PLATINUM CLASS TOUR
Wanderlust
Day 1
On arrival in Cape Town , you will be met by your expert guide who will privately transfer you to your hotel, via a short orientation tour of the City. Arrive at your luxury hotel on the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Cape Grace – bed and breakfast basis
Day 2
Enjoy a full day at leisure or choose from a variety of optional Amazing Africa Tours day excursions.
Recreation options nearby include: Golf, squash, tennis, horse riding, hiking, yachting/boating, cycling (mountain bikes are available for guests use).
Cape Grace – bed and breakfast basis
Day 3
Depart Cape Town via Du Toit's Kloof Pass to Worcester and traverse the famous Route 62 passing through the town of Robertson . Visit the towns of Barrydale and Calitzdorp where the true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the ever-changing semi-desert areas. After arrival in Oudtshoorn, visit an ostrich farm for a guided tour before arriving at your deluxe country hotel. Enjoy an exquisite dinner served in the elegant dining room famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines .
Rosenhof Country House Executive Suites or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 4
After an early breakfast, visit the world famous Cango Caves for a fully guided tour where stalactites, stalagmites, curtains and pillars will leave you in awe. Travel over the Outeniqua Pass: named by the Koi people meaning ‘land of honey' via George and South Africa 's ‘oyster capital', Knysna to the ‘millionaires' playground' of Plettenberg Bay . Late afternoon arrival at the lodge that can best be described as a symphony of stone, wood, glass and water high above the floor of the magnificent indigenous forests of Tsitsikamma. Enjoy an exquisite dinner that is a unique celebration of African spirit.
Tsala Treetop Lodge – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 5
After breakfast on your secluded deck, drive to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari to view seals, dolphin and whales (in season). We then take a short drive out to Keurbooms Beach - pleasant for walking and an ideal optional lunch spot. Return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon and dinner.
Tsala Treetop Lodge – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 6
After breakfast enjoy a drive through Natures Valley and cross the Storms River at Storms River Bridge where photographic opportunities abound. Travel via Port Elizabeth to the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch and afternoon game drive. Steeped in settler history and dating back to a time when a multitude of game roamed freely, the reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus supporting the many forms of plant, animal and bird life . An afternoon game drive with a trained ranger will increase your enjoyment with his knowledge of both the flora and fauna. As the light fades, with the help of a powerful hand-held light, your ranger will sweep the ‘veld' in search of nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge and enjoy a delectable meal, expertly prepared by the chefs or a barbecue at the river next to a roaring fire.
Shamwari Game Reserve (Eagle's Cragg Lodge) – full board basis + 2 game viewing activities
DAY 7
Morning and afternoon game activities are on offer. Visit the property's cultural village where Xhosa, Zulu and San cultures are showcased. Weather permitting; enjoy an intimate bush dinner with your ranger amid cheerful recollections of the day's discoveries.
Shamwari Game Reserve (Eagle's Cragg Lodge) – full board basis + 2 game viewing activities
Recommended Elephant Back Experience:
A unique opportunity to ride an elephant and to be at one with nature with these awe-inspiring gentle giants. Transportation to and from the site is in the form of a light aircraft. The site itself is situated in the pristine valleys of the Zuurberg Mountains , bordering the recently proclaimed Greater Addo Elephant National Park. This area is regarded as Africa's most biologically diverse, supporting 4 of the 7 biomes or eco-regions in Southern Africa .
Day 8
After an early morning game activity and a sumptuous brunch, travel to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Durban . On arrival in Durban , you will be met and transferred to your resort hotel located near the seaside village of Ballito on Durban 's North coast.
Zimbali Beach Resort (Suites) – bed and breakfast basis
Day 9
Enjoy a full day at leisure. This jewel in the crown of KwaZulu-Natal's pristine coastline offers its guests the opportunity to relax or explore. The hotel itself is sheer luxury and provides a myriad contexts for relaxation. For the ultimate in self-indulgence, treat yourself to a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the beaches of the warm Indian Ocean .
