1 night Cape Town | 2 nights Timbavati | 2 nights Sabi Sand | 3 nights Cape Town | 2 nights Franschhoek | 2 nights De Hoop Nature Reserve | 2 nights Plettenberg Bay | 1 night Port Elizabeth | 3 nights Victoria Falls
Tour Highlights
- Complete Kruger National Park
- Timbavati & Sabi Sand Game Reserves
- Big Five Safari
- Cape Town Luxury Accommodation
- Cape Town City Touring
- Cape Winelands
- Western Cape Wildlife
- Plettenberg Bay Activities
- Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
- Rhino Walk & Game Drives
Client Review
Fantastic first Trip to South Africa!
We are just back from an almost 3 week trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe, arranged by Anya at Pembury Tours. What a fantastic trip! Everything was perfectly planned and just amazing. We spent time at two safari camps in Krueger, had 3 nights in Cape Town, a couple nights in Winelands, drove the Garden Route then flew to Zimbabwe and stayed at an amazing place outside of Victoria Falls. We loved every single thing Anya planned for us. The game drives were great and involved not just seeing the Big 5 but seeing a leopard with her cub…a pride of 8 lions…..and so many elephants (our favorite).
We also sat out on the lawn of our place in Zimbabwe and watched baboons, impalas, zebras and a giraffe come up to drink from the waterhole. Anya was with us every step of the way – always available if we had questions – from the time we started the booking until we left South Africa. We loved all of the information she provided us – from the "book" about our itinerary and related information to the app that we downloaded so we could have all of the info at our fingertips. She even came and met us in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth! I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Tour Consultant's Overview
Linda sent an enquiry to Pembury Tours in early January with an interest in visiting South Africa and a particular interest in Cape Town, a Private Game Reserve Safari in Kruger and a Self-drive along the Garden Route. She has recently seen a special on International Flights arriving in Cape Town in early May. With her International Flights Booked, she was open to various suggestions as the couples dream was to visit Southern Africa. With her thoughts and details, I put together an itinerary for them to review which ticked all the boxes. For the ending of her itinerary, I suggested two proposals. To end their journey in Addo National Elephant Park or Victoria Falls. Linda and James quickly made the decision that Victoria Falls would be the ultimate way to end this adventure. Arriving in Cape Town, I met up with the couple after their safari and again later along the Garden Route. They thoroughly enjoyed each stop along their journey with various unique interest in the different destinations. With only three days left for their stay in Victoria Falls, they needed to tick off the Cape Buffalo as they had not seen this during their safari. Arriving in Victoria Falls, I booked the couple into a property located on a game reserve just outside the town of Victoria Falls. I am happy to say, the couple saw the Cape Buffalo on their Wedding Anniversary and during their 3 night stay at Ursula’s Homestead!
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport from your international flight you are met by our representative who will hand over your travel documents and transfer you by road to your airport hotel for your one night stay. Once you have checked in, you settle in for your night stay and the evening is at leisure.
Road Transfer – Cape Town International to Hotel Verde: approx. 5 minutes
After an early start, you are met by your driver and transferred by road to Cape Town international airport. Upon arrival at the airport, you make your way to the domestic departures terminal for your direct flight to Hoedspruit airport. Upon arrival in Hoedspruit you are met by your driver and transferred by road to your lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve.
Upon arrival at your lodge, you are welcomed with a lovely refreshment and taken to your suite to settle in before you depart on your first afternoon game drive in the Timbavati Game Reserve.
Flight time – Cape Town to Hoedspruit: approx. 2 ½ hours Transfer time – Hoedspruit Airport to Motswari Private Game Reserve: approx. 2 ½ hours
The Timbavati forms part of the two million hectare Greater Kruger National Park. It was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and is part of one of Africa's most innovative conservation partnership agreements. The Timbavati is 14 700 hectares (36 300 acres) and shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park.
Track the Big Five, as well as a rich variety of other game such as antelope, zebra, warthog, giraffe and hippo, in the company of an armed ranger and local Shangaan tracker. Bird viewing is spectacular, with over 360 recorded species including various eagles, vultures, kingfishers, woodpeckers, buzzards, herons, egrets, owls, weavers.
