15
Days / 14 Nights
From the beauty of Cape Town with its craggy mountains, multi-hued vineyards and endless white beaches to relax under the South African sky, we travel through the magnificent wine lands, pause in Johannesburg, the “city of gold”, then on to a deluxe Private Game Reserve in the pristine African bushveld. Enjoy thrilling game drives – view magnificent wild life –then on to Zambia and experience Victoria Falls by helicopter and by land –End your tour in one of the greatest game reserves in southern Africa – Chobe National Park in Botswana for game viewing and much, much more.
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| COUNTRY | CITY | NIGHTS |
HOTEL |
| South Africa | Cape Town | 3 |
Cape Grace Hotel |
| South Africa | Franschhoek | 2 |
Le Quartier Francais |
| South Africa | Johannesburg | 1 |
Michelangelo Hotel |
| South Africa | Private Game Reserve | 3 |
Sabi Sanbi Earth Lodge |
| South Africa | Johannesburg | 1 |
Michelangelo Hotel |
| Zambia | Livingstone | 4 |
Royal Livingstone Hotel |
| DAY 1: Arrival CAPE TOWNArrive at Cape Town International Airport where your personal guide will meet you upon arrival. Receive a special welcome pack including South African delicacies such as biltong, dried fruits, famous South African manufactured nougat and a South African red wine. Your gift will also include a carefully selected hand-made South African curio. General information, brochures and maps will all be included in this pack. Limousine transfer to Signal Hill where Pongraz will be served while gazing over the City of Cape Town, a stunning panoramic view of the ocean as well as Table Mountain creating a backdrop for the Mother City below. Drink in the splendour and beauty as far as the eye can see, while sipping this sparkling wine. Arrive at Cape Grace Hotel. Check-in assistance is provided and porters will handle your luggage. Your room will either have a view of the V & A harbour or yacht marina with a Table Mountain backdrop. Step into your rooftop terrace room with its spacious living and reading area on the highest floor of the hotel with French doors opening to a wide balcony. Freshen up and continue to the Bascule Bar, on the water’s edge of the International Yacht Marina on Cape Town’s Waterfront. Bascule is the perfect setting to sit back and unwind. Sit down to an exclusive whiskey tasting in the unique Bascule, learn about the ancient and fascinating history of whiskey and the art of distilling, maturing and blending with a selection of six whiskies, including single malts, blended whiskeys and bourbons from around the world. A variety of light gourmet appetizers, specially selected to complement the “water of life” are also served. Dinner follows in Cape Grace Hotel’s restaurant; sit down to a sophisticated fine dining experience. (D) |
| DAY 2: CAPE TOWN Historical walking tour & Yacht Sundowner CruiseThe hotel’s breakfast room awaits offering a variety of choices, all buffet style. Your personal guide will escort you to the city center for a fascinating private walking tour of Cape Town. Explore the Old Town, catch the buzz of the city in Greenmarket Square, hear fascinating tales of Dutch rule at the Castle of Good Hope and Grand Parade, and see where slaves were traded and where they toiled in the Company’s Garden. Visit Parliament, where the apartheid laws were passed and repealed, and hear of the consequences of racism at District Six. Additional sites included are St. George’s Mall, City Hall, Slave Tree Site, Slave Lodge (Smuts Statue), Government Avenue and Tuynhuis, St. George’s Angilican Cathedral. Return to your hotel for a light lunch, then to freshen up before departing on a 2 hour cruise aboard the “Spirit of the Cape:”, a privately owned luxury yacht available for the exclusive use of Cape Grace guests. Sail atop the comfortable teak deck, as you sip your sundowner drink, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Camps Bay. Leisure time back at the hotel, before your personal guide takes you for dinner and visit to a South African family for a taste of the different flavors of typical South African dishes while discussing culinary secrets with the chef. (BLD) |
