The Ultimate Family Safari

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The Ultimate Family Safari

Cape Town - Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
9 Days / 8 Nights
Date of Issue: March 17, 2016

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Overview

This package is perfect for families that would like to experience the best South Africa has to offer...

Destination / Accommodation / Nights / Basis / Room Type
Cape Town / Table Bay Hotel / 3 / B&B
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve / Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge / 3 / FB+

Key
RO: Room only
SC: Self Catering
HB: Half Board
B&B: Bed and breakfast
D, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast
FB: Dinner, bed, breakfast and lunch
FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily
FI: Fully inclusive

Included

Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington(IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport
Domestic coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Cape Town – Skukuza - Johannesburg)
Accommodation as per the itinerary
Most meals as per the itinerary (7x breakfast, 3x lunches, 3x dinners)
Ground transfers as per the itinerary
Scheduled Cape Peninsula Tour; All park fees and safari activities

Excluded

Add on air from other US cities
Any meals or services not mentioned above
Entrance fees on Cape Peninsula tour to Boulders penguins, Seal Island cruise
Any items of personal expense - i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc
Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers

Day 1:Travelling

Depart from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) for your South African Airways flight to South Africa.

Day 2Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to Cape Town to enjoy this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laidback lifestyle. Whether you are a serious tourist or just want to lie on the beach and enjoy life, Cape Town will satisfy your needs.

Day Notes

On arrival in Johannesburg you will connect onwards for your 2 hour flight on South African Airways to Cape Town.

Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will be met and transferred to the Table Bay Hotel conveniently located at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Built around an actual working harbor, the V & A Waterfront offers a number of activities for all the family to enjoy.

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Table Bay Hotel

Overnight: Table Bay Hotel View iBrochure

Set on the historic waterfront, a hotel has been created that is not only a tribute to this world-famous bay, but which also sets its own standards in international service, cuisine and luxury. The Table Bay Hotel is magnificent, straddling the antique breakwater with a style that is both innovative and entirely in keeping with its surroundings. Its contemporary architectural treasure, its design and execution are the result of trans-continental co-operation.
Each room either overlooks the bay to Robben Island Prison, home of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela for the greatest part of his 27 years of political incarceration, or across the harbour and the city to Table Mountain. The hotel was opened with much fanfare in May 1997 by President Nelson Mandela himself.
The Table Bay Hotel has a total of 329 fully air-conditioned rooms which include luxury rooms, superior luxury rooms and suites. The rooms have luxurious walk-in cupboards, marble finishes and writing desks and each is equipped with a butler station, honour bar and computerised safe. In-room dining is offered 24 hours. Rooms are turned down at night and serviced twice daily.
Bathrooms have separate showers and baths. Vanities include a personal hidden dryer and a full range of internationally acclaimed cosmetics and toiletries. There are make-up mirrors and Mediterranean-style bathrobes and slippers.
Between Robben Island and Table Mountain, you’ll discover the famed Table Bay Hotel. Cosmopolitan, gracious and relaxed, The Table Bay is the sum of all that is good about Cape Town. The rooms are inviting and represent the epitome of luxury and comfort. Exceed expectations at this 5 star hotel in South Africa - from the stylish writing desks, to the expansive windows, take in a scene of the harbour or the Atlantic Ocean.

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 3Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town

Day Notes

After breakfast you will be met by your local English speaking driver-guide for your full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Depart the hotel and flank the colder Atlantic Ocean en route to Hout Bay. Once a fishing community and now one of the most popular residential areas, the harbour still has a charm of days gone by. A chance to join the M.V "Circe" for a half hour cruise to "Seal Island" (at an additional cost) or for the not so adventurous, the fish market "Mariners Wharf" is a must. The tour now continues over the famous Chapman’s Peak drive – if open, with a 200 meter drop on one side and a 200 meter rise on the other, as we make our way south, following the Atlantic Ocean until we reach Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Said to be the romantic meeting place of the two mighty oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, Sir Francis Drake the Explorer once called it "the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe". And rightly so, it must be the highlight of any visit to the Mother City, if not South Africa. Our optional lunch stop today is at the Fish Hoek Galley. We pass the naval base of Simonstown as we continue along the Indian Ocean, en route to see the Jackass penguin colony which has become well established at Boulders Beach near Simonstown. Our last stop of the day is at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home of some 3 500 species of Southern African fauna and flora. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon, having seen some of the best the Cape has to offer.

