South Africa at Leisure
South Africa
10 days from $6,299 per person
* Based on double occupancy, incl. taxes & fuel surcharges, restrictions apply.
South Africa’s astounding natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife is sure to fulfill your safari dream list. Explore Cape Town, voted "one of the world's most beautiful cities" and the bustling waterfront. Visit scenic Cape Peninsula, take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain and visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Then journey to Shamwari Game Reserve for close encounters with the Big Five, including lion, leopard, buffalo elephant and rhino.
Upcoming Group Departures
Oct 5 - 14, 2023. From $6,999
Oct 29 – Nov 7, 2023. From $7,999
How Your Trip Matters
You will have a positive impact on communities and wildlife while enjoying an immersive culinary and cultural experience at GOLD restaurant and learning about the groundbreaking work with wildlife at the Shamwari Private Reserve.
Highlights
Explore the breathtaking scenery of the Cape of Good Hope and see the amusing antics of the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Discover the wildlife rich Shamwari Game Reserve, one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa.
Experience the thrill of game drives and guided walks, and visit the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries or The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Enjoy learning how Cape Town has evolved, including visiting Table Mountain, the colorful Bo-Kaap area, and Robben Island.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have both on their communities, and on those who experience them: our guests. You can identify these experiences across our trips by locating the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience seal.
*All prices are in US Dollars per person based on double occupancy accommodations unless otherwise stated. Fuel surcharges, government taxes, departure taxes and September 11th Security Fees are included. Package is subject to availability, may change without notice, blackouts, peak period surcharges, cancellation charges and other restrictions may apply. For additional Terms & Conditions please contact one of our safari specialists.
Accommodations
1. The Commodore Hotel
South Africa, Cape Town
The Commodore, located at the highest point on Cape Town’s historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers spectacular views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Granger Bay, Table Bay and Robben Island. Each of the elegantly furnished en-suite bedrooms is air-conditioned, bright and spacious. All rooms have satellite TV, tea/coffee making facilities, mini bar, in-room internet access, electric razor plug and hair dryer. For your convenience, there are a variety of amenities and services available at The Commodore. From a transit lounge where early arrivals and late departures can relax between journeys to a well-equipped gymnasium overlooking the pool area and a health and wellness center. In addition, the Commodore offers 24-hour room service, babysitting, and same day laundry and dry cleaning. The Clipper Restaurant offers fine dining in a relaxed setting. Savor a mouthwatering buffet breakfast or choose from an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. The Admiralty Bar and Lounge and The Terrace offers light meals.
2. Long Lee Manor
Shamwari Game Reserve
Overlooking the magnificent plains of Shamwari is the exquisite and elegant Long Lee Manor. Along with its rolling landscapes, this newly redesigned lodge boasts Edwardian styled suites and a breathtaking rim-flow pool and offers several unique features that will keep you comfortable during your stay. The accommodation is tastefully designed to enhance its location, while the original Manor House has been lovingly restored to pay homage to the area’s rich heritage, adding a bit of romance to any stay. The opulent rooms have air-conditioning, minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, electronic safe, hairdryer, ensuite bathroom with bath and shower and a private patio or balcony. Pamper yourself with a host of spa treatments, perhaps a facial or body massage (additional).