| DAY 3: CAPE TOWN Full day Table Mountain & exclusive Shopping experienceAfter breakfast, your personal guide will meet you for a private morning Table Mountain visit. Continue to the top of Table Mountain by revolving cable car, a world heritage site, the summit of Cape Town’s world-famous landmark is 1086meters above sea level, for an impressive and magnificent view. (weather permitting) Return to the hotel and meet your personal shopping advisor. Continue on an afternoon of “shop till you drop”. The experience is completely tailor made, catering to your needs, be it artifacts, décor, fashion, antiques, jewelry, wine, property, furniture, exotic leathers etc. You will not be disappointed! Return to your hotel. Optional excursions: Ferry to Robben Island. Formerly a political prison and leper colony before that, this historic landmark was recently established as a museum and national monument. Experience the conditions of incarceration – view Nelson Mandela’s maximum security prison cell (Cell 5) and see the lime quarries (weather & time permitting) Tonight, a private transfer for dinner at Baia Restaurant – a landmark for fine seafood and cuisine in Cape Town, enjoying prime location on V & A Waterfront, a sophisticated restaurant and cocktail bar with sweeping terraces offering spectacular views. (BD) |
| DAY 4: CAPE TOWN Seidelberg Wine Estate & Red Hot Glass (Glass Cutting)After a sumptuous breakfast, meet your guide and depart to the scenic town of Paarl, situated in the winelands, cradeled between Paarl Mountain and the towering Du Toitskloof Mountain Range. Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument, erected in 1975 to honor the Afrikaans language. Continue to Seidelberg Wine Estate, over 300 years of tradition by delighting visitors from around the world with its superb wine slection. Sit down for lunch at De Leuwen Jagt Restauract and marvel at the amazing views of vineyards as far as the eye can see while sipping Seidelberg’s unique handcrafted wines. Visit Red Hot Glass, next to the restaurant and view the glass blowers in action as they create their designs. Many different glass masterpieces are on display. Then, continue to the magnificent Le Quartier Francais, an exclusive boutique hotel situated in the heart of Franschhoek Valley, Cape Winelands. Tucked away in secluded gardens, it offers a delightful haven of peace and tranquility. A total gastronomic experience can be enjoyed here. Check into one of the generously sized Four Quarters Suites, overlooking a central courtyard and lap pool. Decorated in the ultimate in luxury fittings, fabrics and artwork by local talent, your suite comprises a separate lounge, with fireplace, and bedroom area with walk-in dressing room. Amenities includePlasma TVs with a DVD/CD playe, full complimentary bar, Ipod docking station and wireless access, under-tile heating and heated towel rails in the bathroom, complete with separate shower and bath. Your personal butler will be available during the day to assist with any requests. Dinner will be served in the Tasting Room le Quartier Francais’ fine dining, award winning restaurant. Your dining experiences includes a 5 coure dinner accompanied by wine to compliment the dining. (BLD) |
| DAY 5: Full day Private Guided Winelands Tour (Wine & Chocolate tasting) After breakfast, depart for a full day private guided Winelands Tour. Visit Waterford Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, described as an all-encompassing sensory experience. Their wine and chocolate tasting is a unique flavor experience with custom-made chocolates paired with their red and dessert wines. On to Haute Cabriere Wine Estate in Franschhoek where you will view the “sabrage sauvage” ancient techniques of slicing open a champagne bottle with a sword. Taste Haute Cabriere’s famous, award winning wines in their cellar, taste, smell and experience the winemaker’s world. Lunch at La Petit Ferme, a feast of culinary delights that beguile and entertain; the food reflects the creative energy and raw talent of a dedicated staff combined with an abundance of fresh local ingredients. Return to your hotel. Tonight, you have the option of dining at Le Quartier Francaise or at one of the distinctive restaurants in Franschhoek such as Bon Vivant, Bouilbaisse or Reubens. (BL) |
| DAY 6: Franschhoek-Cape Town Airport – JohannesburgTransfer to the Cape Town airport for the short flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at OR Tambo Airport, you will be transferred in a luxury vehicle to the Michelangelo Hotel on Nelson Mandela Square. Balance of the day is free to enjoy the fine amenities of the hotel such as the Executive Lifestyle Fitness center with a heated and covered pool, grassed sun deck and steam bath. You can also indulge at the Health Hydro at the Renaissance Spa at Michelangelo Towers, close by. (B) |
