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The leading specialists in cultural
walking tours
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We specialise in guided cultural walking
holidays with music festivals, opera, art & architecture,
birdwatching, wildlife and gourmet food & wine.
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South Africa: Cape Walking, Whales &
Wine
South Africa’s Western Cape
Province is an extraordinarily fortunate region. Walks in
outstanding mountain scenery and along magnificent coastline
are coloured by midsummer displays of wildflowers. The
delightful wine region, exceptional accommodation, whales just
offshore and Cape Town - perhaps the most beautiful city in the
world - complete an unforgettable holiday.
As one of the highlights of our walking
tour we spend two nights in Hermanus, acknowledged as one of
the best whale-watching sites in the world. A splendid cliff
path provides views of Southern Right whale (Eubalaena Australis)
which use these clear coastal waters as calving and nursery
grounds.
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1
L, D included
Meeting by 10 am at Cape Town's
international airport, we drive a short distance south, first
skirting Table Mountain, then along the superbly scenic coastal
road. A short walk on a white sand beach shows us southern
hemisphere seabirds such as Kelp and Hartlaub's gulls, we visit
a lighthouse, and our first picnic reminds us that we have
returned to early summer! After visiting the Jackass penguin
colony at Boulders Beach we walk along the shore to our small
hotel, elegantly appointed and with fine views of False Bay.
For those impervious to chilly water there is a small sandy
swimming beach on the doorstep.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
Visiting the Cape of Good Hope, the
monument to Bartolomeu Dias reminds us of the incredible
achievements of the early Portuguese navigators. We spend the
morning walking a stunning coastal track within the Nature
Reserve, alert to possible sightings of dusky dolphins, Bryde's
whales and Cape fur seals in the sea - and rock hyraxes,
baboons and Cape mountain zebra inland. A beach picnic precedes
our drive along the coast to Hermanus - the acknowledged world
centre for shore-based whalewatching with southern right whales
coming annually to calve in the deep clear pools directly
beneath the cliffs. We walk a short section of the cliff
path to our small hotel with its spacious and beautifully
appointed rooms and a pretty garden and pool. Dinner features
South African ingredients prepared with French flair.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
A circular walk in the Kleinrivier
mountains behind Hermanus follows paths through the indigenous
fynbos in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The Cape Flora Kingdom,
despite being the smallest in area, is the richest in the world
for number of species. Midsummer is the time to marvel at the
display - the proteas and ericas are particularly impressive,
but the restios (a unique group of plants resembling grasses or
reeds) and the tiny sundews are intriguing. The reserve is also
home to tortoises and several species of iridescent sunbirds.
After a picnic under a shady wild fig tree we again whalewatch
as we follow part of the eastern cliff path back into Hermanus.
The harbourside whale museum has an underwater microphone
listening in to the whales in the bay.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
Heading into the interior of the Western
Cape we follow the Hermanus wine route, stopping for a tasting
at a picturesque estate with an international reputation for
its Pinot Noir wines. A bumpy dirt track delivers us to a
rustic little restaurant with surprisingly sophisticated food.
Increasingly spectacular roads winding up into the mountains
bring us to our very comfortable lodge in the village of
McGregor, with appropriately Scottish décor and sweeping
views of the mountains and vineyards.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
An early start is made for our moderately
demanding day walk (optional) up in the Greyton Nature Reserve
- some significant ups and downs on the trail bring superb,
far-reaching views and the chance of spotting antelope such as
duiker and klipspringer - we should have a good appetite for
dinner this evening in the well-regarded restaurant of our
lodge.
