Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Winelands- Franschhoek
Stellenbosch was founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679. He ordered the planting of Oak Trees, lining the streets and gardens. The City of Oaks, is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa and is home to the University of Stellenbosch. In the early days of the Second Boer War Stellenbosch was a British military base, and was used as a 'remount' camp in consequence of officers who had not distinguished themselves at the front. The town lies at the foot of the Cape Fold mountain range, which provides soil favorable to viticulture. Grapes grown in this area are mainly used for wine production, as opposed to table grapes. Guests will visit two wine estates where they will sample some of the world’s finest wines.
|
| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
Meals: None |
Day 2: Winelands -Franschhoek
The Cape Dutch architecture in Franschhoek is untouched, with restrictions having been placed on the extent of renovations and new construction in order to preserve the spirit of the original settlers to the area. Guests will visit the Huguenot Museum. The three high arches symbolizes the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The central female figure, personifies religious freedom with a bible in her one hand and broken chain in the other. She is casting off her cloak of oppression and her position on top of the globe shows her spiritual freedom. The fleur-de-lis on her robe represents a noble spirit and character.
The French Huguenots brought their knowledge of viticulture with them and upon receiving land from the Dutch East India Company many vineyards where established producing till today some of the world’s finest wines. Guests will spent some time exploring the town before they will have the opportunity to visit some of the well-known wine estates and sampling the fine wines they produce.
|
| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 3: Whale Route - Hermanus
After an enjoyable breakfast guests make their way up the Franschhoek Pass. The pass is famous for its views of the Franschhoek Valley. It was original know as the Olifantspad (elephants path) used by migrating herds. Man simply just followed these tracks to form the scenic route. Guests will slowly descent down to the Du Toits River at the foot of the pass. The area lacks the fertility of the Drakenstein Valley and appears arid although it is improved by the presence of the Theewaterskloof dam. The road leads to Grabouw located in the Elgin Valley, which is sandwiched between the Hottentots-Holland, Kogelberg and Groenland Mountains. The Elgin Valley is intensively used for the cultivation of apples, pears, plums and other deciduous fruit. The countryside road joins the main highway reaching the town of Hermanus. Hermanus, known as the area with the best land based whale watching, has since August 1992 had the world’s only Whale Crier who sounds his kelp horn to announce when whales have been sighted. Zakes Mda wrote the novel The Whale Caller in which the Whale Crier of Hermanus is the main character, a man who gets enthralled by a Southern Right whale he names Sharisha.
Guests will spent the afternoon at leisure making use of the walk way running alongside the cost with views of the ocean and spotting some whales. The day will be ended enjoying a cocktail overlooking the ocean. |
| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 4: Whale Route -Hermanus
Hermanus being well-known for the whales that make their way to bay to calf and mate during the months of May to November is also renowned for its fishing and perlemoen. The perlemoen derives its South African name from a corruption of the Dutch perlemoen, meaning mother-of-pearl, from the beautiful pearl-lined interior of its shell. It is known internationally as abalone or Venus ear. Guests will visit the Russell Hamilton Wine Estate before enjoying lunch in town. After some time for relaxation guests will board a whale charter in New Harbor. The charter will offer guests a closer look at the Giants of the Ocean with spectacular displays of Southern Right whales breaching the water, tail slapping and spy-hopping.
|
| Overnight: Marine Hermanus |
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 5: Whale Route - Arniston
After breakfast the road turns inland offering guest’s sightings of South Africa’s National bird, the Blue Crane. These tall standing birds are endangered and are very special to the Xhosa, who call it Indwe. When a man distinguished himself by deeds of valor, he was often decorated by a chief by being presented with the feathers of this bird. Guests will make their way towards Bredasdorp, a small town established around a Dutch Reformed Church in 1838. Besides the sheep farming, the town also boasts other agricultural activities, including wheat, milk, and indigenous fynbos cultivation.
Cape Agulhas (Portuguese for Cabo das Agulhas, "Cape of Needles") is the geographic southern tip of the African continent. Guests will reach their overnight destination, Arniston during the afternoon. Arniston is named after a ship that wrecked on the rocks at Waenhuiskrans. Only six of the 378 souls on board survived and were discovered by a farmer’s son on the beach after several days.
|
| Overnight: Arniston Hotel |
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 6: Whale Route - Arniston
Guest will enjoy a guided tour of the village with a local from the community. Regarded as a living national monument, they gain insight into the village's fascinating past and view some of the relics recovered from the ocean bed, such as coins, utensils and personal items. The afternoon will be spent at leisure taking a stroll down to the harbor where one can watch the fishing boats coming in with the day's catch or relaxing on the pristine, white beach. A must at low tide is the walk to the Waenhuiskrans caves. Arniston Bay offers excellent whale sightings when the whales come to the secluded bay to calve and mate.
|
| Overnight: Arniston Hotel |
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 7: Departure
Guests will return to Cape Town via a coastal scenic route traversing the town of Betties Bay and Rooi Els ending in Gordons Bay. En Route several stops are made at vantage points from where the Southern Right Whale can potentially be spotted. |
| Overnight: None |
Meals: Breakfast |
| |
|
| African Sky has been conducting quality South Africa Tours and African Tours for more than 10 years. We offer both luxury tours as well as family tours in South Africa and Southern Africa. If none of our standard South African Tour itineraries meet with your approval, we will gladly tailor make a tour to suit your requirements. |
|
| |
|
|