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 An entire continent’s worth of greatness concentrated into a single gorgeous package, South Africa practically bowls visitors over with its abundance of natural splendour, exotic wildlife, cosmopolitan flair, and friendly faces. There are hundreds of reasons to come to South Africa – savannah safaris, the vineyards of Stellenbosch, dazzling Cape Town, and the stunning Garden Route, to name but a few – and once you’ve gotten yourself here, you’ll discover millions more.
Spectacular scenery, vibrant culture, and a dramatic, inspiring past - South Africa has it all. Travel to Johannesburg - former home of revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela and gateway to some of the world's most celebrated wildlife reserves. Scan the horizon of Kruger National Park for the "big five," and enjoy unforgettable sunsets over the savanna. Discover the charms of Cape Town, one of Africa’s most beautiful cities.
Day 0 - Saturday, April 20, 2024
Depart USA, Canada, Europe on any regular scheduled flight to Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB).
Day 1 - Sunday, April 21, 2024
 Independent arrivals in Johannesburg (JNB). Transfers to the hotel will be arranged. Check in at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, former part of the Orient Express chain of hotels, the Westcliff is situated in Johannesburg's most exclusive residential suburb, its hillside setting with cascading sculpted gardens and elegantly opulent accommodation evoke a bygone era of leisure and refinement in one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.
Evening at leisure. Recommended dinner at Flames the hotel fine dining restaurant.
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg, 5*
Room: Panoramic View Deluxe Room
Day 2 - Monday, April 22, 2024
 A buffet style breakfast is served on the terrace starting at 6:30 am.
Departure for PRETORIA AND CULLINAN DIAMOND TOUR “underground tours (duration 4 hours long)”. The Cullinan Diamond Mine is the site of the World's oldest and South Africa's third richest diamond mine. Premier mine opened in 1902 and together with it founded the pretty Victorian village of Cullinan. The Cullinan Mine produced the world's largest gem quality diamond - a massive 3106-carats uncut! This diamond was chiseled into 98 individual diamonds including the Great and Lesser Stars of Africa, the 2nd and 3rd largest polished diamonds in the World which are now set in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. We will be viewing diamond cutting & polishing before we are invited to browse the loose diamonds and exquisite jewelry and perhaps make that special purchase.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue with our cultural journey of exploration through our capital, the Jacaranda City, so called for its breathtaking purple-lined streets when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom. We're ready and set to trace South Africa's extraordinary history via a range of imposing, intriguing museums and monuments, beginning with the legendary Voortrekker Monument, a memorial to the early settlers. We've chosen to end this City Tour with the Union Buildings, not only an architectural icon, but site of the emotionally charged scene which played out at Nelson Mandela's joyful inauguration as president in 1994. You'll be standing precisely where South African history turned the corner.
Back at the hotel to relax.
Departure for an art tour, Visit Gallery MOMO is owned by Monna Mokoena; Mokoena transformed the building into an open, airy gallery, which lends a modern exhibition. Gallery MOMO has a minimalist façade with full-size wall-windows that bring the outside in, allowing a spacious atmosphere for the works on display.
Welcome sunset dinner at Marble. This is the city’s best culinary proposal by award-winning Michelin star chef David Higgs. Return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg, 5*
Room: Panoramic View Deluxe Room
Day 3 - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
 Check out of the Westcliff. On the way to the JNB airport we will do a panoramic tour of Constitution Hill, an old Fort and prison. Flight from Johannesburg to Skukusa airport. Upon arrival we are welcomed by the local team and transferred to our lodge; we enjoy a light lunch and unpack. Our first safari (Game-drive) starts at 4:30 pm. Typical barbecue dinner at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Lion Sands River Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve, 5*
Room: Luxury Room
Day 4 - Wednesday, April 24, 2024
 We take part early in the morning on our first full day safari, surreal experiences await us as we submerge ourselves in the African WildLife World.
