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Duration:
14
Days
Group size:
24
Single supplement:
Destinations:
Departs From:
Ends In:
Travel Styles:
Booking validity:
–
Best Months to Visit
Upon arrival to Cape Town International Airport, you will be met in the terminal by a BidAir representative, assisted through immigration formalities, baggage collection, and accompanied through customs to meet the Alluring Africa representative that will transfer you to Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel where you will stay for three nights.
Take in views of the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the private marina from the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town. This seaside hotel is close to the city center, as well as all the big cultural offerings. The striking ocean views set the stage for a memorable stay in Cape Town.
Location:
LocationCape Town
Accommodation:
Accommodation Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, at 8:20 am, you will be collected from your hotel and taken on a Half Day Robben Island tour, inclusive of bottled water, private transfers to/from the Robben Island ferry, Robben Island ferry tickets (scheduled basis), private Robben Island tour with a private Island guide and vehicle.
Depart from Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront by ferry for a scenic 25-minute trip across Table Bay to Robben Island. This World Heritage Site, which is one of South Africa’s most revered national monuments, was once a prison. Among its more famous inmates was the 19th century tribal chief, Makana, who lost his life attempting to escape by boat across the Bay, and South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. He spent two decades of his life on the island, along with some 3 000 other political detainees, many of whom were icons of the resistance and became leaders of the new South Africa. This stirring tour is led by experienced island guides (some of whom were once inmates) and includes a visit to the Prison Block and the infamous Limestone Quarry, where prisoners toiled, as well as a drive around the island. Note: Your driver/guide will drop you off at the ferry terminal of Robben Island and collect you afterwards. The tour is subject to weather conditions.
Upon return of the ferry from Robben Island, you will have some time to grab some lunch (own account) before you are collected at 3:30 pm for a Half Day City, Table Mountain and Sundowner drinks tour inclusive of entrance fees for the Table Mountain Cableway tickets and South African Museum, bottled water, sparkling wine and soft drinks (snacks/lunch excluded).
Depart the city for Table Mountain’s Lower Cableway Station. We will explore the mountain’s summit and absorb the breathtaking views before descending. Return to the city via the old Cape Malay Quarter, for a walk through the Company Gardens, a fresh produce garden for ships and locals from the mid-17th century, and now home to the South African Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St. George’s Cathedral. Stroll through the city to Greenmarket Square, where you can browse the bustling market stalls for beautiful and unique African mementos. From here we enjoy “sundowners” (typical South African end-of-day drinks) of sparkling wine or soft drinks whilst admiring the breathtaking views as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean. The sundowner location will depend on the routing which is weather dependent.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure and dinner (own account).
Location:
LocationCape Town
Accommodation:
Accommodation Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, at 9:00 am you will be collected from your hotel for a Full Day Cape Winelands Tour inclusive of lunch and entrance fees for wine tastings, museums, Butterfly World Tropical Garden, Eagle Encounters at Spier Wine Farm and Cheetah Outreach.
Depart the city for the winelands in the nearby Boland Mountains for a leisurely exploration of historic towns, liquid delights, gastronomic wonders and home-grown hospitality. There will be chances for tastings of world-renowned reds and whites, as well as Cap Classiques – South Africa’s answer to “Champagne”.
Visit Butterfly World, the largest park for butterflies in southern Africa. Stroll through the indoor garden as beautiful butterflies flutter freely around you. Have a delectable lunch at Babel Restaurant, which has a farm-to-fork philosophy, meaning they serve food that is seasonal and that reflects their “pick, clean and serve” approach.
After lunch, stop at the Eagle Encounters at Spier Estate, a bird of prey rehabilitation and conservation center, with a rare opportunity to photograph some of Africa’s largest raptors at close quarters. End the day with a visit to Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West where you will learn about these endangered animals and the importance of their conservation with a chance to pet these majestic cats – always under the watchful eye of their trained handlers.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure and dinner (own account).
Location:
LocationCape Town
Accommodation:
Accommodation Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, at 9:00 am, you will be collected from your hotel and taken on a Full Day The Very Best of the Cape Peninsula tour inclusive of lunch and entrance fees for the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Funicular, Boulders Penguin Colony, Chapman’s Peak Drive and Hout Bay.
