Sunday, October 24, 2010

Camper-vans next

Having just finished back-to-back tours and rested for 4 days it is now time to start preparing for the next big one. Totally new to me, leading a group of Camper-vans. The nice thing about this tour is that I was told Caretha has to accompany me. When I was hired for the job I was informed that I am not allowed to travel alone in the Camper-van. My question was, who travels with? The reply was your wife of course. Luck will have it that she was able to take leave.
We pick up the vans (Maui) this week-end and head out on Sunday. This is a great tour with only one stressful day, just short of 600 kms, all the rest are between 100 and 300, nice and easy.
Tha basic itinerary is leave Cape Town and head for Stellenbosch on Sunday, then we drive down to Hermanus the next day. From there we head up to Swellendam, overnighting at the Bontebok National Park. The next daywe travel to Montague to do the 'Tractor Ride', then after lunch we continue on to Oudtshoorn for a 3 night stop. Here we explore the Swartberg, Cango Caves, Safri Ostrich farm and possible the Cango Wildlife Ranch. The next drive is on to Tsitsikamma via Knysna and Plettenberg bay. From Tsitsikamma is a short hop ot the Addo National Park for 2 nights. After the Elephants we go inland by driving to the Gareip Dam, from the dam its the long haul to Drakensville, about 600 km, with a 2 night stop. From Drakensville we explore the Royal Natal National Park. From the mountains its back to the coast with a drive to Balito, we then swing back in land the next day and go through Zululand and the Battlefields to Dundee. The next day we are driven around with a guided tour of the battlefields with an expert local guide. The last day of the tour is the drive from Dundee to Johannesberg.
After dropping off the group Caretha and I start the long drive back home. We have decided to come back via Upington.