Low Carbon Footprint Tour

South African Airways and Lufthansa are two of a number of airlines that offer carbon offsets. Carbon offsetting is a way to reduce your carbon footprint by supporting a carbon-reduction effort elsewhere. The money is invested in projects like renewable energy wind farms and hydro-farms in developing nations.

Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport and wait for your shuttle to Kruger National Park.

Considering that transportation is a major contributor to the build-up of harmful ozone-depleting emissions in the atmosphere, making careful, eco-conscious decisions about how to get around while holidaying in South Africa goes a long way to greening your vacation. One sure way to reduce your carbon footprint, and thus reduce your contribution to global warming, is to make use of public transport alternatives, rather than hiring a car (every extra vehicle on the roads simply adds to the pollutants in the air). What follows is a selection of sensible travel alternatives for visitors eager to step lightly on our precious earth.

Arrive at your beautiful lodge situated just outside Hazyview, the gateway to Kruger National Park.

Hazyview is a small farming town and is renowned for its banana industry. It is known as the gateway to the Kruger National Park and is ideally situated to explore the Panorama Route.

Golfers find many beautiful golf courses in the area.

The Kruger National Park was founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger to protect the unique fauna and flora. It encompasses an area of almost 2 million hectares and shares borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The ideal season to observe the game is our winter (May to September) since the climate is moderate and the landscape is dry and bleak. With the first rains in November, nature revitalizes. Simultaneously, summer is the time when most of the young animals are born. The Kruger National Park is widely renowned for its astonishing variety of wildlife. Besides the “Big 5” (elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and buffalo) visitors may also encounter giraffes, zebras, antelopes, warthogs and multiple bird species.

Join the Bush walks instead of the open safari vehicle game drives to keep your carbon footprint in check!

Your airport shuttle will arrive early afternoon at OR Tambo International Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth.

Collect your Hybrid rental car and drive 100 km to your accommodation in St. Francis Bay.

The Portuguese arrived at this idyllic bay in 1575 and named it after the patron saint of sailors. The quaint buildings with white-washed walls and thatch roofs contribute to the charm of this village that has maintained a fishing industry until today. The lighthouse is open to visitors. It was built in 1878 to protect ships from a dangerous riff along the coastline. The beautiful beaches invite guests to swim, sunbathe, or take a stroll.

Travel distance: 150 km

St Francis Bay is well known for its beautiful beaches and its annual surf competitions.

Why not take a wind or kite surfing lesson yourself?

But that’s not all! The amazing men-made channels offer ample opportunity to canoe, stand-up paddleboarding, and sunset boat trips.

The nearby golf courses are world-class and challenging, plenty of restaurants and bars will serve culinary delights – A prime holiday destination just waiting for you to be discovered!

Leaving Surfer’s Paradise behind, continue towards Tsitsikamma forest. This peculiar name comes from the Khoi language and means „the place of much water“. Some giant yellowwood trees grow in this indigenous forest. They are over 800 years old and stand more than 35 meters high. The forest is a world heritage site.

On this part of the journey, the mountains almost look like diving into the sea. Many spectacular bridges have been erected to stand high above the deep valleys dug by rivers. The Bloukrans Bridge has a clear span of the arch of 272 meters and hosts bungee jumpers diving more than 200 meters down.

The journey takes you to Plettenberg Bay, also called a millionaire’s paradise. The moderate, mild climate, the three spacious and safe beaches, the lagoon, and a river mouth have made it a popular holiday destination.

In the old days, elephants also roamed in this area. Unconfirmed rumors state, some forest elephants have survived in the forests between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.

Stop at Knysna’s Waterfront to stretch your legs, taste oysters, and admire the beauty of this quaint coastal town known as the “Pearl of the Garden Route”. Shortly after,  you arrive at your accommodation in the forest between Knysna and Sedgefield.

Travel distance: 205.9 km

Discover nearby beaches, pack a picnic, and walk along the river or in the forest.

Driving over the magical Outeniqua Pass, you will find Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.

Visit an Ostrich farm and famous Cango Caves, as well as Rust en Vrede Waterfall.

Included: One hour Safari Ostrich Farm Tour and one hour Cango Cave’s Standard Tour

Leaving your forest paradise behind, you’ll drive along the Garden Route.

Recommended stops en-route are:

• The Post Office Tree in Mossel Bay
• The world’s biggest Aloe Ferox plant in Albertinia
• Wildebraam Berry Farm in Swellendam

Arrive for check-in at De Hoop Nature Reserve in the afternoon and enjoy a meal at the restaurant before settling for the night.

Travel distance: 323 km

It is once again all about nature:

Enjoy hiking & cycling between the rich fynbos vegetation, swimming and snorkeling in one of the many rock pools in the reserve, the best land-based whale-watching in season and so much more

Drive past the world’s longest wine route R 62 towards Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second oldest town.

Stellenbosch is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and well-kept towns in the country. Many original Cape Dutch buildings are situated in Dorp Street and its neighboring streets in the vibrant old town. The Stellenbosch Village Museum, a museum complex of historical houses and furnished with period furniture depicts the lifestyle of the inhabitants of this town from the 16th to the 18th century. Stellenbosch is surrounded by countless wineries and is the hub of the wine industry in the Western Cape.

Stop in beautiful Robertson for lunch, visit picturesque wine farms in the area, and take a stroll through Stellenbosch’s historical center before arriving at Spier wine farm, your home for the next 3 days.

Travel distance: 216 km

For the next 2 days, you can look forward to wine tastings, wine pairings, excellent food, long walks, and picnics under shady trees along the river.

There are Art exhibitions, proud craftsmanship, and lots of interesting things to do on the farm…

or you opt for a visit to Franschhoek, the French side of the Western Cape’s Winelands and Paarl with its Taal Monument and Fairview Cheese- and Winefarm …

Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City is only 30 km away, you can easily spend a day discovering the city on foot and finish with the famous V&A Waterfront.

Spend your last day at leisure before it is time to make your way to Cape Town International Airport, where you drop off your Hybrid and check in for your flight back home.

Travel distance: 29 km

We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa!

The least carbon friendly form of travelling is air and land travel. Although these two forms of travel are hard to avoid, you can always try to off-set your carbon by using carbon-friendly packing and trying out sustainable travelling.

If flying is unavoidable, research airlines that prioritise fuel efficiency and invest in carbon offset programmes. You can also choose eco-friendly hotels or lodges that prioritise sustainable practices like water conservation, energy efficiency, and local sourcing, and you can travel with tour operators committed to sustainable practices.

The most carbon friendly form of travel is the train.

You can further reduce your impact by packing light (less weight means less fuel used for transportation), taking shorter showers, and reducing or eliminating single-use plastics.