AROUND-THE-CAPE & Karoo -tour (7 days)

The area around the Cape on the south-western tip of Africa is not often explored on regular tours of the country, yet holds many magnificent secrets, ready to be explored on our Around-the-Cape & Karoo tour. We venture into the countryside and bring you the exhilaration of unexplored areas -- 'Around the Cape & Karoo'. Come and enjoy with us the Open and Green, the endless Karoo and the blue seas, really wild open skies, and really deep valleys...

Day 1
We arrive in Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, by plane at the International Airport. We see the Boland area and make a stop-over along the way in the De Doorns area to find some famous table grapes and other local fruit, and make our way on to the railway station town of Matjiesfontein, where we explore the wonderful old buildings of yesteryear, with dinner and overnight in the Lord Nelson Hotel, or similar.
Matjiesfontein is that beautifully preserved, old charm train station town on the way between Cape Town and Johannesburg, nestled in the Karoo along the main N1 motorway.

Day 2
We continue our journey to Prince Albert, which is spread out at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountain range, another of those towns you want to spend a few days in, neat Karoo town with old world charm. We spend the afternoon exploring the area, which abounds with a variety of productive agriculture, like dairy, olive farms, sheep farming, etc. After visiting a few of these attractions, we have dinner in one of the famous restaurants in town.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 3
Today you are at leasure. You have an optional opportunity to go to Hell and back -- no, not literally to the Hell of your conviction, but literally to the far-off settlement of The Hell, in the Gamkaskloof if it is available. It is a 4x4 route, and you will enjoy the scenery and comfortable ride. Down in The Hell is another tale of confined space, but with fertile soil and many stories of the people who settled there and made a living under very difficult circumstances.
Another option is to explore the town of Prince Albert and its surroundings of fruit farming, dairy farming, and many shops, art collections, art to buy, vistas and stories.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 4
We travel either over the Swartberg Mountains, or through Meiringspoort, visiting the ostrich industry and the Cango Caves of Oudtshoorn. There is a magnificent restaurant under the Swartberg mountains (on the other side) waiting to entertain your taste buds with delicious food from the area. We overnight in the vicinity of Oudtshoorn or De Rust, or on the R62 route. B&B included.

Day 5
We continue through the Little Karoo on Route 62, stopping over at one of the towns, and on to the area around the southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. We stay overnight in the vacinity of Waenhuiskrans / L'Agulhas on bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 6
We spend the day in the vicinity of Cape Agulhas, exploring the surrounds and enjoying the ocean - you may see some whales! You have the rare opportunity to be at the point where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. See the Cape Agulhas lighthouse.
Visit the famouns Waenhuiskrans, a huge hollowed out cave on the beach.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 7
We depart Cape Agulhas for Cape Town International Airport, travelling through the Overberg, enjoying the many mountains and towns on our way to the Mother City. Stop over at Franschoek, drive through Stellenbosch.
We depart on our flight back to Johannesburg, and say goodbye to our new friends who stay in Cape Town.


See our Discover Southern Africa tour series for a range of adventures around the subcontinent of Africa ...

Price available on request
Included in the price are all entrances according to the itinerary, transport, flight return tickets to Cape Town and back to Johannesburg, bed and breakfast.
You have a Registered Tourist Guide on call.
The visiting order of the itinerary may change, due to weather conditions, or areas where facilities are better available, as well as the availability of specific accommodation.

You may join the tour at Cape Town if you are not travelling from Johannesburg.
It may incur extra costs should you want to travel return by train.

Peter and Riana Maas
TOER SUID AFRIKA Reisklub // TOURING SOUTH AFRICA Travel Club.
+27(0)71-3303-174, +27(0)79-750-4509
www.toersuidafrika.com // email: toersuidafrika@gmail.com
www.touringsouthafrica.co.za // email: touringsouthafrica@gmail.com

Hex River Valley and Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa

AROUND-THE-CAPE -tour (9 days)

The area around the Cape on the south-western tip of Africa is not often explored on regular tours of the country, yet holds many magnificent secrets, ready to be explored on our Around-the-Cape tour. We venture into the countryside and bring you the exhilaration of unexplored areas -- 'Around the Cape'. Come and enjoy with us the Open and Green, the endless Karoo and the blue seas, really wild open skies, and really deep valleys...

