Botlierskop - Oudtshoorn

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve - This exciting 2-day safari tour offers unforgettable experiences to observe Africa’s wildlife in their natural surroundings. The tour is action-packed, including transportation, accommodations, and two distinct 4x4 game drives.

The adventure begins as you depart from the iconic Table Mountain after your scheduled pickup (between 6am and 7am, depending on your pickup location or traffic - exact details will be provided a day before the tour) and head towards the scenic Klein Karoo to explore a game reserve in the Garden Route region. The first wildlife reserve is approximately 450 km from Cape Town (around 6 hours away, with potential rest stops along the way).

Witness some of Africa’s Big 5 animals from the back of an open 4x4 vehicle at Botlierskop, a malaria-free private game reserve near Mossel Bay. Look out for giraffes, white rhinos, kudus, lions, elephants, zebras, and wildebeests, among others. The game drive is guided by an experienced ranger who will share insights about the local wildlife.

Oudtshoorn - As you travel the next 50 miles, the landscape transforms dramatically from lush greens to dusty greys as you enter the arid region of the Klein Karoo and the world-renowned ostrich capital, Oudtshoorn.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in Oudtshoorn at your accommodation. You can ask your guide to arrange an optional “braai” barbecue dinner at the backpackers (subject to availability) to taste ostrich meat (“sosaties”) and homemade bread (“pot brood”), or explore other dining options in the area to try a variety of local dishes. The guide can assist in pre-booking your dining choice at top regional restaurants.

Please Note > This itinerary serves as a guideline, and your trip may be adjusted to run in reverse or a different order based on seasonal or operational factors.

==== Accommodation included - subject to availability and the stay package selected during booking:

Dorm/Saver Own Room> Uthando Backpackers,
3Comfort> 88 Baron van Reede Guesthouse,
4Luxury> Buffelsdrift Lodge

Buffelsdrift - Route 62 - Cape Town

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities - After breakfast, dive into the heart of the Klein Karoo bush with an open-topped 4x4 bush drive to discover more of Africa’s wildlife, including Cape buffaloes and African elephants at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Your knowledgeable guide and ranger will assist in spotting wildlife, such as zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes. This “bush drive safari” emphasizes connecting with nature, focusing on insects and plants, as the reserve is not home to many large game species. This nature bush drive aims to explain and explore the ecosystem and smaller wildlife of the Klein Karoo region.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities - For those seeking a profound nature experience, join rangers on an Elephant Observation experience (optional at additional cost) with a nature walk to observe three rescued elephants in their natural habitat. Learn about these gentle giants as they roam freely in their bushveld environment, under the guidance of the elephant guides.

Route 62 Mountain Adventures - Conclude a seemingly perfect day with a drive along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world! Capture the stunning views of high mountains, winding passes, and rugged Karoo plains during this approximately 450 km journey - about 5 to 6 hours, depending on weather and traffic, lunch, and other rest stops, before arriving in Cape Town by evening (between 7pm to ± 9pm).

• Admission entry fees for destinations listed in itinerary
• Local English-speaking tour guide
• Hotel pickup & drop-off within 5km in Cape Town central or Stellenbosch
• Breakfast
• Donation to 2Cchange charity projects (a portion of your tour fee)
• 1 night accommodation and breakfast per overnight stay
• Group 4x4 game drives: Botlierskop (2.5 hours) & Buffelsdrift (1.5 hours)
• All ground transportation and transfers (including pickup, drop-off, and transport during tour)

• Meals and drinks except breakfast
• Optional Elephant Observation (approx. R700, payable on-site)

Embark on an exciting adventure in the Western Cape with an overnight safari in Oudtshoorn, departing from Cape Town. Venture off the usual path to encounter South Africa’s wildlife and connect with nature. Begin your journey at Botlierskop Reserve along the coastal Garden Route and continue to Buffelsdrift in the Klein Karoo, both providing stunning settings for an African wildlife experience. Participate in guided 4x4 drives at two private reserves and have the opportunity to observe orphaned elephants roaming freely (optional extra with cost). Spend the night in Oudtshoorn, approximately a five-hour drive from Cape Town.

Accommodation depends on the option chosen during booking: Budget option includes a stay at Uthando Hostel, Comfort guesthouse option includes a stay at 88 Baron van Reede, or Luxury option includes a stay at Buffelsdrift.

This tour is conducted by a local qualified tour guide and game rangers during safaris. It is an excellent introductory trip for visitors to Cape Town who have limited time to experience wildlife in a natural reserve setting, without the expense of traveling north for African safaris.

• Daily drive time: about 4 to 6 hours / in total 900 km distance route. This packed, fast-paced itinerary is filled with many of the best highlights of the region and ideal for the young-at-heart traveller that wants to explore this vast region with limited time available.
• Day 1: Botlierskop to Oudtshoorn > Botlierskop Private Game Reserve 4x4 safari (±2 hours) > Accommodation Overnight stay: Dorm/Saver Own Room> Uthando Backpackers 3Comfort> 88 Baron van Reede Guesthouse 4Luxury> Buffelsdrift
• Day 2: (Breakfast) Buffelsdrift Game Lodge bush 4x4 drive (±1,5 hours) + optional extra cost Elephant Observation in nature - Travel along Route 62 - Arrive back in Cape Town from about 8-9pm.
• The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasions, run in reverse order
• The exact arrival time in Cape Town on day 2 cannot be guaranteed as it is subject to weather and traffic conditions
• If you do not have plenty of time in South Africa, this tour is ideal for customers who can’t visit Kruger National Park - but Kruger area has a more authentic safari experience indeed.
• According to availability at time of booking, accommodation will be in the mentioned hotel or in one of a similar standard and star rating
• Upgrade accommodation fees cannot be refunded if cancelled less than 8 days before the tour departure date.
• The tour operator already pre-booked space at all optional activities for the group and you can simply decide on the first day of the tour if you’ll partake. Optional activities can only be paid on the tour directly to the supplier. Optional activities are subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
• Personal comprehensive travel insurance is excluded and recommended
• The bush/game drive vehicle used are an especially adopted open-roof converted jeep or truck.
• Please do not book a flight for the departure date and/or last day of this tour. Pickup or drop-off times can’t be guaranteed and is subject to traffic, season or group’s addresses.
• Accommodation stay packages will overnight in different properties, each listed in the itinerary. Backpackers are usually far away from guesthouses / lodges.
• Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to book in Dorm room packages
• Children between 8 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult and book in a private room
• Special Dietary Needs: Vegetarian options are available on request and food allergies can also be informed on tour. We don’t cater for or guarantee availability of more specific special diet options (like: vegan, halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.) - please esnure to plan and budget for your own alternatives. Payment for meals can be made by credit/debit card on tour or your guide can take you to the nearest ATM to draw cash on tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.