Cape Peninsula and the Big Five Safari

8 Days / 7 Nights

Cape Peninsula and the Big Five SafariCape Peninsula and the Big Five Safari

Luxury Journey by Private Car, featuring Cape Town, Winelands & Safari Game Drives in the Thornybush Nature Private Reserve

Daily Arrivals in Cape Town, year-round

From the glittering lights of Cape Town and the breathtaking views from atop Table Mountain, the romantic winelands to the close encounters with the Big Five; this trip is designed as a perfect introduction to the wonders of South Africa. Your luxury hotels and private drivers will further enhance this once-in-a-life-time journey. Start packing!

Journey's Highlights »

 

  • Comprehensive visit to Cape Town, also known as Africa’s Mother Town
  • Visit the picturesque Mariners Wharf’s Fish Market
  • See the Penguins Colony at Boulders Beach
  • Drive along the cliffs of the awe-inspiring Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • View the “romantic meeting place” of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans at the Cape of Good Hope
  • Walk through Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens, home of some 3,500 species of Southern African fauna and flora
  • Enjoy Premium Wine Tastings on your full day tour to the Winelands
  • Open Land Rovers’ game drives at the privately Thornybush Nature Reserve
  • Explore the walking-paths of the private reserve with a specialist ranger

Included in Your Journey »

  • 4 nights in Cape Town at Table Bay Hotel
  • 3 nights in Thornybush at the Thornybush Main Lodge
  • All touring, sightseeing and transfers per the itinerary via Private Car & Guide
  • Entrance Fees to all mentioned sites
  • 3 Wine Tastings during your tour to the winelands
  • All park fees and safari activities

Not Included:
Any airfares
All items of a personal nature
Tips of any kind
All other services not mentioned above
 


Itinerary

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  • Day 1 - Arrival in Cape Town

    Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
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    Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, meet your private driver and transfer to the hotel. In the Western Cape , between Robben Island and Table Mountain you’ll discover the famed five-star Table Bay Hotel. During the day, the cool Atlantic Ocean breeze eases the heat of Africa’s Mother City - Cape Town. Sophisticated, gracious and relaxed, The Table Bay Hotel is the sum of all that is good about its hometown. At dusk, the hum of the Victoria Alfred Waterfront’s restaurants, bars and clubs will beckon you from your luxurious room. Be it business or pleasure, The Table Bay Hotel is a destination like no other.

  • Day 2 - Exploring Cape Peninsula

    Today enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, including the Marines Wharf Fish Market, the Penguins Colony at Bouldres Beach, Cahpmans’ Peak Drive, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope the fabulous Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens. (b)
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    Depart the hotel and flank the colder Atlantic Ocean en route to Hout Bay. Once a fishing community, now one of the most popular residential areas, the harbor still has a charm of days gone by. A chance to join the M.V "Circe" for a half hour cruise to "Seal Island" (optional) or for the not so adventurous, the fish market "Mariners Wharf" is a must. The tour now continues over the famous Chapman’s Peak drive – if open, with a 200 meter drop on one side of the coach and a 200 meter rise on the other, as we make our way south, following the Atlantic Ocean until we reach Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Said to be the romantic meeting place of the two mighty oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, Sir Francis Drake the Explorer once called it "the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe". And rightly so, it must be the highlight of any visit to the Mother City, if not South Africa. Our optional lunch stop today is at the Fish Hoek Galley (additional cost). We pass the naval base of Simonstown as we continue along the Indian Ocean, en route to see the Jackass penguin colony which has become well established at Boulders beach near Simonstown. Our last stop of the day is at the Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens, home of some 3 500 species of Southern African fauna and flora. Return to the hotel for overnight. (b)

