8-DAY CAPTIVATING & SAFARI

Escape the city lights for the wide-open spaces of the Karoo and the . This self- drive journey takes you off the beaten track to explore the unique landscapes surrounding Prince Albert and Graaff Reinet before you head to Lalibela Game Reserve for a thrilling safari in one of the best Big 5 Game Reserves of the Eastern Cape. The journey home takes you along the scenic Tsitsikamma and Garden Route to stay in Knysna.

ITINERARY:

Day 01 f Departure to Prince Albert (1 night)

Set off from Cape Town and make your way inland along the to the town of Prince Albert situated at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. You check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon exploring the town with its beautifully preserved buildings, museum, and art gallery. The Karoo is well known for its clear skies and this evening you may like to indulge in a star gazing tour.

Accommodation: Mont d'or Swartberg

Day 02 f Prince Albert to Graaff-Reinet

The Karoo is best experienced by travelling on the back roads and absorbing the vast open spaces and distinctive landscapes. You continue your journey further inland to Graaff-Reinet, passing though the quaint villages of Klaarstroom, Meiringspoort and De Rust before the N9 takes you through the spectacular mountain and wilderness scenery of the Karoo. Check into your historic hotel in the late afternoon with time to relax and freshen up before enjoying dinner at the hotel or one of the many nearby restaurants.

Days 02 to 04 f Graaff-Reinet (2 nights)

This fascinating historic town boasts over 200 National Monuments. You will find many buildings In the Cape Dutch style of architecture as well as numerous museums with collections which trace the story of the Karoo. The Karoo is home to some of the most exciting paleontological finds in the world, and dinosaur fossils are on view. Graaff-Reinet Is unique in that the whole town is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park, where game and birds abound, and where the Valley of Desolation will take your breath away. Accommodation: The Drostdy Hotel

Suggested Activities | Activities in the Graaff-Reinet region

Step back in time with a visit to Reinet House with its collection of silver, kitchen equipment, medical equipment, dolls, and clothes. In the courtyard, you will find the oldest vine In . If photography is of interest, the Old Residency houses a collection of photographs, cameras, gramophones, giant music boxes and historic guns. The Old Library Museum provides insight into the lives of slaves, the Khoi people, the history of transformation and the political activism of the PAC and the role of the prominent founder Robert Sobukwe.

Take a short drive to the Camdeboo National Park, which is home to 43 mammal species. Here you can enjoy hiking, game drives, and visit the Valley of Desolation with its sheer vertical cliffs, columns of dolerite, and breathtaking views of the vast plains of the Camdeboo.

The village of Nieu Bethesda, home to Helen Martins' Owl House is an approximate 50 kms away. Take a stroll along the dusty village streets, stopping at gift shops and galleries, the book shop and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants.

Day 04 f Graaff-Reinet to Lalibela Game Reserve

Enjoy breakfast and depart Graaff-Reinet driving southwards, to reach your safari destination around mid-day. You check in at the Big Five game reserve, Lalibela. You leave your vehicle at reception and are transferred from to your lodge where you are greeted by your lodge manager and have time to settle in before your afternoon game activity.

Days 04 to 07 f Lalibela Game Reserve (3 nights)

Lalibela Game Reserve is a 10,500 hectare Big Five game reserve in the heart of Eastern Cape game country. Lalibela brings you the charm of authentic Africa and is a perfect blend of the formal and informal.

Accommodation: Mark's Camp

Included Activities | Daily Safari Programme at Lalibela Game Reserve Upon arrival at Lalibela Game Reserve you are transferred from reception to your lodge, where you are given a welcome drink and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before lunch followed by your first game drive.

Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner.

The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. Then there is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some birdwatching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private veranda. You set off on another evening game drive, returning in time for dinner.

On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive before leaving.

Day 07 f Lalibela Game Reserve to Knysna (1 night)

This morning you enjoy a final morning game drive and a grand brunch prior to your departure. You are transferred to reception where you collect your vehicle and depart for Knysna, taking the along Tsitsikamma and the Garden Route.

Knysna is one of the Garden Route's best-known travel destinations and is the perfect base for exploring the Garden Route. It is surrounded by the Knysna Forest, which form part of the Garden Route National Park. This quaint seaside town is brimming with quirky shops, markets, and restaurants.

Accommodation: Belvidere Manor or similar

Day 08 f Knysna & Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you depart Knysna for the final stretch home.

END OF TOUR

TOUR SUMMARY & QUOTATION*

TOUR PRICE

Per person sharing ZAR 9 781

* Room types are suitable for 2 guests and can be amended for bigger groups or families. * Room types can be amended on request * Package is subject to availability at the time of booking * Valid for travel from August to 15 December 2020 TOUR INCLUSIONS:

PRINCE ALBERT - 1 night in Prince Albert: Mont d'Or Swartberg Hotel in a standard room on a Bed & Breakfast Basis

GRAAFF REINET - 2 nights in Graaff Reinet: The Drostdy Hotel in a standard luxury room on a Bed & Breakfast Basis

LALIBELA GAME RESERVE - 3 nights on Safari in the Lalibela Game Reserve: Mark's Camp in a standard luxury chalet on a Full Board & Activities Basis (Includes three meals per day, tea and coffee, and twice daily game drives / excludes all beverages.)

KNYSNA - 1 night in Knysna: Belvidere Manor in a standard luxury cottage on a Bed & Breakfast basis

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

- All meals not specified above - Optional/Suggested Activities - Personal items, tipping, personal refreshments, and extras - Car hire is not included

BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES

+27 41 581 8170 [email protected]