Great Safaris Final Trip Itinerary for SYWA Safari in Southern Africa

VIP Meet & Greet - South Africa

Your exciting adventure begins today, as you touch down in South Africa. On arrival you will receive a VIP meet and greet at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board. Should your aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal building, you will be transported to the terminal by bus where you meet and greet will be waiting for you as you step off the bus. You will then be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and on to your next service.

Private transfer to the hotel

Cape Town

The Mother City has a peculiar habit - once a day, Capetonians check their watches. Now, this in itself is not very unusual. The strangeness comes into the fact that everyone looks at their watches at exactly the same time without consciously thinking about it. At exactly 12:00 pm every day, a loud bang fired from cannon on Signal Hill announces to the city that midday has arrived.

The Cape was established by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a halfway house along the trade route between the East and Europe. This became a place to mend ships, rest and heal weary visitors and most importantly to collect fresh produce grown by farmers in the area in order to feed famished sailors and soldiers before heading off again for the second leg of their arduous sea voyage. Cape Town grew quickly and soon earned the reputation as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’. Today Cape Town is still a thriving port and never ceases to enthrall visitors with its unique beauty, ethnic diversity and energetic vibe.

With its iconic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects both the area’s history and the more pragmatic realities of the 21st century. The city’s Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been carefully preserved, and many excellent examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its environs.

The ability to make something that is both functional and beautiful has long been a proud aspect of the African culture. Cape Town boasts some of the most original and creative handmade arts and crafts and can be found at markets and shops all over Cape Town. You'll find something that caters for any taste or style at the V&A Waterfront or at one of the many shops that open their doors in the surrounding Cape Town area.

Being a coastal town, the ocean plays an important part in everyday lives, beyond the calming effect for which it's famous. There is an incredible diversity of marine life to be discovered and many fun-filled activities can be planned to make use of the bountiful Atlantic and Indian Oceans surrounding Cape Town

Table Mountain

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby for your tour to Table Mountain, ascend the mountain by cable car. It is wise to enjoy the mountain during the early morning hours, when the clouds have not yet gathered over the mountain top (or, as the locals say, before the “white tablecloth has been spread over Table Mountain”.)

Table Mountain is an iconic flat-topped massif that looms majestically over the city of Cape Town. Ascending to its summit via the rotating cable car unveils a panoramic spectacle, a mesmerizing blend of urban sophistication and untamed wilderness. As you traverse the meandering trails, the fynbos vegetation, unique to the Cape Floral Kingdom, paints the landscape with a kaleidoscope of colors. The intricate tapestry of Proteas, Ericas, and Restios creates a botanical wonderland, a living testament to the region’s biodiversity. The Table Mountain plateau is not merely a vantage point; it’s a geological marvel. Weathered sandstone formations, sculpted by millennia of wind and rain, stand as sentinels of time. Adventure seekers can opt for rock climbing routes that challenge even the most seasoned climbers, providing a unique perspective on the rugged grandeur of the mountain.

Explore the V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront, which attracts roughly 24 million visitors each year, is South Africa’s most-visited destination. This is hardly surprising when you think about how much it has to offer!

While it is still technically a working harbour – you’ll no doubt catch a glimpse of fishing boats and container ships – the V&A Waterfront is more frequently thought of as a shopping destination. Covering 123 acres, the V&A Waterfront is divided up into five shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, the Watershed, The Alfred Mall and Pierhead, The Clock Tower, and Breakwater Point. With more than 450 stores, you’ll find everything from local designers to big international brands. For crafts and local talent, make sure you pop into the Watershed, and, if it’s art or jewellery you’re after, head over to The Alfred Mall and Pierhead.

