Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrive Cape Town

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, a representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel. This transfer time is approximately 40 minutes.

With its classically inspired exterior and gracefully elegant interior, Cape Grace is set on its own private quay on Cape Town's vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Cape Grace's charm lies in its intimate atmosphere, stylish décor and unique personalised hospitality.

The afternoon is at leisure. Treat yourself to a lazy day around the outdoor heated pool. Soak up Africa's warm sun, surrounded by trellised gardens and a private terrace. Explore the history of the Cape and taste its wines at the daily presentation. Savour a post-dinner port in the comfort of the library. Or relax in the hot spa overlooking sweeping views of Table Mountain and the city.

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

DAY 2

Cape Town

This morning embark on a full day Winelands tour.

Whitewashed homesteads nestling under avenues of oaks, rolling green hills covered with wild flowers, fertile valleys alive with the sounds of surging streams, restaurants with French names and Dutch flavours… such is the setting of the Winelands, home of some of the world’s finest wines and Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town.

Founded by Governor Simon van der Stel in 1679, the university town of Stellenbosch is embraced by the majestic Simonsberg, Jonkershoek and Helderberg mountains. The town is famous for its carefully preserved architectural heritage, which includes examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian styles. During a private walking tour of the historical sector by qualified guide Sandra Krige who grew up here, you will learn many of Stellenbosch’s secrets. The tour finishes at the fascinating Village Museum which chronicles the town’s past and incorporates the oldest existing house, which dates back to 1709.

Stellenbosch is also the centre of the local wine making industry and is surrounded by hundreds of vineyards. You will have the chance to visit some privately owned wineries, which date back hundreds of years. One of these is the picturesque Rustenberg Estate, owned by the Barlow family for generations, and is renowned for its award winning wines, attractive location and famous herd of Jersey cows.

From Stellenbosch journey up over a breath-taking mountain pass called the Hels Hoogte (“Precipitous Heights”) Pass and down into the Banghoek Valley, en-route to a cheese tasting session at a local estate.

Afterwards there will be the opportunity for a private cellar tour at the beautiful Plaisir de Merle Estate (or similar) near the village of Simondium. The Plaisir de Merle story carries a proud legacy of exceptional people who have created an unsurpassed viticultural and vinicultural tradition.

From here continue through the lush Franschhoek Valley to the quaint Huguenot village of Franschhoek (“French Corner”) for lunch. The area was originally known as Oliphant’s Hoek (“Elephant’s Corner”) after elephants took to calving in the sheltered valley with its plentiful supply of food and water.

After lunch you may wish to stroll though the village, which in addition to quaint art and antique shops boasts the distinctive Huguenot Monument which was erected in 1938 to commemorate the French Huguenots who arrived in South Africa in 1688. The museum next to the monument depicts the rich heritage and history as well as the development of the Franschhoek Valley, including its fynbos flora, fauna and early inhabitants.

You will then travel across country to the historic town of Paarl passing the Victor Verster Prison from which former President Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. Surrounded by fruit and wine farms Paarl nestles in the Berg River Valley beneath the imposing granite rocks of Paarl Mountain. Visit the unique Taal Monument, the only monument ever built to immortalise a language (the Afrikaans language). Standing proudly on top of Paarl Mountain and used by tourists as a beacon, the vistas over town, vineyards and mountains are awe-inspiring. Return to Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

Meal Plan: B,L

DAY 3

Cape Town

Spend today exploring Cape Point.

Hugging the Atlantic coast road journey past the "bikini beaches" of Clifton and Camps Bay, beautifully located at the base of the towering Twelve Apostles Mountains. Travel over the Suikerbossie ("Sugar Bush") Pass and descend into Hout Bay valley, with its bustling fishing harbour and white sand beach.

Your journey continues to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the end of the Cape Peninsula. The reserve, which covers 22,000 acres of land, converges in the south at Cape Point, a great pinnacle of rock. You can climb the steps or ride a funicular railway to the top from where you may see southern right whales in spring and early summer, dolphins and a variety of seabirds. The original lighthouse at Cape Point was built in 1860. The present lighthouse, one of the most powerful in the southern hemisphere, is closer to the point itself than the original.

Travel back through the reserve looking out for some of the animals that live here, including the rare bontebok, eland and Cape Mountain zebra.

En route to lunch visit Boulders, a lovely beach sheltered from the wind and famous for its colony of endangered Jackass penguins on the coast of False Ba Boulders, had just two breeding pairs in 1982 but thanks to careful management the population has grown to about 3,000 in recent years. This is a rare and rewarding experience.

Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Pass through Simon's Town, which was the Royal Navy's main base in the south Atlantic from 1815 until 1957 and has the feel of a small English seaside village with steep narrow streets and cobbled alleyways. Learn about the famous hound called Just Nuisance, the most renowned animal in the annals of the Royal Navy.

Continue to Kalk Bay a quaint fishing hamlet on the False Bay coast with a protected little harbour of brightly painted wooden boats.

Travel back towards Cape Town passing through the attractive, up-market suburb of Constantia, the cradle of the South African wine industry boasting famous estates like Klein Constantia.

At Kirstenbosch, the world-renowned National Botanical Garden which was recently voted one of the top ten gardens in the world by the curators of Kew Gardens in London, a private local guide ensures that you learn about some of the more fascinating aspects of the gardens.

Return to the hotel passing more interesting sites such as the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial and Mostert's Mill, a Dutch windmill dating back to 1797.

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

Meal Plan: B,L

DAY 4

Cape Town - Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve

This morning transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your light to Johannesburg. On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, a representative will meet and assist you to the Domestic Departures Terminal. Depart Johannesburg on a scheduled flight to Hoedspruit.

On arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, a Royal Malewane representative will meet and transfer you to the lodge. The transfer time is approximately 45 minutes.

Royal Malewane is situated within the greater Kruger National Park, accommodating a total of 20 guests. Elevated walkways link the suites to the main camp where African thatched-roof buildings house the library, shop, dining and reception areas.

Game viewing at Royal Malewane provides guests with the best opportunities for seeing the natural abundance of big game on the 12,000 hectare reserve, home to the "Big Five" - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activity on offer.

Overnight: Royal Malewane

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 5

Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve

Today is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer at the lodge.

*Please note you have a private ranger assigned to your suite who will discuss and plan your days for you*

Overnight: Royal Malewane

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 6

Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve

,,,Today is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer at the lodge.

*Please note you have a private ranger assigned to your suite who will discuss and plan your days for you*

Overnight: Royal Malewane

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 7

Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve

Today is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer at the lodge.

*Please note you have a private ranger assigned to your suite who will discuss and plan your days for you*

Overnight: Royal Malewane

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 8

Depart Johannesburg

Enjoy a final game viewing activity this morning. After breakfast you will be transferred to Hoedspruit Airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport, a representative will meet and assist you to the International Departure Terminal.

Depart Johannesburg on your outbound flight.

Meal Plan: B