6 NIGHT GROUP SPRING TOUR FROM ONLY R 6,990 per adult
Single Supplement - Add R 890.00 per single traveller
Includes: Accommodation; transport in an air conditioned 15/21 seater luxury coach*; English speaking guide; meals as indicated; entrances
Excludes: Drinks and personal expenses
Departure dates: 28 Aug- 02 Sept OR 04-09 Sept 2011
ITINERARY
DAY 1: West Coast National Park -Postberg Flower Reserve- Paternoster
MEALS: Light Picnic Lunch / West Coast Dinner
Departing Cape Town in the early morning we travel to Postberg Nature Reserve, situated in the West Coast National Park between lagoon and sea. Look out for a variety of wildlife species (eland, oryx, zebra and ostrich) contrasting prettily with the kaleidoscope of brilliant spring flowers carpeting the reserve. We spend a full day discovering flowers, wildlife and whales (if we are lucky!). In the afternoon we travel to the quaint fishing village of Paternoster for the night.
Overnight: BLUE DOLPHIN GUEST HOUSE OR SIMILAR
Blue Dolphin is a luxury home situated in the historic fishing village of Paternoster. Accommodation is in four en-suite bedrooms furnished in Cape Country style with a definite up-market feel. A home where enjoying nature does not mean having to sacrifice luxury
Your hosts are George Koning & Courteney Bradfield. We offer West Coast country hospitality that will pamper and spoil and are situated on the dunes with uninterrupted views of the sea
DAY 2: Rooibos Tea Farm- Lamberts Bay- Clanwilliam
MEALS: Breakfast / Light Lunch with rooibos specialities / Dinner
In the morning enjoy a ROOIBOS FARM TOUR with lunch on a fully independent Rooibos tea estate with its own processing plant. All of the rooibos tea grows on the slopes of the Cederberg mountain range in a 150 km radius from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. The unique microclimate of this tiny geographical region allows for the best quality natural teas to be grown. The harsh climate and fertile soil combine to form this rare herbal treasure, only to be found in South Africa.
In the afternoon travel to Lamberts Bay, the capital of the Rock lobster industry and home to Bird island, where thousands of sea-birds, particularly Cape gannets, various species of cormorants, and penguins find protection and shelter.
You can come within a mere wingspan of more that 25 000 blue-eyed Cape gannet.
Arrival in Clanwilliam for the night.
Overnight: BLOMMENBERG GUEST HOUSE, CLANWILLIAM
Clanwilliam is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa. A small, attractive and quiet town, featuring some fine examples of early Cape-Dutch architecture & surrounded by vineyards, citrus trees and rooibos plantations. Blommenberg Guest House is a modern Victorian building which boasts a lovely garden with twelve en-suite rooms. All are quiet, spacious and airy overlooking the garden-court yard and swimming pool.
DAY 3: Vanrhynsdorp- Niewoudtville- Quiver Tree Forest
MEALS: Breakfast / light picnic lunch / Traditional Karoo dinner
In the morning we depart to Vanrynsdorp for a visit to the largest succulent nursery in the world ( the region we are touring through is famous not only for the Spring flowers, but also for its wealth of succulents and stone plants ). The spectacular Vanrhyns Pass brings us to Niewoudtville, the heart of wild flower country and bulb capital of the world ! Time permitting, we pay a visit to a Quiver Tree Forest late afternoon.
Overnight: SWISS VILLA, NIEUWOUDTVILLE OR SIMILAR
Guest House Swiss Villa is a graceful sandstone home built in 1913 and situated in the hamlet of Nieuwoudtville, in the Hantam Karoo. Our guesthouse is set in a beautiful garden, amongst large established trees, on a wide expanse of lawn. Guests will be welcomed by hosts Margie and Chris and they will find clean, spacious rooms with comfortable beds. There is a fireplace in the lounge to warm you on those chilly winter nights, (or fresh Karoo mornings) – why not curl up on one of the large comfortable sofas and perhaps relax with a book or enjoy a chat over a glass of sherry?
Day 4: Niewoudtville & surrounds
MEALS: Breakfast / light lunch on a farm amongst the flowers / Traditional Karoo dinner
We spend a full day exploring the natural wonders and wild flowers of Niewoudtville and its surrounding regions ( containing over 500 flora species and the richest concentration of geophytes (bulbs) in the world. Highlights include a botanical walk on a private farm and a visit to the Niewoudtville Wild Flower Reserve. Time permitting, we also visit a waterfall. We return tonight to the relaxed
comfort of the Swiss Villa.
Overnight: SWISS VILLA, NIEUWOUDTVILLE OR SIMILAR
DAY 5: Kamieskroon- Namaqua National Park- Springbok.
MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today the tour proceeds to the northern Cape town of Kamieskroon with its beautiful granite shaped mountains. Spend the morning discovering the neighboring Namaqua National Park, well known for its seemingly endless fields of orange, blue and white daisies amongst many other flower species. Namaqualand, a succulent desert, has the world’s most awe-inspiring floral display in August & September every year, an area rich in history spanning some 2,000 years, containing some of the worlds most unique geological formations, predating the Gondwana split by billions of years, and holds some of the worlds greatest mineral wealth.
With these rich abundance's, Namaqualand has in addition breathtaking scenery, wide open spaces interrupted by intrusive granite domes and outcroppings with crystal clear night sky’s that many a city dweller can only dream of. Lunch en route to Springbok where we spend the night
Overnight: DAISY LODGE, SPRINGBOK OR SIMILAR
With magnificent views overlooking the Koppies and valleys, Daisy Country Lodge is truly an oasis in this semi desert area. We are situated 4KM outside of Springbok in the heart of Namaqualand on 25 Hectares. With lots to do and see at Daisy, Springbok and the surrounding areas, this is a destination worth visiting over a few days. Relax in a farm style environment, where you can take walks in the surrounding Koppies, cycle, ride horses or run freely in the valleys. After a day full of fun and adventure, you can relax at our pool, enjoy a nightcap at the Boma or just enjoy the brilliant stars and fresh unpolluted air.
Day 6: Springbok –Ramskop Reserve- Cape Town
MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch
Today we will turn south towards Cape Town. On our way we will stop to enjoy Ramskop Nature Reserve which contains a variety of more than 350 species of cultivated wild flowers. The walks on the laid-out paths through the garden also offer a beautiful view over the Clanwilliam Dam and of the Cederberg Mountains.
Arrival in Cape Town late afternoon.
END OF SERVICES
*Note: should the tour participants be less than expected we reserve the right to use the best sized vehicle for the no. of persons booked on the tour.
Departure dates: 28 Aug- 02 Sept OR 04-09 Sept 2011
Info:
Best time to go: Mid August to mid September is peak flowering time
Climate: Namaqualand is a semi-desert area with warm day temperatures all year round. Night temperatures can be cold. In spring (August- September) temperatures average 25 C in the day and 7 C at night
Suitable for: Those interested in experiencing one of the world’s natural miracles
Please contact one of our travel professional to book your Flower Tour