All that shopping is likely to work up an appetite, and the myriad restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets will keep you fuelled. Of course, some of the restaurants and bars are reason enough to visit the V&A Waterfront. The majority of the restaurants at the V&A Waterfront have excellent views of the harbour, and those that don’t – such as Willoughby & Co – make up for it with top-notch food. (Really, the sushi is hard to beat!) If you after something a little more relaxed, head over to the V&A Food Market where you’ll find regional delicacies, artisanal breads and cheeses, craft beers, vegan treats, and biltong. It’s foodie heaven! If it’s a hot day – or even if it’s not – make sure you swing by The Creamery for a scoop of the best ice-cream in town.

For sundowners, you’ll want to try the Grand Café & Beach or the trendy Shimmy Beach Club, where the beautiful views vie with the gorgeous patrons for your attention. Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace hotel offers a sophisticated whisky-tasting experience, and Belthezar on Victoria Wharf reputedly has the widest selection of wine by the glass in the world!

*** Explore the V&A waterfront at your own pace

Cape Point & Boulders Penguins

Depart the hotel this morning to commence your tour of the Cape Peninsula. First you will travel via the 12 Apostles and Hout Bay, to Chapman’s Peak. This is one of the region’s most dramatic mountain drives and offers amazing panoramic views over the city and environs. Descend the mountain pass and continue on to the coastline.

This strip of the peninsula’s shoreline, commonly known as the Atlantic Seaboard, stretches some 34 miles from the waters of Table Bay along the western coast to the nature reserve at Cape Point. The exceptional beaches and rugged mountains along this coastline not only make this a popular drive, but also provide outstanding views across the Atlantic Ocean, with some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve comes to an end at majestic Cape Point. Situated at the junction of two of earth’s most contrasting water masses – the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. Take the funicular to the vantage point from where they will be able to witness the “meeting of the two oceans”.

Today’s attractions include Boulders beach, which is home to a colony of endangered "jackass" penguins. Technically, these are African penguins, but early settlers thought that their braying sound was more like a four-footed pack animal than a two-footed bird! Visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Lunch at Harbour House

Enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Harbour House in Kalk Bay - including menu gratuity (Excluding Drinks)

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares, of which 36 ha is cultivated and the rest is a protected area supporting natural forest and fynbos, and a wide variety of indigenous birds, animals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates. Birds are abundant at Kirstenbosch, particularly in the Garden – more than 125 species have been recorded. The natural area can be explored via a number of walks and trails. Kirstenbosch is adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park, and both form part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area that was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Chapmans Peak

Chapman's Peak is a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town, South Africa. The western flank of the mountain falls sharply for hundreds of meters into the Atlantic Ocean, and a road, known as Chapman's Peak Drive, hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain, linking Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Tourists and locals often stop at viewpoints along this road, which offer views of Hout Bay, The Sentinel Peak and surrounds, as well as over Noordhoek Beach. Chapman's Peak Drive is part of the route of two of South Africa's biggest mass-participation races, the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon.

You will be met in the lobby this morning for your transfer to the winelands.

Classic Cape Cuisine Walk in Stellenbosch

A visit to a beautiful eatery will ignite your senses when you are introduced to delicately crafted wines accompanied by appetizing treats. Equally enticing are the visits to local spots where each one will spoil you with traditional teas, desserts and lunch. Please note that this tour is not suitable for guests who require lactose and gluten-free meals. A Leisurely-paced walk coupled with entertaining stories about the town, visit the oldest restored townhouse in South Africa, sample home-grown teas paired with typical Cape sweet treats, taste traditional beef snacks, enjoy locally produced wines with appetizing delights and a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in Stellenbosch.

We can accommodate most dietary types on most of the tours, however, it is crucial to inform us of your required dietaries. Non-alcoholic refreshment options are available for every tour - please don’t hesitate to inform your guide. The duration of this tour is around 3.4 - 4 hours.

Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of this picturesque valley, its rolling vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history. The Hop-on Hop-off Experience, allows you to do just that – hop on and off as you like, experiencing the different activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or just a stroll through the vineyards. And when you’re ready, simply hop-on to continue your journey.

