4 nights Cape Town | 2 nights Franschhoek | 3 nights Timbavati
Overview
Tom and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the work you did organising the holiday of a lifetime. Every step of the way was so wonderful and special. We can really put into words how grateful we are to you. Every single accommodation was incredible. The staff at Winchester were incredibly friendly and accommodating and the breakfast was exquisite – in particular we liked the prosecco with breakfast for making Buck’s Fizz. They also provided complimentary prosecco on arrived. The owner’s suite at Le Balloon Rouge was beautiful, we spent both nights enjoying the hot tub with incredible views. Reubens was a beautiful restaurant too.
Simbavati was absolute luxury too. The sheer amount we were given to eat was worth double the price, and it was great being assigned our own ‘butler’ and driver/tracker. Thabo and Bongs (tracker and driver) were in particular a great asset to the trip and it was wonderful eating dinner with them at the two barbecues the lodge held while we were there. It’s also a great touch that Thabo brought along a huge cask of drinks for stopping at sunset.
We honestly were not expecting to make friends at the safari lodge but we did. Bongi on reception also set up a beautiful table for a private honeymoon meal with prosecco and decorations for a stunning three course meal. The lodge was like a wonderful welcoming community and we felt tearful when we left. Shante also was our tour guide for both the Cape Point tour and the winelands tour and we really enjoyed it with her. She made the time so fun.
Upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met in the arrivals hall by our representative from Paradise Tours. He will hand over your travel packs and transfer you to the Winchester Mansions, where you spend 4 nights. The afternoon is at leisure and you can enjoy a sunset stroll along the promenade or sundowners overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Over the next few days, you can explore the vibrant city of Cape Town. Included in your itinerary are Hop on Hop off Topless Bus tickets and a Full Day Cape Point Tour. Explore the Mother City and the Fairest Cape – from the oldest buildings in South Africa to trendy waterfront shopping; from majestic Table Mountain to sun drenched beaches; and from dramatic seascapes to verdant vineyards.
Cape Town regularly tops many lists of world must-visit destinations and Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain has recently been voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Cosmopolitan and fashionable, the relaxed atmosphere and pavement café culture give Cape Town a Southern European feel – but with a distinctive African twist.
This morning, you check out of the hotel and your guide will meet you in reception at 09h00 for your Full Day Winelands tour. You spend the day in the Winelands region of Stellenbosch, Paarl & Franschhoek for a leisurely exploration of these historic Wine Route towns. After this tour, you will be dropped off at your guesthouse in Franschhoek, where you spend 2 nights.
Today your are booked on the Wine Tram in Franschhoek. 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.
Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine. Here breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories. Spectacular vineyards cover these mountain slopes settled more than 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. This is a valley rich in history, centred around a picturesque village of friendly, welcoming people.
Today is a very early start. Your driver will meet you in reception at 04h00 for your transfer to Cape Town Airport. You fly to Johannesburg and then connect with your flight to Hoedspruit. On arrival, you are met at the airport by your driver and transferred by road to the Timbavati Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. You have time to settle in at your lodge before you set off on the afternoon game drive in the Timbavati.
The Timbavati forms part of the 2 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. The Timbavati is also home to the world-famous “White Lions of Timbavati”.
After your morning game drive, you enjoy a hearty breakfast and check out. You bid farewell to this African wonderland and will then meet your driver in reception for your transfer to Hoedspruit Airport. You fly to OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and connect with your evening flight home.
