SOUTH AFRICA EXPLORER ITINERARY:
Day 1: Depart USA
Your luxury excursion begins with an overnight flight to
London.
Day 2: En Route
Day 3: Arrive Cape Town, South Africa / Cape Winelands
Land in Cape Town, energetic western capital of South
Africa. Meet your guide, who drives you to your deluxe country
manor in the historic Winelands. Enjoy a welcome dinner at your
hotel, known for innovative cuisine. Le Quartier Francais (D)
Day 4: Cape Winelands
Charming towns, sweeping views and a gourmet lunch are on
tap today. Tour Cape Dutch wine estates, sample premium vintages
at a small, champagne estate, and visit a cheese maker. Le
Quartier Francais (B,L)
Day 5: Cape Winelands / Cape Town
An unusual walking tour takes you through the colorful Cape
Malay Quarter, where you enjoy an informal cooking workshop at a
private home. You help prepare the meal, and then share the
delicious results with your host family. Delve into Cape Town’s
landmarks. If weather allows, take a 4,000-foot cable car up
Table Mountain (supplement paid locally). Ezard House or The Bay
Hotel (B,L)
Day 6: Cape Town
Escape to the edge of the continent today as you set out to
discover the Cape of Good Hope and environs. Stroll the lush
gardens of Kirstenbosch. Visit an African penguin colony,
fishing villages and Cape Point, meeting place of two oceans –
Indian and Atlantic. Ezard house or The Bay Hotel (B,L)
Day 7: Cape Town / Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Drive to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, which encompasses more
than 133,000 acres of undulating mountains and plains, exotic
wildlife and ancient San rock art. Come close to elephant, lion,
rhino, buffalo and cheetah. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (B,L,D)
Day 8: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Memorable game drives, archaeological presentations and
horse riding are on today’s menu. Tour a raptor rehabilitation
and breeding center, go bird watching, or unwind at the Wellness
Centre and Spa. The reserve is home to a program that aims to
breed rare white lions for reintroduction into areas where they
once hunted. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (B,L,D)
Day 9: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve / Garden Route
Discover Oudtshoorn, once the ostrich feather capital of the
world. Visit an ostrich farm and vast limestone caverns at the
Cango Caves. Travel through mountain passes, forested lakes and
wetlands to a serene lodge. Tsala Treetop Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 10: Garden Route
Head to Tsitsikamma National Park and venture into primary
forests of rare yellowwood, ironwood, and stinkwood trees up to
800 years old. Visit a lively monkey sanctuary, taking in dunes
and delightful hidden coves along the way. Explore the amiable
town of Knysna, nestled along a lovely lagoon. Tsala Treetop
Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 11: Garden Route / Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Fly via Johannesburg to your lodge in the elite Sabi Sands
Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. This afternoon,
you journey into unspoiled bush for game drives. After dinner,
retire to one of six ultra luxurious suites. Each has en suite
bathroom, outdoor and inside shower, courtyard, lounge with
fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio and private plunge pool.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (B,L,D)
Days 12: Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Spend the day in the presence of amazing wildlife in open
vehicles, on nature walks and night drives. This is a sanctuary
for lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, and a wealth of
birds and smaller animals. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (B,L,D )
Day 13: Sabi Sands Game Reserve / Drakensberg
Travel to the Drakensberg Escarpment, where spectacular
scenery comes with names such as "God's Window" and "Bourke's
Luck Potholes," impressive, ancient rock forms. In the heart of
the forest, you find your accommodations at a former hunting
lodge, surrounded by forest and coffee plantations. Cybele
Forest Lodge & Spa (B,L,D)
Day 14: Drakensberg
Today, you are on your own to explore 300 acres of African
paradise, living forest, mountains and meadows. Or, relax with a
rejuvenating massage in an award-winning spa. An optional
hot-air balloon ride (pre-paid supplement) at sunrise offers
brilliant views. Cybele Forest Lodge & Spa (B,D)
Day 15: Drakensberg / Johannesburg / Depart
Fly to Johannesburg and connect with your onward flight. (B)
Day 16: Arrive USA
Your grand adventure concludes with your arrival home today.
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