Take your pick between ten different lines, each visiting a selection of wine estates showcasing a separate part of the Franschhoek Valley. The Hop-on Hop-off experience allows you to curate and plan your own day. You get to choose how long you spend at each spot (within the line schedule, of course), where you eat, where you drink, and the activities you partake in. There are 10 lines to choose from which takes you to 8 or 9 top wine estates.

Your experience begins at either the Franschhoek Terminal or the Groot Drakenstein Terminal (depending on the line), where you can grab a coffee, beignet and browse for merchandise while waiting for your journey to start. From the terminals, you will be transported around your selected line’s loop of stops on a combination of double-decker tram and open-air tram-bus, allowing you to disembark when you like. Three wine tastings are included.

Franschhoek

French Huguenots settled in this spectacular valley over 300 years ago, bringing their vines with them. Ever since, this Winelands town has clung to its French roots. Franschhoek bills itself as the country’s gastronomic capital, and you’ll certainly have a tough time deciding where to eat. Plus, with a clutch of art galleries, wine farms and stylish guesthouses thrown in, it really is one of the loveliest towns in the Cape.

Franschhoek is famous for it’s wines. The valley and mountain slopes are decorated by the vines of many wine estates, where one can relax and taste a variety of exquisite wines in majestic surroundings. Franschhoek is a wine lovers delight… the valley has a deep vigneron tradition, dating back to the 16th century. Some of South Africa’s oldest and most famous wine estates are found here.

Franschhoek has a plethora boutique shops scattered around the village. You can find high fashion clothing stores, jewelry, antique and interior shops, specialty food stores and wine shops as well as many art galleries, all within easy walking distance in the heart of the village. Franschhoek has many fine and award winning Restaurants to choose from, for a great dining experience. Whether you are after a breakfast, light lunch, family meal or a romantic evening of fine dining gourmet cuisine for two, Franschhoek’ s wide variety of Restaurants will cater to all your culinary desires…

Private Transfer from your hotel/lodge to Airport

Internal Flight from Cape Town International Airport to Hoedspruit

Shared transfer to your hotel

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Spanning 15 000 hectares of the pristine African bush, Kapama offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife. Over 40 different species of mammals including the Big 5 – elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo and rhinoceros – as well as 350 bird species, thrive in their natural habitat. Guests are privileged to be able to observe these magnificent creatures in the wild with twice-daily guided game drives and after-breakfast bush walks to be fully submerged in the African bush experience.

Kapama’s four luxury lodges each have a charm of their own – Buffalo Camp delights with its old-world feel, Southern Camp offers warmth and hospitality, River Lodge is vibrant year-round and Karula is breathtakingly elegant. The more adventurous can also choose to spend a night in the romantic sleep-out.

According to the legend of the local people, the Shangaan, chiefs of the tribe who demonstrated acts of extreme bravery were honoured by being reborn as lions. Local lore says that if you look deep enough into the eyes of the lions of Kapama (at a distance that is!), you can see past the beast and into the soul of a Shangaan chief.

Folklore tells of a lone lion called Kapama who lived on the land. Kapama was an extraordinary beast and in addition to being enormous, he was a crafty animal. Every young man in the village had pitted their hunting skills against the great lion but he evaded them at every turn. Kapama was so good at thwarting his prey that people came to believe he was an ancient king who, through some misdeed, had been condemned to roam the land in the great animal’s body.

There came a period of great drought and strife in the area and the people and animals suffered greatly. But the great “king” Kapama knew where to locate water and was able to track the fattest game. The young men of the village had grown to revere the old king and followed the beast rather than hunting him and were able to feed their tribe. When the rains finally came, it fell on the hard earth in torrents, creating a river which was named Kapama. According to legend, the king had paid his dues and was never seen again. “Kapama” was the name given to the last chief of this revered bloodline.

