 Host: Pieter du Plessis When:March-April-May-August-September-October-November Length of tour: 14 Days with an optional 2 extra days in the Natal Drakensberg. Number of guests: The 'Joy of Nature' programme is ideally suited for clubs, organizations, families or friends and we cater only for parties of between 10 to 16 participants and include 1x tour manager.
Fee 2005: (email-contact the host below directly for your latest quote). The Joy of Nature - 14 Day all inclusive package: The Joy of Nature - 16 Day all inclusive package: Prices in US$ are only indicative, and depend on the currency exchange rate to the ZAR (South African Rand). Prices are excluding any bank transfer fees and are subject to change for reason beyond our control. The following items are included:
Reservations
SAMPLE ITINERARY
The Joy of Nature tour encompasses the following:
Orientation AM Arrival at Johannesburg International Airport. Hotel - D/B/B (Dinner/Bed/Breakfast) - Lunch on own account.
Time to relax and after lunch we depart for a fascination guided tour of Table Mountain. With almost six thousand hectares of forest, fynbos (Fine-bush), streams and cliffs surrounds what must surely be regarded as one of the most spectacular of all landfalls. The mountain is known in geological terms as the Cape System dating back to some 150 million years. What started as a thick deposit of silt set on a solid base of granite and shale, the walls and the thick flat sandstone beds have been eroded through centuries to form the sides of present day Table Mountain. Since the creation of the mountain was nature particularly ingenious in its wonder. The prevailing winds, the shape, the height (1 087m) and the geological position had a profound effect on an extraordinary variety of living things especially plants. Some 2 500 species of known plants have been identified on the slopes of the mountain. In the latish afternoon we return to our hotel and this evening we enjoy a very special 'Welcome Dinner'.
DAY 2:
Curving from the mainland almost like a reversed comma is the Cape Peninsula with the Cape Point and nature reserve. This must be surely the most spectacular scenery of sea, golden beaches, shrub land and mountains anywhere. Your tour commences at the reserve with an introduction of the flora and vegetation of the region. Fynbos (fine bush) comprises of more than twenty related vegetation categories, these are known as the fynbos biome. Fynbos are narrow leaved, broad leaved as well as fine leaved plants. However fynbos is made up of distinct vegetation types that consist of the richest and perhaps the most beautiful floras in the world. After a delicious lunch we depart for the naval base of Simon's Town and visit the Boulders Coastal Park where the only breeding species of the African Penguin can be seen. A close encounter that offers the photographers and nature lovers an unforgettable experience when we are offered very close views of these interesting birds. Winelands & Gardens Hotel L/D/B/B (Lunch/Dinner/Bed/Breakfast)
We will visit the most celebrated botanical gardens of the world Kirstenbosch, the first botanical garden to be dedicated to indigenous flora. The gardens cover an area of some 530ha, of which 478ha are natural fynbos that is home to some 600+ species of flowers. We return to our hotel in the latish afternoon and enjoy a very special Cape Dinner this evening.
DAY 4:
From the narrow coastal belt our route takes us through the Swartland (Black Land), so called because of the rhinoceros scrub that grows in this region. Splendid valleys with breathtaking vineyards can be seen on route to the beautiful town of Tulbagh. Lunch today is at the renowned Paddagang restaurant that is famous for its traditional South African dishes. A spectacular scenic drive in the afternoon take us through awesome mountain passes into the Karoo (Thirst-land) where we will overnight at a working wine estate.
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From the scenic 'Hole in the Wall' we leave for a most interesting cultural tour.
The Bomvana and the Thembu tribe inhabit this territory and belong to the Xhosa (pronounced CO - SA) speaking tribes of the Eastern Cape. Like all the other tribes of the Eastern Territory are they still bound by the traditions and lifestyle of their ancestors. Many of the customs and rituals are still practiced and have survived intact. We experience the authentic traditional Xhosa cultures first hand when we visit a traditional village and homestead to learn more about these fascinating peoples. Depending on the time and visit we may just get the opportunity to join a traditional wedding ceremony, a baptism or visit the secret ceremony of the 'Manhood' initiation.
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DAY 14:
End of 14-day tour
Optional Services: To enhance this very popular tour a further two nights are included in the greatest natural wonder of South Africa - The Natal Drakensberg (Mountains of the Dragons)
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Day 16:
Our tours have been copied by many - but never been perfected!
Itineraries:
Yours in competent touring
Earthfoot host Pieter du Plessis
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After clearance from the authorities and introduction of your host we transfer via a short orientation tour of the 'Mother City' to our hotel that is located close to the city's premier tourism attraction, the Waterfront.
This morning we depart after an enjoyable breakfast for a full day's tour of scenic wonders and excitement to the Cape of Good Hope. Our fist place of interest is Houtbay (Bay of Woods) this is an excellent example of a typical Cape Fishing harbour. The local crayfish (lobster) is renowned for its quality and export products. We board a pleasure cruiser (weather permitting) and head for Duiker Island, a seal and bird sanctuary unrivalled in its magnificent setting. We return to our comfortable bus and enjoy the spectacular marine drive towards the Cape Point Nature reserve.
After a leisurely breakfast we depart for the region of the second oldest city in South Africa and one of the most prestigious wine estates of South Africa, Nederburg. A most interesting cellar tour with wine tasting will follow before we return to the Cape Town.
