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South Africa

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10 Day Guided Garden Route for Family (self-drive option below)

A Family Tour from Cape Town along the South African Garden Route

Highlights
Table Mountain, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Route 62, Garden Route, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Port Elizabeth,

DAY 1: Cape Town
Arrival in Cape Town and transfer to the Lady Hamilton Hotel. Situated on the fringe of Cape Town's CBD it has easy access to the hub of the daily city life. The Lodge is ideally positioned, making tourist attractions like V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Winelands, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Cape Point easily accessible.
Distance: 40 km
Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms).

DAY 2: Table Mountain and Two Oceans Aquarium B
Today we take a cable car up Table Mountain (weather-permitting). There are more than 100 scenic ways to climb the mountain, which stands at 1086 metres above sea level, but most people take the revolving cable car, which whisks you to the top in just a few minutes. The views from the top are magnificent. Afterwards we visit The Two Oceans' Aquarium - a window on the oceans of South Africa. Ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town. The kids are sure to love it.
Distance: 50 km
Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms)

DAY 3: Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Gardens B
Today, we explore Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Gardens on a full day tour. After breakfast, we head off to Cape Point - the most South Westerly point of Africa. Breathe the freshest air in the world - straight from the Atlantic. This is where the cold Benguela current on the West coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East coast merge. As one of the highest sea cliffs in the world (249 meters above sea level), it is a sight to behold. Afterwards we visit the African penguins at Boulder's Beach. The afternoon will be spent at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape Flora it displays and for the magnificence of its settings against the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. You are quite welcome to pack a picnic basket and relax on the well manicured lawns.
Distance: 100 km
Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms)

DAY 4: Oudtshoorn B
Today we head out out early for the 4 hour drive to Oudtshoorn, traveling along the famed Route 62. This is the tourist route in the Western Cape that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Garden Route and Port Elizabeth, 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 - all contributing to making Paarl and Wellington, the Breede River Valley, the Klein Karoo and the Langkloof some of South Africa's most diverse regions. Check into La Plume Guesthouse. This is a Victorian homestead on a working ostrich, alfalfa and vine farm. Set in the tranquil Olifantsrivier Valley it demands spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains. The rolling lawns and the sparkling pool are ready for you and your family's enjoyment.
Distance: 450 km
Accommodation: La Plume Guesthouse (en suite bathrooms)

DAY 5: Oudtshoorn B
Today we visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch and an Ostrich farm. The Wildlife Ranch is an endangered species breeding facility extraordinaire. This oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with our hand reared cheetahs. The whole family will enjoy exploring the facts and fiction surrounding crocodiles, view elegant cheetahs and Bengal tiger cubs. For the adventurous, there will be an opportunity to touch a cheetah, enjoy the closeness of a tiger cub, wrap oneself in a python and even dive with Niles crocodiles in the Natural Encounters programme.
Distance: 40 km
Accommodation: La Plume Guesthouse (Rooms with en suite bathrooms)

DAY 6: Plettenberg Bay B
Driving along the scenic Garden Route, today we make our way to Plettenberg Bay. The Garden Route is world renowned and stretches along the southern Cape coast from Slang River near Heidleberg, eastwards to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. It is an area of outstanding scenic beauty with indigenous forests, lakes and meandering rivers. Along the coast are towns and villages, each with a distinct character of their own. Just beyond the mountains, lies Little Karoo and also Oudtshoorn, famous for its ostriches and which is the principal town of the Klein Karoo. Here you can also visit the famous Cango Caves with their spectacular limestone stalagmites and stalagtites.
Distance: 160 km
Accommodation: The Starfish (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)

DAY 7: Plettenberg Bay B
After breakfast, we visit the Knysna Elephant Park. Daily tours leave on the half hour every day from 8.30 to 16.30 from the informative visitor's centre and video viewing room to the elephants. Guests are transported to the elephants on a tractor & trailer where they will have the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph the gentle giants. Elephants love eating so don't forget your bucket of elephant feed. There are no barriers or fences to spoil the close encounter. Guests are then transported back to unique elephant curios shop and Askaris restaurant.
This afternoon a visit to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is planned. Here, visitors safaris are conducted by experienced rangers and you can expect to see many species of monkeys as well as a large variety of forest dwelling birds. After soaking up the splendor of a living forest, you can relax on the sunny deck of the restaurant while enjoying a cocktail.
Distance: 50 km
Accommodation: The Starfish (Rooms with en suite bathrooms)

DAY 8: Addo National Park B
Via Port Elizabeth, we make our way to Addo Elephant Park.
Later today, we check into the Addo Rest Camp. Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolins call heralds each new dawn. This finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Some of its unique features already include: unrivalled natural diversity, with five of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes), the Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks) in their natural habitat and rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites.
Distance: 280 km
Accommodation: Addo Rest Camp (Chalets with private bathroom)

DAY 9: Addo National Park B
This day is yours to spend at leisure. You can visit the nearby Kenton on Sea Beach, visit the Kariega Game reserve, go on a game drive, hiking, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, mountain biking or go on a famous river cruise on the Kariega Queen. (All at own expense).
Accommodation: Addo Rest Camp (Chalets with private bathroom)

DAY 10: End of tour B
After breakfast, Return to Port Elizabeth, where you bid farewell to your guide and your family vacation comes to an end.

