Day 1 - Sat 12 Nov: Cape Town to L'Agulhas
After meeting up in Cape Town, the group will depart on a leisurely drive to L'Agulhas via Caledon and Bredasdorp. Upon arrival, the first stop will be a visit to the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, where those that are brave enough can climb the 71 steps up to the lantern gallery (there are magnificent views over the surrounding coastline), and browse through the small museum which contains many interesting seafaring artifacts. There will still be plenty of time to visit the spot which marks the southernmost tip of Africa and the official meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the wreck of the Meisho Maru. |
Day 2 - Sun 13 Nov: L'Agulhas to Hermanus
After breakfast, we depart on the relatively short trip to Gansbaai, where we will be treated to an exclusive tour of the Danger Point lighthouse. Renowned and commemorated as the site of the Birkenhead disaster, this location is also an excellent whale-watching and bird-watching venue. Then it's on to Hermanus, where everyone will be delighted by the playful antics of the Southern Right whales which frequent Walker Bay at this time of the year. Arriving in the early afternoon is perfect for photography, and also allows ample time and opportunity to experience the other attractions that this unique seaside town has to offer. |
Day 3 - Mon 14 Nov: Hermanus to Fish Hoek
The Stony Point Penguin Colony near Betty's Bay is just a 30 minute drive from Hermanus, and will be our first stop of the day. This rugged spot is seldom crowded, and allows for an intimate interaction with these comical little seabirds. Cape Hangklip lighthouse is nearby, and a quick trip followed by a short and easy walk will get us to this beautiful location. Clarence Drive, arguably one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, then takes us to Gordon's Bay, where we head up to the Steenbras Lookout Point before moving on to our luxury accommodation in Fish Hoek, our home for the next two nights. |
Day 4 - Tue 15 Nov: Fish Hoek to Fish Hoek
The group will start this day with a morning charter boat trip to get some closeup views of the Simon's Town Dockyard and Roman Rock lighthouses, as well as sightings of the seabirds, and maybe even the whales and dolphins, which populate False Bay. We then drive along the coast to Cape Point, where some energetic hiking will reward us with not only two lighthouses, but also the many splendid viewpoints that this famous location has to offer. We travel back to Simon's Town via Red Hill Road to visit either the South African Naval Museum or the Boulders Penguin Colony, or perhaps both if time allows. |
Day 5 - Wed 16 Nov: Fish Hoek to Bloubergstrand
There are another four lighthouses on the menu for this day. Starting off with Slangkop Point, the route then takes us via the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive to Hout Bay (where we will spend some time at Mariner's Wharf) and on to the Green Point and Mouille Point lighthouses on Cape Town's foreshore. After a couple of hours visiting South Africa's two oldest lighthouses, we travel the short distance to Woodbridge Island to see the Milnerton lighthouse, then move on to nearby Bloubergstrand which is where we will spend the night. There should be enough time for a walk on the beach, and to watch the sun set over the ocean. |
Day 6 - Thu 17 Nov: Bloubergstrand to Cape Columbine
The beautiful beaches of the West Coast beckon, and our first destination will be the stunning privately-built Stompneuspunt lighthouse in St. Helena Bay. Cape St. Martin lighthouse is nearby, and we pay it a quick visit before moving on to Paternoster. This delightful little town, with its white-washed fisherman cottages and quaint little shops, will entertain us for a while, then its time to head out to the Cape Columbine lighthouse. After a tour of the premises, we can settle in to our onsite accommodation, and then braai under the stars and have a drink or two to celebrate our last night of the tour. |
Day 7 - Fri 18 Nov: Cape Columbine to Cape Town
It's the final day, but there is still plenty to do. After breakfast, we head off to Saldanha Bay to see the North Head lighthouse, then travel the short distance to Langebaan and the West Coast National Park. Magnificent scenery, lots of animals, the wild flowers (which should be plentiful at this time of the year) and the South Head lighthouse (if possible; permission to visit is still pending) are some of the highlights as we meander our way through the park, then it's time to get back on the road to the mother city and our end point, Cape Town. We say our goodbyes, and reflect on what will have been an unforgettable trip! |