| DAY 7,8,9 - Johannesburg to Sabi Sabi – Private Game ReserveAfter another exquisite breakfast, the porters and your personal guide will assist with checkout and transfer to the airport for the flight to Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. On arrival at Sabi Sabi Airstrip, your private vehicle and ranger will welcome you and drive you to the Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. Sculpted into a slope of the earth, almost invisible in the landscape, the lodge uses texture, light and space to present a lodge unlike any other. It has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa. Check into your ultra-luxurious suite – featuring individually designed furniture, private plunge pool en-suite glass fronted bathroom, indoor & outdoor shower and butler services. Each morning and evening you will depart this luxury safari lodge into the wilderness, by open Land Rover, accompanied by your armed and knowledgeable Game Ranger and Shangaan Tracker. Sit down at the outdoor Boma for dinner in the evenings, its walls sculpted by tree roots and piled up piece by piece, capturing the drama of the African night and evocative of the power of the wilderness. Each morning, enjoy tea or coffee before departing on an early morning game drive. Feast your eyes on light falling on the grass, vegetation and camel thorn trees. Listen to the birdlife as the day is welcomed. After an exhilarating game drive, return to the Earth Lodge for a relaxed breakfast. Bring your binoculars, as you explore any movement in the bush, in the not so far distance, while feasting on a meticulously prepared breakfast buffet. Renew your spirit at the Earth Nature Spa and Exercise Center where massages, natural therapies or classic spa treatments are on offer. The luxurious spa offers a variety of advanced skin & body treatments, hydrotherapy and a host of other traditional body spa and skin care treatments. On your early morning walks, your expert ranger will point out every small detail, from the names of the fauna and flora surrounding you to the footprints of many of the animal species roaming the area. One late morning, at about 1030am depart for your private Shangaan Cultural experience and community visit. Stop at a school and see the children in their natural environment. Continue to an art, crafts and carvings area where unique artistry is carried over from one generation to the next. Visit a typical Shangaan village where you can taste traditional dishes such as pat, sheba, samp, marog and beans. Return to the Earth Lodge about 2pm. Visit the secluded library, art gallery and meditation garden. Late afternoon Sundowner game drive to look out for the animals you must see again and watch in awe as the night sky falls over the day. A private dinner will be the perfect ending to your final evening at Earth Lodge, a spectacular meal prepared in the comfort of your suite, either on the patio or in the exquisite sitting room. (BLD/BLD/BLD) |
| DAY 10: Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge to Johannesburg A final breakfast at the lodge before checking out. Depart for Johannesbur and upon arrival, you will be transferred in a luxury vehicle to the Michelangelo Hotel. (B) |
| DAY 11: Johannesburg – ZambiaAfter a splendid breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Zambia. Arrive Livingstone Airport and enjoy the private transfer to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. While your luggage is checked in, enjoy a refreshing drink. The Royal Livingstone, a sophisticated five star hotel lies on the lush green forested banks of the Zambezi River. A stone’s throw away from the mighty Victoria Falls, the hotel overlooks the smooth waters of the river, just before it plunges over the legendary waterfall creating a permanent waterspray. Expect excellent service from the butler assigned to your room. Your luxurious bedroom with its private balcony or terrace has a superb view of the Zambezi. Spend time to breathe in the fresh African air or indulge in the luxuries of your room, as you freshen and relax in the Victorian bath or large walk-in shower. Late this afternoon, continue to the hotel lounge where your private transfer will take you to the Royal Landing. From here you will be greeted with the rest of the guests by the sounds of a Marimba Band, a local instrument that laments the sounds of Africa. Step onto the African Queen/Princess river boat with a special cocktail drink and experience the sheer luxury as you indulge in personalized service fit for Kings and Queens. Enjoy the view and marvel at the many species of game and bid life that the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park has to offer on the banks of the Zambezi River. Return to the Royal Landing and private transfer to the hotel, where you will be spending the next three nights. (B) |
