11-Day Durban to Cape Town Tour via Wild Coast
(Self-Drive option also available)

Day– Sani Pass (D)
We will collect you from your overnight accommodation or from the Durban Airport, travelling on the edge of the "Valley of 1000 Hills" and then past the capital city of Pietermaritzburg onto the “Midlands Meander”. The Midlands Meander is what weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and pianos have in common. You will find them all, and a great deal more on the Midlands Meander map - South Africa's first, largest and most popular art and crafts route. From a very small beginning, the Midlands Meander has grown to well over a hundred stops on four routes. Originating with the arrival of the first settlers in the early 1800’s the area boasts many wonderful homes and barns, an attraction to lovers of architecture. As you tour the Midlands Meander you will also notice that this area is home to a number of the country’s most famous schools.
From here we travel inland, to the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the scenic route through the frontier towns of Bulwer, Underberg and Himeville.  Overnight Moorcroft Manor (or similar). Moorcroft Manor Country House is situated amidst rolling green hills and breath-taking sunsets on the outskirts of the country village of Himeville, 8kms from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg.

Day 2 - Sani Pass. (Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning we transfer to our 4X4 vehicles for the ascent up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho. Breathtaking scenery and alpine conditions dominate this truly magnificent corner of this province. Once we have entered Lesotho we will stop off at a Basutho village where one can learn more about the life of these very friendly people, in this, one of the world’s poorest countries. Lunch will be at the “highest pub in Africa”, the Sani Top Chalet. We will also have some time here to walk along the edge of the escarpment for stunning views into KwaZulu Natal, before descending the pass to Moorcroft Manor. *NB. Warm clothing is a must, no matter the season of the year! You will also need valid passports for the crossing into Lesotho. The ascent of the pass is subject to the prevailing weather conditions.

Day 3 - Wild Coast  (Breakfast)
Today we travel the scenic route through the rural Transkei to our overnight destination on the stunning Wild Coast. Our preferred accommodation here is the Umngazi River Bungalows, but this is a very popular venue, and thus availability is very limited. Should we not be in a position to secure accommodation here, we will stay at a similar venue, to be advised.

Day 4 - Wild Coast  (Breakfast)
The days here are all yours to enjoy. While beach walks and activities may tempt the more active, simply relaxing in comfortable and private surroundings remains a substantial temptation. Along the Eastern Cape's east coast, is the largely untamed and extravagantly beautiful Wild Coast - the ultimate holiday destination. Craggy, rocky and untamed, the Wild Coast is the pearl in the crown of the Eastern Cape with countless natural attractions and a rich cultural heritage. Kilometre after kilometre of unspoiled coastline, forest and open spaces where you can enjoy sandy beaches, fishing, horse riding, birding, hiking, famous shipwrecks and caves.

Day 5 - East London (Breakfast)
Today we have a late morning start and travel the 300-odd kilometres to East London where we overnight at the Quarry Lake Inn in this coastal city. Located in a quiet suburb of East London, Quarry Lake Inn is a four-star graded guest-house overlooking a rehabilitated quarry. Indigenous trees and plants were introduced to maintain a natural environment that supports an abundance of bird and animal life. En route we will stop in Umtata and visit the museum dedicated to South Africa's favourite son, Nelson Mandela.

Day 6 - Addo  (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today we leave East London and en route to the Addo Elephant Park we stop in  Grahamstown. The Addo Elephant Park lies deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. Here the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 420 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. We will spend the remainder of the day game viewing in this popular game reserve.