Meander along the Atlantic seaboard passing Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Clifton. Bakoven and Llandudno, with their ghostly shipwrecks, are also fantastic sights on the way to the fishing village of Hout Bay. From here we navigate the 114 curves of 600m high Chapman’s Peak Drive. Enter the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park with its unique Cape fynbos vegetation and home to birds like African black oyster catchers and Cape sugar birds, as well as to very special fauna including Cape mountain zebra, bontebok (both endemic) and the charismatic Cape baboon. Climb (or ride the world’s first environmentally friendly funicular) to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay.
Visit Boulders Beach to see the penguins, and continue through the naval village of Simonstown. We will wind our way along the coast to the fishing village of Kalk Bay where we will have lunch at Harbour House. After lunch we travel over scenic Boyes Drive, taking in the views of the seaside havens of St. James and Muizenberg, before we reach Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain. Take a stroll through these beautiful gardens, or choose to take a coffee break in the lush surroundings.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure and dinner (own account).
Location:
LocationCape Town
Accommodation:
Accommodation Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. At 8:00 am you will be collected to depart along the Garden Route. The journey takes about 6 hours, and we’ll have a stop for lunch in Swellendam along the way (own account). Drostdy Restaurant, offers local and international cuisine, and has the best mountain views in town, overlooking an indigenous garden with a lovely outside seating area, (weather permitting). Time permitting, take a gander at the Drostdy Museum to get a better understanding of the history of this area during South Africa’s tumultuous past from the local perspective. The Museum is made up of some old buildings that include the local magistrate’s residence, courthouse and jail along with buildings that house exhibits of artifacts from those times in the context of the trades and activities of those times.
You know you’ve truly arrived on the Garden Route when you crest the hill just before the village of Wilderness and see a ribbon of dazzling white sand and blue surf-speckled ocean stretching away into the far distance. Broad beaches, well-marked hiking trails and unique ecosystems of bird-filled forests, rivers and lagoons make Wilderness a paradise for nature lovers. We will stop along the way for lunch (own account).
Arrive at the charming town of Knysna which offers a veritable paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes, and golden beaches; showcasing the natural loveliness of South Africa. She nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve that is home to the extraordinary Knysna seahorse and over 200 species of fish. Here you will stay at Knysna Hollows for two nights.
The evening is at leisure for dinner (own account).
Location:
LocationKnysna
Accommodation:
Accommodation Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Type:
Accommodation Type Guest House
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Today we will explore the area surrounding Knysna, a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly colored, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.
A visit to Knysna would be incomplete without a trip to the heads – a striking geological feature made up of a pair of huge, brightly colored cliffs lying at the mouth of the lagoon, flanking a channel of potentially treacherous water that flows into Knysna’s lagoon. Enjoy a paddler lunch cruise on the lagoon, before an afternoon at leisure to wander through the town on your own.
Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cozy cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The harbor area and the Knysna Waterfront is also home to most of Knysna’s nightlife, with several bars, restaurants and clubs where patrons can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the heads.
Enjoy an evening at leisure (dinner own account).
Location:
LocationKnysna
Accommodation:
Accommodation Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Type:
Accommodation Type Guest House
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, check out of the hotel for an 8:00 am departure. Continue along the Garden Route, through the Tsitsikamma National Park – a well-known coastal reserve that protects the remaining indigenous forest that once carpeted this region. Tsitsikamma is an area characterized by large tracts of indigenous forests, deep river gorges and magnificent coastlines. Pass by the holiday towns of Plettenburg Bay, Jeffery’s Bay (the surf capital of the world), and the picturesque St Francis Bay before heading inland to Shamwari Game Reserve where you will stay at Bayethe Tented Camp for three nights. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
The name for this Shamwari lodge comes from the African greeting, pronounced “By-ye-ti”. The English translation for this word is “I salute you” and is one of the warmest welcomes in the African culture in this area of the country. Immerse yourself in utter tranquility, surrounded by the rich vegetation of the unique location. This tented paradise provides privacy and a feeling of seclusion with spectacular views of the African bush.
Location:
LocationShamwari Private Game Reserve
Accommodation:
Accommodation Bayethe at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Type:
Accommodation Type Safari Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Interactive game drives take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset. Survey the areas, witness the birds of prey or spot one of the Big 5 from the comfort and safety of our open game viewing vehicles. Rangers and guides are passionate about wildlife and knowledgeable in their respective fields of expertise. Expect to take away new insights, an appreciation for Africa, and an unforgettable experience.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to five of South Africa’s eight biomes, providing rich vegetation types that are suitable for an array of animal and plant species to thrive in. These five vastly different biomes bring about a wide variety of animal, bird and plant life for guests to catch sight of at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The dominant vegetation type in this area is the thicket biome and more specifically known as the Albany Thicket. This biome sustains and bolsters a healthy population of animal species including kudu, elephant, black rhino, monkey and bushbuck. Additionally, the Addo flightless dung beetle, unique to the Eastern Cape, is another conservation success story. A recent discovery was made of the Albany Adder which is a puffadder snake endemic to this area. Spekboom and Spike Thorn trees are also specific to this biome.
