We arrange personalised self-drive tours, select safaris, and vehicle hires, as well as fine lodges and other accommodation.

BEYOND BORDERS NORTHBOUND

Silver Class Tour

Please refer to Tour Code SA13

Our journey takes us from Cape Town through the Western Cape to the border with Namibia. Entering Namibia one becomes captivated by the stark desert beauty as we travel along the Orange River to Aus then through the pro-Namib to view the magnificent dunes at Sossusvlei with our tour ending in Windhoek.

Days 8 days / 7 nights

Min / Max Pax 2 / 9

Departure Monday

Clients will be met at any establishment in Cape Town

Vehicle Microbus / Sprinter

Languages English, German.

 

Monday Citrusdal (Dinner)

Depart Cape Town and travel north on the scenic coastal route. Passing the historic, beehive shaped lime kilns, continue to Yzerfontein. View the distant Dassen Island, which is the largest of 34 submarine mountains whose summits protrude the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Continue through the West Coast National Park to the town of Langebaan. This wetland is biologically the richest stretch of water in South Africa. Drive around Saldanha Bay, which is the world’s finest natural harbour to the port town of Saldanha where a superb seafood lunch can be enjoyed (not included). Travel via Vredenburg to the small town of Velddrif. After crossing the Berg River, visit the tiny fishing village of Laaiplek where we experience local culture typical of West Coast residents. Drive through the beautiful stretches of fynbos in the Sandveld and continue to the town of Citrusdal for dinner and overnight at a lodge located at the ‘Gateway to the Cederberg’.

Cederberg Lodge / similar : app 450km

Tuesday Vredendal Area (Breakfast & Dinner)

After breakfast, we leave the fertile Citrusdal Valley for a chance to explore the Cederberg, informally referred to as the ‘rock garden of the Gods’. Admire fascinating and bizarre rock formations, which have been artfully fashioned by erosion over the years. After driving through the Niewoudts Pass, arrive at one of the region’s many caves at Stadsaal, which showcases mysterious San (Bushman) art. Travel to the town of Clanwilliam passing the Clanwilliam Dam reputed to support more indigenous fish species than any other south of the Zambezi River. After lunch in Clanwilliam (not included) visit the ‘velskoen’ shoe factory and ‘Die Kunshuis’ art gallery before becoming acquainted with the area’s famous Rooibos tea plantations. The area produces over 3 000 tons of tea per year which is exported by popular demand all over the World. Drive to Vredendal via the small town of Klawer where a visit to the local wine estate and can be enjoyed. Arrive in the late afternoon at a luxury lodge located on a working wine farm and enjoy warm personalized hospitality.

Melkbooms Drift Lodge / similar: app. 300km

Wednesday Orange River (Breakfast & Dinner)

After a delicious farm breakfast, overlooking the river and vineyards enjoy a fascinating vineyard tour and wine tasting. With fertile soil, an abundant water supply and the cool Atlantic air, Vredendal is fast becoming recognized for its exceptional wines, which are proving to be winners in both local and overseas markets. The 160 farm members in the area produce over 60 000 tons of grapes per annum, rendering it South Africa’s largest. Travel to Vanrhynsdorp where we have an opportunity to visit the town’s succulent nursery, reputed to be the world’s largest. Our journey continues through the towns of Bitterfontein and Garies, both of which are famous for their unique geology. Bitterfontein produces and exports the world’s only supply of green granite and Garies produces Kaolin, which is an essential element used in the production of paper, fine porcelain and various other applications. Travel through the town of Springbok to the Orange River where we cross into Namibia. The Orange River originates in the Drakensberg mountains and covers a distance of 1800 kilometres through South Africa, where it is nowadays called the Gariep river. The river connects with the Atlantic Ocean at Oranjemund. On its long journey, the Orange offers a variety of vistas: the stretch from the border town of Noordoewer and the rivermouth is very scenic, in places the river is seamed by rugged mountain chains and in other parts, by dune fields.

The Orange is a quiet and peaceful river, the valley hardly touched by tourism. The riverbed is sandy and the water clear and clean. It was the Orange River that was responsible for the diamond deposits along the Namibian coast. Over millions of years it transported diamonds from the volcanic pipes in Kimberley in South Africa to the sea. From there, the currents took them northward and the surf deposited them into the dune fields of the Namib. Canoe trips on offer for those that wish to explore this tranquil area.

Camp Provenance: app. 700km

Thursday & Friday Klein Aus Vista