20 Day Rural South Africa

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Route::Johannesburg - Clarens - Lesotho - Eastern Cape - Karoo - Cederberg - Cape Town 

Steps:Step 1.

Click on bold names in order to bring up information and descriptions on Cities/Towns, and options for Accommodation, Excursions, Transfers and Flights.

Johannesburg - Clarens:
Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, collect your rental vehicle. National car rental options. Depart on about a 3 hour drive to Clarens.

The Eastern Highlands are one of the most picturesque regions of the Free State province, with resorts nestling along the Northern Lesotho border in the shadow of the Drakensberg, Witteberg, Maluti and Rooiberg Mountains. South of Bethlehem is the small picturesque town of Clarens, named after the Swiss resort of the shore of Lake Geneva where Paul Kruger died in exile. A stream lined with willow trees meanders through this pretty little village of sandstone houses, tea gardens and art and crafts shops.

Check into accommodation to be reserved in Clarens.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 2. Clarens - Oxbow in Lesotho:
After breakfast check out and depart for Lesotho. Fill up with fuel before crossing the border at Caledonspoort and continue to the only winter ski resort in Lesotho. En route pay a visit to the Liphofung cultural and historical site. Check into accommodation to be reserved at Oxbow.

Oxbow - This beautiful mountain region is one of the few places in Africa that you can go snow skiing. However Lesotho is know to give you four season in one day so there are no guarantees. Still there is fabulous hiking and bird watching instead. Overnight at Oxbow.

Step 3. Oxbow - Katse Dam
After an early breakfast return to Butha Buthe and Leribe from where you can travel on the tar road to Katse Dam. Katse Dam - the view of this massive dam from Mafika Lisiu Pass is incredible as the flooded valleys go on for 45km. Check into accommodation to be reserved at Katse Dam. Overnight at Katse Dam.

Step 4. Katse Dam - Roma:
After breakfast check out and follow the scenic gravel road via Thaba Tseka and the "God Help Me Pass" to Roma. Roma is a university town in a scenic valley 35km from Maseru. Check into accommodation to be reserved in Roma. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 5. Roma - Semonkong:
After breakfast check out and depart along a gravel road through rural Lesotho to Semonkong. Semonkong - Meaning 'Place of Smoke'. This could be due to the occasional descending mist or perhaps as a result of the spray from the highest waterfall in Southern Africa. Check into accommodation to be reserved at Semonkong Lodge which is also a pony trekking centre. Overnight at Semonkong.

Step 6. Semonkong:
Spend the day at leisure exploring the area. Overnight at Semonkong.

Step 7. Semonkong - Barclay East:
After breakfast check out and return to Roma from where you can continue along the main road to Mafeteng. Exit Lesotho at Van Rooyensnek border post. Continue south through the Eastern Free State to the northern part of the Eastern Cape.

Lady Grey - Tucked away in a valley below the awesome Witteberg range. Lady Grey is a town of all season - beautiful and tranquil. The area is rich n fossil beds and rock art.

Check into accommodation to be reserved in Rhodes or Barclay East.

Rhodes is located in the Eastern Cape Highlands, near the escarpment in the southernmost end of the mighty Drakensberg Mountains range in the magisterial district of Barkly East.

Barclay East situated in the western Drakensberg foothills.

Step 8. Rhodes or Barclay East - Cradock:
Spend the day at leisure. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 9. Rhodes / Barclay East - Cradock:
Continue on your route through the Easter Cape to Cradock.

Queenstown - Quietly nestling against the mountains on the "friendly N6 route" lies Queenstown which was founded in 1853.

Cradock was originally a military outpost, established in 1813 on the upper reaches of the Great Fish River, 260km north of Port Elizabeth. It has grown into a largish and fairly attractive Karoo town. The fertile Fish River Valley countryside, with its orchards and pastures and fields of Lucerne, is quite unlike the Karoo proper. Check into accommodation to be reserved n Cradock. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 10. Cradock - Graaff-Reinet:
Depart on a short journey via Nieu Bethesda to Graaff-Reinet. Graaff-Reinet is named after Governor Cornelius Jacob van deer Graf and his wife Cornelia Reinet. For anyone interested in the early history of South Africa a visit to Graaff-Reinet is essential. Being the oldest town in the Eastern Cape, it has a number of museums and national monuments that bring the turmoil and dissension that this early frontier post faced, to life. Check into accommodation in Graaff-Reinet. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the area. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 11. Graaff-Reinet:
Spend the day at leisure. Overnight at accommdoation of your choice.

Step 12. Graaff-Reinet - Beaufort West:
Another short journey to Beaufort West in the Great Karoo. Beaufort West is the largest town on the Karoo section of the Great North Road. It is noted for its pleasant pear-tree-lined streets, and as the birthplace of famed heart surgeon Chris Barnard, many of whose awards and medals ar on display in the local museum. Check into accommodation to be reserved in Beaufort West. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 13. Beaufort West -Sutherland:
En route to your next destination, Sutherland, make a quick stop a Matjiesfontein.

Matjiesfontein dates back to its roots in the late nineteenth century. From its ties with the Boer War, to the pioneering spirit engendered by its founder, it is steeped in the history of an era, the echoes of which still reverberate through the streets and buildings.

Sutherland - Getaway to the universe - that is what they call Sutherland. Land of snow and stars. The coldest place in South Africa. Check into accommodation to be reserved in Sutherland. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 14. Sutherland - Ceres:
Follow the gravel road through the desolate Great Karoo to the fertile valley of Ceres.

Ceres - named after the Roman Goddes of Fruitfulness, Ceres village was founded in 1849 and is one of the largest deciduous fruit and vegetable producing districts in South Africa. Check into accommodation to be reserved in Ceres. Overnight in Ceres.

Step 15. Ceres - Cederberg:
After breakfast check out and depart to the scenic Cederberg area. Cederberg - The Cedarberg is a vast controlled area of stark and strangely eroded rock formations, waterfalls, crystal streams, clear pools, magnificent view sites, of caverns, overhangs, peaks and ravines. Check into accommodation to be reserved in the Cederberg. Ovenight in the Cederberg.

Step 16. Cedarberg:
Spend the day at leisure and exploring the area.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 17. Langebaan:
Travel further along the gravel road to Clanwilliam and Langebaan on the West Coast.

Clanwilliam is known for the variety it offers the tourist. As one of the oldest town in the country it is rich in history and will satisfy nature lovers, adventurous, flower viewers, water sportsmen as well as those who just wish to enjoy sightseeing.

Langebaan is situated on the eastern shore of the Langebaan lagoon. Nature lovers from all over the world come to view the more than 360 species of birds bound in the protected lagoon waters of the West Coast National Park, as well as the masses of spring flowers in August and September.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at Langebaan or Saldanha or Velddrif. Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

Step 18. Cape Town:
Check out and depart on a 2 hour journey to Cape Town.

Cape Town is the cosmopolitan "Mother City of South Africa" with its beautiful and scenic peninsula, oceans, lakes, mountains, shopping malls, theatres and recreational facilities.

Check into accommodation to be reserved in Cape Town.

Optional excursions in Cape Town.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Step 19. Cape Town:
Spend the day at leisure. Optional excursions in Cape Town. Overnight in Cape Town.

Step 20. Home:
After breakfast check out and return your vehicle to the depot before boarding your flight home

 

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