A Twelve Night South Africa Safari

~Featuring: Cape Town, Hermanus, Timbavati & Madikwe~

 Price per person approximately  $6,500 - $7000

Depending on time of year and room class selected.
Including intra Africa Air
No International Air included

Tour at a glance

USA/Cape Town

Victoria and Alfred Hotel

Upon arrival, a Southern Touring Company (STC) representative will meet you in the baggage claim area for your private transfer to your hotel. 

The Victoria and Alfred Hotel is located in Cape Town’s Waterfront district, a restored shopping and entertainment area.  Built in 1904 and converted in 1990 to a boutique style luxury hotel, it is named in honor of the Queen of England and her son.  Enjoy views of Table Mountain, Cape Town and the working harbor from each room. 

The temperatures in Cape Town average daily highs near 66°F and nightly lows of 46°F in September. A sweater or warm jacket will be necessary for early morning and evening activities.

Overnight Victoria and Alfred Hotel

 Cape Town

Victoria and Alfred Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. 

At 9:00am this morning, meet your driver/guide from STC in the hotel lobby to begin your private full-day tour of the majestic Cape Peninsula.   

You will travel along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, stopping at the granite boulders where there are magnificent views of the Twelve Apostles, Table Mountain and the beach of Camps Bay.  Continue along Victoria Drive past Bakoven and Llandudno to Hout Bay; a charming little village and fishing harbor.

Leaving the beach you will travel upward to Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives 1,970 feet above the ocean, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve.  The period of June through November provides you with the chance to view Southern Right Whales along the coastline so please bring a camera with a nice zoom as well as binoculars. Whales come here to calve and mate and there is a good possibility to see breeching whales in the surf and just beyond. Enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and enjoy the flora and fauna of the region as well as the rocky coastline of Cape Point, perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 

Stop at the tip of the Cape Peninsula and either walk or take the funicular to the lighthouse at Cape Point with its beautiful views overlooking False Bay, so named as the early navigators thought they had arrived at Table Bay.  The drive will take you to the Cape of Good Hope, the southwestern most point of the African continent. 

Leave the Reserve and drive along the False Bay coastline through historic Simonstown to Fish Hoek. You will head back to Cape Town over Boyes drive with views of the fishing village of Kalk Bay and the seaside towns of St. James and Muizenberg. 

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens situated on the slopes of Table Mountain is your next stop.  Cecil John Rhodes bought Kirstenbosch in 1895 and when he died seven years later, he left it to the people of South Africa.  Time is spent in this magnificent garden before returning to your hotel at approximately 5:00pm.  The tour includes entrance fees to the Cape of Good Hope, the funicular, Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens. Lunch and dinner are on your own account.

Overnight Victoria and Alfred Hotel                                                                         B

 Cape Town

Victoria & Alfred Hotel

Enjoy your day at leisure.

Overnight Victoria and Alfred Hotel                                                                         B

 Cape Town

Victoria and Alfred Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. 

After breakfast meet your STC guide at 9:00am in your hotel lobby for your full day private Winelands Tour.

A short distance from the city, the Winelands region is, without a doubt, one of the most alluring features of the Western Cape. This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through spectacular mountain backdrops and the finest Cape Dutch architecture, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, are on our wine tasting agenda for today.

 Our first stop is Stellenbosch, one of the most popular wine routes in the Cape and, the heart of the South African wine Industry.  The backdrop of Stellenbosch is the Hottentots-Holland Mountains.  The white, Cape Dutch gabled homesteads and the oak-lined streets and lanes all blend together to give the town an unforgettable charm. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. Coffee shops, galleries, antique shops and wine bars spill onto the sidewalks. An informative cellar tour and wine tasting provides you with personalized insight into the finer points of wine-making. A stop will be made en route for lunch. 

Next we visit Franschhoek nestled in the “Valley of the Huguenots” where the French first settled in 1688. We may visit the Huguenot Memorial and Museum and explore this country town with its lovely antique shops and gardens. 

Our final stop today is Paarl, home of the Afrikaans Language Monument.  Return to your hotel at approximately 5:00pm.  The tour includes one cellar tour and two wine tastings.

The evening is at your leisure.  The concierge will be delighted to offer suggestions for dining and entertainment.