We stop at Bloubergstrand (Blue-Mountain Beach) for an unforgettable view of Table Mountain. The village is named after the 330 m high hill. Seen from the beach this hill has the tendency
to take on a blue appearance. Even the view of Table Mountain on a warm day tends to show the mountain to be blue. Also included is a delightful and most interesting walk on the beach with a lecture
on the habitat of the Western region of the Cape. This habitat borders on the renowned Sand Veld (Fields of sand) that is famous for its flowers during the season.
Away from the city environment your day will start with a wake-up call with the sounds of nature. After a delicious farm breakfast we depart on a full day's excursion by tractor and foot on a hands-on experience on this top awarding wine estate that will also includes a cellar tour. We then depart for an amazing true Ecotourism ex- perience when we set out to explore the awesome Langeberge (Long Mountain range) that will include a delightful picnic lunch. This evening we are entertained by a local artist for a very special dinner-show.
The naming of this splendid region can be very misleading as the "Garden Route" refers to a small coastal area of some 250 km in length and 45 km wide. Less than two percent of the country's surface area consists of a natural forested area whilst the world average is almost twenty five percent. The natural plants and the indigenous woods gave the region its name.
The plants of the region belong to the fynbos (fine bush) biome and itself is part of the magnificent Cape Floral Kingdom, the richest botanical formation in the world.
Our destination is the historical town of Grahamstown.
From Grahamstown our route takes us through the heart of the Settlers Country towards the Wild Coast renowned for its magnificent solitude and unspoiled beauty. This virtually undiscovered coast by tourists has also a more sinister claim to fame. Since the dawn of the great discoverers has this region become known as the graveyard of many luckless vessels of whom some were laden with treasures from the East.
Our base for the next three delightful and interesting days is our very comfortable country hotel that is located very close to the beach with outstanding views.
Depart this morning for our great natural exploration tour to the 'HOLE IN THE WALL', that must be regarded as the most extraordinary rock formations on the entire South African coast-line (nearly 3 000km in total length). The awesome beauty of this coast will leave you spellbound.
After a very relaxing and leisurely breakfast we set out for a comfortable walk along the pristine beaches with its white sands and dotted with various outcrops of rock formations where many shells can be seen. Our aim is to walk to the nearby river mouth and lagoon that has been regarded by the top outdoor magazines as the finest beach in South Africa. The lagoon is also home to many bird species and offers awesome views. Return to the hotel for a light lunch or alternatively enjoy a delightful picnic lunch on route back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure or you may decide to go again on an afternoon stroll on the beach to collect shells.
This evening we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner of the Wild Coast in a typical South African style
Our route from the Wild Coast travels through small villages and towns that offer the photographer a kaleidoscope of traditional African scenes that is not often seen anymore by many tourists as we prefer to use the "back-routes" and not the over-visited places in accordance of our Ecotourism policy.
Our introduction to the Zulu Kingdom begins when we depart from our beachfront hotel and travel through the rolling green hills of sugar to the legendary "Old Zululand" territory. We visit a unique working sugar farm and meet our award winning host who is to entertain us for the day. We visit a rural school (An Ecoviro - Africa Project) for a guided tour on a visit that will ensure that you will never forget.
During the afternoon session we visit a unique nature reserve and enjoy a delicious finger lunch on a boat whilst cruising towards the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Depart this morning on a full day's photographic safari to the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Africa and home to the greatest number of rhino populations in the world. We travel in specially designed open-safari vehicles that offer you unrestricted views of the wildlife, flora and the bird-life at very close ranges. To ensure that each participant will get the maximum time in this remarkable wilderness we prefer to have a picnic lunch in the wilds with facilities than to waist time to visit a restaurant! The Hluhluwe - Umfulozi wildlife sanctuary regarded as one of the most scenic wildlife sanctuaries in Africa is also home to the Big Five of Africa - Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino and Elephant. Due to the remarkable variety of habitats that ranges from green rolling hills to a more somewhat open bushveld (bush -plains) system that supports a remarkable 1 200 plant species and 350 bird species.
We return to our lodge in the latish afternoon and enjoy this evening a very special farewell dinner for the 14 day tour under the African skies.
Leaving Zululand this morning we transfer to Durban and time to visit the awesome marine aquarium rated as the fifth largest in the world before the tour terminates at the Durban International Airport for your connecting flight home.
Leaving Zululand this morning we travel on a very scenic route through rural villages and outstanding agricultural regions. The Zulu farmers are famed for their agricultural services and we also visit a rural community center. Highlight is also a visit to a community radio station and members of the tour party are welcomed to participate on a life radio broadcast!
We travel through an amazing scenic landscape to the greatest natural wonder of South Africa, the Drakensberg - (Mountains of the Dragon).
This morning we set out for a most enjoyable walk and visit to the greatest number of San (Bushmen) rock paintings to be seen anywhere in Africa. A guided visit and talk on these remarkable peoples will enchant your visit. The scenery is outstanding and the habitat compliments a Total Ecotourism Experience In One Tour.
Our itineraries are fully illustrated in book form that is filled with facts and data and makes a wonderful souvenir for each participant.