Zimbali Beach Resort – bed and breakfast basis
Day 10
Depart from the bustling city of Durban and travel through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard toward Phinda Private Game Reserve. Enjoy a leisurely safari on the Mzinene River where late afternoon sundowners and snacks are served as the boat winds its way along the reed-lined river. Here an abundance of wildlife and birds can be seen. Return to the lodge for dinner served in an African Boma (weather permitting).
Phinda Private Game Reserve (Vlei or Rock Lodge) – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities
Day 11
Set off on an early game drive in ‘Big Five' country. Spend the heat of the day relaxing and enjoying the hospitality of this unique wilderness wonderscape. At sunset, depart on a safari where an entirely different world of nocturnal bird and animal species unfolds. Return to the lodge for a dinner feast.
Phinda Private Game Reserve (Vlei or Rock Lodge) – full board basis + 2 game viewing activities
Recommended optional coastal flight:
This exceptional air safari is a unique and thrilling way to discover the extent of Maputaland's remarkable ecological diversity, from the freshwater lakes to the most tightly forested coastal dunes in the world. The highlight of the flight is the ascent over these high dunes to the unspoilt coastline and clear blue Indian Ocean .
Day 12
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast river safari. After departing the lodge, enter the Kingdom of Swaziland at Goelela border post. Driving through the eastern Lebombo Mountains , leave Swaziland at Mananga border and arrive at your safari hotel. Unwind in your luxury-thatched suite, which is spread out in lush, indigenous gardens with a private patio and pool, bringing the bush right to your doorstep. At dinnertime indulge in an assortment of eclectic African cuisine.
Malelane Sun Presidential Suites – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 13
After a sumptuous breakfast we explore the world famous Kruger National Park . Established in 1898, this National Park at over two million hectares is unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna. After exiting the park, arrive at an exclusive private game lodge resting among the rocky geometry of the Sabi Sand Reserve, where rough-hewn timber, leather and stone meet thatch and wild views. Late afternoon game drive in an open vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker who will endeavor to spoil you with sightings of the ‘Big Five'. Upon returning to the lodge enjoy a safari style bush dinner under the stars (weather permitting).
Singita Private Game Reserve – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities
Day 14
An early morning bush walk or game drive is on offer. For ultimate indulgence, make use of a masseuse offering treatments from the more conventional European massages to Ayurvedic treatments and acupuncture, reflexology, manicures, facials and aroma therapy. For the health fanatic, gaze across the endless wonders of the African bush while working out in the modern fitness centre. After high tea, set out for an evening game drive with a stop to admire the African sunset complemented by refreshments. Whilst viewing nocturnal animals, return to the lodge for traditional culinary delights under an African sky.
Singita Private Game Reserve – full board basis + 2 game viewing activities
Recommended optional helicopter adventure:
Experience it all in real style with an exhilarating helicopter trip - Cascades & Canyon Spectacular. Linger above roaring rivers and cascading waterfalls, allowing for magnificent photographic opportunities and awesome panoramic views of the ‘bush veld' below. Enjoy a delicious picnic accompanied by South African sparkling wine on top of the majestic Pinnacle.
Day 15
Participate in an early morning bush walk or game drive. After a sumptuous brunch, depart and explore the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring stops at the Blyde River Canyon , the Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrim's Rest. Continue to your elegant hideaway in White River described as an “African Paradise” set in the cool of a living forest. Sip a sundowner on the wide verandah before indulging in the lodge's legendary cuisine.
Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 16
Enjoy breakfast looking out over the magnificent gardens, mountains and meadows. Our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls and the small town of Sabie . Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. In the late afternoon, arrive at The Saxon Hotel, in Johannesburg 's northern suburbs. This hotel makes a world-class statement of ethnic African elegance, combined with personalized attention to detail.
The Saxon Hotel – bed and breakfast basis
Day 17
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure. Your guide is at your disposal to offer an orientation tour of the city or simply to catch up on last minute shopping en-route to Johannesburg International Airport for your homeward flight.
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