Cape Town, Rovos Rail, Garden Route, Big 5 Safari, 15 Days

Day 1

Noordhoek Beach

Guests are met upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport and escorted to the Spa in the picturesque Cape suburb of Noordhoek. Surrounded by the peaks of Table Mountain on three sides and the ocean to the front. The view and sunset across the ocean is nothing short of spectacular.

The rest of the day is spent relaxing after the long journey with spa treatments.

During the early evening, guests are invited to a traditional South African dinner with their hosts and treated to welcome gifts.

Overnight: Spa Meals: Dinner

Day 2

Cape Town Waterfront

Breakfast will be served beneath the whispering oaks of a sanctuary garden.

Guests can take a tour to Robben Island, one of South Africa’s world heritage sites, once home to some of South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so.

Lunch can be enjoyed at the V&A Waterfront.

After lunch you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium which is home to over 3000 species.

The best view of Cape Town is seen from the top of Table Mountain. The cableway was opened in 1929 and takes you to the highest point at 1085m.

Then it is off to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. World-renowned since 1913 for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it display, and for the magnificence of its settings against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

Groot Constantia is your next stop. Enjoy a tour of history and wine in true Cape Dutch style. Mother Nature smiled when she prepared the Constantia Valley. She bestowed on her the influence of the sun, wind, oceans and fertile soil, and then challenged her to plant vineyards and make excellent wines.

Then it’s back to the Spa. Guests can enjoy dinner at Star Dust restaurant Theatrical Dining at its best. Performing waiters, and amazing food.

In short an unforgettable experience.

Overnight: Spa Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

Table Mountain and the Ocean

Enjoy a lovely breakfast and maybe make use of the spa before you are on your way to explore beautiful Cape Town.

Perhaps you could spend a full day in the Peninsula. Leave early in the morning and visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, and then visit the seal colony in Hout Bay.

Have lunch, and then see the penguins in Simons town, which was once the Royal Navy’s main South Atlantic base. There are many things to see and do along the coast and in the nature reserves.

Choose one of the restaurants on our suggestion list for Dinner to end this day.

Overnight: Spa Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Breakfast is served early and our guests are off on the next adventure.

You will depart from Cape Town station on one of South Africa’s most famous trains, the ultra luxurious Rovos Rail.

Lunch is served in the dining car as you head towards Worcester.

You arrive in Ashton for a wine tasting excursion, and dinner is served in the dining car as you travel towards Voorbaai.

The evening is spend in true nostalgia of a time long forgotten either in the super luxurious dining car or in you deluxe car.

Overnight: Rovos Rail Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Breakfast is served as you pass through the quaintly named towns of Kleinbrakrivier and Grootbrakrivier. Some dramatic scenery which brings to life the grandeur of the garden route is enjoyed by a means of travel which reminds one of a gentler and more romantic age is sure to make this an unforgettable experience. The Pride of Africa arrives in George where you disembark.

Then you are off to Knysna.

Knysna is surrounded by thick indigenous forests. The town nestles on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon, at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains and the rugged coastline of South Africa.

You can join the southernmost elephants in the world. The park offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get close to these gentle giants, with elephant back rides. A wonderful experience

Lunch can be enjoyed at one of the local restaurants. Oysters, the aphrodisiac of the sea, will be only one of the fresh delicacies on the menu.

A 5 star Bed and Breakfast will welcome you. Located on the Leisure Isle in the famous Knysna Lagoon. This is the ideal location to relax by the lagoon.

Have a sundowner on the deck overlooking the lagoon.

Dinner can be ordered in or at one of the variety of restaurants in Knysna.

Overnight: Bed & Breakfast Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

Wake up to the sound of a different world where Africa will leave you in ore. Breakfast will be served and then the day starts a visit to the Ostrich Farm and even try your luck at riding one of these birds that cannot fly. Visit the Cheetah Ranch and experience the closeness of one of the world’s almost extinct species.

Have lunch at one of the marvelous restaurants in Oudtshoorn.

Your next stop will have to be the Cango caves where you will go on an adventure tour through large caverns with spectacular drip stone formations as well as squeeze through some small tunnels.

