Compare 12 Day West Coast of South Africa by Getaway Africa
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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| Duration | 12 days |
| Price From | Check price |
| Price Per Day | Check price |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 10 Dinners |
| Description |
The West Coast Tours on one of the less travelled routes. The rugged and semi desert Sand veld & Dune veld is home to a variety of endemic plants & succulents along with the smallest tortoise in our country. This region along with Namaqualand is known for its great flowering season in September. However traveling along the west coast will allow us to intrude on one of the least populated areas in South Africa. The Cold Atlantic can offer some chilled evenings, but the remote 4 x 4 sand track makes up for unpredictable weather conditions. Explore the combination of the West Coast & Richtersveld with a splendid finish at the Orange River. This is definitely explorer trip for the traveller that seeks the road less travelled |
Day 1, 2: Cape Town, Paternoster, Lamberts bay & Private Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our Trail will start 8:00 am in Cape Town. Our point of departure will be the Backpack Lodge in Cape Town. We continue following the west coast towards a small fishing town called Paternoster and from the west coast road along the beaches between Elands bay and a small Fishing town of Lamberts bay will lead us towards one of the few areas where the Malgasse are breeding on the west coast. Lamberts bay is known for rock lobster fishing and some of the best potatoes in South Africa. The ‘Sandveld’ region that we travel through is the perfect growing area for potatoes. There is time to enjoy some of the local cuisine at one of the local restaurants. Late afternoon we will spend on a private sanctuary on the West Coast past Lamberts bay and have a walk along these beautiful west coast beaches.
Distance: 250km (own lunch en route day 1)
Day 3, 4: Groen River, Namaqua National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The rugged West Coast becomes untouched the further north we travel. The little town of Lutsville is situated along the Olifants River and offers a fresh green change in Namaqualand. This region is known for its vineyards and wineries. The Olifants River valley is the largest wine cooperative in the world. We will have time to visit a winery on the way and stock some of the local wines for our adventure that lies ahead. The Namaqua National Park is approximately 2 – 3 hours from Lutsville and here we will spend two nights in the park. We have time to drive and visit the Spoegriver caves and the opportunity to walk on these untouched beaches in Namaqualand.
Distance: 250km
Day 5: Hondeklipbaai
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After a nice morning walk along the coast we will be driving towards the northern part of the Namaqua National park. On our way we often see a variety of Raptors, Ostriches, Surricates, Jackal, Duiker antelopes, Ground Squirrels, Springbok and an array of succulent plants. This is a relaxing drive towards the small fishing and ex-diamond mining community of Hondeklipbaai. We will visit one of the shipwrecks in the area, namely the Aristae just south of Hondeklipbaai. Our afternoon is at leisure and from our tented camp in Hondeklipbaai you can go for walks at your own interest along the beach and bay.
Distance: 100km.
Day 6: Shipwreck 4 x 4 trail
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The 4 x 4 Shipwreck trail is a great way to start our morning after breakfast. We will enter the shipwreck trail with our local guide and explore this private concession along the west coast of South Africa. This is in the heart of the Diamond coast route. The whole day we will be on a 4 x 4 Trail exploring the plants, shipwrecks and a touch of history of our desert-like west coast.
Distance: 50Km
Day 7: Richtersveld Reserve, Hellskloof, Orange River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our Safari will take us through the mining towns of Klein Zee & Port Nolloth. These is old mining towns have two remaining active concessions that are still in production. The remains of a once flourishing Diamond mining town is today only a shadow of what it was. This rugged terrain offers endless mountain views and some of the most spectacular rock formations. The Richtersveld is divided in 3 regions namely the Richtersveld Trans frontier Park, Richtersveld community reserve and the Nababeeb community reserve. Our trail takes us through these community reserves towards the Orange River. Along our way we can find some of the succulent plants and the ‘Halfmens’ that is indigenous to this harsh mountain desert.
Distance: 250km
Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Orange River Rafting – Orange River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The next 4 days will be spent rafting along the Richtersveld mountains and exploring the beauty of South Africa’s Longest River. Our camps will be on the banks of the Orange River. One of the few places left, where one can sleep under the stars next to your campfire. What a perfect way to conclude our safari adventure
Distance (45-65 km depending on water level).
Day 12: Transit to Cape Town
After a delicious breakfast prepared by your guide(s) at The Growcery Camp, we will depart and make our way back to Cape Town. We will stick to the N7 while we travel past Springbok, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, and Piketberg - to name but a few - as we reminisce on the amazing sights and sounds we experienced over the past 11 days.
Distance: 700km (own lunch en route)
