Cape Garden Route Adventure

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: All Year - Please Email Us

Description: Day 1 Durban
Welcome to dazzling Durban, the beachside playground of South Africa. Arrive early to walk along the Golden Mile's pristine beaches and first-class shopping.

Days 2-3 Cintsa
Travel to the jewel in the crown of the Eastern Cape - the Wild Coast. Cintsa is a charming seaside town surrounded by pristine sandy beaches, sparkling waters and sun-dappled forests. Enjoy the range of sports on offer, from hiking and canoeing to surfing.

Day 4 Addo Elephant National Park
Nestled deep in a densely forested valley, Addo Elephant National Park is the starting point for the journey along the famous Garden Route. This reserve boasts a spectacular array of animals with everything from magnificent African elephants to diminutive dung beetles.

Days 5-6 Tsitsikamma National Park
Spend nights in the Tsitsikamma at the foot of a spectacular mountain range. Admire the ancient forests which tumble down to the pounding Indian Ocean, and try to spot the prolific bird and marine life. Daredevils can also test their mettle on the world's highest bungee jump.

Day 7 Oudtshoorn
Stop by Knysna, a beautiful seaside town perched by a picturesque lagoon lined with white powder beaches. Learn about village life on a visit to a local settlement before joining newfound friends at a traditional dinner.

Day 8 Cape TownDiscover the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the Cango Caves, before entering the Cape region's famous wine country. There's no better place to celebrate an adventure: swish, swill and savour the tantalising flavours of local wines before arriving in cosmopolitan Cape Town.

Highlights: Travel along the scenic Garden Route, Encounter gentle giants in the Addo Elephant National Park, Make a splash on the Wild Coast, Test your courage at the world's highest bungee jump, Marvel at the boom town that ostrich feathers built, Delve into the astounding Cango Caves, Sip delicious wines at a Cape vineyard

Cost in US$: Please Email Us For Latest Pricing

Accommodation
Twin-share accommodation (3 nts), participatory camping (4 nts)

Our camp sites are in great locations. When we stay in public camp sites the bathroom facilities can be VERY basic (the toilets may be squat style hole in the ground) and not as clean as we would hope for. There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Once again, the spectacular serenity and chance to sleep inside National Parks so close to nature makes a little inconvenience all worthwhile and part of the African safari experience. Plus not all campsites are as basic as this description, it's just to make sure there are no surprises for you. Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two person dome tents. Please note there may be times when you share a room with passengers travelling on different trips than your own at start, finish or joining point hotels.

Meals
While camping on Overland journeys, all meals will be included. You may be required to share in cooking and shopping duties for the group's meals. When you are not camping you will have the freedom to decide where, what and with whom you eat. Please check the itinerary for details of meals included.
Allow USD 80 for meals not included.

Meal Inclusions
7 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

When travelling on an Overland trip you have chosen a participation camping tour. This means that you will be helping your cook or tour leader prepare meals for the group. You may also get the chance to help with the shopping! Your crew will help you with meal ideas and quantities needed for large groups. This is usually done on a duty roster system with group of 5 or 6 people (depending on group size) having a different camp job each day. If you have any dietary requirements please tell us at the time of booking and also remind your crew at your welcome meeting.

A typical camp breakfast might be toast with spreads, cereal and something hot such as eggs or pancakes as well as tea and coffee. Lunch is almost always a sandwich heaped high with healthy salad and assorted fillings, with fruit to follow.

Dinner might be a BBQ, risotto, pasta dish and there is always the chance to try some African food such as ugali and stew. One thing is sure, you definitely won't go hungry or lose weight on your safari! When you are not camping you will have the freedom to decide where, what and with whom you eat.

Single Travellers
With the exception of our Comfort trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.

Transport
This itinerary is operated in 16 seater trucks, 13 seater vans and 10 seater land cruisers depending on group size and fleet availability.

There are many long hours spent driving on rough roads on all Africa itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate daily distance covered and how long this normally takes to drive in hours so that you can choose the safari experience which is right for you.

African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it is certainly our aim to avoid them, it is important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the Africa adventure.
The step up into the overland truck, while not overly high can become tiring and you need to judge yourself to be physically fit enough to haul yourself up and down at least 8-10 times a day, as can the constant setting and packing up of camp. Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles.

Activities Included
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.

Game Drives - Addo Elephant Reserve
Local village visit and traditional dinner - Oudtshoorn
Cango Caves - Oudtshoorn
Winery visit - enroute to Cape Town
Optional Activities
We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only. They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by the service provider nor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with Intrepid.
Wet and Wild, Durban - ZAR77
Sea World, Durban - ZAR102
Wet and Wild and Sea World Combo, Durban - ZAR150
Village tour, Cintsa - ZAR435
Surf School , Cintsa - ZAR193
Mountain Biking, Cintsa - ZAR121
Canopy tour, Tsitsikamma - ZAR
Snorkelling, Tsitsikamma - ZAR
Bungy Jumping, Tsitsikamma - ZAR638
Table Mountain, Cape Town - USD
Botanic Gardens, Cape Town - USD
Robben Island Tour, Cape Town - USD
District Six Museum, Cape Town - USD
South African Museum, Cape Town - USD

Physical Rating
You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.