This morning you are taken on your last morning game drive in the Timbavati Game Reserve before you enjoy brunch. After brunch, you are met by your driver and transferred by road to your new lodge in the Northern Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Arriving at your new lodge at mid-day, you are taken to your luxury suite to settle in for the next two nights. In the late afternoon, you depart on your first afternoon game drive in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Dinner is served upon your return to the lodge.
Transfer time – Motswari Private Game Reserve to Arathusa Safari Lodge: approx. 3 hours
Forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Reserve has no fences and the wildlife is able to cross freely between the Sabi Sands and the rest of the Greater Kruger National Park. The safari experience in the Sabi Sand is highly personalised because game drive vehicles have exclusive traversing rights in their area. The Sabi Sand Reserve is a remarkable natural sanctuary known for its exceptionally high concentration of animal and bird life.
Close contact encounters are guaranteed as the animals are not threatened by the presence of vehicles thanks to sound conservation management policies. Safaris are led by experienced rangers coupled with local Shangaan trackers.
With exceptional sightings of leopard (usually the most elusive of cats), lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo during game drives - visitors are never lacking in exciting photographic content.
This morning you enjoy your last game drive in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. After brunch, you are collected from your lodge and transferred by road to Hoedspruit Airport for your direct flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town you are met by our representative and transferred by road to your hotel along the Seapoint Promenade for your four night stay. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Transfer time – Arathusa Safari Lodge to Hoedspruit Airport: approx. 2 hours
Flight time – Hoedspruit Airport to Cape Town: approx. 2 ½ hours
Transfer time – Cape Town International Airport to Winchester Mansions: approx. 35 minutes
Welcome to Cape Town, Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north.
The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil's Peak and historical Signal Hill, stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn.
The Mother City boasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a roaring night life under neon signs. The vast range of shopping opportunities includes haggling with shop holders at Greenmarket Square Flea Market, as well as breezing through sophisticated and stylish shopping malls. The huge variety of restaurants reflects the multicultural history of the Cape and caters for everyone's taste, from fast-food outlets and casual to the chic to the very elegant.
This morning, you make your way to the Cape Winelands, with its backdrop of majestic mountain ranges, lush valleys and verdant vineyards. After a full day of exploring the various Wine Routes and enjoying wine tastings along the way, you make your way to your accommodation in Franschhoek for your two night stay. The evening is at leisure,
Driving Time – Winchester Mansions to Lavender Farm Guest House: approx. 1 ½ hours
South African wine has a proud history dating back to 1659, when the first wine recorded in South Africa was produced by the founder of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck. French Huguenots settled in the Franschhoek Valley in the late seventeenth century, seeking refuge from religious persecution in Europe and bringing with them precious root-stock to establish the wine-growing industry in South Africa. By the time of Napoleon, wine produced by Constantia, a vineyard near Cape Town, was considered by Europeans to be one of the greatest wines in the world. Anti-apartheid sanctions hit the wine industry hard, but since independence in 1994, access to international markets has unleashed a burst of new energy and new investment, and South African wines are once again winning awards across the world.
Each wine route has a wide range of wine estates and wineries: ranging from historical to avant garde and from garagiste to large scale producers. Many of the wine estates offer informative guided wine-tastings to the public as well as cellar tours or tours of the vineyards. Some of them also make cheese, chocolate and olive oil and offer tastings of these products alongside their wines. Many of them have on-site restaurants offering food that ranges from gastronomical delights to picnic hampers to enjoy under the oak trees.
This morning, you leave the Winelands behind and drive through the rolling wheatfields of the Overberg region, where pairs of South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, can be spotted standing in the fields. You continue your journey via Swellendam, a pretty town nestled at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Swellendam is South Africa’s 3rd oldest town and has many beautifully restored historical buildings.
Just before you reach Swellendam, you turn off and travel through to the Village of De Hoop Nature Reserve for your two night stay. Once you have arrived and settled into your suite, you have the afternoon at leisure.
Driving time – Lavender Farm Guest House to De Hoop Nature Reserve: approx. 2 ½ hours
The 36 000 hectares of De Hoop conservation area is a World Heritage Site comprising rich biodiversity and by over 70 kilometres of pristine coastline. A 19 km vlei (wetland) stretches across the reserve, which is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. The De Hoop Reserve is situated in the Overberg region near the southern tip of Africa.
