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GT12 West Coast (3 days)
The West Coast is an all-year round destination, although it is more spectacular during the peak Spring flower season from middle August to September. Flowers and game can be seen in the West Coast National Park and Geelbek Private Nature Reserve during the short flower season. The Southern Right Whales can be seen from various points along the coast from July to November. The Cedarberg Mountains is known for the best San rock-art paintings.
Day 1 West Coast National Park
Leave the bustling Cape Town along the West Coast road. Enjoy the awakening bird-life along Rietvlei, a proclaimed Ramsar Convention estuary. Drive through the Mamre Mission Station for an early cup of tea and a walk on the Ou Werf. Leave Mamre and cruise to Darling, the flower gem of the West Coast, a seasonal kaleidoscope. Places of interest is the Duckett Orchid nursery, the largest in South Africa; the museum in the old Town Hall (1899) and the Tienie Versveld Reserve. Lunch at Evita se Perron, a popular hub for South African artists and home of our most renowned satirest, Evita Bezuidenhout. Continue to Yzerfontein(whales in season from July to November) to the West Coast National Park and Langebaan Lagoon. This lagoon is very popular for swimming and its birdlife.
Overnight Saldanha Protea Hotel/Guest house
Day 2 West Coast
After an early breakfast we explore Saldanha Bay, known to be one of the best natural harbours in the world, and the biggest in Africa. Taste the fresh delicacies harvested from the icy cold waters of the West Coast in the quaint little villages of Paternoster and Stompneus Bay. We may be fortunate to see fishermen hauling their catch for the day. Travel through Velddrift andLaaiplek. Cross the Berg River and watch the local river fisherman preparing their bokkoms (dried & salted fish). Arrive at Lamberts Bay and visit Bird Island, an important breeding and roosting site for thousands of sea birds, particularly Gannets & Cormorants. Dinner at the famous Muisbosskerm Outdoor Restaurant on the West Coast (weather permitting)
Overnight - Lamberts Bay Hotel / Guest House
DAY 3 Oliphants River Valley
After breakfast we leave the coast and travel inland to Clanwilliam, the capital of the Olifants River Valley. Traverse along the Cederberg Mountain Range, which is home to most of our Bushmen paintings. Optional visit (outside flower season) to Travellers Rest for a two hour walk on the Sevilla trail to witness some of the most remarkable Bushman Rock Art.
Return via the Pakhuis Pass to Citrusdal, which is the largest exporters of citrus fruits in the country. Visit a Rooibos Tea farm and taste the flavour of nature (rooibos tea is an indigenous herb cultivated in their natural environment). Continue through Malmesbury also known as the Swartland (Black Country) with its flowing wheat fields. Arrive in Cape Town late afternoon.
End of tour
Totsiens
Hamba Kahle
Goodbye
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
Drinks and beverages
Anything of a personal nature
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