3. Bayethe Tented Lodge
South Africa, Shamwari Game Reserve
Pronounced “By-ye-ti” this African greeting, means “I salute you”, and is the warmest welcome in this part of South Africa. Bayethe is a tented paradise offering guests a complete immersion in the tranquility of the African bush. Surrounded by spectacular views, the luxury tents offer all the comforts of home. The air conditioned tents have a private deck with a plunge pool, tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom with a tub and either an indoor shower or an outdoor shower, hairdryer, electronic safe, fitted international adaptors, international dial telephone, and minibar. All of the tents have fireplaces. Facilities at the lodge include a gift boutique, central lounge, indoor and outdoor dining facilities, outdoor deck with swimming pool, Wi-Fi and spa.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
On arrival in Cape Town you are met by an African Travel Inc. representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
The Commodore Hotel
Day 2. Cape Town
Meet your personal driver and guide for the next few days and embark on a day of discovering the ‘Fairest Cape.’ Hug the cliffs as you snake along legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. You will have the opportunity to ride the Flying Dutchman funicular to the old lighthouse for awe-inspiring views! After lunch, continue along the coast to the lively penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Then head back to the city via the naval village of Simon’s Town. This evening enjoy dinner at Quarter Kitchen. (BD)
The Commodore Hotel
Day 3. Cape Town
Today’s sojourn celebrates the winelands. Learn all about the process of wine making, from grape to goblet. Revel in the scenery…like the charming Cape Dutch architecture of Stellenbosch and the breathtaking beauty of the Franschhoek valley. Take a stroll through historical, charming Stellenbosch with its Cape Dutch architecture, absorbing the quaintness of this lovely university town. A trip to the winelands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so a cellar tour and two tastings have been organized at different wine estates. Of course, you’ll be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home! Enjoy lunch on your own account at a leading wine estate or in delightful Franschhoek, South Africa’s gourmet capital. (BD)
The Commodore Hotel
Day 4. Cape Town
The day begins with a cable car ride up to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city. After descending the mountain, drive past the Castle of Good Hope, the country’s oldest building, and a short distance away, the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well-conserved. Nearby landmarks include the Slave Lodge, Houses of Parliament and City Hall, where Nelson Mandela made his first public speech after his release from prison in 1990. Marvel at the vibrant colors of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes in the Malay Quarter. This afternoon take a ferry to Robben Island, a historic landmark and UNESCO site, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B)
The Commodore Hotel
Day 5. Cape Town
Spend your last day in Cape Town at leisure. There are historic and cultural sites, world-class museums and bustling markets, inviting beaches and lush gardens to visit, as well as, great restaurants and wonderful shopping. This evening enjoy dinner at GOLD restaurant. Feel the heartbeat of Africa, as you embark on a taste safari from Cape Town to Timbuktu. Your evening starts with an interactive Djembe drumming session which will get you in tune with the African rhythms and songs of the night. A soothing hand washing ceremony completes your interactive drumming experience. Dinner is a set course menu consisting of Cape Malay and African cuisine, served by beautifully adorned staff who will explain each dish to you and the country from which it originates. (BD)
The Commodore Hotel
Day 6. Cape Town / Port Elizabeth / Shamwari Game Reserve
Indulge in an early breakfast before travelling to your reserved lodge at the Shamwari Game Reserve, one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. Stretching thousands of acres over a malaria free landscape, it offers an award-winning wildlife experience. Meaning “my friend” in Shona, the reserve is about conserving a vanishing way of life. Relax at the lodge until time for your first afternoon game drive with fellow lodge guests. (BD)
Long Lee Manor / May Departure - Bayethe Safari Lodge
Day 7. Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari strives to educate and promote conservation awareness and your ranger will ensure that your experience is both rewarding and informative. Twice-daily game drives throughout the reserve, accompanied by expert guides, provide plenty of opportunities to witness wildlife. Ask your guide about what you can do to help support sustainable tourism efforts. (BLD)
Long Lee Manor / May Departure - Bayethe Safari Lodge
Day 8. Shamwari Game Reserve
At Shamwari, responsible management and long-term ecological sustainability are a priority. Fill your time between game drives with visits to one of the awareness centers. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre provides a first-hand encounter with Shamwari’s passionate on-site vets, who care for young, injured and abandoned animals, which are later released back into the wild. Shamwari has developed an effective anti-poaching unit over the years. The unit follows a pro-active approach through intelligence gathering to prevent any incidents while simultaneously actively protecting the fauna and flora of the reserve through a dedicated and passionate team. (BLD)
Long Lee Manor / May Departure - Bayethe Safari Lodge
Day 9. Shamwari Game Reserve
Here the graceful leopard, the powerful rhino, elephant and hippo share the domain with kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, zebra, hyena and a large variety of smaller game, as well as a paradise of bird, reptile and plant life. Your game ranger will share expert knowledge of the area and ensure that your experience is both rewarding and informative. Guided nature walks offer another perspective of the fauna and flora around you. (BLD)
Long Lee Manor / May Departure - Bayethe Safari Lodge
Day 10. Shamwari Game Reserve / Port Elizabeth / Depart
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing your transfer to Port Elizabeth for your departure flight to the US. (B)
Pricing
Land Arrangements (Price per person)
**Surcharges Apply Departs with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Air Arrangements (Internal Airfare)
Intra Africa Air Included in Land Arrangements. Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg
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