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Eco Ventures, the passion project of Frik and Lizette Olwage, was born out of the coming together of passion and opportunity. Frik started his career in graphic design, but a turn of fate provided this nature and sports enthusiast with the opportunity to design walking trails as part of an advertising campaign, highlighting hiking as a Must Do on the To Do list of tourists visiting South Africa. The first big project, the Namibian Trek, was aimed at raising awareness and funds for rhino protection and involved designing and organising a 780 kilometre hike through Namibia.
The seed had been planted. With a diverse landscape rich in wildlife and vegetation just begging to be explored and the growing popularity of hiking in the 90’s, Eco Ventures was born. At a time when little outdoor activity was on offer for women, Eco Ventures created a safe new way for women to get away from the stresses of daily life and explore the beauty of the local landscapes. It wasn’t long before Lizette, a professional nurse with a business management background, joined the team and took over the logistics behind the ventures. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the ethos behind Eco Ventures hasn’t changed. The focus is still on making a positive impact - on the lives of those who join the ventures, on local communities, on local eco-tourism and sustainability initiatives and on the local economy. For those joining a venture, the experience can be life-changing in many ways, offering the unique opportunity to get a much-needed break from the routine of daily life, set and achieve fitness goals, delight in the tranquillity of nature and reconnect with loved ones.
There are a host of fun-filled day trips just waiting to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. A fleet of luxury vehicles are on standby to depart from Gansbaai and Hermanus on request (minimum of 48 hour prior notice) and a guide will lead you along the highways and byways of the scenic Overberg Region in the Cape Floral Kingdom
Wine Hopping to the Tip of Africa
The diverse landscape of the Overberg makes it one of the most desirable wine tasting destinations in the Cape. The Wine Hopping Tour will meander its way through Baardskeerdersbos, Elim and L’Aghulus. Highlights include:
Cost: R580 per person
Perlemoen and Fynbos
Enjoy a scenic drive from Gansbaai to Hermanus by luxury Mercedes Sprinter Bus in the company of a qualified tour guide with extensive knowledge of the Overberg region. Highlights include:
Cost: R650 per person
Greyton and Genadendal
This tour takes you inland on the scenic back-roads between Gansbaai and Greyton in the comfort of a luxury Mercedes Sprinter Bus. Highlights include:
Cost: R580 per person
Winelands Day Trips
Stomp and sip your way through through the winelands on this scenic tour that takes you through Franschhoek, Paarl and Wellington. Highlights include:
Cost: R650 per person
Robertson - Wine on the River
A pilgrimage to the biggest chair in Africa! A luxury Mercedes Sprinter Bus will transport you along the highways and byways on this fun-filled adventure.
Highlights include:
Cost: R650 per person
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Experience the spectacular beauty of the Cape Overberg on a five day hike that will take you through blankets of fynbos, rocky clifftops, pristine white sandy beaches, rolling farmland with its colourful tapestry of canola fields and historical buildings. This is an interactive experience and you will meet the locals, learn about their culture and enjoy a meal with them. You will get to experience things not written about in commercial travel guides, making this off-the-beaten-track adventure a once-in-a-lifetime walking holiday, unique to the Cape Overberg.
Highlights of the five day walk include:
Need to know:
All you need is a light day-pack, water bottles and a pair of comfi cross trainers or trail running shoes. Enjoy a comfortably paced walk on gravel roads (6 - 7 km per day) without the weight of your main backpack, with safari-style rest breaks in the veldt or at an interesting cultural or historical stop along the way. Comfortable accommodation is provided in chalets and at participating guest farms along the way. A support vehicle and team are on-hand to transport luggage and support you along the way.
Price includes:
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Cost: R10, 950 per person
Duration:
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Cycle your way through the Cape Overberg’s farmlands, fields, back-roads and coastal routes while enjoying all the sights and sounds uniquely found along the way. Non-riders are most welcome to join the adventure, making the journey in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter bus.
Highlights:
Need to know:
Price includes:
Cost: R4, 500 per person
Eco Ventures offer a wide selection of fun-filled Eco Holidays and Pilgrimage Walks across the length and breadth of Southern Africa. The walks vary in duration and difficulty and encourage cultural interaction along the way, making for a highly educational experience. Luxury hiking trips which include transportation of your luggage, wholesome meals and comfortable accommodation are also available.
Avid hikers will want to add conquering the Fish River Canyon to their bucket lists because hiking the ‘Fish’ with Frik, who is also known as the “Guru of the Fish River Canyon”, is an epic experience. Through years of experience, Frik has a deep knowledge of the area and knows all of the best paths
Customised, guided Mountain Biking Holidays designed to accommodate both riders and their non-rider friends and family are popular among eco adventurists, while those that prefer exploring in the comfort of their own vehicles love Eco Ventures’ guided self-drive trips throughout Southern Africa, including Namibia and Botswana. Enjoy all the unspoiled natural beauty without needing any technical skills.
Eco Ventures offers a transport and transfer service from:
Cost: Quotation depends on number of passengers and can be given on request.
