Best of South Africa 11 Days
Best of South Africa Take in the highlights of intriguing South Africa with this perfect pairing for history, gastro and wildlife lovers. Hike up to Cape Town's Table Mountain for epic vistas and explore the cobbled streets of vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Journey along the Cape Peninsula spotting African penguins and hop on a cycling tour across the beautiful Cape Winelands. Top it off with stays at two premier game reserves, to spot the Big Five and over 350 bird species at Timbavati and see prolific wildlife at Sabi Sands. Details Testimonials Duration: "The Best of South Africa exceeded my expectations. I loved everything about this trip, from sightseeing Johannesburg, South Africa in Cape Town, to wine tasting in Franschhoek, to fantastic safaris in Nagaland and Sabi Sabi! 11 Days Camille B. Group Size: 1-6 Guests Minimum Age: 13 Years Old Arrive: Depart: Activity Level:. Cape Town, South Africa "Best holiday my family has had in years. Something for everyone. No television, family quality time as well as laughter that never ended." Jencie F.
REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 South Africa's private game reserves offer a chance to spot the incredible Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Luxury camps in South Africa's pristine wilderness provide prime game-watching paired with all the contemporary creature comforts. The Best of South Africa journey blends varied highlights from cultural and culinary heritage and wine tasting to spotting African wildlife. ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Hikes and cable car rides, culinary and heritage tours, cycling through winelands, and enjoy thrilling game drives. Luxury thatched-roof camps and lodges in the wilderness, paired with boutique country retreats and slick urban resorts. October to February is characterized by hot, sunny weather and an average temperature of 69 F. Expect colder, crisper weather from May to July. Born in Johannesburg, Alan grew up playing as many sports Trevor has traveled quite extensively throughout South and as possible including rugby, cricket, golf, and tennis. Alan southern Africa, including a year in Namibia and gaining began his career in tourism managing a property in the greater invaluable first- hand knowledge of the African people and Kruger National Park area and eventually started guiding in their cultures. He loves hiking, exploring, leading groups on the Lowveld, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. foot through game reserves, into the Drakensberg Mountains Alan has a deep passion for showcasing the new South Africa and along the paths that British and Zulu soldiers walked so to international visitors. A true outdoorsman, Alan s interests long ago, meandering through the streets of Cape Town, include camping with his family in the game reserves and boulder-hopping along Indian Ocean beaches, scrambling other beautiful areas of South Africa. He lists the Cedarberg up Table Mountain, and strolling through beautiful wine Mountains as his favorite. When he s not leading trips, Alan farming country. Starting as a young boy obsessed with history, enjoys photography, spending time with his family, playing exploration and the outdoors, he has grown into a consummate sports and watching nature programs on television. professional known for his leadership, knowledge, and dry Alan Wright sense of humor. Trevor Boulle
Itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN Meet an MT Sobek representative at the door of your aircraft who will assist with the immigration, baggage, and customs process. Pair up with your guide and transfer to One Meals: D DAY 2 EXPLORE THE CAPE PENINSULA Set off for a guided Cape Point and Peninsula tour starting at the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Join an optional short cruise from Hout Bay to Seal Island to see the breeding colonies of Cape Fur seals. Drive to the Cape of Good Hope National Reserve via Chapman's Peak and board a cable car to see where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Head back to Cape Town in the afternoon and, time permitting, stop for a stroll at the world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens. Activity: Guided walking tours DAY 3 HIKE TO TABLE MOUNTAIN & TOUR THE CITY Take the aerial cableway to the top of Table Mountain, to set out for a two-hour guided walk. Start at the upper cable station and traverse the entire front table to Maclears Beacon - its highest point at 3,558 feet. Descend the mountain via different route, and drive through the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood to learn about Cape Malay heritage. Stroll through the tree-lined Company's Garden, a large public park and botanical garden in the city's heart, and continue to the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest building in South Africa. Activity: 2 hours/1-2 miles hiking DAY 4 DISCOVER THE LEGENDARY CAPE WINELANDS Head to Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town located in the legendary Winelands region. Follow the culinary guide through its historic heart, sample traditional Cape food (like biltong and bobotie) and local wine. Enjoy a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in the country, then visit the oldest shop in town. Head to the picturesque village of Franschhoek for a tasting at the 300-year-old Grande Provence Heritage Wine
