Effortless South Africa & Beyond

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Effortless South Africa & Beyond

Cape Town - Kruger Private Reserves - Johannesburg - Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
11 Days / 10 Nights
0 Persons
Date of Issue: October 23, 2015

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Overview

Explore Southern Africa effortlessly. This package includes stays in Cape Town, a safari and a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls.

Destination / Accommodation / Nights / Basis / Room Type
Cape Town / Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel / 4 / B&B
Kruger Private Reserves / Thornybush Waterside Lodge / 3 / FI
Johannesburg / Sandton Sun / 1 / B&B
Livingstone (Victoria Falls) / AVANI Victoria Falls Resort / 2 / B&B

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

Day 1Southern Sun Cullinan 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 Cape Town, you will be met for your transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel View iBrochure

Boasting a total of 394 rooms, each befitted with a host of amenities such as direct-dial phones, free WiFi, tea and coffee stations, electronic safes, en-suite facilities and supremely comfortable double or queen beds. Additional touches such as porter service, 24-hour room service and a wake-up service ensure that you sleep even more deeply each night, while beautiful furnishings and décor are a treat for the rest of your senses too.

As for the hotel itself, you can expect to be treated like royalty throughout your stay. Take a dip in our large outdoor pool, relax on the spacious deck, work up a sweat in our fully-equipped fitness centre, savour delicious food and fine wine at our outstanding dining options such as The Star Bar and Terrace and The Peach Tree Restaurant. Conferencing facilities, loyalty specials and many other perks also await as a guest at the hotel.

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 2Southern Sun Cullinan 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 harbor still has the charm of days gone by. A chance to join the M.V "Circe" for a half hour cruise to "Seal Island" 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.

Activities

Hout Bay
Cape Point Tour Full Day
At Leisure
Chapman's Peak
Cape Point Nature Reserve
Simonstown
Boulders Penguin Colony
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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 Tour Full Day

Highlights of a trip down to Cape Point include; one of the world’s most spectacular drives, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Beach, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, two lighthouses on the tip of Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony, Simonstown, Kalk Bay and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Chapman's Peak

Chapman’s Peak Drive winds it way between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world. The 9km route, with its 114 curves, skirts the rocky coastline of Chapman's Peak. The drive offers stunning 180° views with many areas along the route where you can stop and take in the scenery or sit down for a relaxing picnic.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape Point lies at the south-western tip of Africa and offers great views, a restaurant and a funicular which takes you up to the old lighthouse. The spectacular scenery coupled with zebras, baboons, deserted beaches and plenty of fynbos to make this one of the Cape’s must see destinations.

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.

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.

Included

Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Simonstown, Boulders Penguin Colony, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Bed & Breakfast

Day 3Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town

Day Notes

After breakfast your local English speaking driver-guide will meet you at the hotel for a tour of the Cape wine region. We will depart from the hotel and head north to Paarl. Our first stop is for our morning wine tasting at Nelsons Creek Estate. After a tour through their cellars, there is a chance to sample some of their local wines as well as a cheese tasting. A brief city tour of Paarl follows, before we make our way to Franschhoek with a photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. This little village nestled amongst the mountains, can easily be mistaken for a little Switzerland. After a short tour of the town, a second wine tasting will be enjoyed in Franschhoek followed by a lunch stop and perhaps a chance to savor some of the fresh trout for which Franschhoek is renowned. After lunch the tour continues to the university town of Stellenbosch. It is easy to understand why Simon van der Stel decided to settle a village amongst the mountains. The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads and the oak lined streets and lanes all blend in to give this place a charm that will not be quickly forgotten. Time permitting we will include a third and final wine tasting. Then we set off for our return to the Mother City.

Activities

Paarl
Cape Winelands Day Tour
LunchFranschhoek
At Leisure
Franschhoek

Paarl

Paarl was named after the huge granite dome of rock, which overlooks the town founded in 1690. The famous 11km long Main Street features the Strooidak Church, Die Oude Pastorie Museum and the Patriot Building. The beautiful homestead of Labories in Main Street was bought by KWV. The KWV cellar complex is the largest in the world, covering an area of 22 hectares. The magnificent Cathedral Cellar, with its barrel-vaulted roof and large carved red wine vats is spectacular and depicts the history of the Cape’s wine industry.

Cape Winelands Day Tour

From Cape Town make your way out into the picturesque winelands visiting South Africa’s most famous wine regions – Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch. Aside from the excellent wines the area is renowned for its food and is steeped in history such as the Taal monument, various museums and the contribution of the French Huguenots. There are also many attractions you wouldn’t expect to find on a wine route, from butterflies to cheetahs and pretty much everything in between.

Franschhoek

A quaint wine farming town with a quiet but buzzing main road which is, in most years, home to 2 or 3 of the country's top 10 restaurants.

