South Africa: Western Cape to the Elephant Coast

Your journey in this land of astonishing ecological diversity reads like pages from Sir Francis Drake’s
diary of four centuries ago—so dramatic are the discoveries in store. From Cape Town’s striking Table Mountain on the West Coast to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi’s game park on the Elephant Coast, this adventure leads into the wild heart of South Africa; the region’s natural wonders on display everywhere you wander.
     The tour begins in one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, the Cape Peninsula, described by Drake in 1508 as “...the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth.” From this botanical garden of fynbos (a uniquely South African bush variety), you head into wine country. The vintages you sample in this old, revered wine region are prized even by European vintner standards and, during your stay, enhance exquisite French-influenced meals. Rugged coastal paths and gentle prairies wind along the lush Garden Route and the coastal forest of Tsitsikamma beckons with breathtaking terrain. To the north, the jagged Drakensberg peaks form a backdrop as you traverse meadows rippling like a floral tapestry. Wildlife discoveries inspire awe in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, which shares the distinction with St. Lucia Wetland Park of being Africa’s oldest and most abundant wildlife sanctuary. Curious baboons turn their long, black muzzles your way, white-spotted helmeted guinea fowl scuttle underfoot, and raptors fly overhead.
     The accommodations and meals reflect South Africa’s unique cultural mix. A boutique-style inn graced with lovely verandas and South African country lodges with thatched-roof luxury cabins evoke the rustic character of the region while offering comfortable amenities. You experience South Africa to the fullest; experiencing the legendary natural wonders of an African adventure.