Wild South Africa Gay Travel Adventure

Guests may wish to arrive in Cape Town a day early and have an extra night before our gay tour begins. This would allow for recuperation from traveling before jumping into the activities of the tour. Those with plenty of energy could do some sightseeing, such as a boat trip out to Robben Island, the famous place of incarceration of former struggle leaders such as Nelson Mandela, or perhaps take a leisurely stroll along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Day 1: Cape Town, the Mother City

Flying into Cape Town provides some spectacular views when weather permits. Cape Town ranks as one of the world’s most attractive cities. The city is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west and an intricate system of mountains on the inland side, the most famous of which is, of course, Table Mountain. The indigenous Khoisan People call it ‘Hoeri Kwaggo’, meaning “Mountain in the Sea.” Evidence of human activity here dates back as far as the Stone Age, with a recent history closely tied to the arrival of Dutch settlers in 1652. A settlement was started as a supply station, with plantations growing fresh vegetables and fruit for the ships of the Dutch East India Company. Eventually, the settlement grew and South Africa’s first formal town was founded, hence the name ‘The Mother City’.

The unique topography and climate have produced a lovely natural environment and unique floral kingdom, described by Dutch settlers as Fynbos, or “Fine Bush.” This Floral Kingdom covers only 0.04% of the earth’s surface, yet holds over 14,000 species of plants, most of them unique to the area.

Those who arrive by mid-day on our first tour day, or who arrive early will take a scenic drive through Camps Bay and Clifton, showcasing gorgeous residences and an enviable waterscape. We’ll cruise along Chapman’s Peak Drive, an impressive coastal drive with breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and jagged mountains of the peninsula. We’ll have sundowners (late afternoon drinks) before heading back to our hotel for the night.

Day 2: Cape Town and Table Mountain

We have a full but flexible schedule today. Because the weather in Cape Town, and at the top of Table Mountain, in particular, can change quickly, we’ll ascend to the top when weather permits. We’ll go up via the aerial cableway, with stunning views from the rotating capsules as we climb to the top of the 3,560-foot-high mountain. For something a bit different, there will be the opportunity to rappel 370 feet down the vertical upper edge of the mountain (abseiling). If you dare to look down, you’ll have an amazing vista! You’ll then climb back up to the top and descend via the aerial cableway.

Later we will stroll through the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, on the slope of Table Mountain. The lush gardens overlook the Cape Flats and the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range to the east.

We will enjoy a wine-tasting at Groot Constantia Estate, one of the country’s oldest vineyards (established by the first governor of the Cape in 1685). We’ll then return to our hotel before heading off for a lively, African-themed dinner.

Day 3: Cape of Good Hope

Our mission today will be to explore the Cape Peninsula, a jutting finger of rock that forms the south-western tip of the African continent. We’ll kayak into open water in order to view the endangered (and adorable) African Penguins at Boulders Beach. Most visitors stay on land to visit the penguins, so we’ll be seeing their nesting colony from a rare vantage point.

We’ll head next to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and take a funicular up to the lighthouse, where you can see superb 360-degree views. We will have lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant, famous for its seafood, sleek décor, and panoramic view of the bay. We’ll work the lunch off with a walk down to the Cape of Good Hope, and then head back to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. Guests may like to explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its eclectic assortment of bistros, restaurants, and bars.

Day 4: Kayaking near Hermanus

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive along the far side of False Bay to the town of Hermanus, where we’ll spend the next two nights. We’ll stop during our journey to visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, with time to take a mountainside walk with views of the sea. We’ll aim to arrive in Hermanus late morning, and after lunch we’ll set out for a kayak trip across the bay, allowing for a very scenic perspective of the town. We’ll have the last bit of the afternoon to relax before dinner together this evening.

Day 5: Sea or Sky?

A hearty, early breakfast will give us energy for your choice of this morning’s adrenaline-filled optional activities. Avid water enthusiasts may like to go cage diving with Great White Sharks offshore. Or those who prefer to be in the air can opt for a tandem paraglide from one of the high points near town. Sleeping in or relaxing at our hotel is also an option.

