Activities

DAY 1 : CAPE TOWN

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, guests will be welcomed and transferred to their overnight accommodation. Affectionately nicknamed South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, Cape Town has much to offer visitors of various persuasions. Some time for relaxation is followed by a sunset champagne cruise in Table Bay. The cruise offers spectacular sunsets at sea, with the mass of Table Mountain towering over the city of Cape Town as a backdrop. The cruise also affords unsurpassed views of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a significant part of his 27-year sentence. Upon completion of the cruise, guests are accompanied back to their hotel.

DAY 2 : CAPE TOWN

This morning of your Cape Town tour is devoted to a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain . The main feature of this mountain is a level plateau of 3km, bordered to the east by Devil's Peak and to the west by Lion's Head. Table Mountain is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the world. The cable car ride, which lasts about 5 minutes, offers exceptional views of the city of Cape Town. Upon reaching the summit, you may devote some time to visiting the different viewpoints, from which spectacular views of the Cape Peninsula may be enjoyed.

From Table Mountain, the tour makes its way to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens . The gardens cover an area of 528 hectares, with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. These gardens are a celebration of South African flora, showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds. The gardens are home to a great diversity of indigenous birds, and some incredible views of Cape Town and the surrounding mountains may be enjoyed from the upper slopes. Following the Kirstenbosch visit, guests are returned to the hotel.

DAY 3 : CAPE TOWN

Traveling along the N1 highway, the tour makes its way to Paarl. A visit is made to one of the notable wineries in this spectacular valley. Here the wine making process is explained and guests may also sample some of the wines produced here. The wine tour includes an explanation of the aging process during the production of these wines.

The tour then travels to the town of Franschhoek , which was established by the first French settlers in South Africa. The town is set amongst rugged mountains and surrounded by wineries where some of South Africa's finest wines are produced. We pay a short visit to one of the wineries in the Franschhoek Valley, before traveling on to Stellenbosch via the imposing Helshoogte Pass. Stellenbosch, with its oak-lined streets, is the second oldest town in South Africa and is considered the heart of the South African wine industry. A visit to one of the historic wineries in the Stellenbosch district is followed by a return journey to Cape Town.

DAY 4 : SABI SAND

Breakfast is followed by a transfer to Cape Town Airport for a flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport in the Lowveld, where guests are met and transferred for their safari in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve . The reserve borders the Kruger National Park and is home to many of the finest safari lodges in South Africa. Time for a late lunch and some relaxation is followed by a first afternoon safari. The game drive is conducted by a resident ranger and supported by a local tracker. Their intimate experience and knowledge of the behavior and habits of the different species in the area contribute to the success of sightings and make the safari very informative and interesting.

DAY 5 : SABI SAND

Sunrise and hot coffee or tea precede a safari led by your Lion Sands ranger. The highlight of the morning drive will be the chance to observe members of the Big Five in close proximity. Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino all grace this wilderness area and the frequency of sightings is unparalleled. Even the leopard, which is the most elusive of Africa's predators, is spotted almost on a daily basis. The safari then returns to camp for a scrumptious breakfast before allotting guests some time for relaxation. The afternoon safari stretches into the evening. Large predators are at their most active during the late afternoon and early evening and the possibility of sighting one of the large cats going for the kill is sure to make for interesting campfire conversation.

DAY 6 : SABI SAND

The ever-changing moods of this land will capture your soul as the day is once again devoted to two open 4x4 safaris, conducted by an experienced ranger and tracker in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Sabi Sand is home to no fewer than 330 tree species, 45 fish species, 30 amphibian species, 110 reptile species, 500 bird species and an incredible 145 species of mammal. The wildlife sightings in the Sabi Sand are amongst the finest in Africa and it is especially notable that this private reserve offers the greatest frequency of leopard sightings on the African continent.

DAY 7 : DEPARTURE

A last morning game drive is followed by breakfast, after which guests are transferred to a local airstrip for a flight to Johannesburg where an unforgettable Cape Town tour and Sabi Sand safari experience comes to an end.