Walking Under African Skies is our two-week walking holiday with two scheduled departures each year.

 You stay in guesthouse or small hotel accommodation and you walk each day for between 3 and 6 hours.

This 14-day tour takes in some of the most scenic and varied walking regions in the country, from the Drakensberg Mountains to the Cape of Good Hope. Led by local naturalists and walking guides this tour, although essentially a walking tour, will also give you the opportunity to enjoy some general sight seeing and leisure time in Durban, Knysna, Stellenbosch and Cape Town. Code CT

Superb contrast of walking terrains

The Garden Route’s largely temperate climate make it ideal for walkers from Spring through to early Winter

Good quality accommodation in upmarket lodges and country hotels

Minimum Pax Four

Meals DBB with 11 lunches

Departure/Return Selected tour dates - 14 September and 19 October 03,
2 November – Starting Sunday

Accommodation Premier to Luxury - Upmarket guest lodges and country hotels

Transport Luxury VW microbus

Clothing Varies by season

Best time to go Ideally March to May or September to November

Terrain Varied from coastal trails to mountains to gentle forest walks

Walking Rating Varied

Health Requirements None – Sunblock essential for most of year

Day 1 - Travel to Drakensberg

On arrival in Durban the group is met by your Cedarberg guide and transferred through the Natal Midlands to the Drakensberg Mountains and the Cathedral Peak Hotel.

You will stop en-route to view the Howick Falls and enjoy a picnic lunch. Once at the Cathedral Peak Hotel there will be a chance for a short stroll before meeting up for the welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Full Day Walking

After breakfast you depart on a full day walk into the mountains. The route first follows a river gorge, passing rock pools and waterfalls, before climbing up and then following the contour shelf known as the Little Berg. The Little Berg runs the length of the mountain range, just below the Drakensberg rock face that soars 1200 metres above you. A pre packed lunch will be supplied, to be enjoyed at an appropriate time on the walk and you return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 3 - Cathedral Peak Summit

After breakfast you depart on a full day walk into the Summit of Cathedral Peak (3004 metres). This is a strenuous hike and the last stretch to the summit involves a C-grade rock scramble. The views however from this freestanding peak are breathtaking as the Drakensberg stretches out before you. An alternative, easier walk will be available for those who do not want to climb to the summit of Cathedral Peak. Dinner and relax.

Day 4 - KwaZulu Natal Coast

After breakfast you drive to the coast. You have the remainder of the day free to relax at the beach resort town of Ballito. Stay overnight at The Boathouse. In the evening you enjoy a Seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 - Tsitsikamma Coastal Park

After breakfast you depart for Durban airport for the morning flight to Port Elizabeth.

On arrival in Port Elizabeth you set off by road for the Tsitsikamma National Park. After a lunch stop, you enjoy a short walk to the Storm’s River Mouth in this beautiful coastal park. Then continue to Hog Hollow Country Lodge overlooking the Tsitsikamma Forest for 2 nights.

Day 6 - Salt River Walk

This is a beautiful but quite strenuous walk however it is one of our favourite trails. We travel to Natures Valley for a circular walk through the Tsitsikamma forest, the open fynbos and down to the delightful and unspoilt Salt River Estuary. The indigenous forest and coastal fynbos belt is rich in birdlife, including the Knysna loerie and Paradise flycatcher. From Salt River the walk follows the rocky coastline before ending on the golden beach of Natures Valley where you may like to swim.

Day 7 – Kranshoek Coastal Walk

After breakfast you travel to Kranshoek for the start of the day’s walk in the Harkerville State Forest. The walks takes you from the coastal plateau down to the mouth of the Kranshoek River and along the rugged coastline to Crook’s River mouth before climbing back up to the coastal plateau and returning to the start at the Kranshoek Waterfall. A pre packed lunch will be supplied and after completing the walk you drive on to Knysna and Lake Pleasant Hotel.

Day 8 - Forest Walk

After breakfast you travel to Diepvalle Forestry Station, deep in the Knysna Forests for the start of the walk. Tall yellowwood and stinkwood dominate the forest canopy. The trail leads through the cool forest and across numerous streams.

At the end of the walk you return to Knysna where you have lunch (for your own account) and the afternoon at leisure for browsing through the many arts and crafts shops and stalls, or enjoying a cruise on the lagoon.

Day 9 - Swellendam and Winelands

Today you travel to the Winelands, stopping en route to visit the picturesque and historical village of Swellendam and have a picnic lunch.
After checking into your lodge in the early afternoon there will be time for a walk around the historic village of Stellenbosch. Overnight at Summerwood in Stellenbosch.

Day 10 - Stellenbosch and Vineyard Walk

After breakfast you walk through the town and out to the vineyards. The trail goes through the vineyards and follows a line of low hills offering superb views of the Winelands and their Mountain backdrop. The walk ends at a wine cellar where, over a picnic lunch, you have the opportunity to sample the excellent wines of the estate. After lunch you travel the short distance to Cape Town. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax or go out and explore Cape Town. Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Day 11 - Cape of Good Hope

After breakfast you are driven along the spectacular coastal road via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak to the Cape Point Nature Reserve to walk along the Atlantic coast to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point.

A pre packed lunch will be supplied. From the high vantage point at the Cape Point Lighthouse you look out to where the warm Mozambique and the cold Benguela Currents converge. From Cape Point you are driven along the False Bay coastline, past Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek and Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs back to our lodge. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Day 12 - Table Mountain Traverse

After breakfast you go to Constantia Nek. The walk starts with the Bridle Path onto the back of Table Mountain and then on to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point, where the 360° panoramic view includes Table Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Peninsular, False Bay, the Hottentots and Du Toits Kloof Mountains and Cape Town below. The walk continues along the front rim of Table Mountain. You descend on the Cableway, return to the lodge and meet for a farewell dinner at a top restaurant

Day 13 - Cape Town

Today you have the day at leisure to explore Cape Town. Your guide will be able to advise you on the numerous attractions and activities that Cape Town has to offer.

Day 14 - Transfer to airport

Optional morning walk or time at leisure for some last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport.