DAY 1 – 4
Cape Town
Cape Town is a true fan favourite, with its exciting Mediterranean vibe, amazing culinary scene, beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, thriving art community, and successful sports teams – all set to the backdrop of iconic Table Mountain and the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is no wonder it is called The Mother City. This vibrant, trendy city has broad appeal. Local attractions include Table Mountain, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, boutique shops, numerous museums, wineries, and world famous restaurants. For those venturing beyond the city, the Cape Winelands and Cape Peninsula are a day trip away. Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage dates back more than 300 years and its diversity is evident in the city’s architecture, art, and food. It is the second most populous city in South Africa and sits at the southwest tip of Africa.
Dramatically located above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the majestic Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain, discover a unique five-star experience close to the vibrant heart of the city. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa boasts 70 elegant, individually designed bedrooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite. The hotel offers first-class luxury, passionate service, generous hospitality, and exquisite cuisine.
DAY 2
Cape Town City and Table Mountain Half Day Private Tour
This is a great orientation tour of Cape Town. Depart for a comprehensive city orientation tour starting with a trip up Table Mountain by cable car for a panoramic view of the whole of the Cape Peninsula. There is time for a short walk at the summit to admire the incredible scenery. Afterwards you travel into the city where you first see the Castle of Good Hope, the original fort of Cape Town built in 1652 and now painstakingly restored. From there you continue to the historic centre of Cape Town with its many 18th century buildings where there is time to stroll through the Company Gardens past the Parliament buildings. Finally you explore the picturesque Malay quarter, a historic sector of the city with original Malay buildings and narrow streets before ending the tour back at the hotel approx 4 hours later.
DAY 3
Cape Peninsula Private Tour
This full day private Cape Peninsula tour includes a scenic coastal drive along Chapmans Peak; the Cape of Good Hope National Park and Cape Point; viewing the Penguins at Boulders Bay; Simonstown historical naval base and ends with the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You first travel along the spectacular Atlantic Seaboard through the chic suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay. and on to the scenic fishing village of Hout Bay. Next you enjoy a scenic drive along the famous Chapmans Peak drive – if open – as it hugs the cliffside with a 200m drop on one side and a 200m rise on the other. This is without a doubt one of the world’s most spectacular mountain passes. Continue south to reach the Cape of Good Hope National Park. Explore the rocky coastline and unique Cape Fynbos vegetation which is home to unique birdlife such as African Black Oystercatchers and Cape Sugarbirds amongst others. Climb up to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse. Or take the furniculat train up, to capture the magical views over the bay. Visit the unique penguin colonies at Boulders beach for an exciting close encounter with African Penguins – often a highlight of the tour. Finally visit Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens, some of the finest gardens in Africa nestling on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. Walk through the gardens where 4,000 of the 22,000 Southern African flowering plants are cultivated in a setting of mountain streams, pools and rolling lawns. You are dropped off at your hotel having seen the best the Cape has to offer.
DAY 4 – 5
Franschhoek
Today you enjoy a private tour to the Cape Winelands for a leisurely exploration of the historic towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek as well as wine tasting at local wine estates. The majestic scenery of the winelands is unparalleled so even if you don’t drink wine, the countryside and history make it well worth the visit. A combination of the favourable effects of the two major ocean currents meeting off the Cape makes the climate in the area perfect for the acres of vineyards. The stunning backdrop of the mountains, the tree-lined streets and the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads all blend in tranquil harmony.
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing. Every aspect of Babylonstoren – including the contemporary Farm Hotel and Spa, the Farm Shop and Restaurants – is led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden. The farm hotel is characterised by thick whitewashed walls, elegant gables and hearty fireplaces, emulating an authentic farmstay experience.
DAY 5 – 7
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Hikers, cyclists, birdwatchers and whale watchers favour the unaffected De Hoop Nature Reserve, situated a mere three-hour drive eastwards of Cape Town. Here, the Potberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean flank 34,000 hectares of fynbos, beaches, dunes, and vlei wetlands. De Hoop is a beautiful year-round destination with much to offer nature lovers. Winter (June – August) is best for land-based whale watching, hiking, sand boarding and mountain biking. During Summer, Spring and Autumn (September through May) spend time on the beach, explore the rock pools, take nature walks and picnic.
Morukuru Beach Lodge has been built with the greatest sensitivity to the environment and is completely off-grid, operating on solar power only, with a generator for back-up. The lodge was designed by award winning architect Nick Plewman. Dutch designer Janine Feikes-Butter was tasked with bringing the owner’s eco-luxury vision to life in the 5 spacious glass fronted suites. Each bedroom is positioned for optimal views across the Indian Ocean and sand dune settings.
DAY 7 – 10
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay, or “Plett” as it is fondly called, is a quaint coastal town located in the heart of the Garden Route 240 km (150 mi) from Port Elizabeth and approximately 600 km (370 mi) from Cape Town. Originally christened “Bahia Formosa,” meaning “Beautiful Bay,” by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay is considered one of the most beautiful resort areas in South Africa, enjoying a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild to chilly, wet winters.
The Plettenberg Hotel – situated on a rocky headland in one of South Africa’s most spectacular beach towns – is the ultimate escape. This property, with 37 individually decorated rooms and suites, showcases the most breathtaking vistas in Southern Africa with views of the ocean, mountains and endless stretches of golden beach.
The Garden Route is a popular road trip destination stretching about 300 km (190 mi) along the south eastern coast of South Africa. Traditionally, the Garden Route starts in Mossel Bay, about five hours from Cape Town, and ends at Storms River in the east. It is known as a remarkably scenic stretch of coastline, sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains. The route is extraordinarily diverse, with picturesque lagoons, amber coloured rivers, semi-arid valleys, rolling hills, jagged mountains, lush forests, and wild, sprawling beaches.
DAY 8
Private Knsyna Tour With Featherbed
Today you enjoy a tour of Knysna and the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Knysna is an attractive little town on the edge of the glorious Knysna lagoon, backed by the magical Knysna forest with its great yellowwood trees and massive ferns. Begin the exploration of Knysna by driving up to the Heads, two sandstone buttressed cliffs at the mouth of the lagoon. Here at the summit of the heads you enjoy a lovely view of the town, the lagoon and the ocean.
DAY 9
Private Plett and The Crags Day Tour
Head to Plettenberg Bay, a holiday maker’s paradise with pristine beaches, a rugged coastline and soaring mountains behind. Visit Robberg Nature reserve with its fynbos and panoramic views over the Indian Ocean (with an optional short walk down to the beach). Or walk along Lookout beach (with time for a quick swim if you are keen). See the awe-inspiring Bloukrans bridge, before visiting the magnificent Birds of Eden aviary, the largest free flight walk-through aviary in the world. There’s time to visit either the Monkeyland primate sanctuary, home to numerous rare species of monkeys from around the world, or Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness centre, for a close and safe encounter with the lesser cats of South Africa as well as cheetah and leopard.
DAY 10 – 11
Hazyview
The small town of Hazyview is in the Kruger Lowveld Region of Mpumalanga province, excellently positioned between the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the superb game viewing of the Greater Kruger Park. It’s very much centered on leisure and holiday-making but the surrounding farms are known for fruit, particularly bananas, mangoes, avocadoes, litchies and macadamia nuts.
Summerfields Rose Retreat and Spa is all about barefoot luxury, a place to renew your senses, to rest your body, and rediscover your soul. Go for a walk through the orchards, listen to the sounds of nature while being pampered in the spa, or merely relax with a good book and an excellent glass of champagne, or sample Summerfields’ new gin, made from litchi fruit. If you feel adventurous, go rafting on the river, picnic under the waterfalls, or game-viewing in the famous Kruger Park. Return to a fine gourmet dinner, and a romantic bath to end your day.
DAY 11 – 14
Timbavati
Timbavati, meaning “the place where something sacred came down to Earth from the Heavens,” is a 130,000 acre private game reserve that shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. Forming part of a huge conservation area that spans across international borders and incorporates a number of biomes, the Timbavati remains one of the strongholds for the Big Five; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are all regularly spotted, and even the endangered Cape hunting dog thrives in the area. In addition to over 350 species of birds, there are dozens of reptiles and amphibians.
Located on the western edge of the Kruger National Park, an area that spans over 2.4 million hectares, the Timbavati Game Reserve is truly exceptional in that it is easily accessible from main air and road access routes and yet remains wild and unspoilt with fewer lodges and private homes than can be counted on one hand. It is this unique situation that allows guests the luxury of exploring this arresting habitat uninhibited by other tourist vehicles in total privacy and flexibility. This intimate and exclusive setting offers a truly authentic safari experience at Makanyi Private Game Lodge.
