WILD AFRICA

Panorama Route, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve and Cape Town
8 days - 7 nights 2 guests

Highgrove House Country Hotel ( Panorama route ) - 1 night D, B&B
Lion Sands Riveer Lodge ( Sabi sand private game reserve ) - 2 nights D, B&B
Table Bay Hotel ( Cape Toown ) - 4 nights D, B&B

Keys
D, B&B : Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

SOUTH AFRICA

This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches of Cape Town; enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sample some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

Currency

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns, and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.

TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.

Principal air routes are serviced by SAA and British Airways. There are also low-cost carriers on main routes, namely Kulula.com, Mango and Safair. Facilitating travel around South Africa are 10 airports managed by the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa). In addition, there are some 90 regional airports, including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit and the Skukuza Airport, offering access to the Kruger National Park.

An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas though. Please note that a valid international driver's licence is required. We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa and Uber is available.

Another means of getting around South Africa are inter-city bus services such as Greyhound and Trans-Lux. Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone.There is the popular MyCityBus system in Cape Town as well as a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains. More luxurious options are the Blue Train, Premier Classe and the steam train Rovos Rail. There is also the Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province llinking Sandton and Marlboro to the O.R.Tambo International Airport and a Commuter Service linking Rhodesfield, Marlboro, and Sandton (east-west link) and Park, Rosebank, Sandton, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria Central and Hatfield (north-south link). All stations with the exception of the Airport station have integrated car parking facilities.

FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and put ice in your drinks. South Africa's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

Restaurants are subject to South Africa's food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.

Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.

CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS

Summer

Bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don't forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).

Winter

The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.

General

Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.

Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.

If you are doing business in the country, business attire (suit and tie) is generally called for in the corporate sector, but media for example generally dress more casually.

For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there's no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable.

For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS

Electrical sockets in the Republic of South Africa are Type M (SABS-1661). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in South Africa usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

DAY 1 : PANORAMA ROUTE

On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you will be met at the aircraft door by our representative and assisted with customs and immigration formalities before proceeding to the departure gate for your onward connection to Nelspruit. If your luggage has not been checked through, our representative will assist you with collection and check-in.

Scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Nelspruit – not included

Private road transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Highgrove House.

Spend 1 night at Highgrove House in a Luxury Suite with en suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

DAYS 2 - 3 : SABI SAND PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

After breakfast, you will spend most of this day exploring the wonderful sightseeing activities of this region before arriving at Highgrove House Country Hotel. Lunch is offered at Harries Pancakes in Graskop. Visit:

God’s Window - a stunning view from Highveld to Lowveld

The Pinnacle - a 30 m high quartzite “needle” which rises dramatically out of a fern clad ravine

Bourke’s Luck - fascinating rock forms at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers

Blyde River Canyon - endless viewpoints over the third largest canyon in the world

Lisbon, Berlin and Mac Mac Falls - impressive scenery and deep waterfalls

Pilgrim’s Rest - restored Gold Rush mining town and home of Jock of the Bushveld.

Spend 1 night at Highgrove House in 1 Double Executive Suite with en suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

DAYS 4 - 7 : CAPE TOWN

Lodge transfer from Lion Sands River Lodge to Skukuza Airport

Scheduled flight from Skukuza to Cape Town – not included

Private road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to The Table Bay Hotel. Transfer time is approximately 30 minutes.

Spend 4 nights at The Table Bay Hotel in a Luxury Mountain Facing Room on a bed and breakfast basis including Wi-Fi

Day 05: Private Half Day City and Table Mountain Tour including entrance fees and lunch.

The first stop (weather permitting) is Table Mountain’s Lower Cableway Station, for a 5-minute revolving cable car ride to the top. We will explore the mountain’s summit and absorb the breath-taking views before descending. We then return to the city via the old Cape Malay Quarter for a walk through the Company Gardens, a fresh produce garden for ships and locals from the mid-17th century, and now home to the South Africa Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St George’s Cathedral. We stroll through the city to Greenmarket Square, where you can browse the bustling market stalls for beautiful and unique African mementos. From there we drive to the Castle, South Africa’s oldest building, with its incredible collection of Old Cape paintings. Take in the nearby Grand Parade, where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation on his release in 1990, and then move on to the District Six Museum, which showcases the colourful life of this legendary area and the forced relocation of its residents during the Apartheid era. We round off our tour at one of the city’s popular restaurants, before returning to your hotel. Entrance fees to Table Mountain Cableway, the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the District Six Museum are included. Other points of interest are optional.

Table Mountain was officially named one of the New 7 wonders of Nature in December 2012. Both local and international tourists are adding the New 7 Wonders of Nature sites to their “bucket lists”. Table Mountain is the most accessible of the New 7 Wonders and is the only one in a city.

This evening you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the Cellars Hohenort for dinner. (Dinner for your own account).

After dinner you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Day 06: Private Full Day Connoisseurs Winelands Tour including entrance fees and lunch.

Depart the city for the winelands in the nearby Boland Mountains for a leisurely exploration of historic towns, liquid delights, gastronomic wonders and home-grown hospitality. The Cape Winelands are some of the most beautiful in the world, with a heritage that lives on in beautiful, historic estates producing some of the world’s most celebrated wines. There are a variety of route options that take in the historic wine regions of Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, or the more emergent areas like Walker Bay, the Swartland and Worcester. Learn about the industries colourful history and traditions and savour the wonderful wines that showcase the unique terroirs of the Cape in a myriad of styles, from classic old world favourites to fruit-driven “early drinking” new world wines. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at one of South Africa’s top restaurants, paired of course, with the regions finest wines.

NB. Specific requests for wine estate visits and tastings are subject to confirmation at time of booking.

Day 07: Private "The Very Best of the Cape Peninsula" Full Day Tour including entrance fees and lunch.

We make our way along the Atlantic seaboard passing Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Clifton. Bakoven and Llandudno, with their ghostly shipwrecks, are also fantastic sights on the way to the fishing village of Hout Bay, where we board a scheduled boat to view the Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island (weather dependent). From here we navigate the 114 curves of 600m high Chapman’s Peak Drive. We enter the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park with its unique Cape fynbos vegetation and home to birds like African black oystercatchers and Cape sugarbirds as well as to very special fauna including Cape mountain zebra, bontebok (both endemic) and the charismatic Cape baboon. Climb (or ride the world’s first environmentally friendly funicular) to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay. After lunch, we visit Boulders Beach to see the penguins, and then head home through the naval village of Simonstown and over scenic Boyes Drive, taking in the views of the fishing harbour at Kalk Bay and the seaside havens of St. James and Muizenberg. To round off your day you can take a stroll through Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain.

DAY 8 : END OF ITINERARY

Private road transfer from The Table Bay Hotel to Cape Town International Airport.

FLIGHTS

FLIGHT	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL
Scheduled	OR Tambo International Airport [JNB]	Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport [MQP]
Scheduled	Skukuza Airport	Cape Town International Airport [CPT]

TRANSFERS

TYPE	PICKUP	DROP OFF
Transfer	Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport [MQP]	Highgrove House Country Hotel
Transfer	Highgrove House Country Hotel	Lion Sands River Lodge
Transfer	Lion Sands River Lodge	Skukuza Airport
Transfer	Cape Town International Airport [CPT]	Table Bay Hotel
Transfer	Table Bay Hotel	Cape Town International Airport [CPT]

PANORAMA ROUTE

Connecting the Lowveld and the spectacular Drakensberg, sandwiched between the Kruger National Park and the Highlands Meander, the historical Panorama Route is a scenic road in the Mpumalanga Province. The route features sensational views of breathtaking natural wonders, fascinating rock formations, impressive waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, and a myriad of fauna and flora. The quaint little town of Graskop serves as the gateway to this wonderful route. Panorama’s undoubtable highlight is the verdant splendour of Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest green canyons featuring lush subtropical vegetation. Some other popular natural attractions along the route include: the spectacular Lisbon, Berlin, and Mac Mac Falls, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and the astonishing God’s Window. Don’t miss the world-famous Kruger National Park and the picturesque gold rush town of Pilgrim's Rest, a historic living museum.

Highgrove house country hotel - Panorama route

Highgrove House Country House a 5 star graded property situated on a farm at Kiepersol - Hazyview between orchards of avocado and macadamia nuts, luxury accommodation and SPA.

Kruger National Park - Phabeni Gate - Numbi Gates - 20 min drive
Panorama route with God's Window and Blyde Canyon 40 min

2 Executive Suites - private pool,sauna,private sitting room luxurious accommodation
6 Luxury Suites - private entrances, own sitting room, enclosed verandah

Onsite restaurant with international cuisine.
On-site, award winning, Orchard SPA
Tours and Transfers in Luxury Vehicles

Your Stay : 1 Night, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, 1 x double room

Executive suite

Airconditioned Private Suite with a private pool, private sauna, private garden,verandah,own lounge, mini bar, tea tray & Nespresso machine, fireplace, Kingsize bed, and a bathroom with a courtyard shower.

Luxury suite

Luxury Suite with a private entrance. Sitting room with a Fire Place, Mini bar, DSTV, Vernadah and Airconditioning.

PROPERTY FACILITIES

24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room

ROOM FACILITIES

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Laundry Facilities, Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah

SERVICES

Airport Shuttle (Available), Chauffer Service, Credit Card, Room Service, Travel Desk

SABI SAND PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is a private premier game viewing destination. It was the first-ever private nature reserve established in South Africa. The landscape features 65 000 hectares of savannah-covered land interspersed with watering holes, dry river beds, Lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers. This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities with frequent sightings of the renowned Big Five as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of antelope. Visitors can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, dining under the stars, guided bush walks and enjoying a stay in some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges.

Lions Sands river lodge - Sabi sand private game reserve

Lion Sands River Lodge is situated in the Lion Sands Game Reserve – one of Africa’s truly unspoiled wilderness areas, where the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve meets the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The lodge is the Eden of the More family’s youth and the first Lion Sands’ lodge to welcome guests, who between visits have married, become parents, and whose children have grown and now come to stay. In recent years the lodge has undergone a renovation that has introduced a new sense of brightness and space – where lovers and families come together and share extraordinary experiences. This is a place for making memories.

Your Stay: 2 Nights, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, 1 x double room

Info: Safari Lodge
Nº rooms: 18 Rooms,
Spoken languages: English
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Luxury rooms

8 Luxury Rooms have bathroom en-suite, lounge area with mini bar and wooden deck from which to appreciate the wilds beyond.

Superior luxury suites

6 Superior Luxury Suites are larger in size, and have ample open-plan bathrooms and outdoor showers - 2 sets are interleading, and are therefore ideal for families.

River Suite

3 River Suites are located further from the guest areas and are therefore more private. They have incredible river views, best appreciated from the expansive decks. River Suites also have outdoor showers.

Family river suites

1 Family River Suite is located further from the guest areas and is, therefore, more private. They have incredible river views. The suite has 2 bedrooms with interleading doors, and are therefore ideal for families.