Namaqualand Flower Tours
2006
During
the months of August to October, the
The 3 tours planned for 2006: All tours fully booked. New schedule opens January 07
11-day
Namaqualand flower tour departing from
13-day
Namaqualand and West Coast flower tour: From Johannesburg to
7-day
Tour one: The highlights of the 11-day Namaqualand flower tour include:
Travelling through Northwest Province, Northern and Western Cape, with each region’s interesting towns, stories, nature and attractions.
Exploring historical Kimberley, the “Big Hole”, and the Augrabies Waterfall near Kakamas.
Wine tasting at the Orange River wine cellars at Keimoes, and other cellars on route.
Visit Hester Malan Wildflower Garden and Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok.
Visit the Skilpad/ Namaqualand Nature Reserve at Kamieskroon.
Travel through the world famous “Knersvlakte” known for its large variety of succulent plants, and visit the famous Vanrynsdorp Kokerboom succulent nursery.
See the wild flowers at Lamberts Bay, Vredendal, Ramskop, Clanwilliam and many more areas along the route.
Experience a guided tour of a Rooibos Tea Farm, in the beautiful surroundings of the Cederberg, as well as dinner in the Uilkombuis (Owl’s kitchen) restaurant on the farm.
View the Nieuwoudville Waterfall and Nature Reserve, and a Quiver Tree forest.
Enjoy a river cruise on the Gariep River at Upington.
Experience nature at its best in this harsh, but beautiful part of our country.
Excellent meals at interesting restaurants on route.
Departure date:
Monday 14 August to Thursday 24 August.
Tour price:
The cost for the 11-day tour is R 8,500 per person sharing a room.
A single supplement is R 1,500.
The tour price includes:
• Transportation costs and accommodation in carefully selected guesthouses or hotels.
• All breakfasts and dinners.
• All entrance fees to national parks, museums, flower displays, guided tours, etc.
The price excludes the cost of lunches, beverages, telephone calls, and laundry.
A minimum of 4 persons is needed before the commencement of each trip. Normal terms and conditions apply.
Itinerary –11 day Namaqualand Flower Tour
Day 1
Monday 14 August: 06h00. Distance for day: 500 km
An early morning departure ensures we miss the traffic rush. On route to Kimberley, we travel through Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Bloemhof and Christiana, where we have lunch. On arrival in Kimberley, we explore this historical town, and visit the famous Big Hole, as well as some Museums describing the interesting history of the mining era. Overnight stay and dinner is at the Carrington Lodge.
Day 2
Tuesday 15 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 450 km
After breakfast, we depart towards Kakamas. On route we have rest stops at Danielskuil, Postmasburg, Olifantshoek and Upington. After enjoying lunch in Upington, we explore the town and its interesting sites. We also visit the Orange River Wine Cellars at Keimoes for some wine tasting, before continuing to Kakamas. Overnight stay and dinner is at the Vergelegen Guesthouse in Kakamas.
Day 3
Wednesday 16 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 360 km
This morning we visit the spectacular Augrabies Waterfalls and Nature Reserve. After spending most of the morning at the falls, we depart for Springbok, with a rest/ lunch stop at Pofadder. If time allows, we will also visit the famous Pella Missionary station, also famous for its dates. On route to Springbok we start seeing the first of the wild flowers. The overnight stay (for 2 nights) in Springbok is at the Old Mill Guesthouse. Dinners will be enjoyed in the town’s best restaurants.
Day 4
Thursday 17 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 150km
After breakfast, it’s off to Okiep, to see some of the historical sights of the town, as well as the flowers of this area. Travelling southwards, we arrive at Kamieskroon, where we visit the famous Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, with its spectacular display of Namaqualand daisies. On the way back to Springbok, we visit the Goegap Nature Reserve. The reserve supports close to 600 indigenous flower species, as well as the Hester Malan wild flower garden, which is one of the highlights of the trip.
Day 5
Friday 18 August: 09h00. Distance for the day: 400 km
Today we travel southwards towards the coast. We travel through the well-known “Knersvlakte”. Many succulent species will be seen along this route. After a rest stop and lunch at Vanrhynsdorp, we visit the Vanrhynsdorp succulent nursery, and then it is onwards to Lamberts Bay. Overnight stay for the next 3 nights is at the Lamberts Bay Hotel. If the weather permits, dinner will be at the Muisbosskerm. It is a well known open- air restaurant on the beach, famous for its uniquely presented west- coast seafood.
Day 6
Saturday 19 August: 09h00. Distance for the day: 100 km
After a leisurely morning breakfast, travel to Clanwilliam, visiting the town, the leather shoe factory, and the beautiful Ramskop Wildflower Garden. After spending quality time in these magnificent gardens, it is time for lunch in town. In the afternoon we do a guided tour of a Rooibos Tea Farm (done by a specialist nature guide), followed by dinner in the Uilkombuis (Owl’s kitchen) restaurant on the farm.
