The Experience
Journey across South Africa’s brilliant landscape, exploring historic Johannesburg, embarking on game drives in the Karongwe and Ngala Game Reserves, and taking in the stunning coastal scenery of Cape Town.
Day 1: ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Arrive in the city of Johannesburg, where you are met and transferred to your boutique hotel with excellent views. Enjoy a day at leisure before you gather tonight for a welcome dinner.
Tintswalo at Waterfall | Meals: D
Day 2: JOHANNESBURG / Pretoria
This morning, travel to historic Pretoria, dubbed the Jacaranda City, for its tree-lined streets. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, a striking memorial built to honor the early pioneers, before exploring Church Square and the imposing Union Building with its impressive city views. Have lunch in Soweto, a sprawling two-million strong city within a city,, before your guide takes you past the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,™s and Nelson Mandela,™s former homes. Mandela,™s home has since been converted into a museum, while the Tutu house is still occupied by the archbishop,™s family. Your evening is at leisure.
Tintswalo at Waterfall | Meals: B L
Day 3: KARONGWE GAME RESERVE / Pristine Bushveld
Today, travel overland on a scenic route over the Drakensberg Mountain range, the highest in Southern Africa. Stop in the lovely village of Dullstroom before lunch in Hazyview. Arrive by late afternoon at your lodge on the Karongwe Game Reserve, the Drakensberg Mountain Range serving as a magnificent backdrop.
Shiduli Private Game Lodge | Meals: B L D
Day 4: KARONGWE GAME RESERVE / Africa,™s Big Five,
Enjoy a full day of game viewing on the Karongwe Game Reserve, which traverses over 22,000 acres of supreme African bushveld. Home to the Big Five, (lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and elephants) as well as a wealth of other creatures, the reserve offers abundant photographic opportunities. Set out on an open-vehicle game drive with an expert game ranger and Shangaan tracker, for a chance to view cheetahs on foot. Take in the view of the lowveld from a kopje (rock outcropping) amid the lush vegetation, huge variety of trees and hundreds of bird species.
Shiduli Private Game Lodge | Meals: B L D
Day 5: KARONGWE GAME RESERVE / Panorama Route
Today, explore the Panorama Route, a picturesque drive that winds around the escarpment and delivers exceptional views. Visit the historic village of Pilgrim,™s Rest, a national monument offering a window into South Africa,™s early gold rush days. Weather permitting, stop next at God,™s Window in Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Marvel at the astonishing views of the lowveld and majestic cliffs that plunge down some 2,300 feet; on a clear day, you can see over Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains. Later, explore the natural phenomenon of Bourke,™s Luck Potholes.
Shiduli Private Game Lodge | Meals: B L D
Days 6-7: TIMBAVATI / Ngala Private Game Reserve
Travel to the Ngala Private Game Reserve and your romantic, colonial-style lodge, tucked under a dense canopy of tamboti trees on the Ngala Private Game Reserve. For the next two days, enjoy your choice of game viewing activities. Uniquely situated on the boundary of the renowned Kruger National Park, this private game reserve is known for its high populations of elephants, buffalo and rhinos, as well as for its African wild dogs, an endangered species. Several prides of lion also call this reserve home. During your stay, enjoy a fantastic opportunity to forge a Neighborhood Connection twith the local Welverdiend community when you visit its crèches (nurseries) and schools.
Ngala Safari Lodge | Meals: B L D
Day 8: CAPE TOWN / Jewel Along the Sea
After breakfast, drive to Hoedspruit and then fly to Cape Town, where you are met by an A&K representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to relax at your hotel or begin exploring nearby attractions; the city center and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront are a short drive away.
Vineyard Hotel & Spa | Meals: B D
Day 9: CAPE TOWN / Rise of the Rainbow Nation
Discover the legacy of South Africa,™s troubled history and learn how the nation transcended the blight of apartheid to embrace a new spirit of freedom and equality. Begin with a tour of infamous Robben Island, the prison where many anti-apartheid activists were confined, including Nelson Mandela, whose prison cell you visit. Weather permitting, ascend by cable car to the slopes of Table Mountain for magnificent summit views. This afternoon, take in the sites of historic Cape Town, such as the Company Gardens, the National Art Gallery and the National Library. Stop at the Castle of Good Hope for more insight into South Africa,™s history, with a visit to the castle,™s notorious dungeon.
Vineyard Hotel & Spa | Meals: B L
Day 10: CAPE TOWN / Scenic Cape Point
Drive along the Atlantic coast to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the end of the Cape Peninsula. Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular up to the lighthouse for spectacular views out over the cape. Southern right whales can be seen breaching the water in spring and early summer. Continue to Boulders for a look at its famous colony of African penguins, an irresistible photo opportunity. End your day,™s sightseeing at the quaint finishing hamlet of Kalk Bay.
Vineyard Hotel & Spa | Meals: B L
Day 11: CAPE TOWN / The Winelands
South Africa produces some of the finest wines in the world, and today,™s sojourn in Constantia Valley makes for a superb Culinary Connection. Enjoy guided visits and tastings at several estates, including Silvermist, Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia; the latter is the oldest wine estate in South Africa, having begun in 1685. Continue to Kirstenbosch to walk among its extraordinary gardens stocked with a variety of plants endemic to South Africa. Return to your hotel tonight for a farewell dinner with your fellow guests.
Vineyard Hotel & Spa | Meals: B L D
Day 12: DEPART CAPE TOWN
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals: B