Whales to Wildlife
WHALES TO WILDLIFE
Enjoy a 5-day tour meandering through the scenic country side whilst enjoying whales (seasonal), wildlife, museums and so much more.
Head to the quaint seaside village of Hermanus. Travel via the scenic Clarens Drive, while enjoying sweeping views over False Bay and the Cape Peninsula. On route, you will visit the Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty’s Bay – Steeped in early 20th century whaling history and home to one of only three African Penguin colonies on the entire of South African shoreline. Thereafter, visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, situated in the “Kogelsberg” Biosphere, one of the richest biomes of the indigenous Cape Floral Kingdom. Weather and season permitting enjoy a boat-based whale watching trip. Enjoy lunch at one of the many exquisite restaurants that Hermanus has to offer. We will overnight in Hermanus at the accommodation of your choice, we can also highly recommend a number of superb Guesthouses.
Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known as premier whale-watching destination, especially between July and November, when the Southern Right Whales return to calmer waters to give birth and nurse their offspring. Beaches include Voëlklip Beach and the broad Grotto Beach, overlooking Walker Bay. The “Hemel en Aarde” (Heaven and Earth) wine region is world renown as SA’s leading Pinot Noir and Chardonnay region – a “must visit” on your itinerary.
Today we travel in an easterly direction, towards Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent. This notorious landmark is also the official meeting place of two of the largest oceans, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, not to mention a ship captain’s nightmare from a bygone era, which claimed the lives of many seafaring souls whilst plying their trade on the Spice route between Europe and the East.
Lunch on route
Your journey continues in an Easterly direction, towards the historic fishing village of Arniston, internationally renowned for its cultural fishing community and fisherman’s cottages, dating back to the 1850’s. The adjacent village of “Kassiesbaai” is considered to be an artist’s dream. Each cottage with lime-washed walls and thatch roof is literally a painting waiting to happen. The entire village of Kassiesbaai has subsequently been declared a national monument. Here we will spend the night at the Arniston Hotel, where you will also be able to enjoy a fantastic dinner.
Today, we move away from the coast in a northerly direction, through an area affectionately referred to as the “Overberg”. (“Over the mountain”) Your first stop will be the agricultural town of Bredasdorp, where you can enjoy a visit to the only shipwreck museum in South Africa. From here, the journey continues towards the “Binneland” (“Interior land”), through predominately a wheat growing region, arriving in Swellendam.
Lunch on route
This historic town was established in 1743 and is the third oldest town in South Africa. The streets are dotted with various well-preserved buildings, houses and churches, making it a photographer’s dream. After visiting the Drostdy Museum and taking a trip through memory lane, we make our way further into the interior, towards the fertile soils of the Ashton valley and the breath-taking Cogmanskloof Pass, built by Thomas Bain in 1877. We will overnight in Montague and enjoy a traditional South Africa meal for dinner.
Today, we chase the sun’s rays and head in a Westerly direction, towards the Aquila Private Game Reserve, situated in the semi-arid desert region of the Little Karoo. We will also allow for photographic opportunities on route. The Aquila overnight safari doesn’t spare on spoiling their guests. Welcome cocktails are served on arrival, either outside, around the pool, or in front of a log fire in the cigar bar, followed by a buffet lunch and an afternoon game drive. The overnight safari boasts a late afternoon safari as well as an early morning safari with an Aquila Game Reserve Specialist including meals. (Beverages are for your own account)
The newly opened African spa boasts 2 large heated indoor pools, steam room, sauna, nail bar, 10 treatment rooms, couples or group treatment room and an outdoor pool. The Tranquila Spa is a place of peace and serenity and as such access is subject to availability. Access to the Tranquila Spa is free to guests booked into the Premier Cottages and guests that have stays longer than 2 nights. Premier Lodge Rooms have large balconies overlooking the reserve with magnificent views and include full bathrooms with separate showers and great views from the baths. Activities Included: 2 x game drives, lunch, dinner & breakfast.
Overnight stay at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Early morning safari (time to be confirmed on arrival at Aquila)
Enjoy a scrumptious buffet breakfast after your game drive
Check out and depart Aquila Private Game Reserve
We head back towards Cape Town, in a westerly direction. Heading “off the beaten track”, we will visit the historic town of Paarl, steeped in rich Cape Dutch architecture and historic buildings and churches. The Paarl valley was first colonised in 1687 when land was allocated to 23 families from Stellenbosch. The district was initially known as Drakenstein, after its church congregation, but when a village was founded at the foot of Paarl Rock in 1690, it was named Paarl. The name in Dutch means “a pearl”, and was derived from the fact that the granite rocks which crown the hillside above it glisten after a rainfall like pearls or diamonds.
Lunch on route back to Cape Town
You will be dropped off at a location of your choice