Day 1
We arrive in Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, by plane at the International Airport, and make our way to the town of Tulbach, where we explore this old town which was partly destroyed by an earthquake, which is rare natural disaster phenomenon in South Africa, years ago.

Many interesting small shops in town are eager to welcome you, especially in the street which was reconstructed after the earthquake. A selection of restaurants stands ready to serve a meal of your choice in the tranquil setting of the Boland.
This tour is based on a bed and breakfast basis. Lunch, Dinner and drinks are for your own account.
We overnight at our Lodge on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 2
We depart Tulbach, heading out to Sutherland. This is the far-off Karoo dorp with the exceptional privilege of housing SALT, the largest telescope in South Africa, and soon will be hosting the largest on the planet, shared with Australia -- the SKA, square kilometre array telescope. Here we visit the telescope installation outside of town, later to return for our stargazing into the evening sky, with stories and exploration on our minds, told by one of the astrologically knowledgeable local people.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 3
We depart Sutherland for Matjiesfontein, where we explore the wonderful old buildings of yesteryear, with lunch in the Lord Nelson Hotel, or similar.
Matjiesfontein is that beautifully preserved, old charm train station town on the way between Cape Town and Johannesburg, nestled in the Karoo along the main N1 motorway.
We continue our journey to Prince Albert, which is spread out at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountain range, another of those towns you want to spend a few days in, neat Karoo town with old world charm.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 4
Today you have the opportunity to go to Hell and back -- no not literally to the Hell of your conviction, but literally to the far-off settlement of The Hell, in the Gamkaskloof. It is a 4x4 route, and you will enjoy the scenery and comfortable ride. Down in The Hell is another tale of confined space, but with fertile soil and many stories of the people who settled there and made a living under very difficult circumstances.
Another option is to explore the town of Prince Albert and its surroundings of fruit farming, dairy farming, and many shops, art collections, art to buy, vistas and stories.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 5
We travel either over the Swartberg Mountains, or through Meiringspoort, visiting the ostrich industry and the Cango Caves of Oudtshoorn. There is a magnificent restaurant under the Swartberg mountains (on the other side) waiting to entertain your taste buds with delicious food from the area. We overnight in the vicinity of Oudtshoorn or the R62 route. B&B included.

Day 6
We continue through the Little Karoo to the southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. We spend the day in the vicinity of Cape Agulhas, exploring the surrounding farms and enjoying the ocean - you may see some whales! You have the rare opportunity to be at the point where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Visit also the Cape Agulhas lighthouse.
Overnight at our Lodge. B&B included.

Day 7
We depart Cape Agulhas for Cape Town, travelling through the Overberg, enjoying the many mountains and towns on our way to the Mother City.
We overnight in the vicinity of Stellenbosch. B&B included.

Day 8
We depart Cape Town on the Premier Classe train to Johannesburg, a luxury experience, where you relax and enjoy the scenery, and have three meals, luxuriously set in the Dining car on board the train.
Overnight on the Premier Classe train. All three meals included. Only two guests per compartment, or for single guests: only one per coupe.

Day 9
We arrive at Johannesburg Park station at approximately 11:00, relaxed and excited for our next tour with Touring South Africa!
See our Discover Southern Africa tour series for a range of adventures around the subcontinent of Africa ...

Price available on request
Included in the price are all entrances according to the itinerary, transport, train ticket back to Johannesburg, bed and breakfast.
All meals on the train are included. You have a Registered Tourist Guide on call.
The visiting order of the itinerary may change, due to weather conditions, or areas where facilities are better available, as well as the availability of specific accommodation.

