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On this off-the-beaten-track private tour, you will relish exceptional stargazing in the Karoo and the pristine beauty of the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
This unique tour overnights in Tulbagh, Sutherland, and the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Overberg Region in the southern part of South Africa's Cape Province.
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ItineraryGuests are met and welcomed at a location of their choice in Cape Town by their private African Sky guide. After taking care of a few formalities, your guided tour of South Africa's Winelands, Overberg, and the Karoo begins. We depart in a northerly direction towards the west coast, where the small town of Darling is our first stop. Here we visit the local museum depicting the region's history and houses artifacts from the Khoi and San people who originally inhabited the area. We also visit 'Evita's Perron' for a unique cultural experience. The tour then travels inland, traversing the wheat-producing region surrounding Malmesbury to the beautiful Riebeeck Valley, where we visit one of the vine wineries before reaching the town of Riebeek Kasteel.
After some time for lunch, a short drive leads to the Voelvlei nature reserve for a nature drive or hike. Voelvlei offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and protects zebra and various antelope species in an area renowned for its magnificent mountain scenery and rich bird life. Following the visit to Voelvlei, we travel to the overnight destination in Tulbagh.
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Itinerary We devote the morning to exploring the town of Tulbagh. Its many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture are admired as we stroll down Church Street and follow the Tulbagh Heritage Trail. You visit the Saronsberg Art Gallery and Museum, which features a collection of contemporary South African art and ceramics. The grounds are also home to an impressive sculpture garden.
Following the morning exploration of the town and some time for lunch and relaxation, the tour heads into the surrounding countryside for a wine-tasting adventure. Depending on the season and your preferences, you will visit two of the following four fine estates in the valley surrounding Tulbagh. Twee Jongegselen produces some of South Africa's best Methode Cap Classique sparkling wines. The other options are Saronsberg, Waverly Hills, and Rijk's private cellar.
Distance ItineraryToday your tour treks northeastwards into South Africa's Great Karoo and the remote village of Sutherland. Before reaching our destination, we'll stop at Matjiesfontein to enjoy a tour of this historic town. Matjiesfontein was founded in 1884 by the Scottish railwayman James Douglas Logan. During the Victorian era, the village was a fashionable health spa. Today, it's well-known for its historical buildings, peace, and timelessness - rare in modern-day South Africa. Once in Sutherland, the remainder of the day is spent at leisure.
Today we'll visit the famous SALT - the Southern African Large Telescope. SALT is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere and amongst the largest in the world. The telescope has a hexagonal primary mirror array, eleven meters across, comprising ninety-one individual hexagonal mirrors. Your tour begins with a walk-through of the Visitors Center and is followed by a guided tour of selected research telescopes – including SALT.
We head out to Sterland Farm, a kilometer outside town, in the evening for a more personal, in-depth stargazing experience. Following an indoor presentation on a three-meter screen, the group will head to the Muisbos Amphitheater. Visitors will observe the spectacular night sky through Celestron Go-To telescopes. Remember to dress warmly – Sutherland is the coldest town in South Africa!
Breakfast is followed by a short drive to Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve, where we enjoy a tour of the Karoo's geological history. You will visit several sites where pre-historic reptiles, mammal-like reptiles, and dinosaurs have been discovered. The guide will offer insight into the region's history and explain the conditions that led to the fossilization of the remains. The reserve is home to the rare Cape mountain zebra and various antelope species that could be spotted during your visit. We return to Sutherland for a late lunch and some time for leisure. We visit the Sutherland Planetarium in the afternoon for an interactive explanation of the night sky.
Distance Itinerary A late breakfast in the Karoo is followed by a southward journey to the fertile Breede River valley and the small town of Montagu, renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture, hot springs, mountain scenery, and charming character. The town is reached just before lunch. Guests are assisted with check-in, after which they are free to explore the quaint town and its myriad of interesting shops or to relax in this tranquil setting.
Distance ItineraryAfter breakfast, we travel south via Bonnievale and Bredasdorp to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent. Cape Agulhas, or the 'Cape of Needles' (because of the many rocks and reefs in the area), was so named by the Portuguese as 'Cabo das Agulhas' around the year 1500 and is the geographical southern tip of the African continent and the official meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The area is set in undulating fynbos. Our visit here includes a stop at the museum and lighthouse.
Later, your tour winds through the Overberg countryside to De Hoop Nature Reserve, an impressive 34 000 hectare World Heritage Site. A first-afternoon game drive follows check-in and time for relaxation. You can expect to see many fascinating animals, including the rare Cape mountain zebra and bontebok. Common animals typically encountered are kudu, eland, gemsbok, ostrich, springbok, and impala. The reserve is also home to the African elephant and Cape Buffalo. The leopard occurs, but sightings are rare.
Distance Itinerary During these two days, you will enjoy two specific activities accompanied by local guides in addition to the game drives, walks, and whale watching (In season from June to November) accompanied by your African Sky guide. These activities are an afternoon cruise on the De Hoop Vlei for around two hours. The cruise will immerse you in the natural beauty of the wetland and its surroundings, offer exceptional bird-watching opportunities, and a local guide provides insights into the area's unique fauna and flora.
The other is a night sky tour which will bring you to a secluded spot in the reserve where the guide will highlight the stars and constellations in an area with almost no light pollution ensuring exceptional stargazing.
Distance Itinerary After your last breakfast of the tour, we'll head out toward Cape Town. Our route is past the Botrivier Lagoon and Arabella Country Estate towards Betty's Bay. We'll visit the Stony Point Penguin Nature Reserve and a resident colony of African penguins. Later, we'll pass Pringle Bay and Rooi Els, with the imposing Hottentots-Holland Mountains to your right. This mountain route is arguably the most scenic of the Western Cape, with spectacular views across False Bay. After passing through Gordon's Bay, the tour travels to a location of your choice in Cape Town, ending a memorable off-the-beaten-track tour.
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