The Overberg area is characterised by quaint towns, a blossoming wine industry and delicious local dishes. There are a number of activities on offer here and you can enjoy whale watching, star gazing, interpretive marine walk, mountain biking and a guided bird and Fynbos walk.
This morning is at leisure, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or make an early start and depart the De Hoop Nature Reserve, making your way to the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay. You depart the De Hoop Nature Reserve and make your way along the N2, through the scenic Lakes District, through Wilderness and Sedgefield, bypassing the seaside town of Knysna.
You continue to Plettenberg Bay, a lovely seaside town along the Garden Route. Here, you check into your guesthouse overlooking the Indian Ocean for your two night stay. The afternoon and evening is at leisure,
Driving time: De Hoop Nature Reserve to The Robberg Beach Lodge – approx. 4 hours
Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town in the heart of the scenic Garden Route. Known to the locals as “Plett”, Plettenberg Bay is recognised as South Africa’s Riviera and is full of trendy shops and cafés. There are miles of sweeping, un-spoilt golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula and intriguing lagoons and estuaries. Plettenberg Bay has three beautiful beaches stretching over 15 kilometres from Keurboomstrand to Robberg. Central Beach is the most accessible for visitors and is the launch site for most boat operators. Popular for shore-based dolphin and whale watching, striking views of Robberg Peninsula as well as lengthy strolls, Robberg Beach stretches for kilometres between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island.
Positioned on the eastern side of the Keurbooms River mouth, Keurbooms Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand that is very popular during the holiday seasons, especially because of its lagoon, which offers safe paddling for little children. The lagoon, bay and beaches are much used by fishing and boating enthusiasts.
The hillsides around Plettenberg Bay are covered with indigenous fynbos and the towering trees of the Tsitsikamma and Knysna Forests. Plettenberg Bay is visited by Southern Right Whales in winter and offers one of the best opportunities for whale watching along the South African coasts. There are also many pods of dolphins resident in the area.
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you depart the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay and make your way to Port Elizabeth Airport. En-route to Port Elizabeth, you may decide to stop at the Tsitsikamma National Park or the Village of Storms River. Enjoy a scenic drive over spectacular single-span bridges to the Tsitsikamma forest, an indigenous primeval forest with towering ancient yellowwood trees, lush vegetation and deep gorges. Tsitsikamma National Park has a variety of nature walks to enjoy, while the Village of Storms River offer guests a beer tasting experience at the Micro-Brewery.
Arriving at Port Elizabeth Airport, you hand in your rental vehicle and make your way to the Domestic Departures terminal where you check in for your direct flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you are met by our representative who will transfer and assist you to your airport hotel for your one night stay. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Driving time: The Robberg Beach Lodge to Port Elizabeth Airport - approx. 2 hours
Flight time: Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg – approx. 2 hours
This morning is an early start. You enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you are met at the reception area of you hotel by our representative who will transfer and assist you to the International Departures Terminal for your direct flight to Victoria Falls.
Upon arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you are met and transferred by road to your Homestead located just minutes from the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You settle into your chalet for your three night stay. In the late afternoon, you are collected from your hotel and taken on a sunset cruise on the Ra-Ikane. Our representative will transfer you back to your homestead in the early evening.
Flight time – Johannesburg to Victoria Falls: approx. 1½ hours
Transfer time – Victoria Falls Airport to Ursula’s Homestead: approx. 50 minutes
Besides being one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is the unchallenged adventure capital of Africa with more than 50 activities available. At 1708 metres wide, Victoria Falls is the most expansive curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, these Falls and the Zambezi River are the central points in an area of spectacular scenic beauty: from the Falls themselves to the broad, picturesque course of the Zambezi River upstream, the rainforest adjacent and the stark jagged gorge downstream, the power and timelessness of nature's forces are evident throughout.
The Falls’ local name, Mosi-Oa-Tunya - "the Smoke that Thunders" - more accurately defines the essence of the place: the rising, shining spray that can be seen 30km away. This vapour has the effect of adding moisture in the form of humidity to the air in the "splash zone", so that a unique, small rainforest ecosystem clings to the edge of the Falls, providing a toehold for no less than 70 shrub and 150 herbaceous species, as well as trees such as pod and Natal mahogany, ebony, Cape and strangler fig and Transvaal red milkwood.