Overnight Victoria and Alfred Hotel                                                                         B

 Cape Town/Hermanus

Birkenhead House

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel 

A STC representative will meet you at 11:00am in the hotel lobby for your transfer to Hermanus and Gansbaai.  

Perched high on the cliffs of Hermanus, overlooking the whale watchers’ paradise of Walker Bay, is the regal Birkenhead House. Birkenhead House is named after a British troop ship that sank in Walker Bay in 1852. Decorated to reflect the beauty of its coastal setting, it is adorned with rare maritime antiques.  

Each of the eight sea-facing suites offers expansive vistas of Walker Bay. Mountain trails and breathtaking cliff path walks are also in easy reach from Birkenhead House.

Overnight Birkenhead House                                                                          B,L,D

 Hermanus

Birkenhead House

Enjoy your day at leisure.

Overnight Birkenhead House                                                                         B,L,D

 Hermanus/Cape Town/Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Kings Camp - Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Today  you will be transferred by STC from Hermanus to Cape Town International Airport to connect with your flight to Johannesburg. 

On arrival in Hoedspruit you will be met by staff from Kings Camp.  Enjoy the 40 minute ride to camp. 

Kings Camp is situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which is part of the Kruger National Park.  The camp offers a unique décor with Victorian and Colonial antiques and accents in the middle of the bushveld.  The camp is a game viewing haven that features elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo.

 
While at Kings Camp enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with knowledgeable rangers in open vehicles. Your afternoon game drive gets back after dark, which gives you the opportunity to spot nocturnal animals with a spotlight.

Any particular requests such as guided walks or tribal dances under the great African skies will be arranged.  Kings Camp is exceptionally proud of its viewing deck that overlooks an open savanna with a watering hole where you can safely soak up the stillness and serenity of the bush while keeping a sharp lookout for passing animals and birds. 

Kings Camp promises far more than just a good game-viewing destination, with access to 38 square miles; there is also an abundance of birdlife.  Safaris under the guidance of a skilled ranger will prove to be an exhilarating experience for bird-watchers and tree enthusiasts as they explore the rarer sights and wonders of the bush.

Three nights at Kings Camp  

Timbavati/Johannesburg/Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Hills

After lunch depart Kings Camp for the airstrip.  Fly to Johannesburg and connect to your flight to Madikwe Hills Game Reserve.

Madikwe Game Reserve was created not only to protect the fauna and flora of the area, but also to provide a sanctuary for travelers wishing to see untamed Africa.  Madikwe Hills is located at the edge of the Marico River with suites set amongst boulders and Tamboti and Marula trees. 

Enjoy game drives in open land rovers with knowledgeable guides to see the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros), as well as giraffe and zebra.  Dine around a rustic boma or on the deck.  Enjoy the gym or health spa during your stay, or relax with a book from their library full of verse and history of the African continent. 

On your last night in camp, the manager will discuss the next day’s transfer time with you.

Three nights at Madikwe Hills

 Madikwe/Johannesburg

In transit

Enjoy your morning in camp.  At the pre-arranged time, camp staff will transfer you to the airstrip for your Federal Air flight departing Madikwe at 12:30pm, arriving in Johannesburg at 1:30pm. On arrival in Johannesburg the Federal Air Shuttle will transfer you to the International Departures Building at O.R. Tambo International Airport. 

Tour includes:

• Accommodations as per itinerary

• Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• Published economy class airfare: Washington DC/Johannesburg/Cape Town; Cape Town/Johannesburg; Johannesburg/Hoedspruit; Johannesburg/Washington DC

• Light aircraft flights: Johannesburg/Kings Camp/Johannesburg; Johannesburg/Madikwe/Johannesburg

• Private Full Day Cape Point Tour

• Private Full Day Winelands Tour

• Road transfers as per itinerary

• Laundry Services at Birkenhead House and Madikwe Hills

• Beverages (Excluding some imported wines and spirits) at Birkenhead House, Kings Camp and Madikwe Hills

 Tour does not include:

·         All items of a personal nature (i.e. telephone calls, internet, beverages, laundry etc.) unless specifically listed above.

·         Tips and gratuities

·         Airport departure taxes and excess baggage fees

·         Anything not specifically listed in the “Tour includes” section