Day 7
Sunday 20 August: 09h00. Distance for the day: 20 km
Today is set out to have some time to relax. After a morning guided flower tour by local specialist Arend de Waal, we visit the local Harbour and Bird Island. Spend time relaxing in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Issabel’s restaurant on the Harbour front.
Day 8
Monday 21 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 350 km
After breakfast, we travel up the scenic Vanrhyn’s pass. We visit the Nieuwoudville waterfall, the Quiver tree forest, as well as the Nieuwoudville Wildflower Reserve. Late afternoon we travel on towards Calvinia. Overnight stay and dinner is at the Pionierslot Guesthouse, a well restored old house in Calvinia.
Day 9:
Tuesday 22 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 400 km
Visit the excellent museum in Calvinia, before departing through the “Boesmanland area” towards Upington. We travel through Brandvlei and Kenhardt before exploring Upington town and its museum. Enjoy a late afternoon river cruise on the Gariep River. Overnight stay is at Libby’s Lodge, and dinner is at one of the towns restaurants.
Day 10
Wednesday 23 August: 08h30 Distance for the day: 500 km
Today we visit the towns of Kathu, the Moffat Museum and the Eye of Kuruman in Kuruman. After lunch in Vryburg, we continue the journey via Delareyville and Sannieshof towards Lichtenburg, where the last night’s stay over is at the Little Dreams Guesthouse. The last dinner of the tour will be at the Chatters Bistro.
Day 11
Thursday 24 August: 08h30 Distance for the day: 300 km
On the last part of the journey back to Johannesburg, we travel through the towns of Coligny, Ventersdorp and Magaliesburg before arriving back in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Arrival should be around midday. (12h00)
Some useful information to plan your trip:
The weather on route is usually pleasant, as it is at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. During the day it warms up to around 20 degrees Celsius, but it can really cool off at nights, especially along the Coastal areas. So the suggestion is to wear warm layered clothing that one can take off as the day gets warmer. A warm jacket or raincoat and umbrellas are advised, as it is at the end of the rain season in the Cape. (Over the past five years we have experienced 5 days of rain in total.)
What else to take: Binoculars, cameras with plenty of film, hat and sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a keen sense of adventure.
Luggage is limited to one suitcase per person, plus a small carry on bag for inside the vehicle. Laundry facilities and service is available at all places where we stay.
Dress code is relaxed and informal, and one need not dress up during the evenings.
2005’s late follow up rain in the areas being visited already indicates that the 2006 flower season will again be good. Avoid disappointed by booking early, as seating is limited on these very popular tours.
To book this tour, or for more info: Click
Here
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Tour two: The highlights of the 13-day Namaqualand and West Coast flower tour include:
• Travelling through Northwest Province, Northern and Western Cape, with each region’s interesting towns, stories,
nature and attractions.
• Explore the Augrabies Waterfall near Kakamas.
• Wine tasting at the Orange River wine cellars at Keimoes, and other cellars along the route.
• Visit Hester Malan Wildflower Garden and Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok.
• Visit the Skilpad/ Namaqualand Nature Reserve at Kamieskroon.
• Travel through the world famous “Knersvlakte” known for its large variety of succulent plants, and visit the famous
Vanrynsdorp Kokerboom succulent nursery.
• Enjoy an open-air dinner at the world famous Muisbosskerm Restaurant. (Weather permitting)
• See the wild flowers at Lamberts Bay, Vredendal, Ramskop, Clanwilliam and many more areas along the route.
• Experience a guided tour of Rooibos Tea Farm, in the beautiful surroundings of the Cederberg.
• View the Nieuwoudville Waterfall and Nature Reserve, and a Quiver Tree forest.
• Wildflowers of the West Coast National Park and surrounding areas and farms.
• Experience nature at its best in this harsh, but beautiful part of our country.
• Tour of the Cape Peninsula, including Cape Point, the penguins of Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Botanical
gardens.
• Excellent meals at interesting restaurants on route.
Departure date:
Monday 28 August to Saturday 09 September.
Tour price:
The cost for the 13-day tour is R 9,800 per person sharing a room.
The single supplement is R 1,500.
The tour price includes:
• Transportation costs and accommodation in carefully selected guesthouses or hotels.
• All breakfasts and dinners.
• All entrance fees to national parks, museums, flower displays, guided tours, etc.
The price excludes the cost of lunches, beverages, telephone calls, laundry, and the cost of flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and additional days and excursions.
A minimum of 4 persons is needed before the commencement of each trip. Normal terms and conditions apply.
