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Probus Adventure 2025: Overberg, Western Cape
14-17 September 2025: Oudebosch Eco cabins, Kogelberg, Betty's Bay
17-20 September 2025: Opstal Houses, de Hoop Collection
20-23 September: Mermaids Guest House, Struisbaai
Click the corresponding links for more information on each place.
Route: Cape Town - Betty's Bay via R44 - Kogelberg - De Kelders - Elim - Bredasdorp - de Hoop Collection - Struisbaai - Aghulas - Arniston - Struisbaai - Cape Town; about 700km
Participants:
Sally Lavender and Tony Heher
JP & Annette van Niekerk,
Mary Anne & Dennis le Jeunne
Carien Ras & Duncan Martin
Tessa Graaff & Martin Hess
Olivia Plowden & Sandra Crews
Glynnis Kolzing & Eric Sydenham
June Good & Neil Brathwaite
Anne and Piet Postema
A penguin may join us for lunch!
Itinerary
Day 1: Sun 14th September 95km/1h30min (from Constantia)
Meet at 10h30 at the On The Edge Restaurant, Stoney Point, Betty's Bay. Have a cup of coffee if you arrive early - or visit the penguins: https://www.capenature.co.za/uploads/files/Resources/Stony-Point_booklet.pdf
We will do a 45-60 minute walk along the coast to Silversands Beach, ending at Sally's house at 2100 Shell Rd, Betty's Bay. Three return options:
Walk back along the coast (the views are different in the other direction!)
Come back along the coast road (about 20 mins)
Relax at Sally's house and one of us will come and pick you up
12h30 Lunch at On the Edge. Note: No drinks included, BYO
The restaurant is owned by the Mooiuitsig community, managed by the Mooiuitsig Community Trust and reinvests all its profits back into the community to promote socio-economic development. Moreover, On The Edge Restaurant also has a function venue named the Eco Centre Space where CapeNature regularly hosts educational talks and presentations. We will have lunch in the Eco Centre.
Two options after lunch:
A one hour coastal stroll from Kleinmond Beach to Kleinmond Harbour. A mix of sandy paths and well maintained boardwalks about 2.5 km in length. It winds through the granite and fynbos that are emblematic of much of the Overberg’s gorgeous coastline scene, offering spectacular views of the coast and mountains.
Go straight to Kogelberg
Check-in at Kogelberg is strictly between 14h00 and 16h00.
We are staying in the Oudebosch Eco-cabins. Each cabin has two on-suite bedrooms, a kitchen, dining area, lounge and verandah. The one bedroom has a double bed and the other either two singles or a double. (Desired configuration will be requested later.)
18h00 Meet for drinks and a talk (Tony) at Palmiet Cabin
Dinner at Palmiet
Entrance to Kogelberg is between Betty's Bay and Kleinmond, before crossing the Palmiet; or just after the Palmiet if coming from Kleinmond.
"There are some places in the world which defy description. Anyone who has driven along the R44 between Rooiels and Kleinmond has likely been stunned into silence at the sight of the pristine wildness of the Kogelberg. The reserve presents perhaps the finest example of mountain fynbos in theWestern Cape and is a world-renowned World Heritage Site.
Considered by many to be the most beautiful of CapeNature’s protected areas, Kogelberg Nature Reserve earns that reputation largely due to the fact that it occupies an area with minimal human interference. The thoughtfully constructed eco cabins allow visitors to nestle into the landscape without disrupting a place of unsurpassed floral diversity."
Cabin Allocations:
Iris: Annette & JP and Mary Anne & Dennis
Everlasting Daisy: Carien & Duncan and Anne & Piet
Erica: Tessa & Martin and Olivia & Sandra
Marsh Rose: Glynnis & Eric and and June & Neil
Palmiet: Sally & Tony
Day 2: Monday 15th Sept
Continental breakfast in own cabins. Each to provide their own.
Walk up the Palmiet River. This can be as short or long as anyone wants, from 1km to 10km. The river has a series of waterfalls and large pools so we will stop for tea at a pool. The brave can swim! Bring your own refreshments for a tea stop at the river.
Return to the Palmiet Cabin for a picnic lunch: Cold meats, salads, rolls, juice and tea. BYO drinks.
Afternoon at leisure (sleep ...or explore Kogelberg further!)
18h00 Talk (Neil) and Dinner at Iris. BYO drinks
Day 3: Tuesday 16th Sept
Continental breakfast in own cabins. Each to provide their own.
Several options:
7km walk to Harold Porter Botanical Garden via Oudebousch Forest. An easy but steady pull up from the cabins to the nek looking down over Leopards Kloof, followed by a steep descent into Harold Porter. Lovely forest and spectacular views.
Drive around to Harold Porter and spend the morning in the garden
Visit Pringle Bay, the Palmiet lagoon or other coastal walks
13h00 Lunch together in Harold Porter
Afternoon at leisure. Explore Pringle Bay, Hangklip Lighthouse, Palmiet Lagoon, ...or sleep!
18h00 Talk (Piet )and Dinner at Marsh Rose. BYO drinks
Day 4: Wednesday 17th Sept
Continental breakfast in own cabins. Each to provide their own.
It is a full day, so 9am checkout.
Drive to Bredasdorp via Baardskerdersbos and Elim. 2 hour/160km Tea stop on the cliffs at de Kelders for some whale watching.
11h30 Visit Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum
12h30 Lunch at the Bredasdorp Square restaurant
Drive to de Hoop Collection 1 hour/55km, 45km of this is on a good gravel road.
NB We are NOT going to the de Hoop Nature Reserve. If using GPS maps, you must enter de Hoop Collection
14h00 Check-in to de Hoop
3pm Eco-Boat Cruise 1 or Nature Drive (see descriptions of all activities)
18h00 Pre-dinner drinks and talk (Glynnis) on the Vlei Deck near the Figtree Restaurant ( or in the Origins Conference Room if the weather is inclement)
19h00 Dinner in Figtree Restaurant (3 course gourmet meal)
Day 5: Thursday 18th Sept
07h30 Breakfast Figtree Restaurant
08h00 Guided Bird Walk 1 or 09h00 Vulture Experience
Picnic lunch
15h00 Eco Boat Cruise 2 or self-guided walk
18h00 Predinner drinks and talk (Carien) in the Vlei Deck near the Figtree Restaurant ( or in the Origins Conference Room if the weather is inclement)
19h00 Dinner in Figtree Restaurant (3 course gourmet meal)
Day 6: Friday 19th Sept
7am Guided Marine Walk (All). (Low tide is 8am - hence the 7am start)
Picnic breakfast on the beach, possibly extended and combined with the picnic lunch.
14h00 Origins Exhibition (Group 1)
16h00 Origins Exhibition (Group 2)
18h00 Predinner drinks and talk in the open air table near the Figtree Restaurant ( or in the Origins Conference Room if the weather is inclement)
19h00 Dinner in Figtree Restaurant (3 course gourmet meal)
Day 7: Saturday 20th Sept
07h30 Breakfast Figtree Restaurant (or later if not going on the Bird Walk)
Checkout by 10h00
08h00 Guided Bird Walk 2 or self guided walks
12h30 Lunch in Figtree Restaurant
Drive to Mermaids Guesthouse at Struisbaai 30min/33km
Mermaids room allocations:
Rm 1 June & Neil
Rm 2 Anne & Piet
Rm 3 Sally and Tony
Rm 5 Carien & Duncan
Rm 6 Tessa and Martin
Rm 7 Glynnis & Eric
Rm 8a Annette & JP
8b Mary Anne & Dennis
Rm 9 Olivia & Sandra
After check-in:
Struisbaai Harbour, boardwalk to drinks at Harbour Cafe (and to meet Parrie the resident stingray!)
18h00 Drinks and talk (Dennis) in Mermaids dining room
18h30 Walk to The Michael Collins Irish Pub for dinner.
Parrie the stingray in Struisbaai harbour
Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum
de Hoop Collection Map
Accommodation allocation at de Hoop:
Giant Kingfisher: Sally & Tony, Glynnis & Eric, June & Neil
Sacred Ibis: Annette & JP, Mary Anne & Dennis, Anne & Piet
Black Oyster Catcher: Carien & Duncan, Tessa & Martin, Olivia & Sandra
Activities at de Hoop
de Hoop offer a wide range of interesting guided activities. Most activities are limited in the number of participants so we will split into two groups. The following are included in the Adventure cost:
Notes:
There is flexibility on numbers on some activities indicated by (+x). For example, the second Boat cruise could accommodate two extra people
There is an optional additional Nature Drive on Thursday at 15h00 but this would be at participants cost (R395 each)
The Marine walk will have two guides. The one group will probably do a longer and more strenuous walk than the other.
The Origins exhibition groups are arbitrary and anyone can participate in either group, subject to the maximum of 12 in any one group.
In addition to these guided activities there are several self-guided nature walks along the river and on the coast. There are also mountain bikes for hire and many bike trails in the reserve.
