7-DAY STAR GAZING TOUR

*Please bear in mind that all the star gazing is weather dependent *                                   

DAY 1: PORT ELIZABETH TO OUDTSHOORN

In the morning, we depart from Port Elizabeth, situated in Nelson Mandela Bay, and travel West, through the Langkloof, “Long Valley”, to the Ostrich Capital of the World, Oudtshoorn, situated in the Karoo. The Guest House stands on Mooiplaas which was bought by Petrus Jacobus Keller in 1867. After a delicious dinner we spend an hour Star Gazing the milky way and the wonderful, mesmerizing constellations that you can only view in the African Sky.

Overnight Mooiplaas Guest House DBB or similar

DAY 2: OUDTSHOORN

Another day spent in Oudtshoorn. Early morning Hot Air Ballooning option (for own account) or an early morning Meerkat Activity (own account). Breakfast and then we visit the amazing Ostrich Farm to learn all about the world’s largest bird. Visit Cango Caves with its amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites before we travel on and visit the Wildlife Sanctuary. Lunch in town (own account) and afterwards visit the CP Nel Museum housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating back to 1906. Afternoon at leisure and end the day with another Star Gazing experience.

Overnight Mooiplaas Guest House DBB or similar

Day 3 : OUDTSHOORN TO PRINCE ALBERT

Today we continue our journey and travel over the magnificent Swartberg Pass. As it was built, it still stands today. This pass was built by Thomas Baines, who always followed the elephant trails where possible, over the mountains to build his roads and passes. Your guide will tell you all there is to know about the pass, and into Prince Albert. Tea at a local restaurant (own account) before we visit the Fransie Pienaar Museum to learn more about this quaint town. Prince Albert is a town ringed by vineyards, fruit and olive farms. In the evening, we enjoy a Star Gazing Presentation then visit a restaurant for dinner (own account) and after we have eaten, we do some star gazing with a local expert.

Overnight: Prince Albert Country Stay BB or similar

Day 4 : PRINCE ALBERT TO SUTHERLAND

Today we depart after a delicious breakfast and pass through Laingsburg, steeped in tragic history and known as the second capital of the Karoo, stopping in Matjiesfontein, founded in 1884 by the legendary and energetic Scottish railway man, James Douglas Logan. The village established itself as a fashionable Victorian health spa and is now well known for its splendid historical buildings and a peace and timelessness that is rare in modern-day South Africa. After lunch (for own account) in this beautiful place we travel up on to the Roggeveld Escarpment to Sutherland and home of SALT, South Africa’s Large Telescope. After dinner we take part in Star Gazing at one of the large telescopes.

Overnight: Blesfontein Farm & Stars DBB or similar

DAY 5: SUTHERLAND

We spend another day in Sutherland. After breakfast we spend the morning just enjoying all there is to offer on this historical working farm on the Roggeveld Escarpment from where we will drive to the edge of the Escarpment for the magnificent view. After lunch we will visit the museum and military graveyard. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Star gazing at night after dinner.

Overnight: Blesfontein Farm & Stars DBB or similar

DAY 6: SUTHERLAND TO DE RUST

Leaving behind the uniqueness of the Roggeveld we travel down into the Karoo from the Escarpment and through Laingsburg and Middelplaas, through the magnificent Seweweekspass with its breathtaking rock formations, which is the other end of the Swartberg Mountain Range, entering the N2 at the Mission Stations of Zoar and Amalienstein. Continue through Calitzdorp, (option to stop for a wine tasting, own account) and arrive at our destination, De Rust.

Overnight: Hotel de-Rust BB or similar

Day 7: DE RUST TO PORT ELIZABETH

After breakfast we leave behind this lovely village and take an interesting drive through the magnificent Meiringspoort Pass, the start of the Swartberg Pass from the East, learning how the various drifts got their names, to the refreshing waterfall before we continue through the pass to Klaarstroom, turning right on to Willowmore. We stop for lunch (own account) before we travel through Steytleville, Wolwefontein and back to Port Elizabeth, arriving in the late afternoon.

END OF TOUR

Inclusions:

Transport

Professional Tour Guide

6 x nights accommodation in upper 3* and 4* establishments 6 x breakfasts

4 x dinners

Entrance Fees:        Star Gazing at Mooiplaas Ostrich Farm

Cango Caves Cango Wildlife Museums x 3

Prince Albert Star Gazing

Star Gazing at SALT

Star Gazing at Blesfontein Farm Visit to Escarpment

Exclusions:

Lunches

Dinners not specified Refreshments

Porterage and gratuities

Any activities or entrance fees not specified

ZAR 41,400 per person min 2-3 persons ZAR 30,900 per person min 4-5 persons

ZAR 25,960 per person min 6 persons sharing