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1 Night, 2 Days
Code (SP01)

“The original Big 7” Addo Elephant National Park and Marine Safari.

Day 1
Port Elizabeth, Algoa Bay and Addo Elephant National Park

8.00 a.m. Pick up at place of residence in Port Elizabeth to arrive at the small boat harbour to check in and board the boat. Under expert guidance we embark on a 3-hour odyssey into Algoa bay. We search the protected waters of the Bay for Dolphins, Seals, Sharks and the seasonal Humpback and Southern Right Whales (in season) birthing and breeding in the temperate waters of the largest Bay in Africa.

We head for the historical St Croix island, where 20 000 pairs of African Blackfooted Penguins roost and breed amongst the other inhabitants. Many of them can be seen in the water and on the island itself. Sharks are often seen on the surface of the water on the trip to and from the islands.

After searching for and viewing the rich diversity of life in the Bay we return to the harbour for a satisfying light lunch at the Yacht club, where the setting is wonderful and the food great.

After lunch we again board the tour vehicle and depart for the Addo Elephant National Park. On entering the park we begin to search the Sub-tropical thickets for the more traditional members of the Big 5, African Elephant, Black Rhino, Cape buffalo, Lion and Leopard amongst the Antelope, Warthog and Zebra. Reptiles, a rich birdlife and diverse botanical component make this reserve a favorite game reserve for many enthusiasts.

Arriving at the main camp we check in to our comfortable accommodation. After relaxing we again prepare for an exciting sunset game drive in an open game drive vehicle, while Alan Tours prepares a traditional evening Braaivleis (Barbecue) under the African night sky for when you return from your memorable game drive.

Day 2
Addo Elephant National Park

Early wake up for coffee, tea and traditional rusks before embarking on the morning game drive in the tour vehicle. Here we stand a good chance of observing some of the nocturnal creatures before they lie up for the day.

Returning to the rest camp we take breakfast at the park restaurant before checking out. We continuing the game drive in this 40 thousand hectare game reserve while making our way out of the park to continue to the lovely remote dune fields on the northern shore of Algoa bay an extension of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, where we walk onto the dune fields to explore the coastline and the remains left by the ancient Khoikhoi people when they inhabited this area thousands of years ago. As evening approaches we prepare to depart for Port Elizabeth and the end of the tour.

Rate R6 350.00 per person sharing.

Please note that the Boat trip will not depart with fewer than 4 passengers so the trip might be planned around a time when there are enough passengers or when the weather is at its best.

Tour includes:
• Accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park
• Professionally guided Marine Boat tour
• Professionally guided game drives in Addo Elephant National Park.
• Sunset game drive in an open game drive vehicle.
• Entrance fees
• Meals as per itinerary
• Refreshments in the tour vehicle

Not included:
• Curios and other shopping
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities

click here to make reservation or enquiry

7 Nights, 8 Days
Code (SP02)

Spring Flower Tour Namaqualand

Port Elizabeth – Namaqualand – West Coast – Karoo – Port Elizabeth

Day 1
Port Elizabeth to Oudtshoorn

An early departure from Port Elizabeth, joining the picturesque route 62 on our way to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo. Here we stop at a historic Ostrich farm for lunch and a guided tour, after which we depart over the Swartberg pass for our overnight accommodation.
Accommodation on a full board basis.

Day 2
Oudtshoorn to Vanrhynsdorp

After breakfast we browse through the historic village of Prince Albert before departing through the vast expanses of the Great Karoo until we eventually descend the escarpment to overnight in Vanrhynsdorp on the edge of the succulent Karoo and the gateway to the spring flowers. Here we check into our guesthouse in this historical town two nights rest and exploring this fascinating area with extensive wild flower destinations. Full board.

Day 3
Vanrhynsdorp

After breakfast we set off to explore this unique area at the convergence of three botanical kingdoms namely the Nama-Karoo with its predominance of short hardy shrubs or Karoo bossies (bushes). The Succulent Karoo on the Knersvlakte a region of hilly terrain covered with quartz gravel in Namaqualand, the name was derived from the gnashing of teeth due to the rough ride caused by the hard quartz stones as the early travelers crossed the area in their ox wagon, and the Cape fynbos found on the higher ground in the mountains. Each area has its own characteristic plant life and array of flowers. After a fulfilling day’s viewing this captivating landscape we return to our cool accommodation for a well-deserved evening meal and a quite nights rest at our Guesthouse. Full board basis.