Game Drives in Kapama Private Game Reserve

Immerse yourself in the peacefulness of the African bush at the luxurious Kapama Private Game Reserve. Spanning over 37,000 acres of pristine South African bush, Kapama offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife. Kapama’s legendary game drives and guided bush walks offer guests the opportunity to explore diverse landscapes and prolific wildlife. The twice-daily game drives and educational bush walks are an essential part of the experience. Accompanied by a skilled guide and assistant guide, the game drives are a highlight of the day and encountering some (or all!) of the Big Five is a very definite possibility.

Early morning and early evening are the best time of day for game viewing. Spotting an elusive bat-eared fox retiring for the day, a dazzle of zebras starting their day or hearing the call of guineafowl as the day comes to an end means two game drives are never the same and offer different experiences at different times. What you see in the morning, afternoon or evening will be different from season to season and day to day. Under the guidance of a skilled guide and assistant guide, small groups (up to 8 guests) are taken into the reserve on foot and shown how to look for animals using traditional tracking skills such as footprints, spoor patterns and scent marking. The guides’ knowledge and experience extend to pointing out various plants that are used for their medicinal value. Look down and marvel at the world that is underfoot with the abundance of insects and creatures so often overlooked.

*** Domestic flights will be coordinated for the group but is not included in the pricing.

Private Transfer from your hotel/lodge to Airport

Internal flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg

Departure Flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari !

Internal flight Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Victoria Falls

Private transfer to the hotel

Sunset cruise on the Zambezi Explorer

The Zambezi Explorer Vessel is a custom-designed five-star cruise vessel that takes guests on a luxury trip along the Zambezi River. The Zambezi Explorer has three decks to choose from. Some people prefer to be high and have a wider vista from the uppermost deck, others prefer to be closer to the water, to get a closer look at the wildlife and birds on the river banks.

The Signature Deck, secured for this tour, is the uppermost level and it is pure extravagance with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages served from a private bar. VIP guests can relax in the comfort of the deep-set couches and enjoy the pleasure of luxury service.

Harvesting the abundant sunshine, almost the entire onboard facilities are solar-powered. It has wheelchair access and wheelchair-friendly facilities.

The Experience: Cruise around the islands of the upper section of the Zambezi river. Such a large body of water understandably attracts a whole host of wildlife which comes from the often dry interior to quench their thirst. The river is home to great pods of hippo, which are now accustomed to these cruises which can get close to them without any danger. The more sinister-looking crocodiles are regularly seen basking on the banks or gliding through the water. Elephants, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu, impala, baboons and monkeys, along with a plethora of exotic birds are regular sightings.

Tour of Victoria Falls

After breakfast, depart on a guided tour of Victoria Falls through the Rainforest. The guide will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird, wildlife and other points of interest as you walk along the ravine. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed, though it is recommended to take a small poncho with you.

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.

Elephant Encounter

The Elephant Encounter affords guests the opportunity to unobtrusively observe some of the biggest personalities in Africa, in a pristine wilderness environment overflowing with raw natural beauty. Guests spend between 2.5 - 3 hours on this tour, learning and connecting with elephants in the most positive and natural way possible.

An open-design thatch Boma gives guests an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Masuwe River, and against this breath-taking back drop, guests will be given an insightful and educational presentation on the Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage. The sanctuary was founded on the principle of conservation, and one of the most effective ways to evoke a sense of environmental responsibility is to show what stands to be lost.

Guests will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephants and the sight of the gentle mammals up close and personal will be remembered long after they have returned home. Witness the special relationship the elephant keepers share with the animals and become a part of it. You will have the opportunity to take photographs with the elephants, marvel at their size and watch them behaving normally; browsing and interacting with one another.

After the encounter with these amazing creatures guests will be offered a selection of refreshments, followed by the a transfer back to your hotel/lodge.

*** Domestic flights will be coordinated for the group but is not included in the pricing.

Private Transfer from your hotel/lodge to Airport

Internal flight from Victoria Falls to OR Tambo International Airport

Departure Flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari !