We overnight
at Schulphoek Guesthouse in Sandbaai, one of the best-kept
secrets of this area or at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
in Gansbaai, a haven for nature lovers, or the stylish Provençal
style guest house, Auberge Burgundy. All three places have
spectacular sea views.
DAY 2:
CAPE AGULHAS
En route to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost
point in Africa, we visit Gansbaai and experience the big
two: shark diving tours and boat-base whale watching (seasonal).
Our next stop is Elim, a 19th century Moravian mission station,
whose clock dates back to 1764, as well as a watermill (1828)
with the largest wooden wheel in the country. Finally, for
those wanting to see the land's literal end, we arrive at
Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans meet.
Our day ends at Waenhuiskrans (also known as Arniston after
the East Indiaman Arniston which was wrecked nearby in 1815),
which is famous for its 200-year-old, restored fishermen's
village.
We overnight in the Arniston Hotel, internationally
known as one of the world's great getaways.
DAY 3:
MONTAGU
We travel inland via Bredasdorp and Swellendam,
S A's third oldest town after Cape Town and Stellenbosch where
the architecture and Drostdy Museum preserve the colonial
heritage. From here we enter the Breede River Valley, one
of the Westen Cape's most diverse regions. The ever-changing
colour of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards
and orchards will offer the discerning traveler all he/she
is hoping for. We visit one of the many wine estates in this
region before arriving in Montagu gateway to the Klein Karoo.
This quaint town is renowned for its muscadel wines, mineral
springs and tractor-trailer ride that takes you to the summit
of the Langeberg Mountains for a breathtaking view of the
Robertson and Koo valleys
Overnight in Montagu at the elegant Kingna
Lodge, which have a standard of service that places it in
a class of its own or at the Avalon Springs Hotel which was
virtually built on top of 43-degree celcius thermal spring.
DAY 4:
THE KAROO
Our journey continues through the Great Karoo,
which is not so much a place as a feeling. You take it in.
It enters through the skin, taking its time to unfold in your
bloodstream. And then, when its time to leave, you realize
the Karoo (dry and thirstland) has captivated your soul. At
midday we arrive at a unique private game reserve located
in the Cedarberg Mountains. We will view some game from an
open vehicle and explore 6000-year-old Bushman rock art. That
night at dinner under the African sky you will discover some
pulse of Africa.
We overnight at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness
Reserve, a South African Natural Heritage site and is known
as the world's largest open-air art gallery which dates back
thousands of years ago.
DAY 5:
THE WEST COAST
On our way to the Atlantic Ocean we travel
trough the magnificent and Cederberg Mountains, famous for
its rock art, striking rock formations, crystal clear streams
and snow in winter. Leaving the mountains behind we pass through
Citrusdal a citrus producing area and Piketberg, which is
part of the Swartland, with its extensive wheat fields. We
arrive on the West Coast (during the months August to October
a magical kaleidoscope of wild flowers opens up) a region
bordering the Atlantic Ocean, a bird watcher's and angler's
paradise. Some fishing villages on our route are St Helena
Bay, Paternoster and Langebaan. This area is more known for
its crayfish / lobster and the day will be highlighted with
a fish platter at one of the open-air beach restaurants.
We overnight at either Falcon's Rest Guest
Lodge or Langebaan Beach House. Both establishments pride
themselves in their beautiful settings and spectacular views.
We proceed to Knysna for an optional sunset
cruise on the Knysna estuary out to the famous "Heads"
and back to the waterfront complex. Dinner must include oysters
and Cape Sparkling. We overnight at Headlands House, which
is dramatically situated on the highest point of the famous
Knysna Heads or Milkwood Bay Guest House with an uninterrupted
view across the bay.
DAY 6: THE
WINELANDS
Driving through the West Coast National Park
we are once again struck by the scenic beauty of the Atlantic
seaboard. We continue in a southern direction passing Darling
and Malmesbury before reaching the Cape Winelands area. This
is also the right place to start if you want to mix your wine
tasting with a taste of Cape History. We visit the Wellington,
Paarl and Stellenbosch area wirh wine tastings at various
wine estates. Just before sunset we arrive at Blaauwberg beach
to marvel at Table Mountain across the bay, one of the most
beautiful views in the world and it is always a good idea
to have a bottle of bubbly ready to celebrate the occasion.
We overnight in Cape Town at the Raddisson Hotel, which has
excellent cuisine, unsurpassed sea views, and close to the
famous V & A Waterfront.
DAY 7:
CAPE TOWN
Our last day in Cape Town would be incomplete
without a visit to Table Mountain and the Cape Point Peninsula
Tour. Another alternative would be to explore the city, the
V & A Waterfront or the famous Kirstenbosch botanical
gardens. Visiting one of the many beaches is of course the
best way of enjoy the last bit of the African sun before returning
home.
NOTE:
This Two Oceans tour can be shortened to five / four days
by way of cutting days 3, 4 / 7 from the above itinerary or
lengthened by adding extra days in Cape Town or along the
journey.
No Prophylaxes have
to be taken against the dreaded Malaria parasite, as it is
a malaria free area.
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