This 8 Day South Africa Safari is a budget-friendly Cape Town & Garden Route Tour that travels in a small group of 10 guests, at most.
First, explore the coastal gems of Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, and Storms River on the Garden Route. Then take Route 62 into the Little Karoo to visit Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa, and Cango Caves. Continue via spectacular mountain passes to the whale-watching hotspot of Hermanus on the Cape Whale Route. Then, head into the Cape Winelands to the historic university town of Stellenbosch to sample fine South African wines. Lastly, travel to Cape Town and overnight in the scenic Cape Peninsula village of Noordhoek, and visit the rugged Cape Point.
The guided Budget South Africa Safari travels from George to Cape Town in a luxury, air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter and stays at well-selected, comfortable guesthouses and lodges en route.
__large.jpg "Whales, Hermanus by Lydia Pintscher")
This budget-friendly South Africa Safari Tour begins with collection at the airport in George. When you arrive at George Airport your driver is there to collect you and transfer you to Wilderness in the air-conditioned tour vehicle.
The drive covers a short distance but offers a complete change of scenery, departing from a busy, inland town and heading to a quaint seaside village. Wilderness boasts a long stretch of white, sandy beach just calling out to be strolled along. After you've checked in at the seaside guesthouse the afternoon is yours to explore the village and take a meander along the amazing beach.
Alternatively, you can simply rest and relax at the comfortable seaside guesthouse, enjoying a sundowner on the deck overlooking the ocean. This evening you have the option of eating out with your fellow travelers at a restaurant in the village.
On day two of our Budget South Africa Safari of the Garden Route & Cape, you have the opportunity to spend your day doing what you enjoy most. Take your pick of taking a hiking trail through a dense forest with a waterfall at the end of the trail, perfect for a cool dip before heading back. Our guide will be happy to lead the way. Enjoy a slow meander along the lengthy beach or just sit back and relax on the guesthouse verandah - the panoramic view is stunning.
Leaving Wilderness behind our South Africa Safari travels east to the charming, coastal town of Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route.
The town is nestled around a lagoon whose entrance is guarded by two soaring cliffs, known as the Knysna Heads. Inside the heads, the lagoon is a tranquil oasis whilst beyond the heads the ocean lashes the cliff face. After exploring the town we continue to Tsitsikamma National Park via Nature's Valley an area much prized by South Africans. You may like to hike a short portion of the Otter Trail, famed throughout South Africa and regularly booked out. Or cross the suspension bridge over the Storms River Mouth, not for the fainthearted but worth the dramatic views. This area is characterized by cliff faces and raging seas - never dull.
Today we drive inland to the ostrich capital of South Africa - Oudtshoorn, located in the semi-desert area of the Little Karoo. This town is not only famous for its ostrich breeding and farming but also for the awe-inspiring Cango Caves and this afternoon we get to visit the caves. Inhabited by the San over 10 000 years ago you will be amazed by the dripstone formations.
This morning we pay a visit to an ostrich farm where we learn an incredible amount about these versatile creatures. It's said that every bit of the ostrich has a value from its feathers, its eggs, and healthy meat to the ornaments made from its feet. The town went through a boom period prior to the 1st World War when ostrich feathers were the height of fashion and today some magnificent homes may be seen in the town which is known as 'Feather Palaces'. Sadly the 1st World War came along and the industry crashed.
From here our South Africa Safari Tour takes a scenic drive back to the coast and the town of Hermanus. Famed for whale watching in season and some very good wine production, the former fishing village is well worth a visit at any time of year.
We spend the night at Auberge Burgundy Guesthouse ideally situated on the seafront promenade of Hermanus.
Take a walk along the cliff path this morning. If it's whale season you are in for a treat as so many of these mighty creatures gather in Walker Bay. If the weather is suitable and it's the right season you may choose to take an optional whale-watching boat trip for an even closer view of these animals, but the cliffs do provide a perfect viewing spot for watching them breach and slap the water with their tails and fins. If you are really lucky you may hear them calling to each other - an eerie sound.
We take the scenic coastal route to Stellenbosch pausing to view a colony of African Penguins busy with their daily routine. Back on the road, we head to Stellenbosch known for being the second oldest town in South Africa and sometimes called Eikestad for the number of oak trees that were planted here. In the heart of wine country, Stellenbosch is also a university town so it regularly thrums with students on bicycles.
After exploring the town we have to visit a wine farm and taste some of the delightful wines that are produced in this region. This evening you have the option of eating out at one of Stellenbosch's fine restaurants. Tonight our South Africa Safari Tour is based at the oldest running hotel in South Africa, the Oude Werf Hotel in Stellenbosch.
Today our South Africa Safari Tour visits a typical Cape farm, located at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains. Take this opportunity to wander around the farm and visit the viewpoint for views across False Bay to Table Mountain. On a clear day, you may even spot Cape Point, our next destination.
Be prepared for a surprise at lunchtime!
After lunch, we continue along the coast all the way to the southern end of the Cape Peninsula to the lovely village of Noordhoek. Prized by the horse riding community this village is home to a lengthy white beach popular with horse riders and walkers alike. In the distance, you may spot the remains of a shipwreck that ran aground at the turn of the 20th century and is now buried under the sand. Take a stroll along the beach which curves around to Kommetjie Beach a popular surfing spot.
After breakfast this morning we set off for the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Point. This is the most westerly point of Africa and is a popular spot for a photograph depicting this information. Take a hike up to the lighthouse, a sight welcomed by seafarers who had traveled from the East as this was their first sign of land. Rounding Cape Point was often a treacherous journey and many a ship has foundered along the coastline. You may be fortunate to spot some wildlife in Cape Point but the animals are often quite elusive.
In the afternoon our guide takes us to the city of Cape Town where you will be dropped off at your post-tour guesthouse or the Cape Town International Airport (free of charge) which brings this 8-day Budget South Africa Safari to an end. It's been a journey of changing landscapes and enriching experiences and will no doubt prove an unforgettable holiday.
This small group South Africa Safari is conducted in a Mercedes Sprinter luxury bus. These air-conditioned vehicles have been adapted to withstand the rough conditions of Africa whilst offering guests the most comfortable sightseeing experience. A maximum of 10 guests travel in the luxury 16-seater vehicle, guaranteeing each person a window seat. Traveling through South Africa in the comfort of a well-equipped luxury vehicle makes all the difference!
Should the accommodation listed in the itinerary not be available a similar accommodation facility of the same standard will be used.
Why not extend your stay and explore more of Cape Town? We offer the following short tours of the city and surrounds:
This tour does not take children.
This itinerary may have some long travelling days, and we would therefore not recommend this group safari for young children.
Families with younger children who are confident and comfortable with travelling long distances, are welcome on a private safari basis only.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for information regarding private tours and quotations.
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