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Table Bay Hotel

Activities

Hout Bay
Cape Point
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Optional

Boulders Penguin Colony

Hout Bay

The originally small fishing village of Hout Bay is now a popular suburb of Cape Town. Over and above being a lovely family beach, it has many tourist attractions which include the World of Birds, a township tour to the vibrant Imizamo Yethu, arts and crafts, boat rides out to Seal Island and some great, casual restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Cape Point

This is the real Cape Point, the southern most point on the peninsula. Cape Point is a spectacular sight, covered in endemic fynbos and home to breathtaking bays, beaches and rolling green hills and valleys, just 60km outside of Cape Town. Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora. Cape Point is open daily and is a must-see.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

On the lower slopes of Table Mountain, the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens showcases some of the Cape’s rich flora. Taking centre stage here is the unique ‘fynbos’ vegetation. Those who work up an appetite while exploring this garden paradise can visit the restaurant or tea room, which are fully stocked with delicious meals, yummy treats and refreshing beverages. In summer, Sunday music concerts provide sunset entertainment. Kirstenbosch is rated as the seventh best of its kind in the world.

Boulders Penguin Colony

The Boulders Visitor Centre is home to the famous colony of Jackass Penguins, so called for their hilarious braying call. This is a truly special experience and Table Mountain National Park staff are knowledgeable and offer guided tours. After you have fallen in love with the penguins head to the secluded Boulders Beach and take a swim in the comparatively warm waters of the False Bay.

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 4Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town

Day Notes

After breakfast enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the beautiful city of Cape Town. Maybe take a trip in the cable car up Table Mountain or a boat ride for a poignant visit to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years. In the summer months, maybe head for the white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Whatever else, you will not be at a loss for fun filled things for a family to enjoy!

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Table Bay Hotel

Without a doubt it is Table Mountain that makes Cape Town the unique city it is. Rising up over 1000m above sea level, it is the icon that makes Cape Town instantly recognizable. It is a symbol, a playground, a spiritual retreat and a big draw card for tourists. So intertwined with the identity of Cape Town is Table Mountain that a visit to the city isn’t complete without having walked or taken the cable car to the top.

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 5Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

The Sabi Sands is South Africa's premier private game viewing destination. It was here that the southern African safari began and today this famous reserve offers exceptional game viewing and equally exceptional accommodations. Two perennial rivers, the Sabi and the Sand flow through this Game Park, sustaining the diverse fauna and flora of the area.

The success of leopard viewing within the Sabi Sands is legendary. Elephants, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a vast variety of antelope and other species can be closely observed in their natural environment.

Day Notes

After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Skukuza where you will be met and transferred to Sabi Sabi.

Overnight on a fully inclusive basis at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Overnight: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge View iBrochure

Deep in the bushveld overlooking a waterhole and an open plain, lies a lodge that pulses to the rhythm of Africa’s heartbeat. Bush Lodge has earned a reputation of a “luxury home in the bush”, service excellence, personalised attention and offers an unrivalled 5-Star family safari.

Each stunning air-conditioned suite features sumptuous linens and fabrics, beautiful leather and wood furnishings, and an en-suite glass fronted bathroom with indoor and al-fresco shower leading onto a private patio.

Families with children of all ages are welcome and well-catered for at Bush Lodge and at the EleFun Centre where fun and games with trained caregivers are aimed at nurturing a deeper understanding and love for the surrounding bush.

There is ample space to relax, unwind and savour the tranquility of the bush. The two swimming pools and enormous covered viewing decks overhanging the Msuthlu riverbed are an invitation to cool off in the filtered water or sit in comfort while spotting game at the nearby pan. An exquisitely furnished lounge, atrium and intimate bar area are perfect meeting places for friends old and new. As an extra indulgence, the Amani Spa at Bush Lodge offers the ultimate African spa experience.

Sabi Sabi is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife - including over 200 mammal and 300 bird species. Morning and evening safaris are enjoyed in open safari vehicles where close encounters with the Big 5 are a regular occurrence.