Itinerary –13 day Namaqualand and West Coast Flower Tour
Day 1
Monday 28 August: 06h30. Distance for day: 500 km
We depart early morning from Pretoria and Johannesburg. On route to Kuruman, we travel through Ventersdorp and Vryburg, where we have lunch. Overnight stay and dinner is at the Amazia Guesthouse in Kuruman.
Day 2
Tuesday 29 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 450 km
After breakfast, we depart towards Kakamas. On route we have rest stops at Kathu, Olifantshoek and Upington. After lunch, we explore the town and its interesting sites. We also visit the Orange River Wine Cellars at Keimoes for some wine tasting, before continuing to Kakamas. Overnight stay and dinner is at the Vergelegen Guesthouse in Kakamas.
Day 3
Wednesday 30 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 360 km
This morning we visit the spectacular Augrabies Waterfalls and Nature Reserve. After spending most of the morning at the falls, we depart for Springbok, with a rest/ lunch stop at Pofadder. If time allows, we will also visit the famous Pella Missionary station, also famous for its dates. On route to Springbok we start seeing the first of the wild flowers. The overnight stay (for 2 nights) in Springbok is at the Old Mill Guesthouse. Dinners will be enjoyed in the town’s best restaurants.
Day 4
Thursday 31 August: 08h30. Distance for the day: 150km
After breakfast, it’s off to Okiep, to see some of the historical sights of the town, as well as the flowers of this area. Travelling southwards, we arrive at Kamieskroon, where we visit the very famous Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, with its spectacular display of Namaqualand daisies. On the way back to Springbok, we visit the Goegap Nature Reserve. The reserve supports close to 600 indigenous flower species, as well as the Hester Malan wild flower garden, which is one of the highlights of the trip.
Day 5
Friday 1 September: 09h00. Distance for the day: 300 km
Today we travel southwards towards the coast. We travel through the well-known “Knersvlakte”. Many succulent species will be seen along this route. After a rest stop and lunch at Vanrhynsdorp, we visit the Vanrhynsdorp succulent nursery, and then it is onwards to Vredendal. Overnight stay for the next two nights is at the Tharrakamma Guesthouse. Dinners are enjoyed in the town’s restaurants.
Day 6
Saturday 2 September: 09h00. Distance for the day: 200 km
After breakfast, we travel up the scenic Vanrhyn’s pass to Nieuwoudville, the bulb capital of the world. We visit the Nieuwoudville waterfall, the Quiver tree forest, as well as the Nieuwoudville Wildflower Reserve. Late afternoon we return down the pass to Vredendal.
Day 7
Sunday 3 September: 09h00. Distance for the day: 200 km
After a leisurely morning breakfast, travel to Clanwilliam, visiting the town, the leather shoe factory, and the beautiful Ramskop Wildflower Garden. After spending quality time in these magnificent gardens, it is time for lunch in town. In the afternoon we do a guided tour of a Rooibos Tea Farm (done by a specialist nature guide), before travelling onwards to Lamberts Bay.
Overnight stay for the next 2 nights is at the Lamberts Bay Hotel. Dinner tonight is at the world known Muisbosskerm. It is an open- air restaurant on the beach, famous for its uniquely presented west- coast seafood.
Day 8
Monday 4 September: 08h30. Distance for the day: 20 km
Today is set out to have some time to relax. After a morning guided flower tour by local specialist Arend de Waal, we visit the local Harbour and Bird Island. Spend time relaxing in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Issabel’s restaurant on the Harbour front.
Day 9
Tuesday 5 September: 08h30. Distance for the day: 200 km
Today we continue to explore the wonders of the West Coast, travelling along the coastline towards Saldanha bay. We visit various reserves, farms, fishing villages and towns, to enjoy the flowers and sights along the route. We stay over for the next 2 nights at the Calypso Villa’s. The Villa’s are situated right on the beachfront, where beautiful sunsets can be enjoyed from your room’s veranda. Dinners will be enjoyed in town.
Day 10
Wednesday 6 September: 08h30 Distance for the day: 100 km
The West Coast National Park offers a large and different variety of fauna and flora. Enjoy the day exploring this coastal park, as well as the sights of Langebaan and Saldanha.
Day 11
Thursday 7 September: 08h30 Distance for the day: 200 km
Depending on the reports we receive from the flower information centre, we travel towards Cape Town on routes that will ensure the best flower sightings. On arrival in Cape Town, we check into the Bergzicht Guesthouse, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. We spend the last 2 nights of the tour here. Dinners will be enjoyed in the city’s restaurants.
For those interested and weather permitting, a trip up the mountain can be arranged at an additional cost.
Day 12
Friday 8 September: 08h30 Distance for the day: 150 km
Today is set out to experience the Cape Peninsula. We follow the beautiful coastal drive alongside the Atlantic Seaboard towards Hout Bay. A boat cruise to "Seal Island" can be arranged at an additional cost. We continue with the scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive towards the Cape Peninsula National park, where we visit the Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.
