MEET YOUR GUIDES - KATIE & BRIAN ERNST
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In the last 12 years, together, we have traveled, toured and volunteered in 37 countries and 49 states. We've invested almost 2 of these last 12 years living, touring, traveling and volunteering in Africa. We delivered our baby girl in Cape Town and then a year later we spent ten unplanned months locked down in South Africa during the first wave of the pandemic. We've done four cross country tours of South Africa and have had the honor and privilege of receiving guidance from people from all over the Rainbow Nation. South Africa feels like a home to us and we want to share that with you.
We're offering a mindful alternative to group travel by curating experiences for people who enjoy a balance between group and independent travel. The group trips will be between 8 -12 people max. Because South Africa is such a large and diverse country we will be moving a little more than past trips, however, the itinerary (below) offers plenty of time to choose between being with the group and doing your own thing.
FLEXIBLE PRICING
Experience 12 days and 11 nights in South Africa where you'll connect with rich and diverse culture(s), land and two oceans. You'll see the peaks and valleys of the Rainbow Nation, go on a couple safari drives and collect enough memories to last a lifetime. Prices are flexible and determined by the rooms available.
SOLO TRAVELER: $1900 - $2110 pp.
COUPLE OR FRIEND SHARING A ROOM: $1900 - $2500
FAMILY OR SMALL GROUP: Please inquirer within.
COUPLE OR FRIEND SHARING A ROOM: $1900 - $2500
FAMILY OR SMALL GROUP: Please inquirer within.
PRICE INCLUDES |
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE |
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Accommodation.
All Overland Transportation tolls and fuel. National Park Passes (Boulders Beach (penguin colony), Cape Of Good Hope, Table Mountain, Wilderness, Addo Elephant Park). 5 (?) Safari Game Drives. Some breakfasts, most lunches and all dinners. Personal recommendations and help organizing any additional logistics for people who extend their trip. A Lifetime of Memories. |
International flights to/from Cape Town.
Travel Insurance (highly recommended). Some breakfasts and a few lunches. Personal Expenses (Alcohol, Laundry, Souvenirs). Extra Circular Activities (Kayak, Bungee Jump, Skydiving, Parasailing, Shark Cage). SIM Card for your cell phone (not required). Entrance Fee to Robben Island, Kirstenbosch, Stellenbosch or any of the daytime activities you choose to see via the double decker bus. |
DAY 1
Welcome to South Africa. Brian will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel personally so long as there isn't another flight coming in. If there is another flight that arrives shortly after yours then we will arrange your transport for you. Katie will be at the hotel in Simons Town to greet you and show you a few options of things to do. Meals will be on your own (unless you want our company) as everyone will be settling in different times. Relax and get some rest after your long flight. Just don't forget to lock your windows so a baboon doesn't invade your room.
Welcome to South Africa. Brian will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel personally so long as there isn't another flight coming in. If there is another flight that arrives shortly after yours then we will arrange your transport for you. Katie will be at the hotel in Simons Town to greet you and show you a few options of things to do. Meals will be on your own (unless you want our company) as everyone will be settling in different times. Relax and get some rest after your long flight. Just don't forget to lock your windows so a baboon doesn't invade your room.
DAY 2
If you wake up early enough you might see some penguins walking around Simons Town or maybe even a baboon going rouge and terrorizing the local spaza shop. South Africa has some of the best coffee in the world. You can enjoy one of the many breakfast options or walk the fishing pier or swim in False Bay. Make your own adventure or just chill and relax. Meet at the hotel at 12pm so we can drive a few minutes down the road to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. One of our best friends is a chef and she will make an awesome picnic lunch while we're hanging out on the beach with wild penguins.
We'll meet back up at 5pm to go over to Scarborough, which is the next village over. Scarborough is where our daughter Rayah was born and the place where we spent the majority of lockdown. We're going to enjoy dinner at Camel Rock which is the local watering hole. We'll invite some friends to join us so you can experience the local culture and hopefully some live local music (schedule permitting).
If you wake up early enough you might see some penguins walking around Simons Town or maybe even a baboon going rouge and terrorizing the local spaza shop. South Africa has some of the best coffee in the world. You can enjoy one of the many breakfast options or walk the fishing pier or swim in False Bay. Make your own adventure or just chill and relax. Meet at the hotel at 12pm so we can drive a few minutes down the road to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. One of our best friends is a chef and she will make an awesome picnic lunch while we're hanging out on the beach with wild penguins.
