Day two is a long and tedious drive to the Balule (now part of the Greater Kruger Park, a great lunch at the Rose Cottage Restaurant. Took a quick break to buy biltong at Ohrigstad. Our arrival in the park was near perfect when Giraffe waited on us near the entrance. Andy"s Camp, one of the Drifters Lodges has all that one needs and the best is there are no fences to keep the animals away. Our gamedrive was very special when we were confronted by two Bull Elephants, who eventually decided that we may continue with our evening Safari, we spotted Zebra, Kudu and Impala before dark, and then the fun started. We were radioed that a pride of Lions are moving in our direction, and suddenly 10 or more Lions were all around our Land Cruisers, it was clear that they were on a hunt, but as usual time for us to follow them was at a premium and we returned to our tented lodge for a late dinner.
I woke very early when I heard the pride roar about 3 to 4 kilometers away, had a shower and I was ready for our morning bush walk. the group followed after a cup of coffee and an "Ouma" rusk.
it was not long before we found a very poisenouss scorpion a couple of baboon spiders found the morning to cold and refused to come out and play, but we were not disappointed at all because to spot first a Giraffe and then a small heard of elephants not more than 250 meters away what more could one ask from a walk in the bush. During the late morning siesta the very same heard of elephant came to drink at the watering hole near our camp. Our sun downer game drive was just as successful because we spotted Hippo, crocodile, many species of birds and antelope and to put the so called cherry on top we had a Rhino as close as two meters, wow.
Leaving the park the next morning we were greeted by Wildebeest and Giraffe/ The Panorama Route is always something special, but a thick cloud of mist shrouded God's Window, our tourists were compensated amply by our visit to the Hoedspruit Baobab Giants. After lunch we Paid a short visit to Pilgrim's Rest, and the Mac-Mac waterfall before heading to White River for overnight stop. Dinner at Stille Woning is always an occasion and a highlight for all.
The 450 km drive back to Johannesburg's O R Thambo gave most of the group time to catch some shuteye, before we flew to Port Elizabeth and a late afternoon walk on the beach. a long day traveling is the best way to describe our day.
Tsitsikamma, yes we started with the Garden Route and believe me colours where abound. Lunch at Storms river Village Hotel, and a walk back in time(a visit to The Cadillac shack with the 58,59 and 1960 Cadillacs on display as well as a Jukebox with real Elvis music blaring, had some of us doing the rock and roll the way we did it in our youth.... ha ha) Two of the Ladies (not the men) went for their first bungee jump at Bloukrans river bridge only 216 meters. We were disappointed that we could not cross the famous hang bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park, the route to it was destroyed by a landslide during the recent rains. Tsitsikamma lodge with a Jacuzzi in each log-cabin more than made up for any distress.
Our visit to the Born in Africa was highlighted by acrobatics and a fashion show by some of the youngsters. One of the great moments of the day was when we went our on a boat to spot some whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife. We witnessed some interaction between Whale and Dolphin, dolphins are very intelligent mammals. Knysna was next on our menu and having an ice cream at the waterfront is about as traditional as Bobotie in South Africa. We arrived at our Game Lodge just in time to have a great dinner, and a good night's rest.
An early morning game drive, followed by a visit to a cheetah breeding project and a reptile centre, yes all that before breakfast is an indication that we had a good day ahead. We paid a visit to the Post tree and Diaz museum in Mosselbay before we crossed the Outeniqua Mountains to Oudshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of South Africa. A very interesting visit to an leather processor explained why this strange bird's skin is so sought after. Dinner at The Thorntree lodge in Schoemans Poort, confirmed that even the meat when prepared correctly is wonderful.
We spent some time in Oudtshoorn before we went to Cango Ostrich Show for an unforgettable experience with some ostriches. One has to stand still to appreciate natures art in the Cango Caves, here with a little imagination one will,even spot a Leopard, and an eagle feeding its chick in the cave. Our day was rounded off ,first with a drive up the Swartberg Mountain Pass and dinner at Kobus se Gat. The sunset and dinner here was one to remember.
With more than 480 km to Cape Town we departed early to enable us the opportunity to stop for a wine tasting, and visit to the Afrikaans Language Monument, and a drive through Stellenbosch. Our Lodge in Noordhoek was a welcome sight after a long day, I also noted that most went to bed early to catch up on some sleep .
The peninsula was once described by sir Frances Drake as the most beautiful Cape of them all, our day was just splendid, perfect weather, beautiful coastline, cute little Penguins, and whales jumping out of the water, wow all of this before lunch. As a Tourist Guide I do not have the opportunity to walk from Cape Point to Cape of Good Hope, this must be one of the most spectacular 45 minute walks that one can take near Cape Town. Our last dinner together was a well prepared Bobotie and all were very satisfied with the Tour because it was far more that what they expected
Our last day had lots of promise because table Mountain, a City Tour and the freedom of walking in the V&A Waterfront seemed all what was needed to conclude a successful Tour, and again the weather was sublime............I am satisfied
