Recommended Tours in South Africa Links
The best resource on the net about the Drakensberg Mountains - Also info on tours in South Africa
South Africa Tours has a mass of recommendations for tours throughout South Africa
This is a collection of our recomended tours of South Africa. Staying at the Antbear Guest House actually means you don't have to do anything except absorb the peace of the amazing environment, sleep, read, socialize, loaf and recharge your batteries. Of course some of you have come a long way and we would be keeping a foul secret if we do not mention some of the other fantastic places to visit in our beautiful South Africa.
The best way to tour in South Africa is to hire a car and just set off to experience the wonders South Africa has to offer. Of course there are good places and bad places (We only recommend good places) but if you have a guide book avoiding the bad is not that difficult. If you like to ask us about where to stay and what to do in any parts of South Africa then drop us a line to aattwood@antbear.de. The best advice that I can give you is don't try to drive too much. This temptation is easy because of the many beautiful regions, diverse cultures and exciting experiences that South Africa offers. I have put together some ideas of where you can tour and the best places are not always the tourist traps.
Part 1 The Drakensberg - (A world heritage site)
DAY 1: Drive from Johannesburg via the N3 to the Antbear Guesthouse. Put your legs up and enjoy our hospitality. The Antbear is an ideal spot to base yourself for any of the spenders that the Drakensberg offers. We can fill you in with any information about the area and some travel tips.
DAY 2: Take a drive up to Giants Castle. Here you are able to see San rock art and visit the Lammergeyer's hide where the feeding of vulchers can be viewed. Giants Castle offers some of the most beautiful panoramas that the Drakensberg has to offer.
DAY 3: A short drive to Kamberg where after a beautiful hike in the lower regions of the Berg take you to what I would deem to be the best specimens of San rock art I have ever seen. This is a travel tip not mentioned in many guide books. After Kamberg continue your drive hugging the mountains all the way to the Underberg. The road slowly winds along spectacular views of the softer part of the southern berg.
Day 4: Well you have seen the mountains from the bottom and now I would recommend you going up top. The easiest way to get there is from the Sentinel. Take the Oliviershoek Pass over the Majestic Drakensberg Mountains passed the Royal National for a view of the Amphitheatre and the devil's tooth. Its a 2,5 hour walk to get to the top and you will be rewarded by the view of the Tugela river as falls some 950m this being the second highest waterfall in the world. Even just the drive to the Sentinel will remain a highlight of you trip.
DAY 5: A slow drive down the Midlands Meander. Visit Craft shops, a Swiss cheese factory, weavers, leather crafts and the Howick waterfall.
Day 6: For those interested in history visit the bloody battlefield of Spioenkop (Boer victory), the battle of Colenso (Boer victory), and Pieters Hill where Buller finally broke through to relieve Ladysmith. Then also visit the cemetry at the then Chievely Military Hospital. Here Lt. Freddy Roberts is buried. He was mortally wounded trying to save Colonel Long's guns at Colenso. The site of the train disaster where Winston Churchill was captured and Fort Durnford in Estcourt if you still have time and energy.
Day 7: A day trip to the Weenen Game Reserve. Game viewing using your own vehicle or on horse back
What we have left out: The Drakensberg offers many beautiful overnight hikes where you can sleep in a cave, mountain hut or tent. Horse riding in the Drakensberg is also a special treat. Driving up the Sani pass in a 4x4 will certainly explain why the Zulu call the mountains the barrier of spears.
Part 2. Zululand
DAY 1: Drive the inland route via Greytown to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Stay at Hilltop Camp Getting there
DAY 2&3: Full day game viewing in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Time will also be spent enjoying the incredible variety of flora and fauna protected with in the park.
Day 4: Mkuzi game reserve. This is very different to the bigger Hluhluwe reserve. Here you will see spectacular bird life and if you are a real bird watcher then this is where you will want to die and go to heaven. On your way there stop off at the Ilala weavers craft center a haven of spectacular basket work.
DAY 5: Depart after morning game drive for St Lucia and enjoy a boat cruise on the St Lucia Lake. St Lucia also brags some of the best whale watching in South Africa.
Day 6: You will be sorry if you don't find the time to drive to Cape Vidal and spend the day watching the fantastic water bird life and some sun tan time on the beach. Protected by a reef you are able to experiece some good snorkelling here
Day 7: In the afternoon proceed to Shakaland for the afternoon Zulu cultural experience. Dinner will be traditional fare. You can overnight in the cultural village. The next morning program will be on cultural life, such as the spear making and beer brewing. Then it time you started heading back south this time going the coast route.
What you have left out: Go on a diving course a Sodwana Bay. Dive with the Raggie Tooth Sharks
Part 1. The Garden route
DAY 1: After breakfast depart for the lake districts of Knysna, known for its oyster-cultivating farm. This trip can be done on a narrow gauge steam train, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (subject to availability and weather permitting). After lunch at the Knysna Waterfront, a ferry, "Old Tree Legs", can be taken to the Knysna Heads (subject to availability and weather permitting). The trip continues to Plettenberg Bay and the Storms River Bridge via the Tsitsikamma Forest where the famous "Big Tree" and "Fallen Tree" with its interesting effect on the ecology of the forest can be seen. The adventurous can go on a short walking trail at the Storms River mouth to reach the hanging bridge to enjoy nature's wonders.
DAY 2: Visit Noetzie, close to Knysna , via a short dirt road through the forest, to reach a beautiful secluded beach, only accessible by walking down approximately 200 steps. From the beach five old private Scottish castles are visible. The trip back through Nature's Valley is an exceptionally beautiful scenery.
DAY 3: After breakfast depart to Oudtshoorn, known as the "Ostrich Capital of the World", via the scenic Outeniqua Pass. A visit to an ostrich farm as well as the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where cheetahs, crocodiles and snakes can be seen. The adventurous can even pat a cheetah. The highlight of the day is a visit to the famous Cango Caves.
Part 2. Cape Town
DAY 1: the Winelands area. Visit some vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting at many of the Wine Estates. Return late afternoon to the hotel.
DAY 2: Leave after breakfast for a tour of Table Mountain and Cape Point. Get to the cableway early otherwise you will be in for a long wait. After the decent from Table Mountain, travel via Camps Bay to Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak. On the way back to Cape Town, travel via Simonstown.
|
The Antbear Guesthouse Enquiries, rates and contact details Galleries |