We'll meet back up at 5pm to go over to Scarborough, which is the next village over. Scarborough is where our daughter Rayah was born and the place where we spent the majority of lockdown. We're going to enjoy dinner at Camel Rock which is the local watering hole. We'll invite some friends to join us so you can experience the local culture and hopefully some live local music (schedule permitting).
DAY 3
Wake up on your own time. Feel free to get some coffee/breakfast or stroll around the local shops. Look out for penguins/baboons or simply enjoy the mountain and ocean views. Meet at the hotel at 12pm for another picnic lunch by our friend Alex. Alex is a dual citizen of South Africa and United States. She was trained in culinary arts in USA and is the chef at the very popular Blue Kiwi Restaurant. After lunch we're going to go explore the Cape of Good Hope which is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world.
After Cape of Good Hope we will drive over to the Red Hill Culture Experience and dinner. Red Hill is one of the informal settlements that is known in South Africa as a 'township.' Red Hill has always been one of our favorite places because a lot of our friends from Zimbabwe and Malawi live there. The people are friendly and resilient.
Wake up on your own time. Feel free to get some coffee/breakfast or stroll around the local shops. Look out for penguins/baboons or simply enjoy the mountain and ocean views. Meet at the hotel at 12pm for another picnic lunch by our friend Alex. Alex is a dual citizen of South Africa and United States. She was trained in culinary arts in USA and is the chef at the very popular Blue Kiwi Restaurant. After lunch we're going to go explore the Cape of Good Hope which is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world.
After Cape of Good Hope we will drive over to the Red Hill Culture Experience and dinner. Red Hill is one of the informal settlements that is known in South Africa as a 'township.' Red Hill has always been one of our favorite places because a lot of our friends from Zimbabwe and Malawi live there. The people are friendly and resilient.
DAY 4
Breakfast/coffee on your own, be packed up and ready to depart for Wilderness by 9:30am.
The first half of the 5-6 hour drive is breathtaking. We'll circumnavigate the coast line of False Bay as we drive at the base of 2000-4000' mountains that drop into the ocean. We'll make a few quick stops to take some pictures and enjoy the beauty before stopping for lunch at a farm stall.
We'll have some time to relax at the hotel before our reservation at Selina's, which is one of our favorite restaurants. As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, our friend Watson, who is a Zulu, will be our guest and hopefully bless us with his philosophy of "Ubuntu." There are also a few options for live music and local culture for anyone who still has energy to go out after dinner.
Breakfast/coffee on your own, be packed up and ready to depart for Wilderness by 9:30am.
The first half of the 5-6 hour drive is breathtaking. We'll circumnavigate the coast line of False Bay as we drive at the base of 2000-4000' mountains that drop into the ocean. We'll make a few quick stops to take some pictures and enjoy the beauty before stopping for lunch at a farm stall.
We'll have some time to relax at the hotel before our reservation at Selina's, which is one of our favorite restaurants. As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, our friend Watson, who is a Zulu, will be our guest and hopefully bless us with his philosophy of "Ubuntu." There are also a few options for live music and local culture for anyone who still has energy to go out after dinner.
DAY 5
Relaxed Day and/or make your own adventure. From the hotel you can easily walk to the beach or to any of the amazing local coffee shops, cafes and markets. There are so many options so please feel free to have breakfast and lunch on your own. For anyone who is keen for some extra adventure there is an option to go on a relatively quick and easy kayak up the Kaaimans River to a Hidden Waterfall, or, if you fancy a little more adventure, Brian can take you to a secret place that's not for the faint of heart.
If you want to chill out and have a beach day you can relax in Wilderness National Park, on the Touws River (where it pours into the Indian Ocean) or if you want to hike to waterfalls, go skydiving or parasailing we can help you organize that as well.
Whatever you do, be ready to meet up for dinner at 5pm because we're going to have a sunset reservation at Pili Pili which is an amazing beach restaurant on the mouth of the Sedgefield Lagoon.
Relaxed Day and/or make your own adventure. From the hotel you can easily walk to the beach or to any of the amazing local coffee shops, cafes and markets. There are so many options so please feel free to have breakfast and lunch on your own. For anyone who is keen for some extra adventure there is an option to go on a relatively quick and easy kayak up the Kaaimans River to a Hidden Waterfall, or, if you fancy a little more adventure, Brian can take you to a secret place that's not for the faint of heart.
