Day 1:            Saxe-Coburg Lodge, Prince Albert       (Sun, 21 February)

Guest will be picked up from their homes, and transferred to OR Tambo airport.  Time for the pickup, transfer and flight will be confirmed closer to the date. Enjoy the flight to George, where your host will be waiting for you on arrival. Depart from the airport on a scenic drive towards Prince Albert. We travel over the scenic Outeniqua Mountains, through Oudtshoorn and De Rust before arriving in the beautiful Prince Albert valley. Here we then check our Guesthouse for the first 2 nights of stay. Relax and enjoy the beautiful gardens.     

Day 2:            Saxe-Coburg Lodge, Prince Albert       (Mon, 22 February)

The day is set aside to travel along the most scenic and finest mountain passes in the Karoo, which is the Swartberg pass. This 27 km untarred road winds up to a summit at 1583 metres above sea level, with breathtaking views on every turn. The pass descends into the valley close to the famous Cango caves. After visiting the caves, we will again return to Prince Albert over the same pass, but this time in the opposite direction. In the afternoon, guest will have time to visit the museum, and explore the town on foot.  *** swartberg pass weather dependant

Day 3:            Rogge Cloof private nature reserve, Sutherland     (Tue, 23 February)

Today we are travelling to one of the most well - known town of the Karoo, namely Sutherland. We travel through parts of the Greater Karoo towards Matjiesfontein. We stop at this historical town to visit the wonderful museum and Victorian village. After enjoying lunch at the village, we continue in a northerly direction towards Sutherland. See how the landscapes continuously changes, and travel through the spectacular Verlatenkloof Mountain Pass. Guest will be surprised by the variety of changing landscapes and farms found along this route. On arrival in Sutherland, we check into Rogge Cloof private nature reserve for next two nights. Enjoy a nature drive where we can discover the fossil fields, learn about the Karoo plants, animals. Stop for a tea/coffee and snack break before we head back to the Lodge for dinner in the Rittersaal

Day 4:            Rogge Cloof private nature reserve Sutherland      (Wed, 24 February)

Sutherland is known for a few things, one being one of the coldest places in the country, but more significantly it is due to it being one of the darkest places. One of the world’s most important astronomical observatories is situated here, including the South African Large Telescope (SALT). During the morning, we will participate in an informative tour of this modern facility.  After the tour we explore the town before we head back to Rogge Cloof. Enjoy wine tasting, and learn about the eco-village and the farm’s history. After dinner we enjoy a fascinating presentation & look at the stars through Rogge Cloof telescopes.

Day 5:            Karoo National Park         (Thu, 25 February)

Before we depart we drive out to Poet’s cave (early morning) where famous poet NP van Wyk Lous & his borthers played as children, returning for breakfast before we check out and travel back towards main road and Laingsburg, where we visit the Flood Museum (time permitting). We then travel in an easterly direction towards the charming town of Beaufort West. We explore the hidden gem of the Karoo – the Karoo National Park where we will overnight for 1 night. Check in and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Karoo National Park trying to find the elusive Lions of the Karoo. Returning late afternoon to the camp where we will enjoy dinner at the restaurant. From the veranda guests will have a lovely view of the big spaces of the Karoo, as well as the high mountains.

Day 6:            Khoisan Karoo Conservancy      (Fri, 26 February)

After breakfast in the restaurant enjoy a last game drive before we leave the Karoo National Park and start making our way to Hanover area where we will be staying over at the Khoisan Karoo Conservancy Farm at the New Holme Homestead. Lunch on route. On arrival at New Holme we check in and explore the area around the Farm. Dinner at the farm before we depart around 20h00 to look for the SHY 5. It is a 2 hour game drive looking for the Aardwolf, Cape fox, Bat-eared fox, African wildcat, Aardvark, Porcupine, Striped polecat, African striped Weasel, both Small and Large spotted Genet to name but a few species, and if you are really lucky maybe even the tiny rare Black footed cat.

Day 7:            Sangiro Lodge, Bloemfontein    (Sat, 27 February)

Early morning wake up so that we can go and explore and see the Khoi San etchings. This is a guided walk in the koppies where we can learn more about the early history of the San and their relationship with nature. It is about a 1 km walk. For those who would rather enjoy the Homestead and a leisurely breakfast and bird watching around the dam, that is also in order. For those who want to go and explore breakfast will be after your walk to the Khoi San Petroglyphs. Sadly after breakfast we start leaving the Karoo behind us. We continue to Bloemfontein where we will check into our Guesthouse for the night. Dinner in town.

Day 8:            End of Itinerary      (Sun, 28 February)

After breakfast we travel via Kroonstad towards Johannesburg. Guests will be dropped off at their home in the mid afternoon.