Should you prefer a cheaper tour, or to travel return (both ways) by train, or by flight, please feel free to discuss this with us. We will try to adapt your itinerary to suit you.
You may join the tour at Cape Town if you are not travelling from Johannesburg.
It may incur extra costs should you want to travel return by flight.

Peter and Riana Maas
TOER SUID AFRIKA Reisklub // TOURING SOUTH AFRICA Travel Club.
+27(0)71-3303-174, +27(0)79-750-4509
www.toersuidafrika.com // email: toersuidafrika@gmail.com
www.touringsouthafrica.co.za // email: touringsouthafrica@gmail.com

Hex River Valley and Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa

NAMAQUALAND (NAMAKWALAND)  WILD FLOWER  Region tours

Join us on the exciting 6 to 8-day tours to the wonderful world of wild flowers in the Namaqualand region of South Africa. We tour there during the best times of the prolific wild flower season of August and September each year.

Flowers in the fields grow wild and bring you the best of a kaleidoscope of colour and intricate design in the different species.

On all our tours, and especially a tour like this, you are led by an experienced and registered guide, which we offer you with pride. For the past 21 years, we have gained the experience to take you to the specific areas where the different species are found. If you are looking to see beauty in the flowers, you should join Touring South Africa on this tour. We make it a joyous experience where you really feel part of a group on an adventure of discovery.

Make sure you bring your camera, and take home amazing memories.

Namakwaland Daisies growing wild on a farm

Namaqualand flowers: Namaqua parachute daisies / Berg-magrietjies Daisy Ursinia calenduliflora, with Sambreeltjies Daisy Felicia australis

South African Highlights Tour - 11 Days (9 days tour in SA)

Day One
Depart in the evening from your home destination.

Day Two
Arrive at OR Tambo (JHB) International Airport. After customs arrangements, meet the representative of Touring South Africa in the Arrivals terminal. We leave in an air-conditioned vehicle, travelling North-East, to Mpumalanga Province via Lydenburg. Visit the Lone Creek waterfall and one of the other many waterfalls. We pass Graskop on the way to "God's Window" (weather permitting). Overnight in the Graskop area in a Country Hotel, on a bed and breakfast basis.


Day Three
After breakfast, visit more of the scenic sights of the Blyde River Canyon including the Potholes, and Three Rondavels. Travel to Kruger National Park. This great nature reserve (20 000 square km's) allows you to explore the wild life in its natural habitat. Discover the "Big Five" (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant). Enjoy the beauty of the scenery, landscape and waterholes. At sunset, we arrive at one of the Park camps. Overnight on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.


Day Four
Very early wake up for a safari in the park before breakfast. Continue searching for animals for the rest of the morning. Depart for Johannesburg via the fertile farming area of the Elands River Valley. Afternoon arrival in Johannesburg for a flight to Cape Town. Overnight in Cape Town on a Bed and Breakfast basis.





Day Five
Full day tour to the famous Wine Route of South Africa, including wine tasting, and visits to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.


Day Six
Full day tour on the "Hop On - Hop Off" open bus. Visit sights of Cape Town, including the Waterfront, City Center, South Africa Museum, Table Mountain (entrance to the mountain is excluded), Camps Bay and Sea Point. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.


Day Seven
Full day Cape Peninsula tour beginning with Hout Bay. Enjoy a boat cruise to Seal Island. Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve, the meeting place of two currents of the Indian and Atlantic ocean. Visit the Cape of Good Hope and the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. Continue via Simonstown to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.




Day Eight
Depart from the hotel for the scenic Garden Route. Leave Cape Town through the Drakenstein mountains towards Worchester. Visit the Open Museum, portraying the lifestyle of the first settlers of the Cape area. Continue through the beautiful "Klein-Karoo" to Oudtshoorn, to an Ostrich farm, and learn about these unique birds. Overnight in a local Guest house on a bed and breakfast basis.