There are two National Parks in the vicinity: the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Zoological Park in Zambia, which means that herds of big game such as elephant and buffalo, as well as smaller species and even predators such as lion persist in the area.
This morning is at leisure to catch a last glimpse of the Falls or enjoy some leisurely time, until you are collected from your Homestead. You are transferred by road to Victoria Falls International Airport for your direct fight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you make your way to the International Departures Terminal for your direct flight to Amsterdam.
Transfer time – Ursula’s Homestead to Victoria Falls Airport: approx. 50 minutes
Flight time – Victoria Falls to Johannesburg: approx. 1½ hours
This four-star hotel has been carefully designed to offer luxury with minimal environmental impact, providing guests looking for Cape Town airport accommodation with a unique, environmentally friendly option. Each room is comfortable and tastefully decorated while meeting sustainable energy goals. The hotel is the first in Africa to offer carbon-neutral accommodation.
Hotel Verde offers a choice of executive suites and rooms, studio rooms, double and single rooms. Guests can also choose to book connecting rooms, ideal for travelling groups or families. In keeping with its environmental policies, the hotel uses an energy-efficient booking system, always filling those rooms that will use the least resources first, depending on the season and room locations.
Hotel Verde is located minutes from Cape Town International Airport and with its world-class facilities, offering travelers the opportunity to relax and freshen up before continuing their journeys.
The Nuovo Restaurant and Bar allows guest to enjoy the wholesome dishes from the sustainable kitchen. Nuovo features an à la carte menu with ingredients that are locally produced, responsibly sourced and seasonal. All meals are carefully prepared with passion by a dedicated team lead by our resident head chef Adrian Schreuder. Hotel Verde grows their own herbs and lettuce to incorporate into the dishes.
Motswari is situated in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier nature conservation, and is owner-managed and run. Motswari is committed to the environment, and has achieved Gold Class status on the Heritage Environmental Certification Programme. This four-star luxury safari lodge prides itself on its service excellence and warm atmosphere. A swimming pool with a vanishing edge looks over the watering hole, where an abundance of game can be seen cooling off or just playing around at most times in the day, and the lodge also boasts two bars, a library, and an art gallery.
Motswari caters to a maximum of 30 guests only, which provides a more serene environment for your African experience. The 15 luxury bungalows are all en-suite, and each offers a unique and unrivalled bush view, and relaxing on the chairs outside your bungalow will do more for you than any spa treatment ever could.
Meals at Motswari can be taken out on the trail, on the deck overlooking a watering hole, in the bush, or at the Boma, and are always accompanied by an award-winning selection of South African wines. There are two game drives of three-and-a-half hours each every day, guided walks, and an overnight walking safari – both game drives and game walks provide unforgettable experiences.
Arathusa Safari Lodge is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve. The camp is an intimate one, completely open-plan and designed to harmoniously blend with the adjacent waterhole and African bush. The lodge flanks the bank of a large waterhole (approximately 250m x 150m) allowing for a 180 degree view of the water. An infinity swimming pool overlooks the waterhole and is the perfect spot for wildlife viewing on a smouldering African summer’s afternoon. Massive herds of buffalo, antelope and elephant families gather at the waterhole and there is also a resident herd of hippos. 13 thatched suites are within the camp's perimeter. Each has a bathroom en-suite (with bath and separate indoor and outdoor showers), and a verandah. Meal times at Arathusa are a sociable affair. Guests are treated to sumptuous dishes, fresh produce and home baked confectionary.
In addition to the morning and evening game drives, unique walking safaris are offered daily giving guest the opportunity of discovering the hidden treasures of the region. Arathusa prides itself on its leopard viewing. As leopards are territorial, their regular appearances in the area allow their movements to be plotted. Many of the animals become familiar and are easily recognized by the rangers. Large herds of buffalo numbering in excess of 300 are often encountered. Elephants are also seen in large numbers. There are various lion prides in the area, as well as a few nomadic males. General “lowveld” game are abundant in this section of the Sabi Sand Reserve, including giraffe, zebra, warthog, impala and more. Between game drives, lazy hours can be spent in the sparkling pool or having a massage at the Nature Spa.