Day 7 - Knysna (Breakfast)
After another game drive in Addo we travel via Port Elizabeth to Knysna, which is in the heart of the Garden Route. Along the way we stop at the Paul Sauer Bridge over the Storms River to take a stroll onto the bridge and for a refreshment break. A place of "People, Beauty and Mystery" is what comes to mind when describing Knysna. The exceptionally equitable climate with rain falling throughout the year ensures it remains perennially green. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. At the heart of Knysna is the 21 ha lagoon protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels looking down on the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise on earth". 
Overnight at the Knysna River Club (or similar). The award winning Knysna River Club comprising of 35 luxury chalets is situated on the edge of the famous Knysna Lagoon, offering a unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable stay at one of South Africa's prime destinations

Day 8 - Knysna (Breakfast)
Today you have the option of a boat trip to search for marine mammals off the coast of Plettenberg Bay or a visit to the Tsitsikamma Forest to explore this interesting area. You may also opt to visit the very interesting Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay and then spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Knysna. Whichever option you choose is for your own account, but your guide will be available to advise and transport you to whichever activity you choose.
Overnight Knysna River Club.

Day 9 - Oudtshoorn (B. L)
Today we go on a tour to the “Featherbed Nature Reserve”. This spectacular four-hour eco-experience includes a return ferry, walk and lunch and a 25-minute ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western head (The Reserve is only accessible by ferry.) Upon arrival, guests board a Unimog drawn trailer and drive up to the top of the Reserve. While stopping at a scenic lookout point, our specialist guides will share with you some fascinating tales about Knysna and the surrounding area while you enjoy the panoramic views. An optional 2,2 km guided nature walk takes you through the forest, onto the cliffs, into the caves and along the scenic coast. Once back in the Food Forest, a unique outdoor restaurant situated under the Milkwood Trees, guests can enjoy a spectacular 12 dish buffet lunch.
After lunch we travel to Oudtshoorn and overnight at Fosters Manor (or similar). Experience the days gone by of ostrich feathers and feather palaces at Foster`s Manor Bed & Breakfast - the embodiment of the ambiance of the era when the ostrich and its feathers reigned supreme in the Little Karoo.

Day 10 - Oudtshoorn (Breakfast, Lunch)
Here we visit the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, which are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world. One can go for extensive subterranean walks in the widely branching caves. Some of the sandstone formations are even colourfully illuminated. The bizarre shapes in the caves are mainly composed of calcium carbonate. They develop as limewater drips from the stones and evaporates. The structures growing down from the cave ceiling are called stalactites, while those that grow from the ground to the top are called stalagmites.
We will also visit a working ostrich farm where one can learn more about these fascinating birds. Commercial ostrich farming started during the late 1880's in South Africa; this was also the start of the ostrich industry worldwide. The fashion demand in Europe for ostrich feathers inspired the growth of the industry, with the Oudtshoorn district quickly being established as the Ostrich capital of the world. During the first decade of the previous century, ostrich feathers gained record prices on foreign markets, ranking 4th on the list of South African exports, after gold, diamonds and wool. The consequence of this newly found opulence meant that ostrich farmers were able to build beautiful sandstone mansions. A unique feature of the Safari experience is a visit to the Ostrich Palace "Welgeluk" which was built at the height of the feather boom in 1910. The homestead is a National Monument and a superb example of the type of architecture that was used at the time.
For your own account you may have time to visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Valley of Ancients, an endangered species breeding facility extraordinaire. The oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with hand reared cheetahs and getting actively involved in saving this species and others from extinction.
For the adventurous there is an opportunity to come face to face with wildlife in the Natural Encounters programme where you can touch a cheetah, enjoy the closeness of a tiger cub, wrap yourself in a python and even dive with Nile crocodiles.

Day 11 - Cape Town (Breakfast)
After breakfast we make our way to Cape Town along “Route 62”, the tourist route that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, offering the shorter, scenic alternative to the N2 highway. It's an area of magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and the abundance of trees and indigenous flora. The ever changing colours of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, as well as the multitude of attractions, will offer you an unforgettable adventure — whether this is in the physical sense or simply a kaleidoscope of scenic tranquillity. Innovation and pride, combined with a terrain and mild climate that are harmoniously balanced, results in the prominence of this region's wines. Route 62 will take you along the longest wine route in the Western Cape and most likely the whole world. In the late afternoon we drop you off at your overnight accommodation or at the airport.