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Day 1)
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to top
Drive
through Cogman’s Kloof, the natural gateway
in or out of Montagu, today a declared National
Monument. The tunnel, constructed by Thomas
Bain, was completed in 1877. The historical
British Fort built atop the tunnel in 1899 can
be visited. An area of magnificent views, panoramic
landscapes, towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams,
and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora.
Stop at Graham Beck, (Madiba’s Winery)
and Rooiberg just after Robertson, for a wine
tasting.
Onto Worcester, capital
of the Breede River Valley, and largest of the
Western Cape’s three fruit and wine producing
valleys. In Worcester you can visit the Kleinplasie
“Living Open Air Museum” and experience
life as the pioneers lived in years gone by.
Each building is representative of a certain
agricultural industry in the Western Cape during
the period 1690 to 1900. The KWV Brandy Cellar,
largest of its kind in the world, offers cellar
tours and brandy tasting.
Then drive to Tulbagh, a charming, historical
town with a wealth of Cape Dutch Architecture.
It was extensively damaged in an earthquake
in 1969. The town has been restored to its old-world
splendour and has the largest concentration
of National Monuments in South Africa. A walk
down historical Church Street, with its many
museums and antique shops as well as arts and
crafts, is not to be missed.
The next village we visit is Ceres. Oaktrees
and beautiful architecture abounds. Back to
Montagu through the magnificent Koo and Keisi
Valleys with breathtaking views as you drive
down the Burger’s Pass.
Day
2)
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to top
Today we drive the scenic R60 to Swellendam,
a charming town that was founded as a military
outpost in 1745. Together with Tulbagh, it is
the third oldest town in South Africa and has
many beautiful Cape Dutch, Cape Georgian and
Cape Victorian buildings dating from the 18th
and 19th century, including the old Drostdy,
now part of a museum complex. The Bontebok National
Park is 6km south of the town. From Swellendam
we drive through Zuurbraak, a mission station,
and over the magnificent Tradouws Pass with
its pools and waterfalls to Barrydale, one of
the prettiest villages on the Route 62. It offers
unrivalled diversity of vegetation and wildlife
within 30 km radius. The road back to Montagu
runs through the most fertile fruit growing
area with magnificent mountain views.
 Day
3)
- Back
to top
Drive the Robertson Wine Route with famous wine
farms like Springfield, Bon Courage, Van Loveren
and Zandvliet, to mention a few.
Day
4)
- Back
to top
At 12h00, be at the Burger’s
Farm for a traditional "potjiekos"
lunch. After lunch take the tractor trip up
to the summit of the Langeberg through the most
unbelievable “fynbos”. This trip
is Wednesdays and Saturdays and an international
famous experience.
Day
5)
- Back
to top
Drive through Bonnievale and Stormsvlei to Bredasdorp
where we visit the fascinating Shipwreck Museum.
A visit to the nearby little mission station
of Elim with its Moravian church and picturesque
cottages is a must. The entire village is a
National Monument and nobody may live there
unless a member of the church. The old watermill
(1833), the largest wooden water mill in SA
was renovated in 1990 and is in use again to
grind wheat.
Onto L'Agulhas – the most southern tip
of Africa, where the needle of the compass shows
no deviation between true north and magnetic
north, and the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
The lighthouse at L'Agulhas is the second oldest
lighthouse in SA built in 1849 to resemble the
Egyptian Pharos-style lighthouse at Alexandria.
 Then
drive on to Hermanus. The best land based whale
watching in the world can be done here. The
Southern Right Whales come to the peaceful waters
of Walker bay to mate and calve each year –
arriving in June and leaving in November. Because
of the cliffs and the resulting deep water,
they come as close as 2 m away from the spectators.
The cliff path stretches for 12 km from the
one end of town to the other, and is well laid
out with benches strategically placed along
its entire length. This fishing village, established
in the late 1800's’ is an extremely popular
tourist destination.
From Hermanus drive via Botrivier, Grabouw and
Villiersdorp to Worcester, and then back to
Montagu.
The Montagu Country Hotel
is the start of the Historical walk, a popular
and informative tour revealing an unique blend
of rural and urban architecture, restored houses
and national monuments.
Golfing at any of
three excellent golf courses nearby
Sport i.e. squash,
tennis, rock climbing, fishing, horse riding
etc.
The Robertson Wine Route consisting
of estates i.e. Springfield, Van Loveren, De
Wetshof, Bon Courage, Graham Beck and many more.
Taste and purchase wines after an arranged cellar
tour.
The Hot Mineral Springs
situated 2.7 km from the hotel offers outdoor
warm swimming pools with a constant temperature
of 43°C. Relax in the pools with its “healing
powers”.
Montagu Tractor and Trailer
Trip to the summit of the Langeberg
mountains is a must. After the trip an optional
"potjiekos" lunch is prepared and
served by the local farming community.
Walking trails for
the nature lover varying from 2.4 km to 15.6
km through the beautiful kloofs of the surrounding
mountains.
4x4 Routes – the Waboomsberg
and Witkwas for the adventurer.
Breede River Goose Boat Trips
for a few hours of complete relaxation
cruising on the river
Vukani Zolani Cultural
Tours – guided tours of Zolani
presenting the traditional customs & lifestyle
of the inhabitants i.e. ceremonies, clothing,
houses, dancing and food.
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