There will be 2 safaris per day, one in the morning and another that starts in the afternoon and goes into the evening, they last approximately 3 hrs each. During the day you can relax by the pool, nap, get a massage, read a book.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Lion Sands River Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve, 5*
Room: Luxury Room
Day 5 - Thursday, April 25, 2024
 Another day of full day safari opportunities deeper in the world of African wildlife. Again, you may choose to take part in one or both of our 2 half-day safaris, one in the morning and another that starts in the afternoon and goes into the evening, and last approximately 3 hrs each. Or you may feel like breaking up your safari experience to enjoy the luxuries of the Reserve, choosing to relax by the pool, or take advantage of the spa offerings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Lion Sands River Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve, 5*
Room: Luxury Room
Day 6 - Friday, April 26, 2024
 After breakfast, Lodge check-out and departure for the airport. Flight from Skukusa to Cape Town (2 1/2 hours flight) Lunch will be served on-flight.
At landing we make our way to the Winelands. Check in Leeu House. Everard Read sculpture garden walk and dinner at La Petit Colombe. (This dinner is self-paid).
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Leeu House Wine Estates, Franschhoek, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 7 - Saturday, April 27, 2024
 Departure to Stellenbosch, upon arrival we will have a short tour through the historic town,
renowned for a gracious blend of 18th Century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, and surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and stunning mountains.
Visit of The Rupert Museum, displaying the collection of the Rupert Family: a sizeable collection of South African art is on display
at the museum founded by the now deceased internationally successful business legend turned
philanthropist Anton Rupert. Lunch at Boschendal, one of the oldest wine producers in the New
World with a French vinicultural heritage dating back to 1685. After touring the facilities, lush
gardens and wine tasting rooms, we will treat ourselves to a French-style picnic beneath the fragrant
pines. Visit Babylonstoren; this state combines traditional Cape Dutch architecture with a clean
modern style, we will walk the organic lush fruit gardens, this also a wonderful Shopping opportunity.
Back to the hotel to relax. Departure for sunset cocktails and light bites at the stunning home of
Collectors Nigel Brocklehurst and Stephen Twell, we will be introduced to their indigenous South
African ART Collection and sculptures garden on the slopes of the mountain overlooking Franschhoek.
En-route back to the hotel optional dinner in Franschhoek town at Smitten (if you are still hungry)
(this dinner is self-paid)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Leeu House Wine Estates, Franschhoek, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 8 - Sunday, April 28, 2024
 Hotel check out, departure for Cape Town. Visit to the charming town of Franschhoek, famous for the French cultural and agricultural influence brought in by Huguenot settlers between 1688 and 1690. We will take you to 3 local Art Galleries and you’ll have free time to stroll down the main street with its French style cafes. Visit the Motor Museum, we will have an opportunity to look back at 100 years of automotive history. Visit La Motte wine estate, home to the finest wines and showcasing a remarkable art gallery, La Motte is arguably the best wine country experience you’ll ever have. Time permitting, visit the Dylan Lewis sculpture garden. A scenic drive through the City downtown area, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the neighborhoods of Green Point, home of the stadium where the 2010 World Cup was held, we drive through Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay. The City of Cape Town was formerly a Dutch fort, a French haven, a British colony, and a key stopping point along the Spice Route. Cape Town’s roots were founded by the explorers and settlers that claimed its startlingly gorgeous territory as their home; its origins, however, are extremely diverse, with eclectic influences from the Malaysian slaves and indigenous Khoisan African natives having infused the city with color, flavor, and excitement. Check in at Winchester house, Dinner on your own, recommendations will be provided: Utopia (great views) or Fyn (one of the top 100 restaurants in the world), both restaurants have fabulous tasting menus.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Winchester Hotel by Newmark, Cape Town, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 9 - Monday, April 29, 2024
 A buffet style breakfast is served at the hotel starting at 7:00 am.
Depart for an introductory tour of downtown Cape Town (drop off at Mount Nelson Hotel for walk down Government Avenue and Company Gardens). We will start at the visit the South African Museum, housing a permanent display of natural history (marine life and birds), geology, ethnology, archaeology and printing.
Next is the South African National Gallery, the country’s premier art museum, houses outstanding collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. Government Avenue has ornamental gateways guarded by the Stone Lions sculpted by Anton Anreith, The Michaelis School of Fine Arts, The Little Theatre and Bertram House, the only surviving brick Georgian house in Cape Town. We will then make a stop at The Ann Lidderdale Collection of fine furniture, ceramics, silver and objects d'art. The South African Library was designed by William Kohler and his designs were based on the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The opening ceremony was performed by Prince Alfred in 1860 and an impressive portrait of Queen Victoria's son hangs in the main reading room. Governor Sir George Grey was responsible for this magnificent building and a collection of his books and manuscripts are to be viewed here. They include a copy of Shakespeare's first folio. Next is the Company's Gardens and the Houses of Parliament. The buttress stone, inscribed with Arts and Crafts lettering, was laid by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) in 1901. Nobel Peace Prize winner and anti-apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu was based at St Georges and Cape Town have built an Arches for the Arch monument at the end of Government Avenue in recognition of his contribution to the democratic South Africa. Adjacent to St George’s Cathedral is the Slave Lodge, a National Museum recording the history of slaves in South Africa. There is a Nelson Mandela sculpture.
Visit to the historic Malay Quarter of the Bo Kaap: Up the slopes of Signal Hill above Buitengracht Street, we will find a residential area of people descending from Malay slaves and immigrants brought to the Cape during the Dutch occupation. The Malay community was established by Sheikh Yusuf of Batavia on his arrival at the Cape in 1693. The earliest of the houses in the Bo-Kaap were erected at the close of the 18th century. Stop at Atlas spice shop, walk to lunch at a local gem.
Afternoon free to explore on your own. Return to the hotel. Dinner at Bouchon (Spanish tapas and wine tasting)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Winchester Hotel by Newmark, Cape Town, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 10 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
 Free morning to explore on your own!
Options:
• Hike up to the top of Lion's Head.
• Waterfront Shopping.
• Robben Island prison tour: starts at 9:00am (last 3 hours)
• Helicopter tours over Cape Town.
• Everard Reid Art Gallery.
• Township tour
• Beach time – Clifton/Camps Bay.
• Kayak tour on the bay to see the dolphins with Jordy Zeelie.
Lunch at The Silo (we will regroup here to start the afternoon).
Afternoon to explore the art scene of the city. Urban murals, Woodstock Foundry. Visit to Michael Stevenson’s gallery). Probably the most reputable gallery in Cape Town, representing thriving artists such as Deborah Poynton, David Goldblatt, Berni Searle, Penny Siopsis and Nandipha Mntambo. Optional MOCA museum.
After this tour we will stop at southern guilt and "Truth Coffee" rated the best coffee-shop in the world. Return to the hotel, dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Winchester Hotel by Newmark, Cape Town, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 11 - Wednesday, May 01, 2024
 Cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. Visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, continue to NORVAL FOUNDATION, showcasing the works of world renowned South African artists, this stunning venue presents probably the most carefully curated collection of African contemporary art.
Lunch and wine tasting at Steenberg Winery. Established in 1682 this farm features a magnificent tribute to its heritage. In the afternoon we do a panoramic driving tour of the Southern Peninsula Ou-kaapse-we, Noordhoek, Chapmans Peak, Constantia-nek.
Optional: Red Room dinner-show experience at Mount Nelson Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Winchester Hotel by Newmark, Cape Town, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 12 - Thursday, May 02, 2024
 Cape Peninsula tour: Located in the incredible Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Point is the most southwestern point of the continent, as well as the longest peninsula in South Africa. Also considered a Natural World Heritage Site, here you will find a dramatic scenery of endless ocean views.
We will drive by the quaint town of Fish Hoek all the way down to Simon Town. Lunch will be at a local tavern.
Farewell dinner at Test kitchen Fledglings. (One of SA’s best culinary experiences)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Winchester Hotel by Newmark, Cape Town, 5*
Room: Classic Room
Day 13 - Friday, May 03, 2024
Hotel check out. Individual airport transfer to your return flight home or ongoing African adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
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