After a thrilling morning, we’ll venture out to some of the wine estates in the Hemel-en-Arde (‘Heaven-and-Earth’) Valley. Here vineyards such as Bouchard Finlayson, Whalehaven, La Vierge, and Hamilton Russell Vineyards produce some fine wines from a range of cultivars, aided by the cooling breeze that comes off the Atlantic Ocean. A delicious lunch will be followed by wine tasting, and later, a township tour to get a flavor of the real South Africa. There will be a short amount of time to relax late in the afternoon before dinner.

Day 6: Ride to Knysna

For early risers, there’s the opportunity for another nice walk before breakfast. Today we are bound for the Garden Route town of Knysna (pronounced with a silent ‘K’), which started as a port settlement for ships trading timber, ivory and other goods from the interior. The lagoon empties into the sea via a narrow and rough passageway flanked on either side by the imposing Knysna Heads. Entering and exiting the lagoon is particularly treacherous for boats because of strong currents, and it is believed that many boats and ships lie at the bottom. Knysna is a popular vacation spot and is often voted “South Africa’s favorite town” in an annual competition.

Much of the surrounding area has been designated as The Garden Route National Park, including Tsitsikamma National Park and the Knysna National Lake Area. The region’s forests were extensively logged and cleared for farming during the development of the area. Some large forested areas remain, especially in the inland fold mountain valleys. This territory is home to the Knysna elephants, sole surviving herds from the pre-European settlement, and South Africa’s only truly free-roaming elephants. Firm numbers are unknown, but research suggests that there may be more than there were originally thought to be.

It’s a fairly lengthy drive to Knysna, but after arriving and getting settled in, there should be time for a walk to the Knysna Heads, providing a nice stretch before dinner at one of the restaurants at the waterfront.

Day 7: Taking the Plunge

We’ll have a morning of excitement to look forward to as we head out after an early breakfast. During the canopy tour, we will glide between the tops of trees from cable slides. In addition to being exhilarating, the adventure will show us the forest from a new perspective.

After a quick lunch, we’ll take the short drive to the Bloukrans Bridge over the Storm’s River Gorge. Here we’ll find the Bloukrans Bungee Jump, rated as the world’s highest commercial jump. Adrenaline is sure to flow freely during the day, as willing participants in this optional activity take the plunge off the 709-ft-high bridge. For those not keen to partake, observing the jumpers is bound to be almost as much fun!

We’ll head back to Knysna for a short break before boarding our sundowner cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, an ideal way to balance out the thrilling day. The evening is at our leisure, and guests may choose from a number of restaurants within the Knysna Quays / Waterfront precinct.

Days 8-11: Safari on foot and on wheels

Leaving Knysna after an early breakfast, we’ll continue along the Garden Route to Shamwari Game Reserve, not far from Port Elizabeth. We’ll aim to arrive at Eagle’s Crag Lodge in time for lunch. After settling in and having a detailed briefing by our guide, we will embark on our first-afternoon activity: a safari stroll or drive. We will stop for traditional sundowner drinks in the bush and really take in the sunset. This is one of the loveliest times of day to experience the African bush! We will return to the Eagle’s Crag Lodge which features luxurious rooms and amenities in a beautiful setting.

The next few days will feature a combination of guided bush walks (with ample opportunity to learn about the local ecosystem and to perhaps even encounter some exciting game species on foot), traditional game drives, and enjoying the modern luxury of a lodge in the bush.

A rare feature of this itinerary will be a walking safari, including one night sleeping under the African night sky near a roaring log fire. Accommodation in the fly-camp includes comfortable twin safari tents, while showers and toilets are shared.

Day 12: Farewell to Africa or stay on for an extra day

After the last morning drive (if time allows) and breakfast you will be transferred to Port Elizabeth to catch your flight to Johannesburg, where you can connect with an evening flight to the US or Europe as you work your way home. For those wishing to visit Victoria Falls, see the optional Extension.