5 Day Eastern Cape Settlers Tour (UMZECST5) is a 5 day / 4 night package tour by Umzantsi Afrika Tours

Day 1: Port Elizabeth to Uniondale
We leave Port Elizabeth in the morning heading westward to the world renowned surfing town of Jeffreys Bay on our way to the scenic Tsitsikama Forest and Marine National Park. We stop for refreshments at the Storms River Bridge and then move on to the Big Tree. Next we head down towards the Storms River Gorge, and take a short walk along the suspension bridge that hangs across the mouth. We can also take a trip up the gorge on a river boat (optional extra and weather permitting). After exploring the Storms River area, it is on to the Bloukrans River Bridge. At 217m high, this bridge is the highest in South Africa. This unique spot offers the highest natural bungee jump in the world! We continue down the Bloukrans Pass through the stunning Natures Valley and up the Groote River Pass on to Keurbooms. Our route then takes us through the magnificent Prince Alfred’s Pass in the Tsitsikama Mountains on to the town of Uniondale where we stay over night.

Overnight: Uniondale

Day 2: Uniondale to Graaff-Reinet
After breakfast we head further inland into the Karoo to the town of Aberdeen, with its interesting mix of architectural styles. After lunch we move on to Graaff-Reinet, a historically charming town known as the ‘Gem of the Karoo’. The town is nestled between typical Karoo Mountains and rock formations, giving it a unique Karoo atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to spend the night. While we are in the town we can explore South African history as the town has more historic monuments than any other town in South Africa. In the Late afternoon we take a short ride out to the Valley of Desolation, just in time to enjoy a sundowner and watch the sunset over red rock formations and the sprawling expanse of the Karoo.

Overnight: Graaff-Reinet

Day 3: Graaff-Reinet to Mountain Zebra National Park
After A leisurely breakfast we take time to explore the town. We visit the Old Library Museum with its collection of fossils of over 200 million years old as well as the Reinet House, a beautifully reserved Cape Dutch house. After Lunch we continue to the Mountain Zebra National Park, where we will be able to see some of the 250 Zebras, as well as some of the other animals living there. The evening is spent feasting on a real South African dinner and then relaxing under the Karoo night sky. On a clear night many shooting stars are visible in the Karoo, making this a magnificent experience. We spend our third night at this park in lovely bungalows

Overnight: Bungalows at the Mountain Zebra National Park

Day 4: Mountain Zebra National Park to Grahamstown
In the morning we head for another charming Karoo town, Cradock. Here we can visit the Great Fish River Museum, a monument to the hard lives of the pioneer settlers. After a short information round trip through the town, we pass through Bedford on the foot of Kagga Mountain, Adelaide and Ford Beaufort, on the way to the attractive university town of Grahamstown, where we will be staying the night in the Grahamstown Hotel.

Overnight: Grahamstown Hotel

Day 5: Grahamstown to Port Elizabeth
After Breakfast we visit the Rhodes University, the Observatory Museum and other places of historical value. After seeing all that the town has to offer, it’s off in the direction of Bathurst where we have lunch at the old Pig and Whistle Hotel. Its pub dates back to 1834 (the oldest existing pub in South Africa). Next stop is the Toposcope and then to the big Pineapple farm, where we can enjoy freshly pressed Pineapple juice. From there we move on towards the sunshine coast. We stop in the lovely riverside town of Port Alfred where we will visit the Kowie Museum. Our journey then continues through Alexandria back to Port Elizabeth. We will reach our destination in the late afternoon.