Winchester Mansions Hotel is an iconic Cape Dutch building and is the leading sea front hotel on Sea Point’s Promenade facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is two minutes’ drive from the trendy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and is unique amongst Cape Town hotels for its spectacular seaside location. This charming and gracious hotel offers its guests grace, style and contemporary flair. It is a multiple winner of the “Best Luxury Hotel” category at the annual AA Travel Guide Awards.
The rooms are spacious and elegant and all of them have either sea or mountain views. There are 51 classic or contemporary loft style rooms and 25 suites, including one presidential suite. Sip sundowners on the terrace whilst viewing the spectacular ocean sunsets and enjoy signature dishes from Harvey’s Restaurant. The Winchester’s beautiful colonnaded Courtyard, built in the style of an Italian piazza, is a tranquil oasis. Encircled by palm trees and water fountains, it makes a perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the stars. You can relax around the decked heated swimming pool and there is an in-house spa offering health and beauty treatments.
Lavender Farm Guest House is situated on a 3 hectare lavender farm in the picturesque town of Franschhoek. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Lavender Farm offers guests luxurious accommodation in a relaxed setting.
The luxury suites are spacious and elegant and tastefully decorated. Guests can request either twin or king size beds. The en-suite Bathrooms have separate showers. Each suite has a private veranda overlooking the pool, or lavender fields and mountains, where you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine.
After a hard day of sightseeing, wine tasting, exploring, lying by the pool or just shopping in and around the breath-taking surrounds of Franschhoek, what better way to end the day than to retire to the comfort of your luxurious room; when you awaken the next day refreshed and revitalized, switch on the kettle in your room and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as you take in the dawning of a new day in your own private courtyard, before joining us for a breakfast of your choice in our tastefully decorated Dining Room.
The De Hoop Collection accommodation has something for everyone, from families, couples seeking a comfortable getaway or just a relaxing getaway for friends. The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, every day and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce. There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
There are a variety of different rooms available, the One Bedroom Suite is perfect for couples. The Suites can accommodate 2 people with an en-suite bathroom. Each suite has different views of the reserve, some face out on the grasslands, while others face the majestic fig tree courtyard.
The Figtree restaurant is located a few minutes’ walk away from your room. The Fig Tree Restaurant offers a la carte menus for breakfast and lunch and set dinner menus. Delicious picnic baskets can be pre-ordered from reception and enjoyed on the beach, under a fig tree, or next to the reserve’s 19km vlei.
Robberg Beach Lodge offers 29 rooms in four luxurious adjacent villas at Robberg Beach in Plettenberg Bay. Together, Beachy Head Villa, Robberg House, Cottage Pie and Cordovan Villa offer a boutique accommodation experience right on the beach. Just five minutes from the bustling restaurants, galleries, coffee shops and bars of Plett’s Main Street, The Robberg is a tranquil beachside haven.
This understated, private retreat boasts 5-star luxury accommodation, and is ideally situated, at Robberg’s beautiful Blue Flag Beach. Facilities include two outdoor pools, two lounges, two honesty bars, and a rooftop viewing deck, 24-hr reception and check-in. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms, and daily housekeeping service is included in the rates.
Robberg House
Robberg House offers guests all the luxuries of penthouse living, just a stone's throw from the beach. Enjoy sundowners on the rooftop deck of Robberg House, with panoramic views of the ocean and Robberg Nature Reserve.
Robberg House offers fresh modern luxury accommodation, with 5 luxury Rooms, 4 Luxury Suites and 1 Luxury View suite. Each Luxury Suite has a sleeper couch that can sleep (max) 2 children under the age of 12 and the Luxury View Suite can have 2 single beds added (optional) for (max) 2 children under the age of 12 years.
Guests are served a full Continental and a full English breakfast at the dining room and the veranda next to the pool of Beachy Head Villa
Based at Africa’s busiest airport, City Lodge at OR Tambo Airport will provide business and leisure travellers with “home away from home” accommodation that is ideal for those commuting to and from Johannesburg and perfect for those who require immediate access to the airport.
The hotel boasts boardroom and conference facilities, a fitness room as well as a deck with a pool and a large commercial area with a coffee shop. There is a sociable bar where you can while away an evening. The 303 spacious air-conditioned rooms have either queen or twin beds and en-suite bathrooms.
