Spectacular South Africa

Welcome to Cape Town, the crown jewel of the African continent, with its spectacular scenery, exotic cultures and delicious flavours. On arrival at Cape Town International, transfer to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, nestled between Table mountain and Twelve Apostles mountain range, offering amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. This evening join your Travelling Concierge and travel companions for a dazzling Welcome Dinner, hosted at the hotel’s Azure restaurant. Enjoy expansive ocean views from the terrace as you experience fine dining of modern South African cuisine infused with international influences. Inspired by the ocean, the menu boasts an array of dishes prepared with seasonally organic ingredients.

Embark on one of the world's most legendary drives, journeying from the hotel through the fishing village of Hout Bay. Winding along Chapman's Peak, continue past colourful Kalk Bay later in the afternoon, when we return to the other side of the Peninsula for lunch. to the majestic Cape Point Nature Reserve, one of the world's most pristine wildernesses. Stroll along the trails and keep an eye out for reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. Explore Boulders Beach and learn about the local residents, a colony of African penguins. You're invited to an exquisite lunch with wine at the Harbour House restaurant in Kalk Bay. Admire views overlooking False Bay and the Hottentots Mountain Range. Take in beautiful views of the ocean and mountains, as you travel to your hotel overlooking the Atlantic. See the cosmopolitan suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay before returning to your hotel. Your Travelling Concierge is a treasure trove of local knowledge and will happily make dinner reservations on your behalf at recommended restaurants.

Known for being one of Africa’s most desirable and vibrant cities, Cape Town is yours to explore. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to join a Local Expert for a visit of trendy The Old Biscuit Mill, a vibrant market and creative hub in the city. Meet some of the vendors, browse the stalls and sample culinary delights. Alternatively, visit the District Six Museum, a memorial dedicated to the area destroyed during the Apartheid era and the 60,000 inhabitants who were forced to relocate. In the afternoon, join your Travelling Concierge and travel to the base of Table Mountain, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city from the famous cable car, before stepping off onto the summit just in time for a spectacular African Sunset, should weather permit. This evening, venture to a nearby restaurant for an opulent culinary journey, accented by daring decor and whispers of history.

World famous for crisp white and French-style red wines, the fertile wine valleys of the Cape are also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Travel into the heart of the winelands, starting in historic Paarl and Stellenbosch and on to the beautiful town of Franschhoek, founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. These very settlers produced the fine wines once sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and royalty such as Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. Start at the Vergelegen Estate and appreciate the Cape Dutch architecture of the manor house. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to indulge in a wine tasting, followed by a walk through the gardens. Alternatively, get on a bike and explore one of the nearby vineyards with a guide. Continue on to the Boschendal Wine Estate, one of the oldest farms in the country, for a delicious seasonal Farm-to-Table lunch served at The Werf Restaurant, located in the beautifully revamped cellar of The Manor House. Guided by the rhythm of the seasons, Chef Allistaire Lawrence creates a contemporary menu from the best available local and ethically sourced produce. Organic vegetables are harvested daily from the Werf Food Garden, which can be viewed from the restaurant balcony. Relax and enjoy a scenic drive, as you are chauffeured back to your hotel in a vintage car. With an evening at leisure, your Travelling Concierge is on hand to assist you with restaurant recommendations and reservations.

South Africa has for centuries been a land of dreams and complexities, diversity and ideas, and intoxicating landscapes drawing travellers from afar. Step on board a ferry and journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Robben Island, best known for its prison where Nelson Mandela and many other famous anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned. Join a local guide for an insightful tour of the former prison and meet an ex-political prisoner who will share personal anecdotes as you explore the island on a guided coach tour. Return to the mainland and join Christo Brand, a former prison guard at the Victor Verster prison, where Nelson Mandela spent the last 14 months of his 27-year-long imprisonment, for lunch at the Amy Foundation and hear fascinating stories about one of history’s most heroic figures. You then visit the Amy Foundation, a non-profit organisation. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience witness how the lives of vulnerable young people are being transformed through a variety of empowering programmes. Enjoy the evening at your leisure, perhaps head to trendy Bree Street for dinner?

Fly from Cape Town into the heart of the African bushveld, as you touch down at Skukuza Airport. At more than 2 million hectares, Kruger National Park is one of the world’s largest game reserves. Enjoy a short drive through Big Five territory to the luxurious Lion Sands Lodge, located on the banks of the Sabie River, where lunch will be served with wine.  Experience your first evening game drive, hosted by a professionally qualified ranger and tracker. Enjoy the drive on your private open-air safari vehicle, as you venture through the Lion Sands Game Reserve, which forms part of an ecosystem boasting the largest concentration of wild animal species in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn about the complexities of a termite colony or perhaps see a pride of lions roaming through the savanna, as your ranger shares fascinating insights into the lives of small and large creatures. Stop en route for a gin-and-tonic and snacks, served in the heart of the African bushveld. In the evening, gather round for a spectacular feast of slow-cooked meats, seasonal vegetables and sweet treats, before falling asleep to the distant calls of hyenas.

Arise with sunrise to a cup of freshly-brewed coffee and depart on your morning game drive. Marvel at your tracker’s skills, as he analyses animal spoor and reads the bush, like a book, in search of the Big Five. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard, as you pass rocky outcrops, and listen for the sounds of elephants munching on mopane leaves. See crocodiles and hippopotamus at watering holes and look out for the many exotic bird species found in the area. Return to your lodge just in time for a spectacular breakfast spread overlooking the river. Savour lunch before enjoying the afternoon. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to relax over high tea. Alternatively, join your ranger for a bush walk. Afterwards you will have some time at leisure, perhaps opting for a rejuvenating massage at the Africology Spa? Then prepare for your second game drive for the day. Early evening is the ideal time to spot members of the Big Five, including rhinoceros, buffalo and lion. Sit tight, as your ranger leads the way to unforgettable game sightings. Drink a toast to nature’s bounties, as the sun dips beyond the savannah, returning to your lodge in time for yet another magnificent dinner, set by candle-light. The in-house chefs specialise in a variety of cuisines and are able to offer you everything from vegetarian to traditional fare.

Awake at sunrise, the best time to spot predators, for your morning game drive. Huddle under blankets, as you’re driven through the fresh morning mist in search of wildlife. Perhaps stop along the Sabie River to enjoy a cup of coffee, while keeping an eye out for buck and giraffes. Upon returning to your lodge, savour breakfast, served on the deck, and enjoy some time at leisure. Perhaps shop at the curio shop, go on a birding walk or enjoy a siesta, before lunch and afternoon tea are served. Join your ranger and tracker for your final evening game drive and soak up the magic of the African bushveld illuminated by the sinking sun. Raise a glass in the evening to an outstanding adventure, as you savour your Celebration Dinner beneath a blanket of stars.

Appreciate the skill and in-depth knowledge of your ranger and tracker on your final morning game-drive. As no day in the bushveld is the same, appreciate the site of a unique bird or perhaps a warthog running across the road with its tail upright. After breakfast, transfer to the Skukuza Airport for your onward journey. Please do not book onward flights from Johannesburg before 18.00.