Day Nine
After breakfast, visit the Cango Caves. Continue to the coast through the beautiful Outeniqua Mountain Pass. In the town of George, visit the Local Railway museum. Continue to Knysna with its evergreen forests. Boat Cruise on the Knysna lagoon (weather permitting). Overnight in Knysna on a bed and breakfast basis.





Day Ten
In the morning, depart along the coast to Plettenberg Bay, a historic whaling station. Continue through the mountain passes, surrounded by ancient trees, to the coastal Tsitsikamma National Park, combining the unique beauty of the coast with a variety of vegetation. Afternoon arrival in Port Elizabeth, for a flight to Johannesburg. Overnight in a hotel near the Airport on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day Eleven
Transfer to the airport for your return trip home.

PRICE PER PERSON SHARING (minimum 2 pax) : Price on Request

Includes:


• Guided tours according to the itinerary, with registered local English speaking guides.
• Overnight in Guest House, Country Inn and/or Hotel.
• Bed and breakfast accommodation.
• Entrance Fees as per Itinerary (excluding Table Mountain, Cruise to Seal Island, and the Penguin Colony).
• The tours are based on a SEAT-ON-COACH basis

Excludes:


• International and Domestic Flights and airport tax.
• Single room supplement (Price on request)
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuity (for local hotel staff, porters and lodge staff)
• Any kind of personal expenses

Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in this tour package or if you would like us to tailer make a package for you.

Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Battlefields, Drakensberg (8 days)

Day 1
We depart early from Pretoria / Johannesburg, at 07:00, and travel to the Western border of Swaziland, where we enter the Kingdom of Swaziland - a tiny country with a huge heart and warm friendly people, a country that, as the only absolute monarchy in Africa, embraces its own unique and ancient traditions.
Once we cross the border, we visit Ngwenya Glass Factory. Here glass blowers, trained in the Swedish method, create lovely items from recycled glass. It is the only factory of its kind in Southern Africa where visitors may watch, from a balcony, how the handmade items are being made . A visit to the factory shop and a light lunch can be enjoyed here.

After the glass factory, we head to the oldest mine in the world, more than 43000 years old. The primitive miners confined their work to the mountain's summit for fear of the great horned snake, the god of the underworld, who lived at its heart. Thousands of artefacts have been excavated from the site, today known as the Lion's Cavern, over recent years radio carbon testing of charcoal nodules has established that this is indeed the earliest known mine in the world.
As we depart this fascinating site we enter the Capital city of Swaziland, Mbabane. We will visit the Memorial site of King Sobhuza the Second. From here we head to our hotel for a few hours of relaxation. Overnight Mbabane, on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2
We visit a selection of the most interesting markets and craft establishments. Swazi Candles, where the artists manufacture unique creations from specially prepared wax, is amongst many other arts and crafts shops to be browsed through. The handicrafts of Swaziland have for years been of the best quality and price, sought after and exported to many countries around the world.
Our journey continues through the southern part of Swaziland, where we visit a true Swazi family, to see how they live in rural conditions. Remember to bring along something the family may need, if you want to donate anything.

We leave Swaziland, and go for a unique boat safari on Lake Pongola/Jozini dam.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Mkuze, where we overnight. Bed and breakfast.

Day 3
Departing early, we visit Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest reserve in South Africa, and famous for the breeding program of the endangered Black rhinoceros and White rhinoceros. A beautiful green hilly reserve, we have a change to spot the Big 5 animals, amongst other wildlife not seen so often in other Parks.
After our safari, we continue through the forest to St Lucia in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, one of the World Heritage sites of South Africa. Many excursions can be undertaken, or you may even just walk along the main road and markets, or further along the lake or beach.
Bed and breakfast included.