OR Tambo Airport offers a number of services from banking to a wide range of retailers, so whether it’s a good book or a scrumptious meal, the airport’s facilities have everything you need.
The Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is home to a private retreat which has just four thatched chalets that are well appointed to give guests plenty of privacy.
Ursula’s Homestead is a ten minute drive from Victoria Falls town, and 12 kilometres from the entrance gate of the Victoria Falls Rainforest. The game reserve that it is built on is a 6000 acre concession, and shares a border with the more expansive Zambezi National Park, and offers guests private game activities such as day and evening game drives where you can spot giraffe, various antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, and zebra and is home to the rare black rhino. The birdlife on the reserve is also exceptional.
The intimate Ursula's Homestead has just four African-style thatched Chalets, accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each unit has views over the waterhole and the pristine bushveld of the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. The elegantly rustic chalets comprise a comfortable lounge area, bedroom area, and a full en-suite bathroom.
The lodge facilities include a lounge area with satellite TV, dining room, outdoor seating with fire pit, complimentary Wi-Fi, and swimming pool with loungers.
Upon arrival at your safari lodge you are given a welcome drink and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before afternoon High Tea followed by your first game drive. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators, particularly the leopard for which this area is renowned. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner. The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. There is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private veranda. If you are feeling more active, you can go on a bush walk with your ranger. After High Tea you set off on another evening game drive, returning again in time for dinner. On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive and will leave the lodge after brunch.
The Timbavati is brimming with various species of fowl and beast, including the sought-after Big Five, namely lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. The reserve also boasts over 40 other species of mammals. Creatures of every shape and size abound during the day, and by night visitors to the reserve are likely to see smaller, nocturnal mammals - such as porcupines, servals, civets and genets. Bird-lovers would struggle to replicate this calibre of bird watching anywhere else in the world, with the Timbavati featuring over 360 different species.
The Sabi Sand Reserve is part of the largest conservation area in South Africa and it is the oldest of all the private reserves. It was formed in 1950 and comprises of many privately owned game lodges, covering an area of 65 000 hectares (153 000 acres) of savannah thornveld. It is now part of the Greater Kruger National Park and there are no fences between them, so the game moves freely through this enormous natural reserve. This is one of South Africa’s most treasured natural sanctuaries. The Sabi Sand Reserve enjoys good quality viewing of leopard (the most elusive of predators), as well as elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a vast variety of antelope and other species. In fact, there are more than 330 tree species, 45 fish species, 30 amphibian species, 110 reptile species, 500 bird species and 145 mammal species, including the Big Five.
Upon arrival at your safari lodge you are given a welcome drink and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before afternoon High Tea followed by your first game drive. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators, particularly the leopard for which this area is renowned. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner. The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch.
There is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private verandah. After High Tea you set off on another evening game drive, returning again in time for dinner. On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive and will leave the lodge after brunch.
Spend time today at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. You can take a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, the limestone quarry and the old leper colony. You could also visit the Waterfront’s Two Oceans Aquarium, which is highly recommended for the insight it gives into life in the two oceans off the southern tip of Africa – the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean. The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s trendiest shopping precinct and is full of great restaurants and bars.
A tour guide takes you on a city tour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. You will visit the historic Castle and the Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and colourful mosques. You will also visit District Six, site of forced removals during the Apartheid era. You view the Houses of Parliament, the City Hall and the Slave Lodge and will enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens. Weather-permitting, you will ride the cable car up Table Mountain to enjoy the view over Cape Town and across Table Bay to Robben Island. If the weather is inclement, you will be taken on a scenic drive up Signal Hill.
Take a ride on a “hop-on-hop-off” topless tour bus. The “red route” takes you from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (the bus stops at The Two Oceans Aquarium and the Clock Tower), to Cape Town Tourism centre in downtown Cape Town, to the Castle of Good Hope, the museums and galleries in the City Bowl area, up to the Cable Car station at Table Mountain, over Kloof Nek to Camps Bay and then back to the V&A Waterfront, travelling through Green Point and past the famous soccer stadium.
The “Blue route” takes you from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (the bus stops at The Two Oceans Aquarium and the Clock Tower), to the Kirstenbosch Gardens, World of Birds, Constantia Winelands, Hout Bay Harbour, along the peninsula past Camps Bay back to the V&A Waterfront, travelling through Green Point and past the famous soccer stadium.
