Hiking Tour South Africa

Hiking TourSouth Africa14 Days / 13 Nights

OVERVIEWRoute Details:Cape Town – Caledon – Swellendam – Knysna –Tsitsikamma – Addo – Port ElizabethHighlights of South Africa:• Cape Town – one of the world’s most beautiful cities• Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope• Hiking in the unspoilt nature of the Western & Eastern Cape Nature Reserves• Diversity from semi-arid areas to indigenous forests with unique floraHotel accommodation:13 Overnights with breakfast at the following (or similar)accommodation3 Overnights at 4★ - Cape Town1 Overnight at 4★ - Caledon2 Overnights at 2★ - Bontebok National Park1 Overnight at 4★ - Swellendam1 Overnight in 2★ - Tsitsikamma National Park3 Overnights in 2★ - Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail1 Overnight in 2★ - Storms River1 Overnight at 2★ - Addo

DAY 1Destination: Cape Town – City Tour – Lions Head……………………………………………………………………………Arrival at Cape Town International Airport in the earlymorning. Meet and greet by English speaking tourguide and transfer to town.After checking in at your hotel, introduction to CapeTown on a half day city tour, including District Sixarea, Bo Kaap, and Company’s Garden.Lions Head HikeAfter some time at leisure, the first hike leadsaround Lions Head with beautiful views over thecity, Table Mountain and the Atlantic Sea.Alongside Table Mountain is the distinctiveshaped mountain slope, Lions Head. This proudlion overlooks the city and Table Bay on one side,and the scenic Atlantic Ocean coastline on theother. Catch your breath along the steep pathwhile admiring the great views which will inspireyou to carry on further. You will wind your wayaround the lions head until you reach the chainstaking you to the very top. The chains are there toassist you as you scramble up a section of rockyfaces. An element of adventure is added, but clientsare still to be cautious when walking and advisedto take it slow. This section not suitable for youngchildren and the elderly. There is an alternateroute to miss the chains but overall it is still quitesteep.The hike on this day takes approximately 2 to 3hours.

DAY 2Destination: Cape Town – Kirstenbosch – Table Mountain……………………………………………………………………………Table Mountain HikeAfter breakfast you will be picked up for a journey tothe famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Thispoint to point walk across Table Mountain startsfrom Kirstenbosch Gardens. An easy strollthrough the gardens takes us to the steeperascent of the Skeleton Gorge. Once in the gorgewe are surrounded by magnificent indigenousforest which provides us with welcome shade. Wewalk close to the stream to the half-way pointwhere there are a couple of ladders to tackle and arockfall to scramble over. Nearing the top thetrees thin out allowing us views over False Bayand the Constantia Valley all the way to theHottentot Holland Mountains. Breakfast rocksignals the top of the gorge and from here you hikealong the eastern flank of the mountain toMaclear’s Beacon, the highest point. Here thereare spectacular views over the whole of the TableMountain chain all the way to Cape Point.See typical mountain fynbos en route your hike,some interesting rock formations and maybe asunbird or even a sugarbird. At the beacon, TableBay, Robben Island and Devil’s Peak take us bysurprise as we realise we have crossed themountain. Here we take a well-earned breakbefore walking across the Central Table with theCity of Town, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill sooncoming into view. An hour from the beacon we arriveat the cableway station with still plenty of time tovisit the various viewing platforms and look for adassie. The descent is towards the city..The hike takes approximately 6 to 7 hours.

DAY 3Destination: Cape Town – Cape of Good Hop……………………………………………………………………………The hike on this day takes approximately 2 to 3hours.Drive to Simon’s town and the Penguin Colony atBoulders Beach. The hike starts in the nearby Capeof Good Hope National Park and leads prettystraight to the Cape of Good Hope. A steeper oneleads up to Cape Point. Return journey is viaChapman’s Peak drive, one of the most beautifulroads in South Africa.This hike takes approx. 5 hours DAY 4Destination: Cape Town – Stellenbosch - Caledon……………………………………………………………………………Transfer to Stellenbosch, a thriving university townthat lies in a beautiful, fertile valley and onto theJonkershoek Valley, a world heritage site. Thevalley is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom andfeatures unique Proteas and Ericas. Today, you willhike along the Panorama Trail in theJonkershoek Nature Reserve which forms partof the Boland Region; you will see spectacularviews over the whole Jonkershoek valley,especially as you descend to Kurktrekkernek. It ischaracterised by a steep 4km ascent on to acontour path, which leads over the Dwarsbergplateau and down Kurktrekker.This hike takes approximately 7 to 8 hours.

DAY 5/6Destination: Caledon - Swellendam……………………………………………………………………………Various walking trails over these 2 days in BontebokNational ParkTransfer to the Bontebok National Park located afew kilometers outside Swellendam, the thirdoldest town in South Africa. Arrival at theNational Park, embark on one of the three walking /hiking trails, which starts and ends in the rest camparea. The route leads through an impressive,mountainous landscape, rich in fauna and flora.Fantastic views down into the steep valleysoverlooking the Breede River are the highlights alongthe way.Daily walks take approximately 3 hours. DAY 7Destination: Swellendam……………………………………………………………………………Today you will make your way to Swellendam.Swellendam is situated in the shadow of theLangeberg mountain range near the BreedeRiver. In the past, steam boats commuted from heredown to Witsand at the mouth of the Breede River.Swellendam is the centre of the Overberg district,where next to canola and wheat the sheepindustry plays a major economical part.

