Swartburg Pass Meiringskloof and Baviaanskloof Safari - 6 days

Swartburg Pass Meiringskloof and Baviaanskloof Safari - 6 days

We travel off the beaten track to show natures beauty that is not the normal tourist views. Also we do visit the normal tourist attractions in the region of the Safari. This is a combination of mountain Pass travel, Wildlife viewing and ocean relaxation. The places that will be visiting like the Hell in the Swartburg mountains and Baviaanskloof will bring peace into your inner self. This trip a must for any nature lover and photographer.

This safari incorporates the best of the westerly part of the Western Cape around Oudtshoorn, George and the Tsitsikama region and the easterly part of the eastern Cape. We will explore the Swartburg and Baviaanskloof mountain ranges and visit places like the Congo Caves, The Hell, Ostrich farm, Tsitsikama Forest, Knysna Lake and St Francis Bay to mention a few. Some of the mountain passes we will be exploring was made by the well known Charles Bain. The Safari is rich in history and breath taking scenery. A must of any nature lover and photographer.

Day 1

We start in the City of George and with in minutes of leaving the City we take to the gravel road of the Montagu Pass. The views of the ocean and green lush forest makes the ultimate contrast. We follow the old roads to Oudtshoorn thru Wapadnek to Dysselsdorp. We visit one of the well known Ostrich farms in the region and over night at a guest Farm. Breakfast included and restaurant available for dinner.

Day 2

Early morning, we leave the guest farm and travel thru Oudtshoorn and visit the Congo Caves via Schoemanpoort pass. Late morning, we leave for the Hell. The Hell is a remote valley deep inside the Swartburg called Gamkaskloof. Tranquillity, peaceful and beauty is what we will find in this unique place. We will drive up Swartburg Pass and have lunch at Kobus se gat before taking the route down to The Hell over Elands Pass and 9 more smaller passes, a 37 km gravel road with beautiful scenery around every bend. This valley is rich in history and the guide and farm owner will share this with you in detail. Accommodation in the Gamkaskloof is Dinner bed and breakfast included.

Day 3

Today we have along drive ahead with lot of scenery and stop overs. Leaving The Hell on the same road as we came (Only road available) to reach the Swartburg pass and we cross over the summit and the whole scenery changes to spectacular red rock formations. We head to the one of the top 10 places tourist visits in South Africa namely Meiringspoort. On our way there we will cross over Kredouw Pass, Apiesriverpoort, Kleivlei Pass, Bloupuntriverpoort Pass. The Tar road through Meiringspoort has 63 bends and multiple rivier crossings. Lunch will be at the Meiringspoort waterfall centre. The scenery is mesmerising thru this engineering marvel of road building. We continue over Safari to the historic town of Uniondale and then on to Knysna with accommodation on the Lake side of Knysna Lake. We will cross over Uniondale heights Pass, Uniondale Poort Pass, Prince Alberts Pass to reach The Heads, Knysna for your overnight stay.

Day 4

Today we visit the iconic Nature Valley in the Tsitsikama Forest. Leaving Knysna we travel to Storms river. On our way you will have beautiful views of the ocean over Plettenburg Bay Pass. Lots of stop overs as this area is filled with “to do’s”. For the adventure Bungee jumping off the Bloukrans River bridge (Highest bungee in the world), Zip lining thru the trees. For the faint of heart relaxing walks to the storms river mouth or relaxing and browsing thru the numerous shops on offer. Visit the Biggest and oldest tree in South Africa. After all that experiences during the day we head out to St Francis bay for our overnight stay. Bed and Breakfast included.

Day 5

Today we start our round trip back to George via Baviaanskloof. We leave St’ Francis Bay and head north to Baviaanskloof where we will travel on a gravel road called the 7 Passes road. All seven pass was done by Charles Bain. History and natures beauty is the theme for the next 2 days. To reach Baviaanskloof we make our way over Grootriver Pass. Stunning views looking back towards the ocean. We enter Baviaanskloof nature reserve and it is gravel roads going forward. We travel thru the Groot river Poort. Entering the Baviaanskloof reserve we cross over 6 passes covering the distances to our overnight stay namely Combrinks Pass, Grasnek Pass, Holgat Pass, Langkop pass, Grasnek Pass and Baviaans Kouga Pass. These passes take us along the Baviaanskloof with nature views and wildlife that can be spotted. Wildlife consists of Baboons, Monkeys, Klipspringers, Grey ridge buck and Berg Kwagga (type of Zebra). We arrive at our well deserved Farm accommodation about two thirds thru Baviaans kloof. Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 6

Starting the last day of this amazing Safari we head out to George. Leaving the Farm, we continues the route along Baviaanskloof. We first follow the Studis Poort that takes us thru to the end of Baviaanskloof crossing Nuwekloof pass on to the town of Willowmore. From Willowmore we take the tar road thru Uniondale to a guest Farm called Louvain for lunch. The last leg we follow a old Voortrekker trek route thru the Outeniqua Mountain. This was the original route followed by pioneers as far back as 1776 and Charles Bain build the road in 1865. Enjoy magnificent views of the Indian ocean, the lakes around Wilderness and Sedgefield and the verdant Lang Kloof valley. We link up with the 7 Pass route and drive thru 4 of the 7 passes to reach George namely Duiwelskop Pass, Silver river pass, Kaaimansgat Pass and Zwartriverhoogte Pass. Safari ends in George.

This Safari is one of the most beautiful and most divers Safari’s in respect to nature and history diversity. A Photographers dream.