Duration: 11 days
Distance: Approximately 3260 km/2030 miles

We once again start off in the North West Province, driving through parts of the Free State Province (with mainly crop-farming) to the capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein, where we will stay overnight. On day two we follow the N1 motorway in a southern direction to Colesberg and then turn to the picturesque Eastern Cape; staying overnight at Graaff-Reinet. Graaff-Reinet is aptly named the “Gem of the Karoo”, both for its beautiful setting, at the foothills of the Sneeuberg Mountains and the picturesque town with whitewashed buildings and green shutters. Graaff-Reinet, the oldest town in the Eastern Cape, has 200 national monuments, more than any other town in South Africa.

The next day we are on our way to the historical city of Grahamstown. Today a commercial, cultural and educational centre, the cathedral city of Grahamstown owes much of its unique charm to its long and varied history. Its many historic buildings include the Anglican Cathedral of St Michael and St George, the Methodist Commemoration Church and the Old Provost. It also has the oldest post box in South Africa. For nature lovers, the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve and the Sam Knott and Doubledrift nature reserves are within easy driving distance of the city.

Day four takes us to another interesting harbour city on the east coast of South Africa, East London, where we will also stay overnight. East London, South Africa's only river port, was originally established as a supply port to serve the military headquarters at King William's Town. Its sheltered harbour at the mouth of the Buffalo River can be seen from one or other of the great bridges, each of which made history with its construction. The beaches of East London and its vicinity are claimed the finest in the world. On day five we take the N2 in a southern direction to another harbour city, Port Elizabeth, the direction of the breathtaking Garden Route. Port Elizabeth is the biggest coastal city between Cape Town and Durban. Port Elizabeth earns its reputation for friendliness with its open-hearted reception of visitors. The sunny welcome includes more sunshine hours than any other coastal city. This makes the city's splendid beaches even more attractive. We overnight in Port Elizabeth.

The Garden Route includes the area from Heidelberg in the west to Witelsbos beyond the Storms River in the east, as well as the inland Little Karoo towns of Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp and their environs. The area comprises a narrow coastal plateau of some 300 kilometres bounded by the Outeniqua and Langkloof mountain ranges in the north, on the other side of which lies the semi-arid Little Karoo, a haven for the ostrich, and within which the famed Cango Caves are located. Few areas of this size in the world can offer such a delightful diversity of attractions for holiday makers, and a visit to South Africa without including the Garden Route is incomplete. Blessed with spectacular scenic beauty and a profusion of wild flowers it has a coastal National Park and two National Lake areas, numerous rivers and lakes, awesome mountain passes, the glittering wonderland of prehistoric caves and the country's largest indigenous forest, with some trees exceeding 800 years of age. The bays, beaches, cliffs, coves and capes linking one resort to another along the rugged coastline are washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. At the end of day six we overnight at Knysna, situated
alongside the coast and in the heart of the Garden Route.

On day seven we are on our way to Cape Town via George, Mosselbaai and Swellendam. We stay two nights in the Mother City, at the well known Sir Alfred and Queen Victoria Water Front. Over and above the rich history of Cape Town and everything it offers to see and do, one of the pleasures of the Cape is also its variety of seafood and cultural dishes. The Cape is also South Africa's viticultural region, offering a range of fine wines, fortified wines, spirits and liqueurs.

On day nine we start back tracking on the same route as the last three days of Tour 3. We drive through the Karoo, overnight at the Karoo National Park and head towards Kimberley the next day, and on the last day (day eleven) back to Potchefstroom.