DAY 6
B, L included
A scenic drive, looking out for South
Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, en route, brings
us to the head of the Franschhoek pass. Walking steeply down
through head high proteas into this celebrated wine-making
valley, we pause to sample a variety of wines and enjoy a
superb lunch in a champagne cellar restaurant. Continuing on
foot, we visit the Huguenot Museum in Franschhoek with its fine
displays of 17C furniture and silver. Our well-appointed
auberge for the next three nights is ideally placed in the
centre of the village, and the remainder of the afternoon is
free for antique shopping, gallery visiting, or sunbathing by
the pool. We are happy to recommend a variety of restaurants
and cuisines for a light dinner.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
A visit to the magnificent 17C estate of
Boschendal Manor gives an understanding of the lifestyle of the
first settlers to cultivate vines in the Cape and their
connections to other Dutch colonies, particularly the East
Indies. Our walk today follows a fine ridge through the
vineyards surrounding Stellenbosch - easy walking, with
far-reaching views. A picnic and wine-tasting perfects our day
in this famous wine country. We return to Franschhoek in the
late afternoon to savour dinner in one of South Africa's most
celebrated restaurants.
DAY 8
B, L, D included
Fortified by a substantial South African
breakfast, we take advantage of the cool air of morning and
depart early for an energetic hike in the mountains above
Franschhoek. If the weather is clear there are marvellous views
both of the high peaks and vast, virtually uninhabited valleys.
We return to the village for a midday wine-tasting and lunch al
fresco. Later in the afternoon there is an optional 2 hour walk
following the scenic Catspad, or visits to cheese and chocolate
specialist shops in the village.
DAY 9
B, L, D included
Travelling north over the dramatic
Bainskloof Pass we reach Tulbagh, the finest example of an 18C
rural settlement in South Africa. After a visit to the church
folk museum and a Cape Malay lunch we follow a gravel road to a
private farm at the foot of the Winterhoek mountains. In the
late afternoon we walk on the estate - birdlife around the dam
is especially good - and return to enjoy a traditional
‘braai’ (a wood-fired barbecue) under the stars.
DAY 10
B, L, D included
A dip in the pool and a picnic in the
shady garden provide delightful respite after our morning walk
in the surrounding mountains. By early afternoon we are on our
way to Cape Town, where our first stop is the world famous
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, the perfect showcase for the
Cape's unique flora, with its extensive grounds, fascinating
glasshouse collections and tempting shops. We walk through the
Company Gardens (originally a vegetable garden to supply ships
rounding the Cape) to our home for the next two nights - a 4
star heritage hotel in a beautifully restored building dating
from 1771, within walking distance of the city's museums, parks
and restaurants. This evening we dine in one of South Africa's
most acclaimed restaurants.
DAY 11
B, L, D included
A full day walk up Table Mountain is
clearly a must. (A cable car ride is an optional extra for the
less energetic). The mountain is a National Nature Reserve and
boasts an amazing list of endemic plants, interesting geology
and resident Verreaux's eagles. We look over Table Bay, Robben
Island and the Hottentots Holland mountains from the flowering
fynbos on the eponymously flat top of the mountain. To
celebrate our hike on one of the world's most recognisable
mountains, we take a sunset and champagne cruise on a classic
yacht from the Waterfront and then relax in the informal
atmosphere of a restaurant noted for its ethnic flavours -
African decor, dishes and music!
DAY 12
B included
Our last day is free for handicraft
shopping, exploring the Waterfront or the Cape Malay Quarter,
sailing to Robben Island, or visiting some of Cape Town's many
museums and galleries. Our journey ends with a late afternoon
transfer to the airport for flights home.
Price includes:
All accommodation for Days 1 through 12
on a double shared basis
All meals (with wine and beer at lunches
and dinners) other than those excepted in the daily notation
All land transportation in a private
vehicle as described except during free periods
All entrance and sightseeing fees as
described except during free periods
All wine tastings as described
Champagne yacht cruise in Cape Town
Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff
Visa and Health Requirements
Visitors from the EU, US, New Zealand and
Australia currently require a valid passport, but not a visa,
for entry to South Africa. If you are a national of any other
country, please check visa regulations with your nearest
Embassy of South Africa.
At present there are no specific and
compulsory health requirements for entry to South Africa if you
are arriving from Europe of North America. The Cape is
malaria-free, so prophylaxis is not required. You may also wish
to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of
booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel
insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link
for information on a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured or a non-UK
resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of
booking.
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Kudu Travel Limited
Teffont Manor
Teffont Ewyas
Salisbury SP3 5RJ
Phone: 01722 716167
Registered in England
No. 03854049
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