22 Sep - 8 Oct 2012 (16-days) South Africa's Capetown & the Garden Route
Rm7,600 (per pax for group of 12 pax), Rm7,400 (per pax for group of 14 pax) and Rm7,200 (per pax for group of 16 or more)
Update 27 Apr 2012 We are sorry but we are FULL.
Update 3 Jan 2012 Frist trip is full. This second trip, also led by Leemin, is based on Emirates Airlines fares of Rm3200 (taxes extra Rm320). Members pay difference of higher fares or receives difference of lower fares. Do read the trip itinerary carefully especially the part about self-catering and self-drive options. We expect a full trip. Places will be allocated based on receipt of confirmation deposit.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is meant to be a "free and easy" budget trip. Participants
should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have
the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly
some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners,
fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! Although every effort will
be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and
cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!
Cape Town has been rated one of the most beautiful cities by Lonely Planet, and justifiably so. However, to truly appreciate and do justice to this wondrous slice of southern South Africa , nothing beats self-driving on the open road, past quaint towns, endless grape vines, the rugged Karoo hinterland, and a truly charming coastline dotted with secluded beaches, and decorated with colourful fynbos flowers. But beyond driving, we will also hike, spelunk, cruise, swim, train, and if anyone wishes, even jump off a high bridge tied with only a rubberband! Lastly, be enthralled by the southern right whales that can be viewed at numerous spots along the coast.
Please pay carefull attention the following remarks. We hire vehicles and self-drive, starting and ending in
Capetown. We stay in cottages and chalets. To economise, we'll prepare our
breakfasts and dinners. The group is expected to help in meals preparation,
cleaning up, driving and carry own luggage. A group fund of Rm500 is collected from each participant to pay for provisions and fuel for the vehicles. Excess will be returned and if insufficient, members will have to top up.
Montagu Hot Mineral Springs / Trek down Table Mountain
Day 0: 22 SEP SATURDAY Assemble at
KLIA by 530PM. Fly EK347 to Dubai, departing 730PM arriving 1020PM.
Day 1 Stellenbosch: Transit until EK772 to Cape Town departing 350AM arriving 1140AM. Upon arrival, pick up vehicles for a short drive 46kms
to Stellenbosch, which is in the heart of the wine country. Visit the Braak
or Old Town Square and the Village Museum, with its collection of 18th century
houses. Stay Stellenbosch.
Day 2 Montagu: In the morning we visit the Bergkelder Winery, Simonsberg Cheese Factory and Mooiberg Strawberry Farm before moving on to Montagu. We stay in cottages in Montagu Springs Resort for 2 nights.
Day 3 Montagu: We go back to Montagu for a walking tour of the coloured township of Montagu. We also visit Montagu Springs, a poular weekend retreat with it series of hot mineral pools. Stay a second night in Montagu Springs Resort.
Day 4 Calitzdorp & Oudtshoorn: Morning free to enjoy a walk around the picturesque hills before we get on the get on on the picturesque Route 62 on the Little Karoo (mountain range) to Oudtshoorn 240kms, passing numerous fruit orchards and high mountain terrain. Nearer Oudtshoorn we stop at Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa. Good wine is sold here at better prices than touristic Stellenbosch. Stay first of two nights in Outdshoorn.
Day 5 Cheetah & Caving: Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world and we visit the Cango Ostrich Farm. This is followed by a 1.5hr adventure caving at the Cango Caves, the best cave complex in South Africa. Last stop on the itinerary is the Cango Wildlife Park best-known for its cheetah breeding and conservation program before taking time off to wander about the town. Stay Outdshoorn.
Day 6 Knysna: Its a scenic drive to Knysna, a pretty little seaside tourist town, with many stops for photography. Knysna is reputed to have the best oysters in South Africa and we lunch here. Further on we go on an optional game drive at Buffalo Hills or Botlierskop Game private game park. We then return to Mossel Bay for our overnight stay.
Day 7 Mossel Bay: We visit the Bartholomeu Diaz Museum, which is a regular stop for every tour bus on the Garden Route. The beach was also the midway water stop on the shipping route between Europe and Far East during the days of the East India Company. We'll go on a cruise on the Ramonza to seals island or whale watching. Stay second night in Mossel Bay.
Day 8 Arniston/Struisbaai: At Albertina we stop at an Aleo Ferox factory. The next stop is Swellendam where we visit the Drostdy Musuem, one of the finest museum complex in South Africa. We drive on to the little town of Bredasdorp and the Kapula Candle factory. We finish at Struisbaai, our overnight stop.
Day 9 Cape Agulhas & De Hoop Nature Reserve: 15 mins drive from our cottage is Cape Agulhas, the true southern-mst part of Africa, also known as the Foot of Africa, also know as the place where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. We also drive to Arniston to view the centuries-old fishermen cottages, a local heritage. The white lime-washed buildings are much photographed and are still inhabited by poor coloured fishermen. We also travel to De Hoop Nature Reserve that is also a nursery to the Southern Right Whales. We return to Struisbaai for a second night.
Day 10 Hermanus: We take a slow drive to Hermanus 2hr and drive up to a mountain viewpoint where one can see the whole of Walker Bay. We spend the rest of the day wandering about this pretty little tourist town. Stay Hermanus.
Day 11 Hermanus: This place is world famous for being the best off-shore whale watching site. You'll be taken to a few of the favourite viewing spots. The nearby Frenklof Nature Reserve with its rich diversity of wildflowers offers great walking trails. Stay Hermanus.
Day 12 Cape Town: We start early on this long drive to Cape Town with a lunch stop at Somerset Mall, one of the most popular shopping center with locals. There is good shopping and eating at this place. We retire in Blouberstrand Strand, 30min from the town center, with window views of the seas and Table Mountain. First of 3 nights stay in Cape Town.
Day 13 Cape Peninsular: We
leave very early for the popular Cape of Good Hope before the arrival of the
tour buses. On the way back, we stop at Simons Town to see the penguins, Muizenberg's
colourful bath houses, Groot Constantia - oldest winery in Cape area and the
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, rated one of the best in the world. Stay
Cape Town.
Day 14 downtown Cape Town: We start the day at Table Mountain and perhaps a trek down. In town we visit
the Two Ocean Aquarium, Craft Market, St George's Mall, Green Square Flea
Market and Bo-Kaap or Malay Quarter. We finish the day shopping at Victoria & Albert Waterfront. Overnight Cape Town.
Day 15 Airport: Morning free for some last minute shopping before 11AM check in the airport for the long flight home departing 7 Oct 2012 at 140PM.
Day 16 Home: Arrive Dubai 115AM for transit unitl 4PM departure to KLIA arriving 8 OCT MONDAY 255PM.
Old Fishermen Cottage Agulhas / Game Drive Buffalo Hills