Guided Eco-boat Cruise (All - in two groups)
1.5 to 2 hours. Explore the vlei and enjoy bird, game otter and even porcupine sightings with our Eco cruise experience. Cruises are held daily at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during summer, or can be booked by arrangement. Morning cruisers include tea and coffee as well as pastries and croissants with jam and cheese. Guests opting for the evening cruise can enjoy housewines, local beers, juices and savory snacks. Please note this excludes specialty wines.
Nature Drive Experience (Alternative to the Vulture Experience)
Duration 2 hours. Experience the pristine fynbos and wildlife on the reserve from an open safari vehicle. A qualified field guide will interpret the rare and endangered species including Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra. The drive will encompass some of the beautiful scenic areas of the wetland and there will be an opportunity for viewing and identifying some of the bird life occurring in the reserve. Includes sundowners with snacks, soft drinks, local bears and housewines.
Vulture Experience (Alternative to the Nature Drive)
Note the 1 hour climb. Not suitable for all!
Duration about three hours. Venture out to the cliffs of Potberg Mountain to view endangered Cape Vultures. The Western Cape's last surviving colony of these amazing birds, Depart from the Opstal area in the morning (times may vary according to seasons) with your guide for a scenic drive through endangered fynbos. Once at Potberg, guests will hike about one hour up to the Vulture Deck to watch the vultures sweep and soar above. Rate includes a picnic lunch presented in a backpack for you to carry.
Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behavior Exhibition (All)
The exhibition highlights the Southern Cape coastline and archaeological heritage and rich marine environment. It showcases the unique archaeological discoveries that have been made at the archaeological sites: Blombos cave, Klipdrift Shelter and Klassie River occupied by early Homo sapiens between 120,000 and 50,000 years ago. The exhibition opened on 18th of January 2024 and was curated by Craig Foster (My Octopus Teacher) and archeologist Petro Keene.
Guided Bird Walk (All - in two groups)
A wonderful walking experience with a qualified field guide focused on the identification and behavior of the prolific birdlife found in the de Hoop Nature Reserve. Length of walk can be tailored to the fitness levels of participants. Depart from the meeting tree at the Opstal at 6:00 am October to March and 8:00 am April to September
Interpretive Marine Walk (All)
Duration 2 hours. A walking trail exploring coastal rock pools and sandy beaches while a qualified guide points out interesting marine life forms. Also a great way to experience Southern Right whales in the bay between June and December. Depart an hour before low tide from the meeting tree. Times of daily low tide should be confirmed the day before
Cape Agulhas
Waenhuiskrans cave
Day 8: Sunday 21st Sept
08h00 Breakfast at Mermaids Guesthouse
Agulhas National Park Lighthouse and Cape Agulhas point
Rasperpunt Trail to see the Stone-age Fishing Traps. There are 6km or 2km or 1 km options.
13h00 Lunch - Harbour Cafe, Struisbaai
Afternoon free to explore Struisbaai - or sleep!
18h00 Drinks and talk (Olivia) in Mermaids dining room
18h30 Dinner at Zuidste Kaap, Agulhas
Day 9: Monday 22nd Sept
7am Breakfast at Mermaids Guesthouse
Drive to Arniston, (34min/37km) to visit Waenhuiskrans cave. The cave is only accessible at low tide (09h20) so we have to time our visit accordingly, departing Struisbaai by 08h00. 1km walk with some gentle scrambling down to get to the traverse into the cave.
Lunch, Wiileens Restaurant, Arniston. This is part of the local Kassiesbaai Community with many local crafts on display. You may also like to visit Kassiesbaai Crafts, one block away.
Afternoon free to explore Arniston - or sleep!
18h00 Drinks and talk (JP) in Mermaids dining room
18h00 Dinner at Fish and More, Struisbaai. Fish and More is run by Marquerite van Wyk. For her story and the story about Fish and More see https://www.fishandmore.co.za/about/
Stoneage fish traps at Rasperpunt of Cape L’Agulhas
Day 10: Tuesday 23rd Sept
08h00 Breakfast at Mermaids Guesthouse
Home - Two options:
Direct (shortest) 3h00/220km via N2 & Caledon
Via Stanford to see the Chelsea Flower show. 1h10 to Stanford and 2h15 to Cape Town, so only about 25 min longer to return via Stanford. (Note: The cost of entry to the Flower Show and refreshments in Stanford are not included.) Tickets to the flower show can be sold out so if planning to visit, book in good time.
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