| DAY 12: Zambia Full day Victoria Falls (Helicopter Flip & Guided Tour) Breakfast is served on the verandah overlooking the lawns and the Zambezi River. Then, private transfer to the helicopter departure point. Board the famous – Flight of the Angels – affording a superior view of Victoria Falls (The Smoke that Thunders) as it flies lower and slower than a fixed wing aircraft. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle becomes all that more clearer from above. The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south with hippos and crocodiles clearly visible in the shallow waters, elephant browsing on bright green islands as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray, then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zig-zag funnel of the gorges. After the flight, continue on a private guided walk through Victoria Falls National Park and view the Falls from the ground. End the private tour with a visit to the local arts and crafts market. Private return to your hotel. Spend the balance of the afternoon in the shaded verandah, curl up with a book from the well-stocked library or browse the lounge, filled with original artwork depicting scenes of David Livingstone’s great African adventures. Tonight, you may want to opt for dinner served on the grounds of the hotel, under the monkey tree with traditional African entertainment including that provided by a local witch doctor. (B) |
| DAY 13: Chobe National Park Following an early breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Chobe National Park in Botswana, less than 2 hours from Livingstone. It is one of the greatest game reserves in southern Africa and famous of the number of elephant that live there. The Chobe River flows lazily through the Capivi flood plains and provides a haven for huge herds of buffalo, elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala, which are followed closely by predators including lion, hyena, the elusive leopard and the odd pack of the now rare wild dog. Bird life in particular is exceptional. Traveling to Chobe includes an exciting crossing by boat on the Zambezi River at the point where the four countries meet – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The Safari begins with a morning game viewing cruise on the Chobe River with refreshments served on board. Large flocks of birds, big pods of hippos and very large crocodiles are all around. Disembark for lunch served at the Chobe Marina Lodge. This afternoon, open safari vehicles are used for a game drive in the park. Meander back to Customs and Immigration, before crossing the Zambezi and back to your hotel. Return about 630pm. Tonight, may we suggest dinner on your balcony or terrace. (BL) |
| DAY 14: Full Day Elephant Experience & Dining on the Royal Express Early morning coffee or tea, before continuing on a private transfer to Thorntree Lodge in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It’s a rare opportunity to climb onto the back of an elephant and set off at an easy rolling pace in search of other wild game, wild elephant, giraffe, buffalo and much more. This elephant experience includes highly trained and expert guides in the behavior of elephants and the wildlife that abounds. Continue on a half-day trail beginning at the attractive Thorntree Lodge and after a short introductory talk and safety-briefing, the guests are introduced to the elephants and their handlers before mounting the great animals. The handler and no more than 2 guests on each animal head off through the riverine bush, crossing the river in shallow water to get onto the many islands. Morning Safari last approximately 4 hours and end with a full English breakfast and the opportunity to view a video of each guest’s elephant ride. Private return to the Royal Livingstone Hotel for your final night. Spend the afternoon relaxing tight muscles – perhaps visit the spa for an aromatherapy massage. Late afternoon (5pm) transfer for your train journey amidst the untamed natural Zambia bushveld. Board the immaculate vintage first class lounge carriage. A unique dining experience combines the luxury of Sun International’s Royal Livingstone Hotel with the charm of rail travel. The train is an all inclusive luxury rail experience rooted in the nostalgia of a bygone era. Travel leisurely as the sun sets into a timeless world of grace elegance and romance, where the natural splendor will stir your imagination and the luxurious comfort soothes your soul. Sit down in the Pullman style coaches which have been lovingly restored to their former glory, for fine wining and dining as you travel through the picturesque Zambezi Valley. The sash windows permit panoramic view so the passing parade, while the incandescent lighting adds intimate warmth from individual lamps on each table, gently illuminating the beautifully detailed wooden interiors. The silver cutlery, crystal glassware and damask linen provide the ideal backdrop to the exquisite cuisine created by the Royal Livingstone Hotel chefs. Return to the hotel after dinner and get lost in a deep sleep, still feeling the gentle rocking of the train. (BD) |
| DAY 15: Livingstone – JohannesburgPrivate transfer to the Livingstone Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and beyond. (B) |
| $15,100.00 per person, double occupancy | Single room, add $7,000.00 |
| Special booking and cancellation policy applies. Please inquire. | |