Included

Paarl, Franschhoek
Bed & Breakfast

Day 4Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town

Day Notes

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. Perhaps take time to explore the vibrant V&A Waterfront with its many shops, restaurants and activities available as well as the fascinating Two Oceans Aquarium. In the summer months maybe head for the white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay for people watching and soaking up the African Sun. Whatever else, you will not be at a loss for things to do!

Activities

Full Day at Leisure
At Leisure

A trip up Table Mountain is quite rightly one of the first things a tourist wants to do when arriving in Cape Town. Once on the top, a 1000m above the city below, you are rewarded with spectacular 360 views. Take your time and enjoy this unique environment, go for a walk or have a bit to eat at the restaurant with arguably one of the best views possible.

Robben Island

An icon of struggle, freedom and hope made famous by Nelson Mandela's imprisonment here.

V&A Waterfront

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the V&A Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments. The Waterfront is the heart of the tourist industry in Cape Town.

Two Oceans Aquarium

The Two Oceans Aquarium is home to more than 3000 marine animals including sharks, fishes, turtles, and penguins.

Clifton Beach

A series of four idyllic beaches separated by massive granite boulders. Clifton is protected from the wind by the mountains and is the best place to be when the Cape's notorious South Easter is blowing.

Included

Bed & Breakfast

Day 5Thornybush Waterside Lodge, Kruger Private Reserves

All along the world renowned Kruger National Park’s western boundary are private game reserves which combine with the Kruger to create one of the world’s largest game reserves and a truly remarkable destination. These reserves offer excellent game viewing opportunities together with the advantages of smaller, hosted accommodation and game drives. A trip to the Kruger is an unforgettable and potentially life changing experience.

Day Notes

After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Cape Town International Airport. On arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge in the Thornybush Game Reserve, which lies adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park. Here you will enjoy the next few days experiencing exclusive safari adventures in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species including the "Big Five". Being predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year round climate, it is the ideal African safari holiday destination in the lap of luxury.

Overnight: Thornybush Waterside Lodge View iBrochure

Set on the banks of the tranquil lake, encompassed by breath-taking views of the African bushveld, Thornybush Waterside Lodge affords instant relaxation, a journey of unsurpassed indulgence. Highly skilled rangers and trackers ensure big five viewing opportunities during dawn and dusk safaris, whilst bushwalks are for the more adventurous. A meander into the Kingdom of the Wild, a thrilling brush with nature and an up-close and personal encounter with mother earth.

Guests are invited to relax and take in the African surrounds after breakfast on the main deck area overlooking the lake, the swimming pool or retreat to the comfort of your Suite.

The Lodge's 20 comfortably appointed air-conditioned thatch Suites blend into the natural habitat and are located along pathways surrounded by an abundance of trees and manicured gardens.

Included

Fully Inclusive

Day 6Thornybush Waterside Lodge, Kruger Private Reserves

Day Notes

Enjoy morning and late afternoon game safaris in the African bush with experienced game rangers and Shangaan trackers. Game drives are undertaken at the best times of the day to avoid the harsh African sun whilst the rest of your day may be enjoyed at leisure at the lodge. From hearty breakfasts to gourmet dinners and enthralling game safaris, you are sure to be tantalized during your stay.

Activities

09:00Early Morning Game Drive
14:00Late Afternoon Game Drive

Included

Fully Inclusive

Day 7Thornybush Waterside Lodge, Kruger Private Reserves

Day Notes

Enjoy game drives from the lodge, walking safaris or simply relax in luxury in the heart of the African bush.

Activities

Early Morning Game Drive
Late Afternoon Game Drive
Walking Safari

Included

Fully Inclusive

Day 8Sandton Sun, Johannesburg

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day Notes

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, transfer to Hoedspruit Airport.

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel set in the heart of Sandton, a shoppers paradise with an array of boutique shops, bars, and restaurants in the Sandton Shopping Centre and Nelson Mandela Square.

Activities

Early Morning Game Drive
At Leisure

Sandton City Shopping

Imagine a place where the likes of Jenni Button and Louis Vuitton, Carrol Boyes and Apple showcase their very best ranges, a place where you can sip on the world’s finest coffee or enjoy a French croissant or a slice of local milk tart – all under one roof.

If you can imagine it, then you’ve pictured Sandton City, one of Africa’s leading and most prestigious shopping centers. Sandton City offers an unparalleled shopping experience that combines the world’s most desirable brands with everyday leisure and entertainment.

Situated in the prestigious Sandton Central Management District in Northern Johannesburg, Sandton City is conveniently located within walking distance of the Sandton Gautrain station and within easy access from highways and main roads within Sandton CBD.

With close to 300 leading local and international retailers, Sandton City is a one-of-a-kind premier fashion and leisure destination. It’s an energetic hub of Afro-cosmopolitan glamour - international shopping with South African flair.

Effortless South Africa & Beyond