In addition to spectacular game drives, Shamwari Private Game Reserve also offers professionally guided bush walks (adults over 65 subject to ranger approval based on fitness level). Rangers share their intimate knowledge of the reserve and their own expert insights to make each natural encounter a special event. Here, you can gain a true perspective of the fauna and flora indigenous to the region. Your guide can also point out animal tracks, dung, birds and can educate you on the area and its rich history. You may see a herd of wild buffalo, but the tiny ox peckers on their backs are the real conservation success.
One of Shamwari’s endeavors includes the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which helps to rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of our professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat. As part of your safari experience with us, you will have the opportunity to visit the center and the animals in their care. Upon arrival at the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, you will be met by a member of this caring team who will show you the facilities and explain what it is that they do. It’s not an interactive visit, but informative and educational experience, in order to give
animals the best chance at a successful release. During the recovery phase, “patients” are kept in custom built camps. Provided there are animals in care, an opportunity to meet them should arise during your visit.
Over the years the Born Free Foundation has been able to rescue several big cats from impoverished situations. Born Free focuses on promoting the conservation of species and the protection of habitat whilst maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals. The Born Free Foundation is a registered charity organisation and therefore solely relies on donations. No entry fees are charged, but a monetary donation is appreciated. The rescue and education centers home rescued lions and leopards from across the world and aim to be an enlightening experience for all visitors.
And if you have some down time, you have the option to enjoy a safari spa experience in the unspoiled surrounds (additional charge). Shamwari’s relaxation retreats will leave you feeling revitalized and rejuvenated, with treatments that are proven to be beneficial for the mind, body and soul. They have a host of spa treatments available to you should you make a booking at Bayethe, such as massages, facials as well as hand and foot rituals.
Location:
LocationShamwari Private Game Reserve
Accommodation:
Accommodation Bayethe at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Type:
Accommodation Type Safari Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Interactive game drives take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset. Survey the areas, witness the birds of prey or spot one of the Big 5 from the comfort and safety of our open game viewing vehicles. Rangers and guides are passionate about wildlife and knowledgeable in their respective fields of expertise. Expect to take away new insights, an appreciation for Africa, and an unforgettable experience.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to five of South Africa’s eight biomes, providing rich vegetation types that are suitable for an array of animal and plant species to thrive in. These five vastly different biomes bring about a wide variety of animal, bird and plant life for guests to catch sight of at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The dominant vegetation type in this area is the thicket biome and more specifically known as the Albany Thicket. This biome sustains and bolsters a healthy population of animal species including kudu, elephant, black rhino, monkey and bushbuck. Additionally, the Addo flightless dung beetle, unique to the Eastern Cape, is another conservation success story. A recent discovery was made of the Albany Adder which is a puffadder snake endemic to this area. Spekboom and Spike Thorn trees are also specific to this biome.
In addition to spectacular game drives, Shamwari Private Game Reserve also offers professionally guided bush walks (adults over 65 subject to ranger approval based on fitness level). Rangers share their intimate knowledge of the reserve and their own expert insights to make each natural encounter a special event. Here, you can gain a true perspective of the fauna and flora indigenous to the region. Your guide can also point out animal tracks, dung, birds and can educate you on the area and its rich history. You may see a herd of wild buffalo, but the tiny ox peckers on their backs are the real conservation success.
One of Shamwari’s endeavors includes the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which helps to rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of our professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat. As part of your safari experience with us, you will have the opportunity to visit the center and the animals in their care. Upon arrival at the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, you will be met by a member of this caring team who will show you the facilities and explain what it is that they do. It’s not an interactive visit, but informative and educational experience, in order to give
animals the best chance at a successful release. During the recovery phase, “patients” are kept in custom built camps. Provided there are animals in care, an opportunity to meet them should arise during your visit.
Over the years the Born Free Foundation has been able to rescue several big cats from impoverished situations. Born Free focuses on promoting the conservation of species and the protection of habitat whilst maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals. The Born Free Foundation is a registered charity organisation and therefore solely relies on donations. No entry fees are charged, but a monetary donation is appreciated. The rescue and education centers home rescued lions and leopards from across the world and aim to be an enlightening experience for all visitors.
