's the final day, but there is still plenty to do. After breakfast, we head off to Saldanha Bay to see the North Head lighthouse, then travel the short distance to Langebaan and the West Coast National Park. Magnificent scenery, lots of animals, the wild flowers (which should be plentiful at this time of the year) and the South Head lighthouse (if possible; permission to visit is still pending) are some of the highlights as we meander our way through the park, then it's time to get back on the road to the mother city and our end point, Cape Town. We say our goodbyes, and reflect on what will have been an unforgettable trip! |