Alan Tours

BAVIAANSKLOOF, LIFE & LEGEND,4×4 ADVENTURE (OV32)

At a Glance

• Tour duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Group size: 2 to 6 people per tour
• Tour departs from: Port Elizabeth
• Price: From R4300 to R7700 per person

Tour Highlights

• A spectacular route 4 x 4 journey through the “Valley of the Baboons”, over the mountains and the rough winding road
• Tall mountains ranges and steep sided valleys bisected by wild rivers and streams
• Spectacular with views
• Swim in the deep river pools when the weather is good
• Bird and wildlife
• We visit a beautiful grove of Wild fig trees
• Wealth of plant diversity, simply bundled together as Fynbos, Proteas and Leucadendron

Suitable for those interested in Adventure, Nature, Wildlife

Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Port Elizabeth to Baviaanskloof

   We meet you at your place of residence in Port Elizabeth before our departure for the Baviaanskloof, a World Heritage Site.
   
   Here we travel through the agricultural centers of Hankey and Patensie with its neatly maintained citrus and vegetable farms on either side of the Gamtoos river. We continue to the entrance of the Baviaanskloof Mega-reserve where on arrival we check in at the reception, take a comfort break and enjoy a cup of coffee at the comfortable picnic site.
   
   After the break we continue through the imposing cliffs that line the riverbanks in this picturesque part of the Baviaanskloof.
   
   We travel in a westerly direction deeper into the Baviaanskloof valley, entering the wilderness section of the reserve.
   
   Here the road is shaded by large trees as we cross the clear waters of the river. If the weather is good, we park in the shade, take our shoes off and wade through these cool, clear waters as a ceremonial cleansing ritual. Refreshed we continue into the valley of the Baboons.
   
   We make our way out of the shade of the valley floor up onto steep passes as we move through this Rift Valley climbing up and descending once again only to climb back up again. The views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from the top of the passes is spectacular with views over wide portions of the valley in places.
   
   We take photographs along the way and stop on the road for a picnic lunch and a swim in the deep river pools when the weather is good.
   
   After traversing the wilderness area, we keep a keen eye open for the bird and wildlife which includes the rare Mountain Zebra, Bushbuck, Cape Buffalo, Kudu and Red Hartebeest as well as the secretive Leopard, the endangered Black Rhino and of course the many Baboons that call this valley their home and who in turn have bequeathed their name to this mythical valley, The Baviaanskloof, the Valley of the Baboon.
   
   Completing the memorable journey through the wilderness area, we make our way to our overnight accommodation. After check in we make ourselves comfortable before meeting for a traditional farm dinner.
   
   After a delicious meal we can take a seat in the old lounge or on the porch recollecting the stories of the day before making our way to bed under the clear, star encrusted night sky.
   
   Overnight Baviaanskloof accommodation, picnic lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast

   OVERNIGHT: Farm Style Accommodation

2. DAY 2: Baviaanskloof to Port Elizabeth

   We wake up early for tea or coffee and rusks before exploring the area a little more thoroughly.
   
   We return to the farmhouse for a wholesome breakfast. We pack up, check out and set off to explore a little of the Kloof as it is locally known. We visit a beautiful grove of Wild fig trees that proliferate around an up-welling of crystal clear water said to have its origins a few hundred kilometers away in the Great Karoo.
   
   Here, with a permanent supply of pure water, the fig trees grow huge and thrive in these fertile soils, bearing large quantities of edible fruit, a bonanza for both the bird and wildlife of this predominantly arid area.
   
   Leaving the Baviaanskloof behind us, we return via a rugged 4 x 4 route.
   
   This is a spectacular route over the mountains and the rough winding road at times seems to carry on forever. At almost every corner there is a picture perfect scene, or landscape, bird or animal to stop you in your tracks. It is almost impossible for a camera to capture the sheer expanse of the scenery, shaded mountains, layered into the distance, cut with deep valleys for as far as the eye can see.
   
   We stop at a convenient spot to rest and take our lunch break and have a picnic lunch.
   
   With 7 biomes converging in one area, the Kouga / Baviaanskloof wilderness area has a wealth of plant diversity, simply bundled together as Fynbos where such diversity is difficult to compare with anything else in the world.
   
   It is for this reason that the area has been declared as a World Heritage Site and afforded the protection necessary to maintain its integrity into the future.
   
   We finally drop down along the southern slopes of the Kouga Mountains and enter the valley thickets interspersed with beautiful stands of Proteas, Leucadendron and other Fynbos plants as we make our way back along the well maintained farm roads with one more river crossing at which to stop and take a refreshing swim before making the final leg of our adventure back home.
   
   Back in Port Elizabeth, we return you to your place of residence and end of the tour.

   TOUR ENDS

Note

Tour includes:

* 2 day professional guided tour
* 1 night accommodation as per itinerary
* 4×4 safari vehicle, fuel
* Entrance/conservation fees
* 4×4 route fees
* Activities as per itinerary
* Meals as per itinerary
* Bottled water in the tour vehicle


Tour excludes:

* Alcoholic beverages
* Activities not mentioned in the above
* Tips/gratuities