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GT161 West Coast and Namaqualand Tour - 5 Days
This unique tour is available from the middle of August to the end of September. The West Coast is beautiful and exciting, with an abundance of fish, flowers and bird life. Namaqualand is an arid, harsh and barren, almost God-forsaken country, with its own unique beauty. This barren land change dramatically into a kaleidoscope of colour and beauty in Spring and attracts flower-lovers from all over the world.
Day 1 – West Coast National Park
Leave Cape Town along the West Coast road. Visit the Mamre Mission Station for an early cup of tea and a walk on the "Ou Werf". Leave Mamre and cruise through Darling, flower gem of the West Coast and the Duckitt Orchid Nursery, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue through Ysterfontein to the West Coast National Park (optional). Visit Langebaan and Saldanha (whales from July-November)
Overnight - Saldanha - Protea Hotel.DB
Day 2 – The West Coast
After an early breakfast, we travel through Velddrift and Elands Bay in search of flowers (in season Aug-Sep) along the West Coast, the Berg River and watch fishermen preparing their bokkoms(dry salted herrings). Arrive at Lamberts Bay and visit Bird Island, a very important breeding and roosting site for seabirds, particularly Gannets, Cormorants and Penguins
Overnight - Lamberts Bay Hotel. DBB
Day 3 - Namaqualand
Leave Lamberts Bay after breakfast and travel along the coast past Doringbaai, Strandfontein to Papendorp, a quaint little town on the banks of the Olifants River where salt is harvested. Continue through Koekenaap through Vanrynsdorp the gateway into Namaqualand. This dry, arid and rocky country changes into a kaleidoscope of colour after good winter rains. The common flowers are daisies, vygies and also two of the most endangered plant species the Quiver Tree and the Halfmens. Visit the town of Garies (became well known in the eighties when Adriaan Nieuwoudt introduced his Kubus-craze). Visit the Skilpad Nature Reserve in Kamieskroon. Enjoy a walk amongst the flowers (when in season). On a clear day you will be able to see the sea in the West. Leave Skilpad Nature Reserve and continue to Springbok.
Overnight - Springbok Hotel. DBB
Day 4 - Namaqualand
Leave after a late breakfast (and walk in the capital of Namaqualand)because flowers are at their best. Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve and discover nature's wonders on a guided walk. After lunch, we continue our search for the most spectacular flower sceneries. Visit the surrounding towns of Nababeep, Concordia, Steinkopf and Okiep and follow the flower routes.
Overnight - Springbok Hotel. DBB
Day 5 – The Oliphants River Valley
Leave Springbok after an early breakfast and start the long journey home along the N7. We will be guided by the abundance of flowers. We will stop at Vanrynsdorp with the magnificent Gifberg towering over the Knersvlakte. Enter the Olifants River Valley, known for its Rooibos tea. The valley is flanked in the East by the Cedarberg Mountain Range. Traverse through Cirusdal, the largest exporters of Citrus fruits. Continue our journey through the wheatlands of the Swartland on the last leg of our journey.
Arrive in Cape Town late afternoon. BB
END OF TOUR
Totsiens
Hamba Kahle
Goodbye
*Due to the unpredictability of weather patterns flowers and whales cannot always be guaranteed, although this is the peak period. Please note that our itinerary can be adapted to include more bird watching and spectacular Bushman paintings in the Cedarberg outside the flower season.
This tour includes the following:
Accommodation in 3 star hotels, Guest Houses or Bed and Breakfasts on availability
Porterage at hotels
Breakfasts and dinners
Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
Tours conducted by professional guides
All entries as clearly stipulated
One 350ml water or beverage per day on the vehicle
Tours are done according to the seasons and availability and opening times of venues
This tour excludes the following:
All optional extra entries or tours
All lunches
Drinks and beverages
Anything of a personal nature
Airport taxes
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