The Cape Route R62 is the tourist route in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa, that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn.
The Cape Route R62 is the tourist route in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa, that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn. The ever changing colours of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, as well as the multitude of attractions, will offer you an unforgettable adventure. Enter into the plains of the Little Karoo, 60 kilometers wide and 250 kilometers long and sandwiched between the Swartberg Mountains to the north and the continuous ranges of the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains to the South. Highlights include wine, port and brandy tasting, Swartberg Pass Tour, Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm visit, Valley of Desolation visit, Meerkat Tour (subject to weather conditions) and game viewing in Addo National Park.
| Tour Code | ZLKEC01 |
| Duration | 4 nights / 5 days |
| Start | ±08h00 from Cape Town Waterfront or City Hotels |
| Vehicle | Luxury air-conditioned vehicle to suite group size |
| Minimum | 5 passengers |
| Price | Price available on request |
| Single | Price available on request |
| Included | ATOUR registered Guide, transportation as per itinerary, accommodation, meals as per itinerary, entrance fees, information pack, porterage at hotels on tour, sightseeing as specified. |
| Excluded | Gratuities, drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature, any flights, All Insurance and visa costs |
| Meals | X4 dinners, X3 lunches and X4 breakfasts |
| Accommodation | 4 Star accommodation in guest houses or hotels as per the itinerary |
| Comments | A great way to explore the Western and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa. The tour will run subject to minimum numbers being reached. |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
Day 1 – 08:30
Cape Town to Ladismith (Dinner)
Depart Cape Town and travel via the Du Toits Kloof Tunnel. You are immediately enveloped by a spectacular mountain drive as the road snakes through the inland side of the Hottentots Holland Mountains towards Worcester (Gate way to the Klein Karoo and start of the R62). Visit the KWV Brandy Cellar, largest of its kind in the world for a cellar tour and brandy tasting. Time permitting visit the Karoo National Botanical Gardens.
Drive through what seems like endless vineyards to Robertson, the “Valley of Wine and Roses”. Travel through the tree-lined streets observing the architectural styles of homesteads, many centuries old. Enjoy Lunch for you own account and wine tasting (included) in Montagu. This town is also known as “Little Switzerland” and is set in the fertile valley blessed with typical Klein Karoo landscape. Arriving in Montagu, you travel along the historic Long Street, lined with 14 national monuments built in Gregorian, Victoria and Cape Dutch style.
After lunch continue along route 62 to the picturesque Barrydale, famous for its fruit and wine. Continue on to Ladismith which lies at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range, where majestic Towerkop, with its split peak, looms above the town.
Dinner is taken at the guest house where you overnight.
Accommodation: Mymering Guest House or similar
Distance: Cape Town to Ladismith – 300 km
Day 2
Ladismith to Oudtshoorn (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Breakfast at the lodge and time permitting a visit to a nearby dairy farm before heading towards The Port capital, Calitzdorp. Visit one of the oldest estates and cellars in the Klein Karoo which produce red, white and dessert wines as well as the famous port for which Calitzdorp is renowned. View the strange and rare “red Hills” which have enabled geologists to trace the earth’s development over the last 600 to 800 million years. The phenomenon is said to be found at only two other places in the world. Enjoy a scenic 2 hour trip through the Swartberg pass including lunch at Kobus se Gat open air lapa. After lunch visit the Cango Caves where the mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations have been sculptured by nature through the ages. Arrive in Oudtshoorn, feather capital of the world! Oudtshoorn is synonymous with ostriches. Become exposed to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world, at one of the ostrich farms, where you can even try your hand at riding an ostrich.
Arrive at your guest farm in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: De Zeekoe Guest House or similar
Distance: Ladismith to Oudtshoorn – 150 km
Day 3
Oudtshoorn to Graaf-Reinet (Breakfast and dinner)
An early start this morning as your meerkat tour departs at sunrise. The tour lasts between 2 -3 hours and upon arrival at the Meerkat burrows, you are treated to a hot cup of coffee, after which you will be issued with a lightweight aluminum chair to sit in while observing the meerkats as the come out of the burrow into the sunshine and then go about their daily routing of foraging and frolicking. These habituated wild animals are never fed or handled by humans. Please note that this tour is dependent on fair weather since these little creatures will not venture outside their burrows on cold and rainy days. Head for Graaff-Reinet, the heart of the “Great Karoo”. Known as The Place of Thirst it is a boundless and mysterious area covered by vast sheep and game farms, where broad plains roll away to distant koppies and multilayered mountains that seem to touch the indigo sky. Fossils of some of the earliest forms of one-celled life have been discovered here, indicating that life has existed in this region for three billion years. This afternoon we drive to Camdeboo National Park nestled in the horseshoe bend of the Sundays River and protected by the Sneeuberg Mountains. It is 19,457 hectares and virtually encloses the historical town of Graaff-Reinet. Visit the Valley of Desolation, a National Monument of geological and scenic significance. For the more energetic take a 45 minute walk (1.5km) via the valley viewpoints.
The sheer cliffs and precariously balanced columns of Dolerite rise 120 metres from the valley floor, against the timeless backdrop of the vast plains of the Camdeboo. This is the product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over 100 million years.
In the late afternoon check in at your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
On a clear night skies are studded with countless stars and huge bright planets. Even other galaxies are visible with the naked eye, offering some of the best star gazing in the world.
Accommodation: Drostdy Hotel or similar
Distance: Oudtshoorn to Graaf-Reinet – 300 km
Day 4
Graaf-Reinet to Addo (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast travel towards Addo and enjoy an exciting visit to The Addo Elephant back safaris. After lunch (included) learn more about these magnificent animals. Revel in the natural beauty of the environs and its wildlife from your lofty seat as these gentle giants amble through the African bush. After the ride, walk with them through the diverse valley bushveld, ravine and forest habitat. At the conclusion of the walk enjoy rewarding the elephants with their favourite treats. We end off the day with a game drive in your tour vehicle through the famous Addo National Park in search for more elephants and animals. Check in at your guest lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Cosmos Cuisine or similar
Distance: Graaf-Reinet to Addo – 250 km
Day 5
Addo to Port Elizabeth Airport (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the lodge before a morning open vehicle game drive through Addo National Park. Lunch can be taken in the park or en-route and is for your own account.
We make our way to Port Elizabeth and end off with a Port Elizabeth city tour before arriving at Port Elizabeth Airport for your onward flight. The tour ends at +- 15h00 – time to be confirmed subject to onward flight arrangements.
Distance: Addo to Port Elizabeth – 90 km