And if you have some down time, you have the option to enjoy a safari spa experience in the unspoiled surrounds (additional charge). Shamwari’s relaxation retreats will leave you feeling revitalized and rejuvenated, with treatments that are proven to be beneficial for the mind, body and soul. They have a host of spa treatments available to you should you make a booking at Bayethe, such as massages, facials as well as hand and foot rituals.
Location:
LocationShamwari Private Game Reserve
Accommodation:
Accommodation Bayethe at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Type:
Accommodation Type Safari Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
After a morning activity, return to your rooms to freshen up and pack your bags. We will have brunch at the lodge before we transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for the scheduled flight to Durban (1:20 pm/2:35 pm). Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to Phinda Private Game Reserve where we will stay at Phinda Forest Lodge for three nights. The journey from Durban to Phinda is 4 hours by road, traveling through sugar cane plantations and villages, arriving in time for dinner.
Set in rare and beautiful sand forest, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge offer a sweeping view of one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. Phinda Forest Lodge is one of the world’s first eco-designed luxury lodges. Floor to ceiling windows invite the forest in but the dense canopy provides privacy. The dainty forms of dwarf forest antelope dart among and below the suites, raised on stilts to float between the sandy forest floor and the leafy canopy above. Waking up to rustling forest sounds and bird song, surrounded by delicate leaf-filtered light, a pervading sense of peace and calm will set the tone for your entire day.
Location:
Accommodation:
Accommodation andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Type:
Accommodation Type Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Set within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda Private Game Reserve is known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and wide range of safari activities. Thanks to its coastal rainfall pattern, Phinda Private Game Reserve enjoys a lush green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems, and is often referred to as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder.’ This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or the scarce black rhino.
Enjoy exciting day and night game drives and interpretative walking safaris, gaining insight into the bush and discovering creatures you would not normally see on a game vehicle.
During our stay we will visit a Zulu community just outside &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and interact with the friendly people of KwaZulu-Natal. A Bantu tribal group, the Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. A local &Beyond guide will escort you through the community and share interesting insights and narratives about Zulu culture and its fascinating customs, beliefs and traditions. You will be invited into a traditional homestead and given the rare opportunity to witness the daily routines and lifestyle of an authentic, rural Zulu family where aeons of tradition intersect with modern life. Learn about the family structures, patriarchal duties and matriarchal responsibilities of the tribe, find out how local homes are constructed and why cattle are so valuable and highly revered. Spend time with the respected local sangoma, a witch doctor and traditional healer, who will explain the significance of the ancestors in Zulu life, as well as the tribe’s spiritual beliefs and the importance of their sacred lands. The adventure ends with a quick stop at the Mbhedula Craft Market, where the beautiful handiwork and art of 43 Zulu crafters is showcased. It’s a great place to find that perfect souvenir of your time with the Zulu people.
During down time, at the heart of &Beyond Phinda Forest lodge you will find a sparkling rim-flow swimming pool, as well as expansive decks in a spacious seating area, which look out onto panoramic views of an open meadow where animals frequently graze.
Daytime meals on the open air dining deck bring about their own distractions, as monkeys frolic in the branches and an ever-changing assortment of wildlife grazes on the open plain in the distance. In the evenings, when warm firelight welcomes you to the traditional African boma, wide-eyed bush babies watch inquisitively from the dense foliage above as you in indulge in a mouth-watering, lantern-lit feast beneath a canvas of stars.
Location:
Accommodation:
Accommodation andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Type:
Accommodation Type Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Location:
Accommodation:
Accommodation andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Type:
Accommodation Type Lodge
Drinks Basis:
Drinks Basis All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers)
Room Basis:
Room Basis Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
After the morning activity and breakfast, we will be transferred to the Richard’s Bay Airport for the scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival we will make our way to the Intercontinental O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel where we will stay for one night. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the airport terminal. Dinner on your own this evening.
Location:
LocationJohannesburg
Accommodation:
Accommodation InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast, check out of your room for a 9:00 am departure on a Half day tour of Soweto & Apartheid Museum tour including lunch.
Be mesmerized by the turmoil of the past and the optimism of the newfound Rainbow Nation at the Apartheid Museum. Drive past all the major points of interest including Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela’s former home. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Location:
LocationJohannesburg
Accommodation:
Accommodation InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
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