14 Day Grand Eco Explorer

Day 1 – 6 SAME AS 7 DAY ECO EXPLORER

This tour is the extension of the 7 day eco explorer and in addition hosts the celebrated Garden Route and rewarding Little Karoo. Witness Mother Nature in all her glory, with rugged coastlines backed by lush mountains, interesting cultures and traditions, teeming wildlife and ancient caves. This route is the “must see” of South Africa.  

Day 8

God’s Back Yard

Travel to the Gateway town of "the Garden Route”, the historical forestry post of George. An antique steam-train aptly named the Choe- Tjoe will transport us along some of the most spectacular scenery covering the Wilderness National Park which incorporates wetlands, estuaries, narrow ravines, breath-taking landscapes and dense mountain forests.

We alight at the popular town of Knysna where we explore the unusual geological feature of the Knysna heads and the Featherbed nature reserve. It includes a boat trip on the Knysna lagoon and sightings of another species on the Red Data list, the rare blue duiker.

We then visit an interesting (to say the least) community of historically disadvantaged people on a ridge above the town of Knysna. We will learn about there values and traditions and the ways they are trying to uplift themselves.

We also have the option of visiting an oyster farm. Spend the night in the picturesque town of Knysna.

Day 9

Plettenberg Paradise

In Plettenberg Bay we explore the Robberg Nature Reserve, with its colony of Cape Fur Seals, take an exciting and informative Ocean Safari in search of dolphins and whales (in season). The guides on board are extremely knowledgeable as they are all involved in marine research. We also explore the spectacular forested mountain pass of the Blaaukrantz.  We then take time to out to absorb the natural beauty in the beach paradise of Natures valley.

Day 10

Tsitsikamma Forest Fantasy

Today we explore a national park which is second in popularity only to the Kruger National Park, but second to none in awesome beauty. It consists of lush coastal, afro-montane forest and is known for its excellent birdlife. Not only is the forest protected, but being the first marine reserve in Africa, the boundary reaches 5kms’ out to sea and is a strict no-take zone. Here we explore the sensitive inter-tidal zones, walk across the river mouth of the Storms river across a suspension bridge and a boat trip up the narrow Storm's River gorge. We then do a specialist guided walk for 45 minutes through the lush forest which is home to a number of spectacular creatures. For the more fit/adventurous we also walk to a spectacular waterfall along this stretch of protected coastline. This is also the first part of one of SA’s most treasured hiking trails- the Otter Trail.
Spend the night in the National Park or in accommodation on its fringes.

Day 11

Leisure Day

At your leisure. Adventurers can participate in a number of adventure activities, including the Worlds highest commercial bungee, abseiling, mountain forest biking, or tree-top canopy tours. Alternatively guests can soak up the natural surroundings by doing a wood-cutters journey by tractor, take a stroll through the lush forest or just relax on one of the pristine beaches.

Day 12

Cango Adventure

We travel along a winding mountain pass through the Outeniqua Mountains (Khoi-San word for danger) to a National Heritage Site- the Cango caves. Explore the first two chambers or the more adventurous can take an hour long caving adventure which explores the length of the 1km cave. Although the Karoo is an arid region, a colourful carpet of wild flowers appears in the reserve. Of particular interest to the botanist is the occurrence of recently discovered rare protea species. Overnight in Oudtshoorn, SA’s ostrich farming capital.

Day 13

The Ochre Trail

We travel the long, winding mountain passes along the Outeniqua and Langeberg Mountains through the world’s longest wine route, the R62, towards our final destination, Cape Town.
On route we stop at a private farm and the only rock art site this close to Cape Town.   Besides the skeletal remains found in archaeological digs all over SA, the most profound evidence of this ancient civilizations existence is found in nearly 20 000 rock art sites scattered over the Southern Cape. Many of the paintings have surreal elements as they depict the spiritual side of the San culture. Their spiritual beliefs are based on the concept of Shamanism which is in essence connecting with the spiritual world through an altered state of consciousness. These sometimes haunting images run the full gamut from dramatic, robust panels containing many figures to the delicate depiction of a single antelope, and are well worth a closer look.
Explore this natural private reserve with the use of an expert, local rock art guide.
It will include:
Spectacularly beautiful mountain scenery.
1-2 hr walking tour of various rock art sites.
Explanation on the geology, flora, fauna and their specific uses to San people.
Myths and legends of this captivating culture.
Lavish lunch in the lee of dramatic red sandstone landscape.

The tour concludes with a scenic drive through the Cape’s most famous fruit growing region, back to Cape Town where we bid you farewell.