Hereafter we drive along the False Bay side of the Peninsula towards Simonstown, where the next stop is at Boulders Beach, to see the protected African Jackass Penguin colony. Lastly we visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We end the day visiting the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, where dinner will also be enjoyed.
Day 13
Saturday 9 September: 08h30 Distance for the day: 30 km
Depending on the time of the return flights, relax at the guesthouse until it is time to be transferred to the airport, or
Additional days can be arranged to visit more of the many attractions surrounding Cape Town, such as the city tour, Robben Island, the Winelands and many more.
To book this tour, or for more info: Click
Here
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Tour 3: The highlights of the 7-day flower tour include:
• Visits to the West Coast, Ramskop and Namaqua (Skilpad) National Parks, all very well known for their mass
displays of seasonal flowers.
• Travel through the “Knersvlakte”, and visit the famous Vanryn’sdorp succulent nursery.
• Visit the bulb capital of the world (Nieuwoudville), as well as the Nieuwoudville Waterfall and Nature Reserve, and a
Quiver Tree forest.
• Visit and hear the stories of the interesting towns on route, such as Garies, Kamieskroon, Clanwilliam, Lamberts
Bay and many more, as well as viewing wildflowers on route.
• Excellent meals at interesting restaurants on route.
Departure date:
Monday 11 September 2006.
Tour price:
The cost for the 7-day tour is R 6,300 per person sharing a room.
The single supplement is R 700.
This tour price includes:
• All transport costs, and accommodation in carefully selected guesthouses and hotels.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
• All entrance fees to national parks, museums, flower displays, guided tours, etc.
The price excludes the cost of beverages with meals, telephone calls, and laundry.
A minimum of 4 persons is needed before the commencement of each trip. Normal terms and conditions apply.
Itinerary for the 7-day Namaqualand Flower Tour.
Day 1
Monday 11 September: 09h00
Depart from Cape Town towards the town of Vredendal. Start viewing the first flowers on route. Lunch will be enjoyed on route. Before arriving in Vredendal, we do some wine tasting on route, and visit the world renowned Kokerboom Succulent Nursery in Vanrynsdorp. Then it’s a short drive to Vredendal, where we stay for 2 nights at the Tharrakamma Guesthouse. Dinners are enjoyed in town.
Day 2
Tuesday 12 September: 08h00
Travelling north, we travel through the famous Knersvlakte and the towns of Bitterfontein and Garies before arriving at Kamieskroon. Here we turn off the main road to visit the very famous Namaqua Wildflower Reserve (also known as Skilpad), with its spectacular display of Namaqualand daisies. Enjoy a wonderful picnic in nature. Return to Vredendal in the late afternoon, exploring more flower areas on route.
Day 3
Wednesday 13 September: 08h300
Today is set out to view the flowers of the Nieuwoudville area. This includes travelling up the scenic Vanrhyn’s pass, visiting the Nieuwoudville Waterfall and Wildflower Reserve, the Quiver Tree Forest, as well as the flowers along the many farms in the area. Enjoy the variety of bulb and plant species found in the area. Enjoy lunch in town. On the return, we continue along the coastal road towards Lamberts Bay. Overnight for 2 night’s at the Lamberts Bay Hotel.
Day 4
Thursday 14 September: 09h00
After a leisurely morning breakfast, travel to Clanwilliam, visiting the town, the leather shoe factory, and the beautiful Ramskop Wildflower Garden. After spending quality time in these magnificent gardens, it is time for lunch in town. In the afternoon we do a guided tour of a Rooibos Tea Farm (done by a specialist nature guide), followed by dinner in the Uilkombuis (Owl’s kitchen) restaurant on the farm.
Day 5
Friday 15 September: 08h30
We visit some of the local farms to view the flowers of the West Coast. Here we visit Bird Island and the Harbour area, and enjoy lunch at Isabel’s Seafood Restaurant. In the afternoon we continue driving along the coastline, visiting smaller fishing villages on route before arriving in Saldana Bay and Langebaan area. For the next two nights we stay at the Calypso Villas, which is situated on the beachfront. Once again, dinners will be enjoyed at some of the well known restaurants of the area.
Day 6
Saturday 16 September: 09h00
Today is set out to visit the well known West Coast National Park, with its wonderful display of West Coast Flowers. Once again, enjoy a picnic in nature, with beautiful scenery surrounding you. Return to the villas in the mid afternoon.
Day 7
Sunday 17 September: 08h30
On route back to Cape Town, we visit various wildflower reserves along the route, including Darling and Atlantis areas. Lunch will be enjoyed somewhere on route. Arrive back in Cape Town around 15h00, where the tour ends.
To book this tour, or for more info: Click
Here
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