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South Africa holiday, Cape escape

COUNTRY:
South Africa
LOCATION:
Garden Route, Western Cape
DEPARTURES:
2012: 18 Feb, 3 Mar, 24 Mar, 31 Mar, 7 Apr, 21 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 15 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 15 Dec, 22 Dec, 29 Dec
2013: 26 Jan
PRICE:
From £1744 - £2488 (12 days) including UK flights
MORE INFO:
From £954 - £1054 excluding flights.
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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South Africa holiday, Cape escape

South Africa holiday, Cape escape

Small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

How this holiday makes a difference

On a tour that includes many of South Africa’s favourite ingredients, we also have the opportunity of appreciating this young country’s cutting edge programmes of wildlife conservation and environmental care. In season, the Southern Right Whale can be observed off the Western Cape, and there is the chance to explore the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks – plus, of course, to view the Jackass Penguin colony at Cape Point. South Africa is leagues ahead of many developed nations when it comes to environmental care, and its Zero Litter Tolerance in its reserves is widely respected. Transportation on this guided trip includes chartered bus, boat and ample walking – all contributing to a more in-depth exploration, whilst avoiding the harmful impact of fly/drive tourism. Local businesses are widely supported through our use of local suppliers, hotels and restaurants. In addition there is the option to visit the Township at Swellendam – a great opportunity to learn more about the local people.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost.

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Story of the holiday provider

This small group operator is just celebrating its 30th year and was originally set up to enrich people’s lives through adventure travel. The directors have roots in overland trucking and are determined to keep a pioneering spirit alive. They believe what sets them apart is the strong relationships they’ve developed with local suppliers and tour guides over the years. A tour leader who thinks creatively can turn a good experience into a fantastic one and open up a place so that travellers gain insight into a completely different way of life. They operate in many different countries and try to avoid a blanket approach – their aim is to get customers involved in the projects they visit and to forge lifelong friendships.

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Holiday provider no: 276

South Africa holiday, Cape escape

Reviewed 09 Jan 2012 by Stephen Pick3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Seeing and going up Table Mountain, the wonderful wild flowers and birds, going to the most southerly tip of Africa, seeing Whales, dolphins and penguins and visiting a Township. The optional trip to Robben Island was memorable.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Be prepared for sudden weather changes. Bring a good camera and binoculars. Make sure you visit a Township. Make sure you get up Table Mountain when it is possible as weather conditions can make that not possible. Treat Table Mountain with respect - it isn't just a small hill!!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes. The money we paid to go to the township went, as far as I know, directly to help that Township with health and social issues. We gave employment to the guide and driver and were able to hear from them about South Africa and then tell our friends back in the UK. We stayed in small local establishments.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Overall it was good, but I was disappointed that there was such an emphasis on wine tasting and wine buying. I know it is a wine growing area and very important to their economy (although that may well be more the rich white Africans) but I had hoped to see more local other industries and to be able to get out more and walk and explore the local areas.

Reviewed 25 Dec 2010 by Norma Castillo4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town; staying in vineyards in Stellenbosch; township visit in Swellenham.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Travel light - be prepared to pay for many options including meals at accommodations and most sightseeing venues.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


We did usually spend money in local establishments. Much more could be done in the way of recycling ESPECIALLY with water bottles - but no one organized it for the tour bus etc - even though it could easily be done.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Very good to excellent.

Reviewed 02 Mar 2009 by Sally Sellars4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Hiking up table mountain in the morning and doing two wine tastings in the afternoon on one day.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Could be as active or lazy as you want. Are options every day. Not much time in Cape town on the tour so good to add on some extra days. Although no jet lag still long travel time so also good to get there a day or two early to make the most of the tour.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Did benefit local people also local guide and driver.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Good mixture of walks and excursions. Also a certain amount of flexibility within the group.

Reviewed 15 Apr 2006 by Jane Kirby4 star rating

My holiday in S Africa was memorable from many points of view, some personal to my family. The most outstanding visit was to a Township at Swellendamm where we learnt a little of the life of black Africans and how they still have a more deprived lifestyle compared with the white population. This was also evident from the things we saw as we travelled around.

Most of the places we stayed at put money into the local economy but we had 3 nights at a Cape Town Hotel which obviously did not pay any attention to the environmental impact of their services - e.g. no notice about using towels more than one day and a lot of disposable courtesy items e.g. disposable flannels. On the other hand shops and market stalls always packed things in paper bags and carriers which I am using now. Travellers must think about their own use of things as they travel around where-ever it may be.

Read the operator's response here:

We highlight 'top tips' on responsible travel in our own General Information Booklet and our Tour Leaders brief groups in more detail on arrival. We advise customers how to reduce waste and how to be mindful of the fact that many countries do not have adequate litter collection or recycling schemes. We will pass on the comments to the hotel advising that adverse feedback has been received in the regard to this.
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Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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