Day 4
Vanrhynsdorp to Springbok

Departing after breakfast for the next leg of our journey.
We pass colourful settlements and places of interest always keeping an eye out for the latest spread of Namaqualand daisies or other flowers along the road side or further into the fields, as we head for Springbok. The town that owes its existence to copper mining, which was undertaken in the 1850’s and a reliable supply of water. It is the last settlement before the Namibian border with a nature reserve of sandy plains, dominated by Granite outcrops.

On arrival we check into our accommodation at a local Guesthouse. Full board.

Day 5
Springbok to Namaqualand National Park

Departing from our guesthouse on the escarpment, we descend onto the sandy plains of the 150 000ha Namaqualand National Park, the heart of the succulent Karoo biome with 40% of the plant species found being endemic to this area.

We tour the area, including scenic coastal diamond mining towns where we lunch amongst the kelp and fishing shanties, seagulls and Khoisan people of this enigmatic area.
Overnight Tented camp at the very heart of the friendly flower country. Full board.

Day 6
Namaqualand National Park to Clanwilliam

Wake early for breakfast as we depart for the epicenter of the flower season, the annual Clanwilliam flower show. Picasso, Gauguin would struggle to find the inspiration to emulate this wonderland of colour textures and freewheeling spirits of the people of the northern Cape and Namaqualand.

Here we marvel at the sheer beauty and mass of the floral displays before lunch and in the afternoon we travel to the coastal fishing villages of Stompneus Baai, Paternoster, azure blue sea, startling white beaches, colourful fishing bakkies (boats) and whitewashed fishermen’s cottages together with the spring flowers of the Sandveld which make this place a must see on a Spring flower tour.

Activities:
Visiting rooibos tea factory and veldskoen factory in Clanwilliam.
Sample the seafood delights of the area.
Cape Columbine lighthouse, the last manned lighthouse on the South African coastline.

Overnight at local guest house. Full board.

Day 7
West Coast to Swellendam

Early wake up for breakfast, before again departing for Swellendam we enter the realm of the beautiful Cape Fold mountains.
Overnight at local guesthouse. Full board.

Day 8
Swellendam to Port Elizabeth

After a relaxing breakfast we depart for the Garden route to return to Port Elizabeth after a floral adventure of a life time.

Tour includes:

All travel to and from Namaqualand in a Toyota Condor seven seater with no more than 5 persons and a trailer to carry the luggage.
Excursions into the best flowering areas and other interesting features in the area available to us.
Entrance/Conservations fees.
7 night accommodation.
Three meals per day.
Light refreshments in the tour vehicle.

Not included:

Curios and other shopping.
Alcoholic beverages.
Gratuities

Alan Tours reserves the right to change routes due to weather and/or where the flowers may be located.

Rate: R13 950.00 per person sharing. Quoted as a minimum of four persons sharing.

click here to make reservation or enquiry

Day tour
Code (SP03)

26th, 27th or 28th October 2012 only
Bedford Garden Festival 2012
Prepare to be overwhelmed by this scenery

The famous annual Bedford Garden Festival will be held from 26th to 28th October 2012 and is one of the most popular events in the Eastern Cape.

In Bedford and surrounding farm homesteads, splendid, private gardens are opened each spring, to the public. This is something not only for gardening enthusiasts but also for all those who appreciate the beauty of nature; this annual event is a highlight in these serene surroundings. The area is known for its fine roses, some of which grow nowhere else, yet flourish in many gardens throughout the town. There are also displays of wide herbaceous borders, gardening information on water features, planning of formal gardens, selection of plants, herbs and numerous other topics and displays.

The small historical settler town on the border of the Karoo is picturesquely situated at the foot of the Winterberg Mountains and surrounded by golden grasslands, indigenous bush and well-forested mountains.

After an early 7:00 pick up at a central rendezvous in Port Elizabeth we make our way towards Bedford.
As we reach Cookhouse we turn in at Patryshoogtet. Our first stop is Baviaanskrantz where we stretch our legs, freshen up and get a bite of breakfast. Then we head for Albertvale where two English-style gardens flow into one another.
In Bedford we have the chance pop in at Lloydii‘s Succulents, Cambrian Fuchsias and nurseries on Porter Street, stroll through Craft Market, the St Andrew’s Rose Hall and other points of interest in the town.
A wide choice of restaurants and food outlets provides a variety of meals and refreshments to choose from at lunchtime.
Later on we continuing to the historical Elizabeth Farm and Havelock Holme. This is our last stop, a peaceful farm garden, before we make our way back to Port Elizabeth with the fragrance of flowers still with us on our return journey.