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West Coast Example Itinerary 1

DAY 1
Depart from Cape Town on the R27 to Langebaan, almost all year round sunny weather, perfect for kite surfing and windsurfing.  Visit the West Coast National Park where Eve’s footprints were discovered and at the same time view the different species of birds found in the lagoon waters.  Visit the West Coast Fossil Park just outside the town.  Depart to Saldanha and visit the popular SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve in the Military base.  Have a nice lunch at Slipway or Pedro’s Restaurant while enjoying a beautiful view of the Bay.  Take a boat trip to Malgas Island or visit the Sishen–Saldanha iron-ore terminal.  Take the R45 to Vredenburg which is the main shopping destination of the people from the smaller towns and continue to Paternoster.  Visit the Columbine Nature Reserve with the well known “Tietiesbaai”.  Also visit the little shop, Oep Ve Koep, with its variety of home made jams and arts and craft.  Experience a drive through the golden mile on the R533 to Shelly Point where you can see a humpback or a southern right whale or two (June – Nov).  The same road leads you to St Helena Bay, where you can visit the Vasco Da Gama monument and the museum.

DAY 2
Depart for Velddrif. Visit the “bokkom” factories on the banks of the Berg River, the Laaiplek Harbour, where the Berg River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Port Owen Marina and the West Coast Gallery (situated in the old church). Cerebos Salt Factory & Khoisan Natural Salt can be visited by appointment only.
En-route to Piketberg visit the Goedverwacht Mission Station with its historical buildings.   Snuggled against the Piket Mountain lies Piketberg, an unexpected surprise to the adventurous tourist.  An area of vast contrasts and unexpected beauty, it traverses rugged mountains and a sheltered beautiful valley.  Piketberg is nestled between rolling wheat-fields, vineyards, and fruit growing farms, wines, rich fynbos and proteas for export.  Farms on Piket Mountain, some overlooking St Helena Bay, are well-known for the export flowers and fruit.
Head towards Citrusdal.    Spend the afternoon visiting the various attractions in Citrusdal such as the Sandveldhuisie, Gift Shops, Museum, Goue Valley Winery and the Goede Hoop Citrus Factory (Apr-Oct)

DAY 3
From Citrusdal on the N7 you will pass by the settlement of Trawal, also the starting point of the Olifants River Wine Route and stop at Stellar Organic Winery to enjoy modern organic wines of the lower Olifants River Valley.  Following the N7 tranquil countryside snakes its way past the green vineyards of Klawer where Klawer Wine Cellars welcomes you.
Depart for Vanrhynsdorp. As the oldest town in Namaqualand and one of the oldest in South Africa, Vanrhynsdorp’s rich history and culture is evident throughout the town. Attractions in Vanrhynsdorp include the Kokerboom Succulent Nursery, Latsky Radio Museum, Old Gaol and Vanrhyn Museum.   Anglo Boer War enthusiasts can visit various important sites in and around the town. (Enquire at the local Tourism Bureau 027 219 1552 for more information). 

Continue to Vredendal. With easy access to highways, Vredendal is an advanced town with a fully developed infrastructure that includes a modern aerodrome, making it the ideal base from which to explore Namaqualand, the West Coast and the Cederberg Mountains. Enjoy Lunch at the River Lodge Restaurant. 
Visit Westcorp International Wine Cellar part of the well known Olifants River Wine Route in Vredendal cellar tours and wine tasting of excellent quality.  (During wild flower season from August to September a visit to Matzikama Eco Park to view birds of the area as well as wild flowers is a must) En-route to Lutzville look out for the Sishen Saldanha Railway bridge and visit the Melkboomsdrift Guest House (a National Monument dating back to 1925) on a wine farm and enjoy some local wine tasting. Entering Lutzville, visit the Lutzville Wine Cellar with its Café Wijne, for some excellent red and white wines of the local vine.
Depart for Strandfontein via the small mission station town of Ebenhaezer and experience the beauty and peacefulness of the Olifants River Estuary at the quaint fishing village of Papendorp.  See the sunny town of Strandfontein, a favored holiday destination with its long white beaches and luxury seaside accommodation. The picturesque little town of Doringbaai is situated 8 km from Strandfontein where dinner will be enjoyed at the Cabin Seafood Restaurant.  
Doringbaai is well-known for dolphins and migrating whales during the months of August and September. During these months, Doringbaai also enjoys a picture display of wild flowers.

DAY 4
Head towards Doringbaai Visit the Crayfish and fish factory in town before departing for Lambert’s Bay.    Attractions in Lambert’s Bay include the Sandveld Museum, Bird Island and Steenboksfontein Art Gallery.   Enjoy lunch in Lambert’s Bay.   Depart for Clanwilliam.
A variety of bird species and spectacular scenery can be seen on the Pakhuis Pass (Visit Leipoldt’s Grave and the Soldier’s Head Rock formation en-route) as well as the Sevilla Rock Art Trail on the farm Traveller’s Rest in the north eastern part of the Cederberg Mountains, near Clanwilliam.  
A visit to the Rooibos factory, Veldskoen factory and Kunshuis (art gallery) in Clanwilliam is optional.

DAY 5
Explore the town of Porterville.   Visit the Jan Danckert Museum with its Khoi-San and local history displays or enjoy wine tasting at the Porterville Wine Cellar.   The local Tourism Bureau arranges guided tours to the Winterhoek Mountains in January and February when the Red Disa can be seen flowering in its natural habitat.   Head towards Moorreesburg where a visit to the Wheat Industry Museum, one of only three in the world, is a must. Here the history of wheat is being depicted from the times of the Pharaohs until today.   Outdoor activities can be enjoyed on the banks of the Berg River and the quaint golf course welcomes visitors seven days a week.  Enjoy lunch at one of the cozy coffee shops in town.   
Travel further on the N7 to Malmesbury which is especially known for its wheat and wine cultivation as well as sheep and poultry farming.   Places to visit include the Bokomo Mills, headquarters of the oldest milling company in South Africa (est. 1919) and the Malmesbury Museum, which houses a photographic history of the town.   Glazed fruit of the Sugarbird factory can be bought from an outlet on the premises of the factory.   The impressive Dutch Reformed Church is also worth a visit.



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