DAY 8Destination: Swellendam – Mossel Bay – Knysna - Tsitsikama……………………………………………………………………………No hiking on this dayAfter breakfast, drive to Mossel Bay. Visit the DiazMuseum with its replica of a 500 year old Portugueseship first sailing to South Africa under the commandof Bartholomew Diaz.Drive to Knysna; visit the Knysna Waterfront tobuy groceries for the upcoming hikes. Continue ontoNature’s Valley where indigenous forest stretchesdown to the beach. The Nature's Valley RestCamp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the GardenRoute National Park is situated in the De Vasseloton the banks of the Groot River, about 30km fromthe town of Plettenberg Bay and about 40kmfrom Storms River Rest Camp (TsitsikammaSection). This camp is a bird watchers' andhikers' paradise with a variety of trails to choosefrom.Overnight in basic huts close to the beach.

DAY 9 -12Destination: Tsitsikama National Park – Storms River Village……………………………………………………………………………4-day hike Tsitsikamma Hiking TrailThe Tsitsikamma hiking trail is a Southern Capehiking paradise, running through indigenousafromontane forests and mountain fynbosalternatively; creating a continuously varyinglandscape. Deep gorges and valley with streamsof clear mountain water and beautifulswimming pools are alternated with distant viewsof the landscape of the interior mountains.Some of the best specimens of South Africa'snational tree, the Outeniqua yellowwood,abound. Animal life includes baboons, vervetmonkey, genet, bushpif and bushbuck. It is ahaven for many lesser known bird species such asrameron pigeon, narina trogon, somber bulbul,forest buzzards, sunbirds and flycatchers. Thedaily hiking distances ranges between 17 and 20km.Beginning at Natures Valley and ending 60kmfurther at either the Storms River Bridge orVillage, this one-directional (open-ended) trailtakes hikers through the heart of theTsitsikamma Mountains.Clients will be hiking between huts fromBlaauwkrantz, Keurbos and Heuningbos. Thereis also vehicular access to these huts. Clients will behiking from hut to hut from Day 9 – 11.Daily hikes take approximately 6 to 8 hours.The twelfth night will be spent at Storms RiverMouth Rest Camp.

DAY 13Destination: Tsitsikama National Park – Addo National Park……………………………………………………………………………Addo Elephant National Park – Day walk and GameDriveAfter breakfast, you will do an easy walk throughthe beautiful coastal forest to the Storm Riversuspension bridge.The easy hike takes approximately 1 hour.Return to the lodge for departure via Port Elizabethto Addo National Park. This park contains 7different eco systems. In the afternoon, a gamedrive in an open 4x4 vehicle in search ofelephants, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes and evenlions. DAY 14Destination: Departure……………………………………………………………………………After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to the AddoElephant National Park. Transfer from the rest campto the airport for your flight back home (notincluded).Have a save trip home and we hope to see youagain soon!

Terms and ConditionsServices include:• 13 x Overnights• 13 x Breakfasts• 13 x Lunches• 13 x Dinners• Local, English speaking tour guide from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth• Transport in a comfortable minibus with air- conditioning, including driver, petrol and toll fees• 1 x Lion’s Head Hiking trail• 1 x Table Mountain Hiking trail• 1 x Cape Point Hiking trail• 1 x Entrance to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens• 1 x Entrance to Cape Point Nature Reserve• 1 x Entrance to Boulders Beach Penguins• 1 x Jonkershoek Valley Hiking trail• 1 x Bontebok Walking trails (over two days)• 1 x Tsitsikamma Hiking trail (over four days)• Conservation fees at Bontebok National Park, Nature’s Valley Rest Camp, Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, Addo Elephant National Park• Museum fees to Dias Museum, Mossel Bay• Tips and porterage at airport and hotels• 14% VAT, Service Fee and 1% Tourism LevyServices not included:• Meals and beverages not mentioned in itinerary• Flights• Entrance fees and excursions not mentioned in itinerary• Expenses of a personal nature• Travel insurance• Tips for not included meals• Visa fees (where applicable)

Terms and ConditionsPlease note:• The hiking trails are selected to be suitable for those with an average good level of fitness and normal level of agility. During the multi-day tours client are to carry their backpacks themselves, dividing the food between all participants. On all the offered dates of travel the climate is pleasantly warm with temperatures up to 28 degrees. At night it can get colder especially along the coast.• The hotels / lodges / huts mentioned in the itinerary will depend on availability at the time of making the booking. Should alternatives be used it will be of similar standard.

ABOUT USLeading The Way In Southern AfricaATC African Travel Concept, established in 1997, is a leading internationalinbound tour operator specialising in unique travel programs throughoutSouth Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique andZimbabwe.With offices in Cape Town, South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia, weprovide our Guests with the design and delivery of top quality servicethroughout Southern Africa.African Travel Concept’s strength and success is attributed to ourpassionate Team who go the extra mile to ensure the finest attention todetail.We invite our Guests to explore our beautiful destination by choosing self-drive packages, private guided programs, scheduled tours or unique tailor-made vacations and safaris. Our Team of experienced travel specialists andguides ensure our Guests travel with peace of mind. We offer 24/7 supportin various languages.We are proud to be the first ISO 9001:2008 Certified Tour Operator inSouthern Africa. ATC African Travel Concept (Pty) Ltd. 5th Floor Graphic Centre, 199 Loop Street, CAPE TOWN P.O. Box 15974, Vlaeberg, 8018, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-21-426 0032 | Fax: +27-21-426 0034