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Sandy beaches abound on the whole of South Africa's coast line but on the eastern coast they nestled within the natural green habitat of the coastal bush and subtropical forests, the evergreen temperate forests of the Garden Route and the fynbos of the Overberg and the Fairest Cape. On the West Coast they stretch out over the barren landscape of semi desert and desert.

Day 1 & 2

Fairest Cape via Boland to Swartland kontrei

Transfer from Cape Town through the Boland kontrei to the eastern tip of the Swartland to be hosted on a working sheep and wheat farm. Full board and all activities. Half of the farm is set aside for Cape mountain fynbos conservation with a breeding herd of TB free buffalo. Relax and enjoy warm hospitality and the space of a 16000 hectare property . Daily game drives included
Second day having informal, introducting talks by specialists on the experiences you will be having.
Mammals, herpetology, birds, fossils, marine life and fynbos.

Day 3 & 4

Swartland via Boland to Klein Karoo kontrei

Travel to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo kontrei to be hosted on a working ostrich farm and nature reserve. Half board accommodation and included are a guided nature walk introducing the succulent plants of the Klein Karoo, a visit to the Swartberg research station of the Cape Leopard Trust and have your guided Meerkat excursion on the farm.

Day 5 & 6

Klein Karoo to Garden Route kontrei

Travel via the Langkloof to The Tsitsikamma National Park at the Storms River Mouth. This was the first proclaimed Marine National Park in Africa. The Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Accommodation in self equipped cottages

Day 7 & 8

Garden Route kontrei

Travel to Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route Kontrei, to be hosted in luxury Cottages amongst fynbos carefully restored by the owners.B&B
Visit a Dolphin and Whale Research Center to be enlightened on various dolphin species and the Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde whales. Then combine this with a Marine Safari.

Day 9

Along Garden Route entering the Overberg kontrei

It is a 500 km drive to the next destination. Go slow and overnight at Albertinia to have a slow food dinner at a little Hotel famous for its good food. DBB

Day 10 & 11

Full Board Overberg kontrei

Drive from Albertinia to Gansbaai to be hosted at a Private Nature Reserve. Full board and activities
All guided excursions on plants, flowers, birds and coastal are included. We will book a short lecture by Wilfred Chivell from Dyer Island Cruises on his operations and projects on whales, the great White Shark, the Jackass Penquins and the local community. You can have both a whale watching cruise and a shark cage snorkeling experience. We include a half day tour to the Southern Tip of Africa

Day 12 & 13

Overberg to Fairest Cape kontrei

Travel via the coast to Cape Town to reach your destination early afternoon and be accommodated in an impressive twelve bedroom boutique hotel with exceptionally generous proportions, ideal for visitors who want a gently pampered environment near to the main attractions of the 'Mother City'. The Villa is situated half way between the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain Cableway in a quiet residential quarter with a lovely 'village' feel within a short stroll of the centre of Cape Town and a large number of its best restaurants. B&B
During an evening session you will be briefed by Birdlife SA specialists for your full day marine birding experience on South African and Antarctic marine species.

Day 14 & 15

Fairest Cape to West Coast kontrei

A slow drive to Saldanha Bay via a visit to an active archaelogical site on the ancient Berg River mouth.
Afternoon at leasure with your hosts in Saldanha Bay. DBB
Dine at a waterfront Restaurant for some fresh seafood. You will be informed about the full day island hopping and marine life boat trip for the next day.

Day 16 & 17

North along the West Coast: Saldanha Bay to Lamberts Bay

After breakfast you reach Velddrift to do a birdwatching boat cruise on the Berg River and enjoy a picnic lunch
In the Rocher Pan Nature Reserve
Arrive late afternoon at a west coast farm and nature reserve for local cuisine. DBB
Discuss your programme for the next day with your guide and local hosts.
After breakfast, your 2 hour marine game drive will start at 9 : 30. This will be your best opportunity to see SA’s only indigenous dolphin, the Heaviside dolphins, up close

Day 18, 19 & 20

West Coast to Cederberg kontrei

From Lamberts Bay we drive in the direction of the Cederberg Conservency via Clanwilliam. Do shopping for your, selfcatering stay the next three days at a private nature reserve.
We switch to the 4x4 game veiwing vehicle for the one hour drive to the nature reserve.
You will stay in traditional twin bedded shepherd’s huts (There are only 4 of them) with high quality ammenities on a selfcatering basis. From your privately located hut and with the guidance of local knowledge the 6000 hectares are all yours to explore for the next days
All meals prepared by your guide but with everyone participating, you can be assured of a well deserved meal

Plan your days around the following :

• Game drives with local owner.
  
• Breakfast or sundowners from high places.
  
• Cape Leopard tracking and full overview of the Cape Mountain Leopard research Programme with the research coordinator of The Cape Leopard Trust.
  
• Cape Mountain Zebra tracking with owner.
  
• A hike with a Cape Nature official on plants and the geology of the place.
  
• Do your own thing!