South Africa

Day 1: City Tour – Table Mountain

Upon your arrival at Cape Town airport, you'll be met by your German-speaking tour guide and taken to your hotel. After check-in, the sightseeing begins! You will have the opportunity to get a first impression of all the beautiful sights the city has to offer. Amongst others, you will visit the 'Castle of Good Hope', the oldest remaining building in Cape Town, as well as the 'Bo Kaap', the Malay Quarter. Our tour starts with a walk through of the 'Company's Garden', from where we head towards the bright colours and lively activity of Green Market Square. Thereafter, if the weather permits, we will take the cable car up Table Mountain. This over 1000m high landmark offers the most spectacular views of the city and the sea. To conclude the first Day, you may choose to be taken to the V&A Waterfront or head home to wind down at the hotel.

B/ Cape Town

• Airport transfer
• Company's Garden
• National Gallery
• Green Market Square
• Malay Quarter/ Bo Kaap
• Table Mountain (weather permitting)
• V&A Waterfront

Day 2: Peninsula Tour

Discover the natural environment of Cape Town with a trip around the peninsula. Starting off in Clifton, the tour takes you along the scenic Atlantic Coast, past Camps Bay to Hout Bay. From here, we'll make our way to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point via Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most scenic coastal roads. From the tip of Cape Point, which can be reached on foot or via funicular, a breath-taking panoramic view unfolds. On the way back, we'll drive along False Bay and stop at Boulders Beach to visit the penguin colony. An appropriate climax to this day, surrounded by nature, will be played out in the lush Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

B/B Cape Town

• Drive along the Atlantic Coast
• Hout Bay/ optional boat trip to Duiker Island
• Chapman's Peak Drive
• Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
• Cape Point
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Day 3: Cape Town – Hermanus – Oudtshoorn

Today, we'll venture out of Cape Town and head in the direction of Oudtshoorn via Clarens Drive, a scenic coastal road, which offers wonderful views of False Bay. Along the way, we'll stop at the charming fisherman's village of Hermanus. Hermanus is the ideal spot for whale watching. During the months of June to December, the Southern Right Whales frolic in the Bay, making Hermanus one of the best land-based whale watching areas in the world. We continue our way to Oudtshoorn by taking the Tradouw-Pass; passing Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Oudtshoorn is situated in the semi-desert area, known as the'Klein (little) Karoo'. Dinner will be enjoyed at the lodge restaurant. Naturally, as we are in the centre of the ostrich country, we will have ostrich meat on the menu.

B/B Oudtshoorn

• Hermanus ( June – December: whale watching)
• Tradouw Pass

Day 4: Oudtshoorn-Swartberg Pass-Oudtshoorn

The Day starts with a guided tour through the Cango Caves, the biggest cave network on the African continent, with its impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites. Accompanied by an experienced tour guide, the group will have the opportunity to explore a section of the caves on foot. Next on our agenda is the Swartberg-Pass. It is one of the most spectacular and oldest mountain passes in South Africa; with its views, it is a mesmerizing experience. We continue to Meiringspoort where we visit a small waterfall, and finally, we will have another guided tour on an ostrich farm with an ostrich-expert. Lunch will be enjoyed at the farm's restaurant where, naturally, ostrich meat features prevalently on the menu.

B/B Oudtshoorn

• Cango Caves
• Swartberg-Pass
• Meiringspoort
• Ostrich farm

Day 5: Oudtshoorn-Knysna

Today we traverse the Outeniqua Pass to George, continue via Wilderness to Knysna. Knysna, known as the 'Pearl of the Garden Route', is situated between lush forests and a wide lagoon. Two rocky promontories called 'The Heads' protect the lagoon from the powerful flow of the Indian Ocean. We will inspect the lookout point on the famous "Knysna Heads". From its summits we will have a breathtaking view onto the lagoon and the Indian Ocean. To round off our day in Knysna, we have planned a boat ride on the lagoon. The oyster festival is another highlight that Knysna is renowned for. Perhaps some of the guests would like to try oysters?

B/B Knysna

• Outeniqua Pass
• Eastern Head
• Waterfront
• Boat ride

Day 6: Knysna-Tsitsikamma National Park-Plettenberg-Knysna

After breakfast we are heading off to the Tsitsikamma National Park, where we'll take a walk to Storms River Mouth. Afterwards we will stop at the Bloukrans River Bridge and hopefully get to watch a bungee jumper plummet down its depths! Next, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a snack at the Bramon Wine Farm. On the way back to Knysna we'll pause in Plettenberg Bay to enjoy the beautiful view over the Bay – also known as 'Baia Formosa'.

B/B/L Knysna

• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Bloukrans River Bridge
• Bramon Wine Farm
• Plettenberg Bay

Day 7: Knysna-Mossel Bay-Safari Camp

On our itinerary today is the visit of Mossel Bay with its Bartolomeu Diaz Museum Complex. The Portuguese born sailor landed here in 1488 in search of shelter from a storm. The museum, put up in commemoration of the sea voyage, houses a life-size replica of Diaz' original ship, the Caravel. The other attractions worthwhile seeing in Mossel Bay includes an interesting Shell Museum and the 500 year old Post Office Tree. Later in the afternoon you will experience the first safari. The overnight stay for tonight will be at the Game Reserve's lodge.

B/B/D Game Reserve

• Mossel Bay museum complex
• Game drive

Day 8: Safari Camp-Swellendam-Nuy Valley

An early morning safari is first on our agenda. A qualified ranger will accompany you and inform you of many interesting facts regarding the surrounding nature and wildlife. This lovely start to the Day will be followed by a hearty breakfast. From here we'll continue on to Swellendam, the third oldest city in South Africa. In Swellendam, we'll visit the Drostdy Museum which used to be the seat of the landdrost, a magistrate-cum-commissioner of the Dutch East India Company. A walkabout around the grounds reveals the Dutch architectural style of the buildings, as well as a strong Victorian influence. Another point of interest is the church comprising an eclectic mix of architectural styles.

B/B/D Nuy Valley

• Game drive
• Swellendam
• Drostdy museum

Day 9/10/11/12/13: Art Classes

The classes take place every day from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. A tea break is also included. Materials are provided by the art teacher. The proposals for the art sessions are put together by Paul Birchall, www.paulbirchall.co.za.

A short biography gives you insight into his career. A collaborative piece made by participants, is displayed at the University of Cape Town.

The accommodation is in a 4-star Country House. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during your whole stay: www.leipzigcountryhouse.co.za

Leipzig Country House is nestled in the the Nuy Valley, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain Range. With soaring mountains, water-rich ravines and abundant plant- and bird-life, the farm provides guests with a golden opportunity to enjoy the best of nature's bounty. Whether you want to take a short stroll through the surrounding vineyards, or a more demanding hike up into the mountains, there are enough options that would make you want to stay for longer.

We offer various activities e.g. Art & Wine Tours; Wine Tours through the classic wine land, Tractor & Trailer Tours, Birdwatching or outings to the Karoo Desert National Garden. These tours are optional.

For the evenings we have planned talks about art, watching art movies, playing games or just enjoy the presence of the group.

Day 14: Nuy Valley - Cape Town

Now we have to say goodbye to our fellow travellers!

Airport transfer. End of the tour