13 DAY NAMAQUALAND WILD FLOWERS & COASTAL TOUR

13 DAY NAMAQUALAND WILD FLOWERS AND COASTAL TOUR

COUNTRY VISITING: SOUTH AFRICA

HIGHLIGHTS:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, West Coast National Park, Veld drift, Hondeklip Bay, Port Nolloth, Namaqua National Park, Cederberg

DAY 1: CAPE TOWN
Arriving in Cape Town your guide will meet you at Cape Town International Airport. From there we make our way we make our way to the city and your hotel for the night. Once settled in your guide will take you to Table Mountain and then to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for the afternoon and then the day finishes of with some wine tasting at Groot Constantia wine estate. From there we make our way back to the city and stop off at one of the restaurants in the V&A waterfront for dinner before returning to the hotel.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Cape Town Hotel & Lodge

DAY 2: WEST COAST
Leaving Cape Town behind us we make our way up the west coast of South Africa to our next destination. The west coast national park. The West Coast National Park lies 88 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The park is found inside of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. Once in the park your guide will help you along with the organizing of your afternoon in the West Coast National Park. There are many walking trails in the park for you to explore the fauna and flora which the park offers, the park also has beaches you can explore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:  Self-catering chalets or similar

DAY 3:  WEST COAST
Today we will explore the west coast towns of Saldanha Bay, Veld Drift and then make our way north towards the northern part of the West coast. This is the best time to stop off and enjoy nature. Our stop for the night is close to the Namaqua National Park.

Meals: breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Agama Tented Camp

DAY 4:  PORT NOLLOTH
Leaving after breakfast we make our way down to the coast and visit Hondeklip Baai, Klein see and then end up in Port Nolloth, the second most northern town along the west coast.  Hondeklipbaai (founded 1846) is a cove and fishing village on the west coast of Namaqualand , 86  km northwest of Garies and 108  km southwest of Springbok in the Northern Cape province . It is named after a five-metre-high rock that resembled a sitting dog until its head was struck by lightning. Hondeklip Baai was established to serve as an export port for a copper mine in Okiep . The lobster factory has also since closed after the lobster population declined drastically and it was no longer commercially profitable.  Kleinzee (IPA: klˈe ͡ ɪnzi) is a small village on the west coast of Northern Cape province, South Africa, located at the mouth of the Buffels River and just south of Grootmis. It is 72 km southeast of Port Nolloth and 105 km west of Springbok.

Previously a closed company town, it was known for its diamond-mining operations until the 2000s. The Buffels River "flows" through Kleinzee, but most of the time it is just a dry riverbed, and only flows with heavy rainfall, approximately once every several years. Bounded by semidesert on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Kleinzee has a significant underground water table. Port Nolloth is a town and seaport in the Namaqualand region on the northwestern coast of South Africa, 144 kilometers (89 mi) northwest of Springbok. It is the seat of the Richtersveld Local Municipality.

The port was previously a transshipment point for copper from the Okiep mines and diamonds from the Namaqua Coast. Since the 1970s, the main seagoing activities have been fishing and small-vessel tourism. Today the town is a commercial hub with several holiday homes and a caravan park at the adjacent McDougalls Bay. It is also a gateway to the Richtersveld National Park, located 160 kilometers (99 mi) to the north along the Orange River. Once in Port Nolloth you can settle in for the night and then your guide will do you some fresh crayfish (Lobster)on the Braai(BBQ)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Port Indigo Self-Catering Lodge

DAY 5: RICHTERSVELD NATIONAL PARK
Today you will meet your guide that will take you on a journey through the Richtersveld National Park for the day.  The ǀAi-ǀAis  |  Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a peace park straddling the border between South Africa and Namibia. It was formed in 2003 by combining the Namibian ǀAi-ǀAis Hot Springs Game Park and the South African Richtersveld National Park.

Most of the South African part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site, which measures 5,920 square kilometers (2,290 sq. mi). The Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa, is in the park.  A memorandum of understanding was signed on 17 August 2003 by the presidents of South Africa and Namibia, which formalised the establishment of the park.  |Ai-|Ais is Khoekhoe for fire-fire, meaning 'hot as fire' or 'scalding hot', after the hot springs of the same name.

The Sendelingsdrift tourist facilities were opened in 2007 to enable tourists and locals to travel between Namibia and South Africa within the boundaries of the park. Immigration offices were set up on both sides of the Orange River. It is also known for being a biodiversity hotspot, which means it is under constant threat from human encroachment.

