We travel via Route 62, with its spectacular scenery. The twisting road passes through scenic valleys of immaculate vineyards and orchards, rugged mountains blanketed with indigenous flowers, through deep ravines bordered by sheer rock faces and finally across semi-desert scrubland with fantastic geological formations. We arrive in Oudtshoorn which is situated in the heart of ‘Ostrich Country’ in time for a light lunch (Lunch is included on this day at the Ostrich farm). This is an operating Ostrich farm where visitors will see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development, in the surrounding lucerne fields. The tour is initiated from the breeding camp, with the nest of ostrich eggs, where the first stage of the ostrich life cycle is explained. You can also see ostrich eggs hatching in the breeding season and view different types of ostrich feathers. A highlight of the tour is the opportunity to sit on an ostrich. We enjoy an evening meal in one of the many restaurants in Oudtshoorn.
After an early breakfast we head for Knysna and board an ocean safari boat for the ride of a lifetime into the Indian Ocean!! Enjoy the majesty of the Ocean and exhilaration of watching whales and dolphins at play. We are able to approach the whales within 50 meters as all the official whale watching permits are in place. Enjoy the morning viewing the Knysna Heads, Knysna Quays and on your return enjoy a few Knysna oysters. Lunch is enjoyed at one of the many restaurants in this quaint town (lunch is on your own account on this day). After lunch we enjoy walking through the Knysna Forest or ‘Wagon Trails’ through the Forest.
After an early breakfast we leave Knysna via Plettenberg Bay for Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and Natures Valley, visiting en route Plettenberg Bay. We also visit Storms River Bridge and Jeffrey’s Bay. A Brief Overview of Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water”. The region stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to Eerste Rivier in the east, is bordered on the north by the imposing Tsitsikamma Mountains and in the south by the Indian Ocean. The area is covered in large tracts of indigenous forest, commercial plantation and Fynbos. Deep river gorges cleft the plateau as they make their way down to the sea, creating spectacular waterfalls and deep kloofs. A mild all year-round climate allows one to make the most of all the outdoor activities that are on offer, whilst a high rainfall ensures the lushness of vegetation that the area is renowned for. Lunch is enjoyed en route. Lunch is on your own account on this day. This afternoon you enjoy a “foefie-slide” tour. The eight cable rides take you over the Kruis River and down a ravine over three waterfalls. The views are magnificent with the river running beneath you throughout the whole tour. Please note that Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure Park conforms to the highest safety standards, with Zipline cables measuring 13mm in diameter and with a breaking strain of 11 000kg.
Day 4:
We depart Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and head for Addo Elephant Park. This part of the Eastern Cape is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in South Africa. In historical terms this is the most southern area on the African Continent inhabited by Bantu-speaking agriculturists. On our visit to this impressive reserve, we may enjoy thrillingly close encounters with some of the over 450 elephants who patrol the bush and congregate at waterholes. We may also spot other members of the Big Five, leopard, buffalo, lion and black rhino – as we explore the wild terrain. We arrive in time for an exciting evening game drive. We return to the main camp for dinner.
depart for an early Game Drive with Ranger in open vehicle, experiencing the awakening of the Bushveld. As we travel, we encounter many animals together with the predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. We return for breakfast at the lodge. Afternoon spent at leisure, followed by an evening game drive. We return to the main camp for dinner.
Departing early, we check out and transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for flights to Durban and to Underberg