Meal Key B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Tour Fare 2009: US$ 1485.00 per adult. Child Rate 2-12 yrs: US$ 355.00
" Children under the age of 2 years travel free of charge

Group size Minimum: 4, Maximum: 10

Departure Dates 2009: May: 10, June: 14, July: 19, August: 16, September: 13, October: 18, November: 15, December: 06

Included in the price
Meals as per itinerary, accommodation, entrance fees, activities stated in the itinerary, transport, services of a qualified tour guide

10 Day Garden Route for Family

A self-drive Family Tour from Cape Town along the South African Garden Route

Tour Fare 2009 (not including car rental): US$ 555.00 per adult. Child Rate 2-12 yrs: US$ 275.00
" Children under the age of 2 yrs are free of charge

Included in the price
breakfasts, accommodation

Options for Car Rental:
Group B: Toyota Corolla or similar: ZAR 350.00 per day
Group I: Toyota Avanza or similar: ZAR 675.00 per day
Group V: Corolla Verso or similar: ZAR 730.00 per day
These rates are for rental only with full insurance. Europcar Terms & Condtions apply

Accommodation:
Accommodation will be in Lodges and Guest Houses of basic standard.
Spending money:
Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover the purchase of curios, and additional entertainment. There are automatic teller machines (ATM's) available everywhere to draw money. Foreign exchange into the local currency is possible in most large cities through which we pass.
International credit cards and travelers cheques are widely accepted.

Information on areas visited

South Africa
Situated on the tip of the African continent, South Africa has often been described as a world in one country. It has a wealth of natural beauty, pristine wilderness areas, warm and friendly people, cosmopolitan cities and excellent infrastructure - making South Africa a favourite safari destination.
Cape Town
Cape Town has traditionally been the gateway between Europe and Southern Africa and this is still evident in its atmosphere, its playful character, its people and even its architecture.
The 'Mother City' as it's known locally has no shortage of attractions. It's a magnetic, multi-cultural city with an array of diverse offerings within a small, accessible area, surrounded by spectacular topography. Spectacular beaches, mountains (incredibly unique bio-diversity), hiking, water-sport, shopping centers, markets, theatres, museums, historical & cultural attractions, a first-rate waterfront, galleries, night-clubs, restaurants and an abundance of activities to suite all, are prolific in this world-class destination.
Although tastes vary, some of the more popular sights include the following:

Table Mountain
This 1086 m sandstone landmark dominates the city and has to be ascended! This is a fantastic way to gain a perspective on the city, with some breathtaking views of the peninsula, as well as an opportunity to experience the most concentrated, yet diverse, ecosystems in the world. The mountain is home to more than 1450 species of plants, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world, such as the Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. Table Mountain is classified as the smallest of the six floral kingdoms of the world. The 'flat' top of the mountain is approximately nearly 3 km in length and sees almost a million tourist & hikers per year.
Visitors to the top can choose the six-minute trip to the summit via the modern cable car, one of the safest in the world, or alternatively make use of one of the 350 recognized paths all over the mountain. The easiest and quickest of these is the popular Platteklip Gorge route, a path up a ravine clearly visible on the front face of Table Mountain. The summit boasts a modern restaurant, souvenir shop and postal service.

Cape Point
At the tip of the Cape Peninsula - 60 km south-west of Cape Town - the rugged rocks and sheer cliffs cut deep into the ocean to split False Bay from the colder waters of the western seaboard. This outcrop of the Table Mountain National Park is called Cape Point. The circumnavigation of the Cape of Good Hope led to the establishment of a sea route to the East and subsequent trade.
Cape Point is the most southwesterly point of Africa and is one of the highest cliffs in the world - 249 above sea level. You can do numerous scenic walks and trails and breathe the freshest air in the world - straight from the Antarctic.

Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is situated in the Klein Karoo 55 km from the large coastal town of George. Enjoy the relaxed, friendly, hospitable atmosphere offered in town or at the various surrounding farms. Experience the joy of life in the country!
Cango Caves: One of the world's great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. It is situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colors, a subterranean wonderland.
The Ostriches: Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, 3 have distinguished themselves worthy to be named 'show farms'. Become exposed to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world.

Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is the jewel of The Garden Route. It's more than a village, less than a town. Sweeping, unspoiled golden beaches characterize it, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea. With its beautiful view sites over the Indian Ocean, Plettenberg Bay is perfect for tourists interested in exploring, watching or just lazing.
In and near Plettenberg Bay there is the opportunity to visit a lot of activities such as:
? the highest commercial bungee jump in the world is at Bloukrantz River Bridge. The height is 216 m with a 7 second free fall!
? canoeing on the Keurbooms River If you are keen on canoeing; you can hire a canoe and canoe up the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve.
? Gliding effortlessly with qualified pilot over Plettenberg beaches spotting dolphins and whales.

Addo National Park
Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. 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 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. But the Addo story has only just begun. Plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park are moving forward at an exciting pace. This expansion is transforming Addo into the ultimate tourism destination.