DAY 1: NAIROBI       

Nairobi

Situated in along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city. It serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya. Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place, and although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief, there are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably just 20 minutes from the city centre wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Day Itinerary

On Arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Aiport, you will be met by a AMA Safaris representative. Thereafter you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight at Eka Hotel – Bed & Breakfast.

Overnight: Eka Hotel           

Welcome to Eka, a contemporary style hotel that provides all the comfort, convenience and efficiency to the discerning traveler. Ideally located along Mombasa road in Nairobi the capital city of Kenya, Eka Hotel has five meeting rooms designed to suit every occasion, complimented with stylish accommodation offering the best choice venue for your Business and Leisure stay.

The hotel is situated with convenient access to all the city’s tourist attractions such as; Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum, National Museum, Bomas of Kenya and The Giraffe Center among others.

Basis

Bed & Breakfast

DAY 2: ZEBRA PLAINS MARA CAMP, MASAI MARA

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential.

Day Itinerary

0730hrs – Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Arrive for check-in and Lunch at the camp, evening at leisure and game drive at 1600hrs.

Meals and Overnight at the Zebra Plains Mara Camp.

Basis

Full Board: Dinner,Bed,Breakfast,Lunch and Activities

DAY 3: ZEBRA PLAINS MARA CAMP, MASAI MARA      

Day Itinerary

Full day is spent in Masai Mara Game Reserve with scheduled morning and late afternoon game drives in the park.  Optional activities e.g Hot Air balloon ride, Safari in the bush and Maasai village visit at an extra cost. Meals and Overnight at the camp.

Basis:

Full Board:- Dinner,Bed,Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 4: LOYK MARA CAMP, OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY

Olare Motorogi Conservancy

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is an 85km² expanse of prime private wilderness in southwest Kenya which forms part of the Maasai Mara – Serengeti ecosystem and wildlife dispersal zone. The conservancy lies immediately to the northwest of the main Maasai Mara Reserve. Tourism is limited to a maximum of 94 beds which maximizes the client wilderness experience and minimizes the environmental impact of tourism.

Open hills provide a habitat for a diverse range of grazers, including giraffes, zebras, hartebeests, and warthogs. These herds attract large numbers of predators, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. In between the hills run a number of small seasonal streams, fringed by stretches of forest which are home to a broader range of species including baboons, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and leopards.

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, game drive enroute to the Olare Motorogi Conservancy offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is one of the conservation areas the nothern part of the wider mara ecosystem and  where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Arrive for lunch at your Camp. Afternoon game drives until sunset.

Overnight: Loyk Mara Camp          

Loyk Mara Camp is exclusively located in Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the boarder of Ntiakitiak River. The Camp has been settled down on 50 acres of private land where you are surrounded by nothing else but exceptional and stunning scenery and a panoramic background view of wildlife.

The Camp has 16 fabulously superior en-suite rooms that captures the essence of the modernized African design, culture and tradition in combination with a stylish and exclusive atmosphere, excellent food and personalized services. We accommodate business and leisure travelers and make sure their stay with us is memorable.

For fly in Clients we use Olekiombo Airstrip 20km from the camp and take 30 minutes drive with the game drives to the camp. For drive in from Nairobi It’s between 6 – 7hours drive with stopovers.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 5: LOYK MARA CAMP, OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY

Day Itinerary

Full day spent in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. During the first hours of the morning, the savannah is filled with a special animation. This is when the larger predators hunt for their food, before the temperature becomes too hot for any excessive physical activity.

This is the time we have the highest chances of watching a hunt in action (also likely in the early evening). The colours of the landscape are also more accentuated, and help us to take great photographs. Meals and overnight at the Loyk Mara Camp

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 6: CROWNE PLAZA NAIROBI AIRPORT HOTEL, NAIROBI        

Nairobi

After breakfast, this morning, we leave behind the legendary African savannah, seen so many times in films and documentaries; the endless extensions of grassland gives way to bush land, and slowly, to the rich green vegetation around Nairobi. Rest of day free. Lunch on own arrangement. Dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport Hotel – BB

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport Hotel  

Crown Plaza Nairobi Airport Hotel is the only official hotel located at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The hotel offers 144 spacious, adaptable, contemporarily designed rooms, with a large ergonomic working area consisting of suites, interconnecting rooms, double and twin rooms, convenient for business, family and leisure travelers.  The hotel features a contemporary café with round the clock menu offering local and global cuisine, and a coffee shop a conference center and 3 meeting rooms.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

DAY 7: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, VICTORIA FALLS (ZIMBABWE)        

