AUTHENTIC AFRICAN SAFARI EXPERIENCES

10 DAY – ‘ESSENTIAL SOUTH AFRICA’ SAFARI

DAYS 1 – CAPE TOWN

Arrive Cape Town International Airport, transfer to your hotel and enjoy an African welcome dinner in the evening. Depending on arrival time, spend the day exploring Cape Town and surrounds with an expert local private guide. There are a wide variety of tours to choose from, and these can be customised to suit your preferences. Options include a tour of the famous Mother City herself including the cable way to the top of iconic Table Mountain (cable way is weather permitting), a tour of Robben Island, a visit to a local township, spend the day exploring Cape Point and the Peninsula where two oceans meet, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, the world-famous Winelands, and much more.

Situated at the highest point on Cape Town’s popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Commodore Hotel commands splendid views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Granger Bay, Table Bay and Robben Island. With its ideal and central location, superb service, excellent meals, beautifully decorated and air-conditioned rooms, and all the modern conveniences on offer, this hotel is an all-round winner.

The Mother City with her astonishing array of attractions, natural beauty and world-famous wines is a must-see on any South African itinerary!

Road transfer from The Commodore Hotel to Hazendal Hotel & Spa. Spend the next two days exploring Stellenbosch and surrounds with an expert local private guide. At the gateway to the Winelands, the contemporary Hazendal Hotel & Spa, overlooking a dam, is framed by rolling vineyards and the Bottelary and Simonsberg mountains in the distance. Amidst this breathtaking scenery, you can expect a unique and varied accommodation experience when you arrive. From fine dining to casual deli experiences and flame-grilled delights that you can savor.  If you are a sports enthusiast, there is a driving range, an 18-hole par 3 golf course and a padel court.  To satisfy your art and culture palette, time-allowing you can explore the Classic Car Collection and the wine estate’s Marvol Art Gallery.

There are a wide variety of tours to choose from each day, and these can be customised to suit your preferences. Options include a tour of the famous Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, established in 1679, a visit to the Stellenbosch Museum, guided vineyard hikes in Franschhoek, wine tasting at Tokara or Delaire Graff Wine Estate, lunch and wine tasting at the famous Babylonstoren and much more.

Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Hazendal Hotel & Spa offer guests a serene and picturesque environment to unwind in. The hotel is conveniently located at the gateway to the world-famous Stellenbosch Wine Route, making it an ideal destination for wine lovers. With its ideal location, superb service, excellent meals, beautifully decorated and air-conditioned rooms, and all the modern conveniences on offer, this hotel is an all-round winner.

Stellenbosch, with her famous Cape Winelands, and superb wines and scenic beauty, is a must see on any South African itinerary! 

Take an early morning flight from Cape Town to George and drive approx. 45 minutes to Kambaku at Sea. Before you, the estuary, and mountains, behind you the forest.  On this expanse of 40 hectares, this boutique hotel waits to envelop you in the beauty of this rich, natural environment. Wake up to the scent and sound of an untouched habitat.  Surrounded by a mountainous panorama of lush vegetation that transforms with the passing of sunrises and sunsets.  Stunning garden views out over the eastern mountains and estuary in the distance. 

There are a wide variety of tours to choose from each day, and these can be customised to suit your preferences. Options include a guided hike in the Tsitsikamma Indigenous forest, where you will discover the secrets of the spectacular forest (choose your own adventure with a variety of routes to choose from), kayak & lilo inside Tsitsikamma National Park, swim with the seals, enjoy the fresh produce at Sedgefield Farmers Market on a Saturday, enjoy fresh oysters at Oysters R Us and view the oyster tanks that can house up to 4000 oysters – learn all there is to know about oysters.

Your air-conditioned estuary view room offers a private bathroom with a glass wall with a shower and a private balcony with a view to take your breath away.  Not to mention the resident Bushbuck, Honey Badger, Otters and endangered tortoises, and 270 spectacular bird species. It is a picture that will stay with you forever.

Kambaku at Sea awaits you to make your experience one of self-renewal.

DAY 7-9 – KWAMBILI GAME RESERVE, THORNYBUSH PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

With your pre-packed breakfast to-go, take an early morning flight from George to Hoedspruit and drive approx. 45 minutes to camp in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, within the Greater Kruger National Park. The reserve shares a common border without fences with the Kruger National Park, allowing the animals free range and the opportunity to view the greatest diversity of wildlife that Africa has to offer. 

Enjoy an authentic wildlife experience in Big Five territory in an area also home to over 40 mammal species and 350 bird species.  Experience the thrill of game drives in open Land Rovers, guided bush walks, and tracking game on foot with highly experienced rangers and trackers.

Your Meru-style tent is a short walk from the main building at the end of clearly marked paths.  The tents are under a thatched roof, protecting them from falling leaves and making them cooler in summer.  The roof extends over a small private patio with table and chairs.  The tents have mosquito windows with flaps which van be opened or closed according to the weather.  Each tent has an en-suite shower and flush toilet.  There is electricity in the tents and air-conditioning.  As the tents are on the outskirts of the camp you will have a full uninterrupted view of the bush from your patio.

The camp is unfenced and animals roam freely, sometimes in the camp and around the tents. You will be safe inside the tents but after dark you will be accompanied to your tent.

KwaMbili, the experience of being out in the bush exploring scenic places and natural wonders, awaits you. Once you’re in the wilderness the safari truly beings.

DAY 10

After a game activity and breakfast transfer by road to Hoedspruit Airport, fly to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport for your onward flight home from there.