You are collected from your hotel by a tour guide or you can self-drive this route. You are taken on a drive along the Atlantic seaboard via glamorous Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay. We continue via the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point. Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives one an idea why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. We then follow the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you can visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach. We also visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is dedicated to the extraordinary variety of plants found in the Cape Floral Kingdom. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs will bring us back to the city bowl in the late afternoon.
Take a drive through the Cape Winelands, with its backdrop of majestic mountain ranges and lush valleys. You can stop for wine tastings at wineries and estates along the way and you will have the chance to purchase some of the wines you have tasted. You can visit Stellenbosch, the “town of oaks” and South Africa’s second oldest town. A scenic drive over the Helshoogte Pass (Hell’s Heights) takes you to the Franschhoek Valley.
French Huguenots settled in the Franschhoek Valley in the late seventeenth century, seeking refuge from religious persecution in Europe and bringing with them precious root-stock to establish the wine-growing industry in South Africa.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.
Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. A combination of tram and tram-bus transports passengers around a loop of stops allowing them to hop-off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards and when they are ready, hop-on to continue the tour. The tour takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley, complimentary wine tastings and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards.
The Blue Line visits the following estates: Mont Rochelle, La Couronne, Holden Manz, La Bourgogne, La Bri, Rickety Bridge and Grande Provence. The Red Line visits the following estates: Maison, Eikehof, Leopard's Leap, Dieu Donne, Chamonix, Rickety Bridge and Grande Provence.
There are a number of activities on offer here and you can enjoy whale watching, star gazing, interpretive marine walk, mountain biking and a guided bird and Fynbos walk. Explore the De Hoop Vlei and enjoy bird, game, otter and even porcupine sightings with our new eco cruise experience. A walking trail exploring coastal rock pools and sandy beaches while a qualified guide points out interesting marine life forms. Also a great way to experience the Southern Right Whales in the bay between June and December.
De Hoop Nature Reserve have a Spa located on the Reserve, they have partnered up with Africology, a brand which believes in the healing powers of nature. There are a variety of different Spa treatments available.
A wonderful walking experience with a qualified field guide focused on the identification and behaviour of the abundant birdlife found in De Hoop Nature Reserve, guided bird watching trails are very popular in the reserve.
In the evening, De Hoop Nature Reserve offer a unique experience under the African Sky. Experience the magnificent stars and constellations that the clear De Hoop night sky has to offer. Learn about the various star signs and other interesting facts about the sky.
There is so much to do in and around Plettenberg Bay:
Visit Beaches: There are three beaches to enjoy: Robberg, Central and Keurbooms
Dolphin Watching:
See the rare Humpback Dolphins found in only certain areas of the South African coastline. You will also see Bottlenose Dolphins and Common Dolphins. You will be taken to the Robberg Seal Colony where you will see around 5,000 seals in their natural environment. This eco adventure leaves from Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay with an exciting beach launch and heads east past the bird sanctuary and Keurbooms beach to Arch Rock. Here they usually encounter Bottlenose and the rare Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins as well as some shark species. From Arch Rock they head into the middle of the Bay where pelagic seabirds are normally to be found some 7km from the shore. Out there the resident Bryde’s whales may be seen, as well as Common Dolphins or Southern Right and Humpback whales during their season.
Visit Bramon Wine Estate: This Eastern-most wine estate in the country has recently won awards for its Cap Classique (champagne style) wines. It is a great place to stop for lunch, do a wine tasting and then enjoy mezze platters in the garden.
Visit Knysna: It is worth spending a day in Knysna, which is just half an hour’s drive from Plett. The Knysna lagoon is spectacular and you can take a ferry ride out to the large sandstone cliffs at the mouth to the lagoon. The ferry is run by the Featherbed Company and they have a kiosk at the entrance to the Knysna Waterfront.There are also some fine restaurants in Knysna and a microbrewery (Mitchell’s Brewery) which offers tours.
Enjoy an action-packed day full of the best animal-based adventure activities the Garden Route has to offer. Have an early breakfast and then start the day off with an exhilarating stroll through indigenous forest and Cape fynbos as you join the cheetahs of Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre on their daily walk. You then enjoy a guided safari through Monkeyland – the world’s largest freeroaming primate sanctuary, where previously caged primates can live in dignity.