The Cango Caves lie deep in the mountains above the town of Oudtshoorn. They were discovered by accident by a local sheep herder in the late 1800's and slowly the Cango Cave's reputation started growing and more and more people started coming to the area to see the caves for themselves. The caves stretch for 800m into the mountainside and contain many tunnels and caverns ranging from the size off huge performance halls to tiny spaces that you can barely squeeze through. You have the opportunity of going on a guided adventure tour through these caves where you will see the magnificence of massive stalactites and stalagmites and also crawl and squeeze your way through some very small spaces. If you are claustrophobic, have no fear, they also offer a less adventurous tour where you don't have to go into any small spaces.

Only a few travelers to South Africa find their way to the Karoo, where nature dazzles on the endless plains and in the Blue Mountains, in the blazing summers and icy winters where the wild winds fade to a silence so pure you can hear God think.

This remarkable experience will change the way you see yourself and life and this beautiful landscape

Dinner will be at the lovely restaurant in this Private Game Lodge, an African experience is not completed without a night game drive should you be up to that

Overnight: Private Game Lodge. Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7

Breakfast at the lodge and then you are on our way to Robertson. Situated in the shadow of the majestic Langeberg Mountains with the Breede River as its life blood. With 150 years of history, Robertson has grown into one of the most attractive Cape Winelands towns.

Drive on your own pace in this picturesque wine-producing valley of Robertson.

You destination a private wine estate is a fifth generation family wine farm and offers luxury and indulgence. You can spend some time and relax in the magnificent garden, with a magnificent view.

Dinner can be enjoyed on the wine estate or where your desire takes you in this romantic little town.

Overnight: Private Wine Estate Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

It's off to an early start as guests indulge in a farm breakfast.

This day is taking you to one of the tiny fishing village on the west coast. Although this route is just over 200km it is a spectacular drive with different places to shop and explore. This trip will take you through some of the most interesting places with history and character.

The main attraction is a restaurant that is legend on the west coast. “Die Muisbosskerm” is an experience of food from the ocean second-to-none and situated right on the beach. It is an institution that grew out of a love for food that you will not experience anywhere in the world. You will meet people there from all over the world and the locals that is the friendliest people in South Africa.

The sunset will mesmerize you, and the breeze from the ocean is cool and fresh. Like nothing you have ever experienced.

You will overnight at a guest house where you will always be welcomed with a glass of sherry. (My favorite place to stay)

Overnight: Guest House Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9

If you did not eat yourself into oblivion the night before we will enjoy a breakfast in the lovely dining area.

Paternoster is your next stop. Paternoster, Latin for “Our Father” ostensibly took its name from the heartfelt prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors.

The hotel has the best bar in the world, and you can have lunch there.

The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve with the well known Tietiesbaai offers beautiful wildflowers during September. Whales and dolphins also visit these waters ten months of the year and August to November is there breeding season.

You can visit the West Coast Fossil Park. For bird lovers this is a paradise as this is home to 250 species of birds.

Dinner at the hotel on a warm summer evening will be served outside.

The bar is a hot spot where one will mingle with the interesting locals and a definite for a late night drink. The night might end late if the locals have their way.

Overnight: Hotel 4* Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

After breakfast the day is yours to spend in and around this very special place. The Cape Columbine Lighthouse was the last manned lighthouse and built in South Africa in 1936.

Other places of interest are the Fisherman’s Cottage, the Art of Pottery Studio and the fresh fish market when the fishing boats come in. Maybe you would want to catch your own dinner with one of the angling trips.

Light lunch.

The rest of the day you can spend as you please. Attractions include Beach Buggy trips along the coast line, long walks on the beach and spear fishing excursions.

Buy a lobster if the fishing boats come in and have it for dinner on the beach. The last night on this coast with a mystery of its own.

You will never forget this place where Portuguese sailors prayed heartfelt prayers.

Overnight: Hotel 4* Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

Breakfast and you make your way back to Cape Town

A more sedate way of viewing the historical landmarks is on offer. A horse drawn carriage will take you to The Castle and there you can explore this old landmark.

