Day 1: Arrive at Cape Town International Airport

Kick start your tour in the beautiful city of Cape Town. Its international airport has been named the best airport in Africa and Cape Town itself has won the title of Best Destination in Africa seven times at the World Tourism Awards.  Table Mountain, in the heart of Cape Town, is one of the New 7 Wonders of Natures.  What better place to start your tour than in the captivating Cape province.

Day 2-3: Explore the Cape Peninsula

Take in the delights of the magnificent scenery and stop off at the quaint towns that dot the peninsula.  The tour takes you to Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town – home of the South African Navy - and to the tip of South Africa, Cape Point. Following the mountain, it ends at the city bowel where the festive nightlife beckons.

Watch plump penguins waddle across the rocks at Boulder’s beach or stand atop Table Mountain and enjoy panoramic views of beaches, the world-famous Cape waterfront and its harbour and the great Boland range of mountains in the distance. Not to be missed is an excursion to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for eighteen years.

There’s time for shopping and dining at the wide selection of fine-dining establishments in the city and surrounding areas.  Soak up the eclectic atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city and fall in love with its fun-loving people.

Day 4: Follow the wine routes

Spend the day winding your way along the Cape wine route.  Collin and Corinne will take you to a few of their favourite wine estates where you’ll enjoy excellent wine paired with delicious meals.  You’ll be accommodated at one of the many fine hotels or guest houses that uniquely capture the essence of the winelands.

The Cape wine-growing region has been compared to the Napa Valley of California.  A tour of the winelands starts just half an hour outside the city centre and makes its way through the spectacular countryside and towns such as Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Day 5-7: Fly to Shamwari Game Reserve

A transfer from the airport in Port Elizabeth has you arrive at the Pride of the Eastern Cape – Shamwari Game reserve. Established 25 years ago, it’s a successful private conservation initiative coupled with responsible tourism and a luxurious means of experiencing your African safari adventure.

The days start off with an early-morning game drive and stretch on into brunch, lazy afternoons spent around the pool, at the spa or an afternoon nap.  They end with an evening game drive that is not to be missed.  Animal sightings at night give you a completely different perspective of a safari in Africa.

Whether you’re watching the glorious sun rise over the vast plains while sipping hot coffee and munching on rusks (biscotti) or watching the sun dip below the horizon at the end of a wonderful day, you are guaranteed three days of absolute African bliss, never to be forgotten.

The professional game rangers and trackers at the game lodges ensure you not only see the Big 5 but all the smaller details of the bush that make it a fascinating experience.  They have an intimate knowledge of wildlife, plants and birdlife and are highly qualified and experienced in tracking and bush etiquette.  Your safety is their reputation.

Spend the evenings around a large bonfire and listen to the rangers regale tales of the wild animals they have tracked and sighted. Sleep like a baby at night as the camp quietens down and peaceful silence settles over the lodge.  Only the distant roar of lions or grumpy rumbles of hippos and the enthusiastic chirping of the crickets will disturb you.

Day 8-11: Fly to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

A  flight takes you early in the morning to a second game lodge in an area that offers a different safari experience.  It is also a Big 5 game reserve but the landscape, atmosphere and wildlife is unique to that area.  

Sabi Sabi is a world-renowned game reserve comprising a few private game lodges.  Here you will spend a few days relaxing at an exclusive game lodge.  

Experience another few enjoyable days of morning and evening game drives,walks and relaxation.  Collin and Corinne will take you on excursions to explore the area and you’ll be exposed to conservation initiatives that are critical to the survival of many endangered wildlife.

Day 12: City lights

The last day of your tailor-made tour will be spent in Johannesburg, the economic capital of South Africa.  It includes a tour to Soweto, home of Mandela and other apartheid revolutionists, and the Apartheid Museum.  After some last-minute shopping, everyone will enjoy their final dinner together at one of the many fine-dining establishments in the city.

Day 13: Fly home

Your flight home leaves from OR Tambo International airport this evening.

Yes, your hosts will join you once you arrive at your first destination in Southern Africa and host you throughout your visit.

1. European Union and U.S. passport holders can get a visa on demand at the point of entry for entering South Africa.
2. But note that the expiry date of the passport must exceed at least one month the date set for the end of the stay in the country.
3. Important: The passport must have two blank pages face to face for the stamp of entry and exit of South African territory.
4. Allow at least three clear pages for stopover flights.
5. Note: In the event of travelling to other African countries (Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia) the passport must be valid 6 months after the set date of return (not 1 month as above)
6. If you are travelling with your children, they must have their own passports. However, if the child is less than 15 years of age and is in the passport of one of the parents, which has been issued before the 12th of June, 2006, this is acceptable until the expiry date of the passport.

Scheduled flights in South Africa generally have a luggage restriction of 20kg per person. However, if you are taking a charter flight, luggage us usually restricted to 15kgs and soft bags only due to smaller luggage compartments on the aircraft.

Tipping is common practice in South Africa. In the bars and restaurants, the tipping is normally 10%.

Most lodges and hotels will have safes for your valuables either in your room or at reception.

Seek professional medical advice before travelling to a Malaria area. Affected areas are the provinces of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Kwazulu Natal to the borders of Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe more particularly the Kruger Park area. While on a safari, it is necessary to protect yourself against mosquito bites by using repellents applied on the skin or on clothes.

For protection against mosquito bites:

Wear long sleeves and long pants from the evening until dawn, when you are outside.

Use repellent creams or sprays.

Sleep under mosquito nets – most safari lodges in affected areas provide nets.

All game reserves in Madikwe, the Pilanesberg and the Eastern Cape are malaria-free.

Yes. There are many extremely child-friendly lodges with excellent children’s programs and family accommodations. However, even child-friendly lodges generally do not allow children under the age of six to go on the guided game drives for safety reasons

No vaccination is mandatory for entering South Africa except for yellow fever for passengers arriving from areas affected by the disease.

The majority of South Africa is safe for travelers, provided that they take safety precautions as in all major countries and big cities. In the big cities and their outskirts like Johannesburg and Cape Town, because of security concerns, certain safety rules should be followed:

• Do not wander alone neither in town nor in the townships, especially at night.
• Do not show signs of ostentatious wealth (watches, jewelry, cash).
• Carry photocopies rather than originals of your ID documents.

You will find advice regarding security for your stay in South Africa on the following web site:http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/south-africa

Yes! Almost all of our lodges, hotels and locations have broadband internet access.

The food is magnificent. It can be as familiar or exotic as you like; beef-steak, super fresh sea food, green salads, fresh fruit or maybe you’d prefer a buffalo steak with an ostrich egg! Vegetarian or non-vegetarian

– you will be impressed, and you can be as adventurous as you like!