Here you can expect to see many species of monkeys, apes and lemurs living in this forested sanctuary. Thereafter you work up an appetite as you wander through the world's largest freeflight aviary at Birds of Eden, which incorporates the indigenous forest with waterfalls and elevated walkways. Previously caged birds from every corner of the globe live here in free flight. You can then enjoy a light lunch under the vines at Bramon Wine Estate. Bramon is the only wine estate this far east of the Western Cape and has pioneered a superior Sauvignon Blanc champagne method sparkling wine.
We recommend you drive down the steep scenic pass to Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. Storms River Mouth is where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound against rocky shores, where temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, and where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines. Tsitsikamma means "the place of much water". In addition to protecting the indigenous forest, the park stretches some 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. Dolphins frolic in the breakers, surfing and playing for the sheer joy of life, and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed.
On a Canopy Tour, you will experience the wonders of the forest, suspended 30 metres up in the forest canopy. The Tree Top Canopy tour involves traversing from one platform high up in a yellowwood tree to another along a steel cable. Guides at each platform inform guests about the forest flora and fauna. This tour is suitable for all ages from 7 to 70.
The Ra-Ikane is a small luxury cruise boat that is out-fitted to suggest, in exquisite detail, an ambiance of a bygone era. This cruise boat is exclusive (14 guests only) and personalised - period decor, historic memorabilia, fine cuisine and refreshments offer a level of comfort and grace unsurpassed on the Zambezi. As afternoon fades into twilight, animals come down to the river to drink as you go by.
As you approach the Falls and hear the water pounding and witness the vapour rising, you quickly understand why local tribesman called the Falls “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (the smoke that thunders) and why the explorer David Livingstone exclaimed that a scene “so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. The great columns of spray rising from the tumultuous falls can be seen from 80 kilometres away on a clear day. If you are lucky enough to be there at full moon, a "moonbow" can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow. Because the Victoria Falls fall into a chasm, rather than falling down an escarpment, it is possible to walk along the opposite side of the chasm, at the same height as the top of the Falls. From the unique walking trails the magnificence and glory of the Falls are head on and only about 60 metres (200 feet) away. The spray falls on the trails like soft rain, feeding the lush vegetation.
The sheer magnitude of these magnificent animals will leave you awestruck! Black Rhino are highly endangered and rare however, with the increased population of these animals on our Private Game Reserve combined with our skilled guiding and tracking experts, there is a strong likelihood of encountering these animals.
They offer an opportunity to enjoy the natural flora and fauna abundant on the reserve including close contact with the rich variety of wildlife and bird-life. Our safaris are accompanied by highly knowledgeable and experienced guides who will take you on a journey where you can encounter the ‘Big 5’, the ‘Small 5’ and have the chance to track the elusive Black Rhino – one of the rarest large animals in the world, in its natural habitat.
Victoria Falls is the unchallenged adventure capital of Africa with more than 50 activities available. Here is our selection of the best:
Tiger fishing:
Spend a half day on the Zambezi River fishing for one of the great freshwater game fish - The Tigerfish. These powerful, swift predators are truly thrilling to catch.
Canoeing:
Paddle slowly down the Zambezi River in a canoe with some of the best wildlife guides in Africa and enjoy the beauty, peace and wildlife of this unique place. Explore islands and waterways and learn about the birds and animals you come across along the route.
Flight of Angels Helicopter Flip over the Falls:
At ground level you can feel the enormous power of the Victoria Falls as tremendous volumes of water pound into the chasm below. But it is only when you take to the air that you can take in the whole panorama and enormity of this mighty spectacle.
Bungi Jumping:
Bungi jump off the 111 metre high railway bridge into the Zambezi gorge, stopping just metres from the rushing water of the Zambezi River. This is a wild jump! There are two bungi options: A single jump on your own or a tandem jump with a partner.
White Water Rafting:
White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River is acclaimed as the best one day white water rafting trip available in the world. There are different options for rafting depending on the time of year and the level of water in the river.
Jet Boat Extreme:
Speedboats powered by huge jet engines shoot down the rapids below the Victoria Falls at 100 km an hour. Enjoy a thrilling half hour spent “flying” over the water.