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Day Itinerary

Arrangements by AMA Safaris office…

0530hrs: You will be picked up from your hotel by Crowne Plaza Airport hotel representative and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s International departure terminal for your KQ 782 flight departing at 0735hrs to Victoria Falls International Airport, (Zimbabwe)

International Flight:

Airline:  KQ 792

Flight time:  07h35 // 09h50

OWN ARRANGEMENTS

09h50: Meet & Greet in the International Arrival Hall by a local representative in the International Arrivals Hall at Livingstone Airport (Zambia)

Cold face towels & mineral water on arrival

Transfer from the Airport towards Zimbabwe, over the Bridge (PASSPORT POINT). Continue to the  Victoria Falls for an Orientation Tour of the Falls (Includes Park Fees)

Victoria Falls is a town in western Zimbabwe and a gateway to the massive waterfall of the same name. Here, the Zambezi River plummets over a cliff and into the Boiling Pot before flowing through a series of gorges. The Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool, is on the edge of a sheer drop. Spanning the river is 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge. The surrounding Zambezi National Park is home to white rhinos and elephants.

Around 13h00: Lunch for own account at Lookout Restaurant (or similar)

After 14h00: Arrive at the hotel and Check-in

Late afternoon and evening at leisure at the hotel

19h00: Dinner with transfers to the Bushtracks Boma Dinner Experience (OWN ARRANGEMENTS)

OVERNIGHT: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Expert Tips

PASSPORT NOTES:

Please note that two blank side-by-side passport pages are recommended PER country you will visit

More about Victoria Falls Hotel

A Cape – to – Cairo  vision was the beginning

With dramatic views of the gorges of Zimbabwe’s spectacular Victoria Falls, The Victoria Falls Hotel, built by the British in 1904, was originally conceived as accommodation for workers on the Cape-to-Cairo railway) and today it is a famous luxury brand . Now a member of The Leading Hotels Of The World . Serene Lily ponds, arched loggias and broad verandas – offering magnificent vistas – seem custom-built for a spot of high tea or a relaxed gin and tonic. Some rooms offer stunning views of the gorges and bridge below.

The history of The Victoria Falls Hotel is incomplete without the reference to the development of the railway system in Zimbabwe. Cecil Rhodes had tasked his friend and colleague Sir Charles Metcalfe with overseeing the development of the railway system and Metcalfe took heed of Rhodes’ dreams of the railway line stretching “from Cape to Cairo,” hence he started plans for the first bridge across the mighty Zambezi. Rhodes was insistent that the bridge should be built in a place that the spray from the falls would fall on the passing trains, which is why the site was chosen just a little below the Boiling Pot, at almost right angles and in very close proximity to the falls.

The Victoria Falls Hotel was built and operated by the railways administration, but in the early 1970s it was leased to the then Southern Sun hotel group, forerunner of today’s African Sun Limited. A significant development in the late 1990s was the involvement in the hotel of another leading Zimbabwean hospitality operation, Meikles Africa Hotels. Today the property itself still belongs to the National Railways of Zimbabwe and there is a shared 50/50 partnership operation between African Sun and Meikles Africa.

In his intriguing book “100 Years 1904-2004” (history of The Victoria Falls Hotel) John Creewel calls it “one of the truly special places in the world” and says the hotel is a jewel because of “consistent attention to quality and standards over a century of operation.”  He notes that the most important factor behind the hotel’s success has been “its close proximity to Victoria Falls, one of the most remarkable sights in the world….a spectacle unrivalled in the world.”

Steeped in history and one of the oldest Hotels in Africa, The Victoria Falls Hotel serves is a reminder of the distinguished and elegant era to which it was born and has earned its status as the epitome of grand luxury travel. The Victoria Falls Hotel remains  the landmark accommodation facility to view the popular tourist attraction, the wondrous Victoria Falls now in its 150 Millionth Fantastic Year!

Activities

Victoria Falls (Town)

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Zambia

Get out into the bush where animals, both predators and prey, wander through unfenced camps, and where the human footprint is nowhere to be seen. The rewards of travelling in Zambia are those of exploring remote, mesmerising wilderness as full of an astonishing diversity of wildlife as any part of Southern Africa. Where one day you can canoe down a wide, placid river and the next raft through the raging rapids near world-famous Victoria Falls. Though landlocked, three great rivers, the Kafue, the Luangwa and the Zambezi, flow through Zambia, defining both its geography and the rhythms of life for many of its people. For the independent traveller, however, Zambia is a logistical challenge, because of its sheer size, dilapidated road network and upmarket facilities. For those who do venture here, the relative lack of crowds means an even more satisfying journey.