Estate. Enjoy dinner tonight at the award-winning Monneaux Restaurant, which serves a contemporary take on Mediterranean classics with Cape Malay touch. DAY 5 CYCLE THE CAPE WINELANDS Cycle through the beautiful Cape Winelands, with their pastoral landscapes of fertile farmland. Stop at two different wineries for tastings and end the tour with a delicious lunch at a country restaurant. Travel to Paarl at the foot of a cluster of granite domes, then head back to Franschhoek for a relaxed evening. Activity: 3 4 hours/10 miles cycling (flat terrain) Meals: B, L DAY 6 FLY TO TIMBAVATI GAME RESERVE Transfer to Cape Town airport for a departing flight to Johannesburg. Connect to a Federal Air shuttle flight and take a four-wheeler to the safari lodging. Spot game en route and freshen up before the first afternoon game drive, followed by dinner. Home to all of the Big Five, Ngala Private Game Reserve within the Timbavati Game Reserve offers a rare opportunity to spot highly endangered African wild dogs; fewer than 3,000 remain today. Activity: Game driving in open 4X4 safari vehicle DAY 7 SAFARI GAME DRIVES IN NGALA OR MOTSWARI Rise and shine for another full day of wildlife and game drives in Ngala or Motswari Private Game Reserve. Look out for blue wildebeest with low hindquarters and handlebar horns. Known as the "clowns of the bushveld," these animals often engage in head-butting contests. In contrast, delight in the graceful sight of the African kudu with spectacular spiral horns and amazing jumping ability. Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game driving & interpretive walk DAY 8 DRIVE TO SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE Depart for Sabi Sands Game Reserve via Panorama Route for a scenic 6-hour drive. The high escarpment offers stunning views of the Lowveld such as God's Window, a vista onto lush indigenous forests, and Lisbon Falls, the
highest waterfalls in Mpumalanga. Upon arrival at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge or MalaMala Main Camp, enjoy high tea and get ready for an afternoon game drive. Activity: Afternoon game driving in open 4X4 safari vehicle DAY 9 SOAK UP THE SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE Explore the 65,000 hectares of this reserve pioneered by the landowners in the 1950s, when a shared environmental program was put into place. Today, many of these third and fourth generation of landowner families have as their legacy the successful conservation of the highest density of big game in South Africa. Continue a day of game drives for close encounters and prolific sightings, particularly of the elusive leopard. Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game drives & interpretive walks DAY 10 EXPLORE SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE The Sabi and the Sand Rivers run through the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adding a further dimension to the biodiversity of the area. Hop on morning and afternoon game drives or take a mid-morning walk. Come evening, unwind in the luxury of your lodge or camp, enjoying these last moments in the wilderness. Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game drives & interpretive walks DAY 11 FLY TO JOHANNESBURG & DEPART After the last game drive and breakfast, make your way to the Sabi Sabi airstrip for departure by Federal Air shuttle to Johannesburg, where you will transfer to the international terminal and connect to your flight home (schedule departing flights after 4pm). Activity: Early morning game driving in open 4X4 vehicle Meals: B
Aug 18-28, 2019 Sep 15-25, 2019
2019 $ 8,995 per person Additional Cost $ 3,500 Single Supplement PRICE INCLUDES Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides Accommodations as noted in the itinerary PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Optional tips to your lead adventure guides Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs Airport transfers if arriving and departing outside of Day 1 and Day 11 Optional travel protection Potable water and snacks throughout 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s) All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day airport transfers International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges Dinner on Day 5