If you want to chill out and have a beach day you can relax in Wilderness National Park, on the Touws River (where it pours into the Indian Ocean) or if you want to hike to waterfalls, go skydiving or parasailing we can help you organize that as well.
Whatever you do, be ready to meet up for dinner at 5pm because we're going to have a sunset reservation at Pili Pili which is an amazing beach restaurant on the mouth of the Sedgefield Lagoon.
DAY 6
Breakfast/coffee on your own. If you're an early riser, feel free to stroll the beautiful beach and be ready to leave by 11am. We have a 4 hour drive (with a farm stall lunch) en route to the Safari Lodge. We'll arrive at the Lodge with enough time for everyone to chill out and relax before dinner.
Breakfast/coffee on your own. If you're an early riser, feel free to stroll the beautiful beach and be ready to leave by 11am. We have a 4 hour drive (with a farm stall lunch) en route to the Safari Lodge. We'll arrive at the Lodge with enough time for everyone to chill out and relax before dinner.
DAY 7
Wake up at the lodge and enjoy breakfast on your own.
Activity (????)
We'll leave at 1:30pm (?????) for safari at Schotia Private Reserve. We'll get up close and personal with lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes and hundreds of other species that are Indigenous to the land. They'll guide us through the bush on a 4x4 Range Rover to a circular bush camp where they'll serve up a traditional Afrikaans braai (which is a fantastic dinner cooked over fire). After dinner we'll go back into the bush for a night time safari drive where we'll look for the nocturnal mammals on the hunt.
Wake up at the lodge and enjoy breakfast on your own.
Activity (????)
We'll leave at 1:30pm (?????) for safari at Schotia Private Reserve. We'll get up close and personal with lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes and hundreds of other species that are Indigenous to the land. They'll guide us through the bush on a 4x4 Range Rover to a circular bush camp where they'll serve up a traditional Afrikaans braai (which is a fantastic dinner cooked over fire). After dinner we'll go back into the bush for a night time safari drive where we'll look for the nocturnal mammals on the hunt.
DAY 8
Make sure you get an early breakfast and be ready to go by 7:30am. We'll get on another 4x4 Land Rover and go on another guided game drive where we'll witness hundreds of Elephants meet and greet each other at the local watering hole. We'll be able to drive right next to them, while also keeping a safe distance. After the elephants finish socializing we'll have another short game drive before a light lunch. Afterwards we will begin our 3 hour journey west to Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge in Natures Valley.
Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge is a beautiful, family run business that holds a special place in our hearts. After you check into your room Brian will give you a quick tour of the property. The family who stewards the land embodies Ubuntu and it's the perfect place to ground down after safari. Wild Spirit cooks up an amazing dinner every night. It's also a very popular venue for the South African musicians who are touring the Garden Route. There will be music and bonfires while people from all over the world build relations with each other as the sun sets over the purple mountains that tower over the valley.
Make sure you get an early breakfast and be ready to go by 7:30am. We'll get on another 4x4 Land Rover and go on another guided game drive where we'll witness hundreds of Elephants meet and greet each other at the local watering hole. We'll be able to drive right next to them, while also keeping a safe distance. After the elephants finish socializing we'll have another short game drive before a light lunch. Afterwards we will begin our 3 hour journey west to Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge in Natures Valley.
Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge is a beautiful, family run business that holds a special place in our hearts. After you check into your room Brian will give you a quick tour of the property. The family who stewards the land embodies Ubuntu and it's the perfect place to ground down after safari. Wild Spirit cooks up an amazing dinner every night. It's also a very popular venue for the South African musicians who are touring the Garden Route. There will be music and bonfires while people from all over the world build relations with each other as the sun sets over the purple mountains that tower over the valley.
DAY 9
Wake up and enjoy coffee/breakfast on the deck. There are so many beautiful places on the property to chill out. You can read a book in a tree fort, hike, swim in their natural pool and explore the grounds. We'll meet up at 12pm and drive down the mountain to where the Lagoon pours into the Indian Ocean. Natures Valley is beautiful and you can choose between the warm water lagoon or the icy cold Indian Ocean. There is also an optional hike to another secret beach for anyone who enjoys hiking with mountain and beach views.
