Safari of Garden Route and Eastern Cape Reserves ULSA01

Personal Highlights:

• Dinner overlooking Cape Town harbor
• Tasting some of the best South African wines at their source
• Looking for Whales, Dolphins and Sea Lions while cruising Walker Bay
• Enjoying your private plunge pool after a morning game drive

Day 1 Depart USA

Your adventure begins as you depart the USA bound for South Africa and arrive in Cape Town the following evening.

Day 2 Arrival in Cape Town

Upon your evening arrival in Cape Town, you will be met by our representative and personally escorted to your hotel which is situated on its own wharf at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront which has been rebuilt from the city’s old docklands. After checking in you head for your room to get rested for the adventure ahead.

Day 3 Exploring the Cape Peninsula

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. You head south and following the Atlantic coastline  visiting the seaside towns of Hout Bay and Camps Bay. After lunch you traverse Chapman Peak Drive and Table Mountain National Park before ending up at the Boulders Penguin colony. This evening you enjoy dinner at the hotel, situated on the waterfront and considered one of Cape Town’s finest.

Day 4 The Great Karoo

This morning your driver will be waiting to transfer you through some interesting scenery to the Great Karoo, a vast expanse of wilderness preserve located in the Eastern Cape. Until recently this was overused grazing land but now reclaimed and replanted much as it was before the arrival of the Europeans. As the land has blossomed it has allowed the animals to be re-introduced to their native habitat. Your home for the next two nights will be a suite at Bushman’s Kloof. The dining is superb and you can enjoy a massage in between the game drives.

Day 5 Game viewing in Bushman’s Kloof Private Game Reserve

Your morning expedition will give you the opportunity to view rock art painted by the indigenous San people over 10,000 years ago. Since afternoons are the hottest part of the day, relaxing by the pool or in one of the river's rock pools is recommended. Later, if you wish, choose a nature hike or mountain biking. With a built up appetite you conclude with dinner under the stars.

Day 6 Touring the Winelands

East of the city lies the heart of the South African wine industry since the 16th Century. The three main towns in the areas are Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. You will visit and taste some of the local wines and enjoy a vineyard lunch. After further tastings in the afternoon you enjoy a gourmet meal at your hotel matched with the appropriate wines.

Day 7 From the Winelands to Walker Bay

After breakfast and a guided tour of the hotel’s vineyard, your driver will take you on the relatively short trip from the Winelands to the Overberg and Walker Bay. During the months of June through November, over 150 Southern Right Whales make the bay their home. Even when they are not there, the bay is home to Dolphins, Sea Lions and other species. You arrive at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve which is situated on 3,000 acres, in the world’s largest milkwood forest and overlooking Walker Bay. After lunch on their terrace restaurant you have a chance to take a nature walk to learn about the 6,000 species of flora unique to the area.

Day 8 Exploring Walker Bay

This morning you will head to Walker Bay and board the Lodge’s boat “The Whale Whisperer” to view the sea life in the bay. In season, whales will be all around you including mothers and calves. When they are elsewhere, there are still plenty of Dolphins and Sea Lions to keep you busy. Returning to shore and a picnic lunch, you then embark on a nature walk on the pristine beach with a resident naturalist. Tonight a fine seafood dinner to complete the day.

Day 9 Traveling to Shamwari Game Reserve

After breakfast you will drive to Shamwari Game Reserve a 44,000 acre private game reserve dedicated to re-invigorating many animal breeds in their natural environment. A branch of the Born Free foundation is established here and you will have the opportunity to see the “big five” plus other species like wild dogs. Upon arrival you will be escorted to Bayethe Tented Lodge which is made up of nine air-conditioned luxury tents with viewing deck and a private plunge pool. You have an afternoon game drive followed by dinner overlooking the river.

Day 10 Game viewing in Shamwari

After a cup of tea or coffee you will set off for an early morning game drive as the animals begin their search for breakfast. Although the reserve is large, the rangers in each of the individual camps are in constant communication so the chances of seeing the “big five” are good on one of the drives. You return to camp for breakfast and the chance to relax during the heat of the day. In the afternoon you go out for another game drive followed by “sundowners” and a candlelit dinner.

Day 11 Port Elizabeth/Johannesburg/Return to USA

After breakfast, your driver will take you to Port Elizabeth to connect with a commercial flight to Johannesburg where you catch your USA bound flight.

Day 12 Arrive in the USA

You arrive back in the USA at breakfast time.

Services Included

• All air transportation as part of the program offered including private and charter aircraft. (On those programs requiring private aircraft flights, you will be limited to 33lbs of luggage which can be stored in the safari luggage which we provide to you. Additional luggage will be stored for you for the rest of your trip. In the private camps, daily laundry is available (and, in most cases included).
• Luxury rail travel as indicated
• Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)
• On Safari, only private camps are used and include all meals and all game viewing in most camps, house beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks (indicated on itinerary)
• Private Transfers to and from the airport at destination
• All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.
• Baggage handling at all hotels and camps
• All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

• International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)
• Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)
• Any meals not indicated on the Itinerary page
• Items of a personal nature e.g. minibar, film, postcards etc.
• Gratuities to Guides and Driver/Guides (we provide suggested guidelines for your selected destination in your pre-departure material)
• Any passport or visa fees or government departure taxes (It is the traveler’s responsibility to secure the latest information regarding passports and visa requirements)

 

Available Year Round