Lunch at The V&A will set the tone for a more sophisticated afternoon ahead. This is Africa’s Monaco

Drive through the picturesque areas.

Overnight: Guest House Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

Early start with breakfast and then it is off to Stellenbosch. The wine route, synonymous with a variety of award winning red and white wines, was established in April 1971 by late Neil Joubert of Spier, Frans Malan of Simonsig and Spatz Sperling of Delheim. The Wine Route comprises of 44 cellars which produce between them a large variety of red and white wines.

The route takes you along several winding country roads dotted with white-washed homesteads and tradition rich cellars that peep out from within vine covered hills and valleys.

Enjoy lunch at one of these cellars in the spectacular gardens that surround these cellars.

Wine and more wine.

This will keep you busy for the entire day. The Wine Estates in South Africa is geared for tourist and make every visit at every vineyard a new experience.

A fusion of a Stellenbosch will be your guest house accommodation, bed & breakfast and luxury hotel, combines the best of all accommodations to offer guests an unparalleled experience.

Spend your days uncovering the Cape's must-see attractions, and spend your evenings unwinding in our Award Winning estate. Two hectares of exotic garden landscape, six Cape Dutch villas, twelve elegant rooms, several exquisite amenities, and an efficient Swiss run team complete this experience.

Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, by the historic town of Stellenbosch, the immediate vicinity offers much to see and do. Lively outdoor cafes, elegant restaurants, chic boutiques, a bustling street market, charming oak lined streets, historic Cape Dutch architecture, magnificent mountain views and lush vineyards

Later you can relax and soak you body either in the heated pool or the Jacuzzi with a glass of wine.

Overnight: Country Lodge 5* Meals: Breakfast

Day 13

Breakfast at one of the scenic spots of this estate will be the way we start our day.

This region is home to some of the finest architecture in the country and also creates the backdrop to some of the country’s most beautiful and historically significant towns.

Visit the town of Franschhoek and devote some time to experiencing some wine tasting where some of South Africa's finest can be sampled. The wine producing region is one of the highlights of this South African Tour. Food from chocolates, cheese and homemade ice-cream can be seen and of course tasted.

Art indulgence with the Franschhoek Meander. This art, crafts and antiques route meanders through the village and surrounding areas and visits skilled craftsmen, specialty shops and the Hugenote Memorial Museum.

Then a little heritage and history. Nelson Mandela was incarcerated in the local Drakenstein prison just before being freed in 1990. Visit this famous jail and walk “the long walk to freedom” of his release.

My South African Tour invites you to a special dinner at Nederburg to conclude this tour. This is a special dinner that is done in the cellar with food that is prepared by the finest chef’s of Nederburg that use their knowledge of wine and fine food to create a culinary delight.

Overnight: Country Lodge 5* Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14

Breakfast and you make your way back to Cape Town.

There are still endless possibilities to see and enjoy in Cape Town.

Visit a couple of the Museums or just relax at the V&A Waterfront

You will spend your last night at the spa and your wife can get that manicure and pedicure before you start preparing for your trip home

Dinner can be enjoyed at any of the hundreds of night spot as Cape Town comes to life on a Saturday.

Overnight: Spa Meals: Breakfast

Day 15

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and depending on your flight make sure you visit Green Market square.

Green Point flea market is the largest market in Cape Town. Here we will be entertained with music, crafts and loads of traditional African art pieces and curios are for sale. Find that special gift or memento to take home.

Lunch can be at this colorful venue that is only open on a Sunday.

This African dream adventure has come to an end and we await your next visit. The pleasure was ours to guide you through this wonderful and diverse country we call home.

Overnight: None Meals: Breakfast

Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa, Robben Island Prison, Nelson Mandela, Apartheid, World Heritage Site

Cape Town, Rovos Rail Luxury Train, Hermanus, Whale Route, Knysna, Garden Route, Cape West Coast, Cape Winelands and a malaria free Big Five Safari!

15 Days & 14 Nights:..........................$3945-00

Rates are per person sharing and includes meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), accommodation, transport and entry fees. (See detailed itinerary)