When you through the day in the Richtersveld your guide will drop you off in the town of Okiep, where you will spend the night in the small town of Okiep. Okiep is a small town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and was in the 1870s ranked as having the richest copper mine in the world.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Okiep Country Lodge

DAY 6: NAMAQUA NATIONAL PARK
Departing after breakfast we make our way down towards Cape Town and your next stop is the Namaqualand National Park in the heart of the North Western Cape Namaqua National Park is a South African National Park situated on the edge of the Atlantic coast of Namaqualand (an area covering 440,000 km2 located within the semi-desert Succulent Karoo biome). This biome is a biodiversity hotspot with the largest concentration of succulent plants in the world. The park also has an arid environment with succulent plants. The park was created to protect its endemic flowers. During the spring, wildflowers bloom there in a spectacular fashion. The park's main tourist attraction is this abundant spring bloom of brightly coloured wildflowers. The park has an area of more than 1300 km and is approximately 495 km north of Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Soebatsfontein Guest Lodge

DAY 7: CEDERBERG & CITRUSDAL
Today we make our way down to the Cederberg for the night. Your guide will stop off along the way in the small town of Vredendal.  Vredendal is connected to the N7 National Road by the R362 and R363 roads, which run along the north and south banks, respectively, of the Olifants River. Vredendal is also served by the West Coast railway line which runs from Cape Town to Bitterfontein. The travel distance from Cape Town is approximately 300 kilometers (190 mi) by road and 360 kilometers (220 mi) by rail. It is on the boundary between the Mediterranean climate to the south and the semi-arid climate towards the north.

Winters are mild with occasional rainy days.
The summers can be warm to very hot and very dry. After a short while we make our way south to the town of Clanwilliam for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Marcuskraal

DAY 8:  FRANSCHHOEK
Today features a relaxed pace as you make your way to Franschhoek for the afternoon. Upon arrival, your guide will arrange a premium wine tasting experience with a local estate. Known as the "French Corner," Franschhoek is a premier gourmet and wine destination located just an hour outside Cape Town. It is world-famous for its rich French Huguenot history, beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, award-winning restaurants, and exceptional vineyards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: La Terra Lux

DAY 9:  ARNISTON
Leaving early from Franschhoek, you will journey into the Hottentots Holland Mountains for an exhilarating morning. Located within a pristine World Heritage Site inside the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, this guided zipline canopy tour takes you into a previously inaccessible wilderness.  Suitable for nature enthusiasts aged 5 to 75, the adventure features 13 elevated platforms where you can glide alongside soaring eagles and enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Cape fynbos. All necessary equipment and professional guides are included for this 4-hour activity.  After your mountain adventure, the tour heads down to the coastal town of Arniston. Your guide will select a scenic spot for lunch and make a few stops at charming towns along the way. Upon arriving in Arniston, you will explore the historic fishing village of Kassiesbaai to meet the locals, followed by a visit to the harbor to watch the fishermen unload their catch of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Arniston Spa Hotel

DAY 10:  ARNISTON AND CAPE AGULHAS
Your day begins with a hearty breakfast before heading to Cape Agulhas, the official southernmost point of Africa. Here, your guide will take you to the geographic marker where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. From there, it is a short walk to the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, where you can climb to the top for panoramic views.  Next, the tour moves to nearby Struisbaai Harbour. If you are lucky, you may spot the famous local stingrays, which often swim into the shallow waters when returning fishermen feed them.  The afternoon is spent exploring the Arniston coast, including the spectacular Waenhuiskrans Cave. This massive sea cave was historically used by sailors seeking shelter from the fierce elements of the "Cape of Storms." The day concludes with ample time to stroll through the historic town and visit the local harbor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Arniston Spa Hotel

DAY 11: HERMANUS
Today, the tour heads west toward Hermanus, driving through the scenic interior of the Cape. The first stop offers an optional, thrilling Shark Cage Diving experience (at your own expense).  Afterward, it is just a short drive to the coastal town of Hermanus. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you on a scenic walk along the cliffs, where you can often spot Southern Right Whales directly from the shore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hermanus Lodge or similar

DAY 12:  STELLENBOSCH
Your morning begins with an exhilarating 2- to 3-hour Ocean Safari. This boat trip offers the chance to spot Southern Right Whales, dolphins, and a variety of Cape coastal birds. After returning to land, the tour heads toward Stellenbosch. Along the scenic coastal route, you will stop to look for African Penguins and visit the charming Gordon’s Bay harbor for lunch. The day concludes in Stellenbosch for the final night of the tour. This historic town is famous for its world-class university and vibrant nightlife, offering the perfect setting to celebrate your last evening.

Meals: breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:  Dorpstraat Boutique Lodge

DAY 13:  CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL
If you are flying back home from Cape Town you guide will drop you off in time for your flights. If you are overnighting or getting ready for ongoing travel your guide will drop you at your place of stay

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Transport
Services of a driver/guide
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Accommodation as per itinerary

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Flights, visas (if required), personal travel insurance (compulsory when travelling with Blue Chilli Travel)
Meals & drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional activities
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities