The Cape, Hosted · Monday 1 March 2027
First light in the Karoo, and the long way back through the Breede valley.
Flights to Moscow leave in the evening, so the last day is a whole one rather than a scramble for the airport. We use it.
The Karoo at first light is the finest hour this reserve has, and the right note to end on. Then home by Route 62, the old road through the valleys, rather than the motorway: Barrydale, Montagu and the Breede valley, among orchards and vineyards.
Coffee in the dark, blankets on the vehicle, and away before the sun. The Karoo before sunrise is bitterly clear, and the animals are moving.
Laid out on the open ground as the mountains turn from grey to red.
Through Barrydale and Montagu, with its hot springs and white Cape Dutch streets, and down the Breede valley.
In Montagu or Robertson, at a table we know.
About four hours of driving in all, arriving with time to spare.
Escorted through check-in in Russian, with no queue at any point. The wine they made at Stellenrust follows them home, and some weeks later a book of their journey arrives, which I write myself, as I wrote September Tides.
| Trip guide | Sees them onto the aircraft, and through check-in with them, in Russian. |
|---|
| Guests | Up to 12 |
|---|---|
| Driving | About four hours |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Departure | Evening, to Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Addis Ababa |
The proposal
Not tours. Living chapters.February · The Cape
The Cape, three waysThe Cape, PrivatelyThe Cape, HostedThe Cape, EssentialApril · For the Families
For the FamiliesApril · Lesotho
Lesotho and the High CountrySeptember · The whales
The Whales, and Deep TimeWhere they stay
21 NettletonTintswalo AtlanticRadisson CollectionLanzeracGrootbosThe MarineHarbour HouseThe Shark BaySanbonaNambiti HillsEsiweni Luxury Safari LodgeCleopatra Mountain FarmhouseWhere they eat
Café CapriceStellenrustTwo Oceans RestaurantLa ColombeBeau ConstantiaCreationAlong the way
Table MountainThe Bo-KaapThe Castle of Good HopeThe Company’s GardenHout BayBoulders BeachGroot ConstantiaKlein ConstantiaBuitenverwachtingStellenboschRustenbergHermanus and Walker BayRiding at Pearly BeachThe Art of the BlendFranschhoekChapman’s PeakCape of Good HopeSnorkelling with SealsGreat White Shark DivingThe whales: the trailerTalk to me
john@visitorstoafrica.comWhatsApp