We'll meet back up at 5pm so we have time to chill out before dinner. Brian will perform right after dinner and we'll spend the rest of the night hanging out with folks from all over the world sharing stories and dancing by the bonfire.
If you would like to participate in the tree planting ceremony please let us know.
Wake up and enjoy coffee/breakfast on the deck. There are so many beautiful places on the property to chill out. You can read a book in a tree fort, hike, swim in their natural pool and explore the grounds. We'll meet up at 12pm and drive down the mountain to where the Lagoon pours into the Indian Ocean. Natures Valley is beautiful and you can choose between the warm water lagoon or the icy cold Indian Ocean. There is also an optional hike to another secret beach for anyone who enjoys hiking with mountain and beach views.
We'll meet back up at 5pm so we have time to chill out before dinner. Brian will perform right after dinner and we'll spend the rest of the night hanging out with folks from all over the world sharing stories and dancing by the bonfire.
If you would like to participate in the tree planting ceremony please let us know.
DAY 10
Wake up and enjoy the view with coffee/breakfast on the deck at Wild Spirit. Be packed up and ready to leave by 9:30am. We have a 6 hour drive back to Cape Town (with a farm stall lunch) en route. We'll arrive at the hotel around 5pm so everybody has some time to unwind after the drive. Dinner reservations are at 7pm. Cape Town has an abundance of live music clubs. If anyone has energy to go out afterwards we can organize that. Otherwise, feel free to take it easy at the hotel and explore the local neighborhood.
Wake up and enjoy the view with coffee/breakfast on the deck at Wild Spirit. Be packed up and ready to leave by 9:30am. We have a 6 hour drive back to Cape Town (with a farm stall lunch) en route. We'll arrive at the hotel around 5pm so everybody has some time to unwind after the drive. Dinner reservations are at 7pm. Cape Town has an abundance of live music clubs. If anyone has energy to go out afterwards we can organize that. Otherwise, feel free to take it easy at the hotel and explore the local neighborhood.
DAY 11
There is so much to see and do in Cape Town so make your own adventure. We're going to all get a day pass on the double decker bus system so everybody can choose what they want to see and do. The double decker bus system can take you over to the world renowned vineyards in Stellenbosch, VA Waterfront, the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and/or Robben Island, where the Great Nelson Mandela spent 19 of his 27 years incarcerated during the anti-apartheid struggle for Liberation. Brian will accompany anyone who chooses to take the boat out to Robben Island.
One of the last stops on the double decker bus route is Table Mountain National Park. Meet at the base of Table Mountain at 5pm where a cable car will carry us up 3500' in elevation in less than 5 minutes. We'll enjoy our last African sunset together as a group from the summit of Table Mountain. We have dinner reservations at one of our favorite Cape Town restaurants called Bombay Bicycle Club.
There is so much to see and do in Cape Town so make your own adventure. We're going to all get a day pass on the double decker bus system so everybody can choose what they want to see and do. The double decker bus system can take you over to the world renowned vineyards in Stellenbosch, VA Waterfront, the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and/or Robben Island, where the Great Nelson Mandela spent 19 of his 27 years incarcerated during the anti-apartheid struggle for Liberation. Brian will accompany anyone who chooses to take the boat out to Robben Island.
One of the last stops on the double decker bus route is Table Mountain National Park. Meet at the base of Table Mountain at 5pm where a cable car will carry us up 3500' in elevation in less than 5 minutes. We'll enjoy our last African sunset together as a group from the summit of Table Mountain. We have dinner reservations at one of our favorite Cape Town restaurants called Bombay Bicycle Club.
DAY 12
We will do our best to take everyone to the airport. If flight times overlap then we will arrange transport for you. If you are going to stay in Cape Town and/or extend your trip and travel to other parts of the country, please let us know if we can help you with any suggestions or reservations at no additional cost. We are confident that after this trip you will be more then comfortable traveling anywhere in South Africa.
We will do our best to take everyone to the airport. If flight times overlap then we will arrange transport for you. If you are going to stay in Cape Town and/or extend your trip and travel to other parts of the country, please let us know if we can help you with any suggestions or reservations at no additional cost. We are confident that after this trip you will be more then comfortable traveling anywhere in South Africa.
"You can take a person from Africa but you cannot take Africa out of the person."
- African Proverb