  • Day 3 - The Winelands of South Africa

    Today enjoy a full day scheduled tour of the Winelands including a brief photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990; as well as 3 wine tastings. (b)
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    We will depart from the hotel and head north to Paarl. Our first stop this morning is for our morning wine tasting at Nelsons Creek Estate. After a tour through their cellars, there is an opportunity to sample some of their local wines as well as a cheese tasting. A brief city tour of Paarl follows, before we make our way to Franschhoek with a photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990. This little village nestled amongst the mountains, can easily be mistaken as being in Switzerland. After a short tour of the little town, a second wine tasting will be done in Franschhoek followed by a lunch stop (optional) – maybe a chance to try some of the fresh trout that Franschhoek is known for. After lunch the tour continues through to Stellenbosch. It is easy to understand why Simon van der Stel decided to settle a village amongst the mountains. The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads and the oak lined streets and lanes all blend in to give this place a charm that will not be quickly forgotten. Time permitting we will include a third and final wine tasting. Then we set off on the return to Cape Town, for overnight. (b)

  • Day 4 - Cape Town

    Entire day at leisure in Cape Town (b)
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    Cape Town has something for everyone. From the landmark beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay to the vibrant Waterfront and Cape Town city center. Today is at leisure to enjoy it all! (b)

  • Day 5 - Cape Town / Johannesburg / Hoedspruit/ Thornybush Reserve

    Transfer to airport for your flight to Johannesburg Hoedspruit Airport via Johannesburg. Then continue by road to the Thornybush Reserve. Your afternoon is packed with Safari activities at the reserve. Overnight is at the Thornybush Main Lodge (b,d)
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    After breakfast, transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg where you connect with your onward flight to Hoedspruit Airport. You will be met on arrival and transferred by road to the Thornybush Reserve. Adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park, within the famous Thornybush Nature Reserve lies Thornybush Game Lodge. The lodge offers unique exclusive safari experiences in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species: 147 mammals including the "Big Five", 114 reptiles, 507 birds, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 types of trees. The reserve is predominantly open Savannah and with a near perfect year round climate, it is the ideal African safari holiday destination. Dinner and overnight (b,d)

  • Day 6 - Safari at the Thornybush Reserve

    Entire day dedicated for Safari Game Drives and walks. (b,l,d)
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    The day starts as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. After your early morning wakeup call, coffee, tea Rusks are served on the main deck overlooking the riverbed. Shortly after, you depart in your open Land Rover with your experienced Rangers and Trackers who will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season but typically start early morning. Where applicable you may be invited out of the vehicle to see tracks, examine certain plants and follow spoor. After an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see what the animals have been up to during the night, and tracking down whatever you find, you will stop somewhere out in the bush for a break of coffee or tea. Time to stretch your legs whilst having your sunglasses cleaned indulge in cool towels in summer, and hot towels in winter. In winter, guests are kept warm on the vehicle with hot water bottles warm blankets. After a sumptuous breakfast is served either back at the camp or in the riverbed or bush, guests are offered walks to suit their interests and fitness levels and are accompanied by an armed ranger and tracker. Walks allow guests a better chance to see some of the smaller creatures of the bush as well as an opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region to have a chance to follow tracks in more detail. Shangaan trackers will enthrall you with their explanations of the medicinal and other uses of the numerous plants and trees along with tales of traditional folklore. The rest of the day is spent at your discretion, for other activities that are on offer, with a delicious lunch being served around 1.30pm. The afternoon game drive is preceded by high tea and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight. Upon returning for a gourmet 3 course dinner, either in the ‘Boma’, bush or lodge. (b,l,d)

  • Day 7 - Safari at the Thornybush Reserve

    Entire day dedicated for Safari Game Drives and walks or just pure relaxation. (b,l,d)
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    Today is another full day in Paradise.. you may choose to depart in game drives and walks, or simply relax by the pool, or enjoy a soothing massage. (b,l,d)

  • Day 8 - Thornybush Reserve/ Hoedspruit / Johannesburg / depart South Africa

    After breakfast transfer to the airport at Hoedspruit for your flight back home (b)
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    Enjoy breakfast and an early morning game drive before being transferred to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and onward connection to the your homebound flight or to your next adventure in Africa! (b)

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