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 6Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

Day Notes

Families with children have always been welcomed at Sabi Sabi's Bush Lodge. Now the family experience reaches a new level with the opening of the EleFun Centre, a fully fledged children's facility within the lodge environs which fosters children's awareness and appreciation of nature.

The Elefun Centre will be filled with learning opportunities which all of Sabi Sabi's young visitors will have the chance to experience. Age-appropriate bushveld themed activities and 'edutainment' are designed and supervised by qualified staff, and will include interesting bushcraft subjects - animals, bugs and birds, tracking, map-reading - a long list of environmentally sensitive subjects that every child will find fascinating.

Sabi Sabi epitomises Africa's magic. With no fences between the reserve and the Kruger Park, big game abounds, moving freely through this unspoiled part of the ancient African continent. The Reserve is blessed with a great biodiversity of habitat and wildlife giving an excellent chance of close encounters with the 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as wild dog and cheetah. With over 300 bird species, the reserve is a birdwatcher's delight.

Overnight on a fully inclusive basis at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 7Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

Day Notes

Spend another day in Africa's bush

Safaris take place each morning and evening in open Land Rovers which drive through a wide variety of habitats, allowing visitors to view the vast interactions of the wild. After breakfast, guests on guided walking trails can experience the natural environment on foot. The dedicated, highly trained and experienced Rangers lead you to discover miracles of nature you may never have dreamed existed.

Overnight on a fully inclusive basis at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 8Departure

Day Notes

After breakfast and an early game drive you will be transferred to Skukuza Airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg and onwards connection to the United States.

Day 9:Travelling

Arrival in the United States at New York JFK or Washington Dulles airports.

Transport

Flight Information

Date / Flight / Departure Airport / Time / Arrival Airport / Time / Class / Ref
JFK International Airport [JFK] / OR Tambo International Airport [JNB]
OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] / Cape Town International Airport [CPT]
Cape Town International Airport [CPT] / Skukuza Airport
Skukuza Airport / OR Tambo International Airport [JNB]
OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] / JFK International Airport [JFK]

Transfers

Date / Pick Up / Drop Off / Time / Vehicle
Cape Town International Airport [CPT] / Table Bay Hotel
Table Bay Hotel / Cape Town International Airport [CPT]
Skukuza Airport / Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge / Skukuza Airport

Travel Information

While wildlife safaris are reason enough to visit this exquisite country, South Africa offers even more to see and do. For one, the city of Cape Town is a jewel that is well worth visiting. Set against the iconic Table Mountain, C.T. offers lots to explore, including the V&A Waterfront, Chapman’s Peak, Boulders Penguin Colony and several beautiful beaches — just to give you an idea. Not to mention the delicious food and fabulous shopping, which can all be enjoyed at a favorable exchange rate.

One of the biggest attractions in the Western Cape is the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek . Boasting some of the best wine tours in the world, they offer picturesque vineyards, fantastic art galleries and gourmet food.

Furthermore, South Africans are some of the most upbeat, welcoming and humorous people you’ll ever encounter. You will be exposed to different cultures, languages and traditions that will certainly enhance your experience.

With so much diversity, South Africa has something for everyone to enjoy!

Visa Regulations and Guidance

As for all international travel, the visitor to South Africa is required to be in possession of a valid passport. U.S. citizens (US passport holders) traveling to the Republic of South Africa for 90 days or less for tourism or business purposes do not need visas. U.S. green card holders (non-US passport holders) require visas to visit South Africa. Nationals of other countries must check the list of visa exempt countries to see if they need to apply for visas.

Please note that all foreigners who wish to visit South Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after his/her intended return date. The passport must have a minimum of four blank (unstamped) visa pages in the passport to enter the country. It is preferred these are facing pages. Your international carrier can deny boarding if you do not have the blank (unstamped) visa pages. Travellers should make sure there are sufficient pages for visas and immigration stamps to enter into South Africa and other countries to be visited. These blank pages cannot be endorsement or amendment pages.

As a general precaution, all travellers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their passport and keep it in a location separate from their passport.

Banking and Currency

Currency

South Africa's currency is the Rand, which offers visitors great value for their money. The rand comes in a range of coins (R1 = 100 cents) and note denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100. With the exchange rate in your favor, you'll find South Africa offers great value.

The Ultimate Family Safari