Culture Shock Rating
The trip includes a range of accommodation, such as basic hotels with western facilities or overnight trains. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.

Important Notes
Please note the minimum age for this trip is 18 years old and bookings for minors, even if accompanied by a parent, are not accepted.There is a maximum age of 70 for this tour.

We are able to provide sleeping bag hire for a nominal fee. These bags must be pre booked and are subject to availability. Please enquire at time of booking.

This itinerary is operated in 16 seater trucks, 13 seater vans and 10 seater land cruisers depending on group size and fleet availability.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your tour leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the Bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Visas
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself.

Citizens of Australia, UK, and most EU countries do not need visas to visit South Africa as a tourist for up to three months. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required.

Health
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in the group travel experience. If, in the opinion of our group leader, any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, Intrepid reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. We therefore ask that you read the itinerary in these trip notes thoroughly and then realistically self-assess your physical ability to complete the trip as described. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.

There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Africa. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses). Please be aware that for legal reasons any leaders/guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets and antibiotics. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Physical Preparation

Travelling in Africa can be demanding - long, rough travel days, dusty conditions and basic campsites all provide a challenge. You will need to be fit enough to help every day with the camp chores (cooking, washing up, general camp set up, sweeping the truck) as well as putting up and taking down your own tent. There are some VERY long driving days and many very early (pre dawn) morning starts. The step up into the safari vehicle, while not overly high can become tiring and you need to judge yourself to be physically fit enough to haul yourself up and down the step at least 8-10 times a day. There are many long hours spent driving on rough roads on all Africa itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate daily distance covered and how long this normally takes to drive in hours so that you can choose the safari experience which is right for you.

Money Exchange
Currency exchange rates often fluctuate. For the most up to date rates please refer to currency converters / your bank.

The best way to manage your money in Africa is a mixture of USD cash in clean crisp, post 2003 notes, an ATM card (best to have both Visa and Mastercard) and some travellers cheques.
Cash is easily changed at exchange bureaus and offers the best rates. Appropriate currencies to bring your cash in are the USD, EUR or GBP. The South African Rand can also be used widely in countries of Southern Africa.

Any other currencies may prove impossible to change in Africa.
When changing money, only use reputable authorized money exchange vendors and never anyone on the street. There are many instances of travellers being given counterfeit notes or being tricked when money is being counted out.

With ATMs being increasingly available in the many major towns and cities, credit or debit cards are a convenient way to access money. A charge is made for each international transaction - please check with your bank how much this fee will be. We recommend travelling with both a Visa and Master card as sometimes only one type of card will work in certain countries. ATMs distribute the currency of the country you are travelling in.

Double check with your bank before departure that your card can be used as a debit card in Africa. You may also want to notify your bank that you are visiting Africa as it is not unknown for banks to freeze cards which show sudden transactions in other countries.
There have been incidents of travellers fallen victim to common scams at cash machines. Always go to the machine knowing how much cash you intend to withdraw (so the transaction is quick) never accept help from anyone while at the machine and walk away if anyone is hanging around/watching you. Before leaving your home country we strongly recommend you contact your bank and notify them of your travel plans if you are planning to use a credit card or withdraw finds from a foreign bank / ATM. Transactions can be blocked if they are not notified.

You should also carry some travellers cheques for back up and emergency cash. Please only bring well known cheque brands (ie American Express/Barclays) in USD or Euro currency. While travellers cheques are undoubtedly the safest way to carry money, they are becoming harder to cash around the world and can often result in unfavourable exchange rates. It can also be tricky to reach banks during banking business hours which are often short in many African countries.

If you are on a multi country tour, your tour leader will be able to give you an approximate idea of how much money you may need for your stay in each country.

Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Any tip that you wish to give your local guides or leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated.

Tipping
If you are happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. We recommend that any tips are given to the intended recipient by a member of your group, rather than collected and passed on by the group leader.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Maximum group 12 (Minimum 4)

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

FYI Travel's Mission Statement: Travel is a life-changing experience and FYI Travel will assist those who wish to, providing important information, giving peace of mind and support throughout their journey. FYI Travel is a link between traveller's and ground operators/service providers. We empower those in South Africa and Africa who offer extraordinary experiences. Our goal is to be instrumental in assisting individuals in making their trip a memorable one, being part of the traveller's life experience. We firmly believe that South Africa and Africa have so much to offer. The beauty and character of these countries are unique and should be experienced by everyone on this planet.

Year Founded: 2007