Day 4
Early departure through the northern parts of Zululand, towards the famous Battlefields of Natal. We visit 3 of the most famous battle sites, according to your specific interests. Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift are the sites where in 1879 the Zulus and British forces clashed, after the British government in Natal issued an ultimatum to the Zulus in 1878. Blood River is where the Zulus attacked the Voortrekkers in December 1838, after Dingane sent his warriors on a murderous expedition against the Voortrekkers in Natal. Talana is where the first clashes took place between the Boers and the Brits in the early stages of the Anglo-Boer war of 1899-1902.
After a day of historical war insights, we overnight at Dundee, on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 5
We continue on these famous Battlefields, with a visit to the renowned Ladysmith area. Ladysmith Museum gives you much insights into the history of the area, especially when it was under siege from the Boers. Wagon Hill and Spioenkop are amongst the world's most daunting battle sites.
Overnight on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 6
Through the beautiful highlands of KwaZulu Natal, lying stretched out with beautiful rolling hills, we travel to the magnificent Drakensberg mountains, in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage site. We visit the famous Drakensberg Boys Choir, and afterwards check into our Mountain lodge, on Bed and breakfast basis.

Day 7
A relaxed day awaits you, with opportunity to enjoy nature at its best, with beautiful vistas and the cleanest air. We drive up to the mountains, where you can explore the different sites and waterfalls in the area. San (Bushman) paintings are to be seen.

Overnight at the beautiful Mountain Lodge, on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 8
On this last day of our tour, we visit the Hydro-electrical scheme in the Drakensberg, and return to Gauteng to arrive in the late afternoon.

Price per person sharing, min 2 persons: Available on request
A valid passport is required to visit Swaziland.

The Kingdom of Swaziland (3 days)

The only remaining absolute monarchy in the world is a small hilly African country with a big heart and friendly people, and unique and ancient traditions. You miss out if you have not experienced it yet. Make it an outing to be remembered!
Day 1
We depart early from Pretoria / Johannesburg, travelling along the highveld and coal country of South Africa, to the Western border of Swaziland, where we enter Swaziland.
We visit Ngwenya Glass Factory. Visitors may watch from a balcony how glass blowers create lovely items from recycled glass using the Swedish method. Buy memorable items and glass jewellery at the factory shop. Enjoy a light lunch here.

We then head out to the oldest mine in the world, more than 43000 years old, on the summit of the oldest mountains in the world!. Over recent years radio carbon testing of charcoal nodules has established that this is indeed the earliest known mine in the world. Early Stone age miners worked the mountain's summit for fear of the great horned snake, the god of the underworld, who lived at its heart. Thousands of artefacts have been excavated from the site, today known as the Lion's Cavern.

We enter Mbabane, the Capital city of Swaziland, and visit the Memorial site of King Sobhuza the Second. We continue to our hotel for a few hours of relaxation. Overnight Mbabane area, on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2
We visit a selection of the most interesting markets and craft establishments in Swaziland. Swazi Candles, where the artists manufacture unique creations from specially prepared wax, is amongst many other arts and crafts shops to be browsed through. The handicrafts of Swaziland have for years been of the best quality and price, sought after and exported to many countries around the world.

Our journey continues to see and experience more interesting arts and crafts, and may include the canning factory, when in season. Remember to bring along something for any family we may visit, if you want to donate anything.

Day 3
On this last day of our tour, we visit the remaining sites, and return to Gauteng to arrive in the late afternoon.

Price per person sharing, minimum 2 persons: Available on request.
Breakfasts included.
A valid passport is required to visit Swaziland.

Includes:


• Guided tours according to the itinerary, with registered English speaking guides.
• Overnight in Guest House, Country Inn and/or Hotel
• Bed and breakfast accommodation.
• Entrance Fees as per Itinerary
• The tours are based on a SEAT-ON-COACH basis

Excludes:


• International and Domestic Flights and airport tax.
• Single room supplement (Price on request)
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Gratuity (for local hotel/lodge staff, porters)
• Any kind of personal expenses.