Day 1 & 2
Cape Town via Swartland to Van Rhynsdorp, Namakwaland
Pick up at the airport or Cape Town Accommodation. Transfer via Paarl, Malmesbury and Clanwilliam. Reach Ratelget, the Griekwa settlement north of Van Rhynsdorp on the Knersvlakte. About 4 hrs drive. Settle in late afternoon for a full board, 2 night stay in the Griekwa community's holy grounds amidst the flatland flowers of the Knersvlakte.
Day 3 & 4
Ratelgat to Nieuwoudtville - the world's kingdom of bulbous plants, Bokkeveld kontrei
Depart via Piketberg, Citrusdal and Van Rhynsdorp to Nieuwoudtville and overnight in well equipped, historic sandstone cottages (Bed, Breakfast, Picnic lunch). Included is a discussion with a local botanist about the flowers you have seen during the day. An extensive private collection and library will be at your disposal. Once again we will follow our informants to find the best flowers around Nieuwoudtville.
Day 5, 6, 7 & 8
4 Nights Garies Namaqualand kontrei
Guest House accommodation DBB. We have an information network in Garies, advising daily on the best places to go to experience the Namaqualand flower splendor. During these four days we will take you in four different directions in the area. This might include one day around the hardeveld Garies area, one day around the upper Namaqualand Springbok area, one day in the high mountain Kamieskroon area and one day along the Namaqualand- Strandveld - coast. We will also visit the Namaqua National Park near Kamieskroon. Enjoy the spring's show of exuberance in the Kamiesberg. In Garies, our daily departure will be from a very interesting farm stall, which is also the information center of the town. A Traditional braai at The Letterklip (letter stone) at Garies comprises several enormous, megalithic boulders carrying the names of early British troops during the Anglo Boer War.
Optional: Enjoy the Rooiberg Hiking Trail.
Day 9 & 10
Garies to Lamberts Bay. West Coast kontrei
After Breakfast, we leave for Lamberts Bay. DBB. We travel down the escarpment to the Knersvlakte and a walkabout on the Knersvlakte. We travel down the developed agricultural Olifants River Valley and via the Sandveld coastal zone to Lamberts Bay for overnight on a West Coast Farm. Lunches and dinner to be enjoyed at various close by eating houses with local sea food menus. Bird Island and marine game drive included. Other experiences to be decided when there.
Day 11 & 12
Lambertsbaai to Saldanhabaai. West Coast kontrei
A steady cruise along the West Coast places like Elandsbaai, Rocher Pan Nature reserve for birds and coastal hike, Velddrift, Paternoster. Accommodation (Dinner, Bed, Breakfast) in a quaint guest house next to a nature reserve. Visit the West Coast Fossil Park and Postberg Nature Reserve. Included: A 3 hour Sailboat Trip with owner builder of the yacht. (Max Pax 10).
Day 13
Saldanhabaai to Paarl
After breakfast we depart to Langebaan, Darling, and Malmesbury to Cape Town airport or Paarl for post tour overnight Light Lunch will be at a Swartland winery.
