| FROM CAPE TO 'BIG 5' | ||||
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Introduction |
| From Cape to Big 5 is a unique program offering all the best of South Africa, on the one hand the beautiful nature of the Cape and on the other hand the real Wildlife.
This spectacular 16-day trip is unique because it's 100% malaria-free, no domestic flights or huge driving distances, and last but not least, affordable. And still, this program offers the opportunity to meet the 'Big 5': the Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo and Rhino, in their natural environment. ONS GENOT is a luxury guest house with all the comfort to spoil our guests, it's a unique hub to discover the Cape. From here, we do most of our day-trips. For our search to the 'Big 5', we make a trip of 7 days along the Garden Route until past Port Elizabeth, where we will discover the big wildlife. During this trip, we will stay in similar luxury accommodation places. |
| Day 1 | |
Arrive in Cape Town. A warm welcome and shuttle to ONS GENOT in Stellenbosch, situated in the heart of the Winelands. Stellenbosch is the most beautiful town in South Africa. Sit down to your first glass of wine and feel welcome! The rest of the morning you are free to unpack and relax. Lunch at ONS GENOT. Afternoon: Visit the historical wine estate, Vergelegen in Somerset West. A walk through the historical old town of Stellenbosch where you will experience the ambiance of the white washed Cape Dutch architecture. |
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| Day 2 | |
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After breakfast, depart to the V&A Waterfront near the Cape Town Harbour.
Visit Robben Island and the jail where Mr Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa was kept for many years. Lunch and shopping at the Waterfront Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in South Africa. |
| Day 3 | |
Depart for Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, which is one of the most exquisite gardens in the world. Enjoy breakfast here and walk through the exotic plants and flowers while you feast your senses. We take the Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain after which we visit Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estate in South Africa. We lunch here. A drive through Constantia where Cape Town's millionaires live. Drive back to ONS GENOT. |
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| Day 4 | |
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Enjoy an early breakfast and leave for Hermanus, the Riviera of South Africa. Drive via Gordon's Bay, Sir Lowry's Pass, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay. Lunch in Hermanus, near the Lagoon in the Bientang Restaurant that is built on the rocks in the Indian Ocean. Visit the Voëlklip Nature Reserve and do some whale watching (depending on the season). In the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, visit the easternmost wine estate in the country namely Hamilton Russell. |
| Day 5 | |
After breakfast, your wine experience will begin. Visit wine estates around Stellenbosch, after which you go to Paarl for tastings at the world famous KWV, Nederburg or Rheebokskloof Wine Estates. Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument on the Paarl Mountain. Lunch. Visit Franschhoek in the Drakenstein Valley where the French Huguenots settled in 1680 and started the wine heritage of South Africa. Choose between a visit to the wine estates of Rustenburg, Boschendal and L'Ormarins, or spend some time in Franschhoek. |
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| Day 6 | |
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After an early breakfast we leave Ons Genot for our 7-day trip in search of the 'Big 5'. Today we make a connection drive until Knysna(460km), the heart of the Garden Route. On the way we can stop at Swellendam, after Cape Town and Stellenbosch, the oldest town of South Africa, or at Mosselbay, well known for its gas and oil fields and the many Aloe-vera plantations. We can visit here also the historical Post Tree, used befor by the sailors as postbox. We will spent the night at a cosy lodge in the middle of this beautiful nature. Dinner will also be served here. |
| Day 7 | |
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Today we will spend the day in and around Knysna. Knysna is the scenic climax of the Garden Route, a unique combination of ocean and forests. A visit to the 'Heads' and a taste of the local Oysters is highly recommended. We will spent the night at the same cosy lodge as the day before. Dinner will also be served here. |
| Day 8 | |
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Today we will continue our way until past Port Elizabeth, where we are expected at lunch time at the Lalibela Game Reserve(360km) for a guided safari, preceded by a lunch. We will get here a first and unique occasion to admire the 'Big 5'. After the safari we drive towards Addo-Kirkwoord(120km) where we will have dinner and spent the night at Lodge Kronenhoff. |
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| Day 9 | |
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Today we are on search again for big game, this time we visit the Addo National Elephant Park. We spent here the whole day by self-drive. This unique park is world-famous for its large population of elephants. But watch also out for the Rhinos and Buffalos aa well as the large variety of 'Boks'. We spent anothe night at Lodge Kronenhoff. |
| Day 10 | |
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Today we return into the direction of the Garden Route until the area of Plettenberg Bay (400km). For the surf freaks however there is no excuse to make a detour along Jeffreys Bay, the mecca of Surfers, with factoryshops of labels like Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy,... We enjoy dinner and spent the night at a lodge in the area. |
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| Day 11 | |
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Today we visit the beautiful nature of the Plettenberg area. We can visit the magnificent beaches of Nature’s Valley or we can drive a few kilometres further to visit the Ksitsikamma Nature Reserve, a magnificient area along the Indian Ocean at the mouth of the Storm river, which we cross via the wooden suspension-bridge. Monkey land is also worth to visit We enjoy dinner and spent the night at the same lodge as the day before. |
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| Day 12 | |
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We continue our way back towards Oudtshoorn(400km), the centre of ostriches. We drive through the inland along unforgettable scenery and pass by picturesque villages like Uniondale, De Rust and Prince Albert. Befor we enter Oudtshoorn, we must climb the Swartberg, a literal and figurative absolute climax of the day. If there is still some time left, we can visit the Cango Caves or an ostrich farm. We will spent the night in Oudtshoorn at ...where we will also have dinner. |
| Day 13 | |
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After a short visit of Oudtshoorn, wre continue the road direction of Stellenbosch(400km) using the well-known Route 62. A unique variation of scenery and typical villages like Calitzdorp, Ladysmith, Montagu, known for the hot water springs, and Robertson, one of the better wine areas. Via Worcester en de DuToitskloofpas ofwel tunnel arriveren we opnieuw in Ons Genot Finally, home again where we will spent the night. |
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| Day 14 | |
| After breakfast you will experience the highlight of your visit, namely the Peninsula Tour. This will be the experience of your lifetime! An exquisite outing in nature along the Atlantic Ocean.
Drive through Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and stop at Hout Bay. Weather permitting, we will take the boat to Duiker's Eiland where there are hundreds of seals. After this, visit the World of Birds and drive via the breathtaking Capman's Park Pass to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This Nature Reserve is one of the richest botanical resorts in the world. Experience Cape Point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. You will also see baboons. Lunch. See the jackass penguins at Miller's Point in Simonstown. A small sea port with Victorian architecture. Return to ONS GENOT via Boyes Drive and Muizenberg. |
| Day 15 | |
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After breakfast you will visit Cape Town. A charming town with small white houses, beautiful parks and gardens. Visit the cultural-historical museum, the Parliament Buildings, St George's Cathedral, Compagnie's Garden and the Bo-Kaap. After lunch we will go back into the recent history of Cape Town, namely the Apartheid era with a visit at District Six and 1 of the many Townships. |
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| Day 16 | |
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Today we first pack our suit-cases and before we leave for the airport for our return flight, we still have some time for a visit to a wine estate in the area do some shopping or to relax at the swimming poolad. Alternatively, we can visit Bloubergstrand, the postcard beach with magnificient views over Table Mountain!.. |
| Interested? | |
| This unique program has especially been assembled for the Fauna and Flore lovers.
This most spectacular and unforgettable 16-day trip is available in 2 formulas. | |
| Full Option | Budget Option |
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Included:
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| For more information or details about availability, prices and other tour options, email us: Onsgenot | |