Zimbabwe Weather

Zimbabwe is situated in the tropics but has a temperate climate all year round. The climate is moderated by the inland location of the country and the altitude. August to October is the country’s dry season, and the rainy season runs from November to March.  Summer generally brings hot and sunny days with occasional thunder showers in the afternoon. Daily temperatures are at an average of 25°C – 30°C, while evening temperatures drop to 14°C – 20°C. Low lying areas are considerably warmer throughout the year, averaging at 35°C – 50°C. Winters are dry and sunny with cooler to warm temperatures daily.

Temperatures drop significantly in the evening, 5°C – 10°C and sometimes even to -5 °C
Summer: October to April
Winter: May to September

Harare: Summer  Max  26°C, Min 15°C

Winter Max 23°C, Min 11°C
Victoria Falls: Summer  Max  31°C, Min 18°C

Winter Max 28°C, Min 10°C
Mutare: Summer Max 26°C, Min 14 °C

Winter Max 23°C, Min 7°C
Bulawayo: Summer Max 29°C, Min 16 °C

Winter Max 25°C, Min 10°C

Livingstone Room

Enjoy dinner and dancing in the elegant Edwardian Livingstone Room, with classic a la carte and tables d’hote menus.  Whilst the Livingstone Room reflects the century old hotel’s style of grandeur and opulence, the dress code has been relaxed for the convenience of the guest.  A fine selection of wine and liqueurs are available. Maximum seating capacity of 120 pax

Jungle Junction

Dining at the Jungle Junction offers an unforgettable experience with a fusion of African flavours. Entertainment from ethnic groups epitomises the spirit of Africa. Jungle Junction is the ideal venue for incentives groups. The Jungle Junction has a maximum seating capacity of 140 pax.

Stanley’s Terrace

Stanleys Terrace is a must for light meals throughout the day. Traditional high tea is served every afternoon, with spectacular views of The Victoria Falls Bridge and the Victoria Falls themselves. Stanleys Terrace is the ideal location for sundowners and offers a table d’hôte menu with an a la carte menu on offer after 1100hrs. Stanleys Terrace has a maximum seating capacity of 100 pax.

Bushtracks Express

The Bushtracks Express in Zimbabwe is the ultimate pre-dinner experience going back in time to the age of Steam train travel. The rejuvenated train jaunts onto the famous Victoria Falls Bridge which was built by Cecil Rhodes in 1905. He wanted a crossing “at the point where the spray from the falls would fall on the train carriages crossing the bridge.”

Elegance and opulence marked the age of the steam train. Beautiful classic steam locomotives and carriages have been lovingly restored by Bushtracks Africa and Rovos rail. The carriages marry vintage luxury with a modern fine dining experience to recreate moments of bygone romance.

Victoria Falls (town)

Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travellers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two-thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay.

Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or microlights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Overnight: Victoria Falls Hotel       

The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as ‘the grand old lady of the Falls’, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a World Heritage Site, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group. One of only 2 ISO-accredited hotels in Zimbabwe. The Edwardian-style 5-star hotel, built in 1904, was recently refurbished and now combines the charm of the old with modern conveniences. Set in lush tropical gardens providing tranquility and seclusion. World-class service and food and beverage options available. The Livingstone Room for fine dining and dancing, the Jungle Junction for breakfast and dinner buffets and ethnic entertainment, and Stanley’s Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge. The newly launched Stables Signature Lounge offers exclusive value offerings with personal touch and world class service.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

• Meet & greet at the airport
• Transfer from Zambia, across the bridge to Zimbabwe. Includes VISA assistance on the Bridge. Transfer from Bridge Immigration post to Lunch venue in Victoria Falls town or surrounds
• Hotel accommodation, B&B basis

Excluded

• Additional touring
• Dinner transfers and Lunch & Dinner
• International flights

DAY 8: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, VICTORIA FALLS (ZIMBABWE)        

Day Itinerary

Early Breakfast at the hotel

06h45: Meet the driver guide in the hotel reception area and transfer to the Elephant Encounter  – Walk with African Giants experience

Duration 2,5 – 3 hours

When All year round, subject to availability

Weather permitting

What to Wear Comfortable attire that provides sun protection. · Hiking/running shoes · Warm clothing in winter (April to August).

Things to Bring Walking shoes, Sunscreen, Mosquito Repellent, Sun Hat, Camera, Binoculars.

Guests or Spectators No spectators allowed

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 time and connect 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 backdrop, guests will be given an insightful and educational presentation on the Wild Horizons 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 have an opportunity to talk to guides that have journeyed – physically and metaphorically, incredible distances with these elephants, and learn more about the complexities of the individuals and the herd structures. Guests will learn about the elephant as well as their history and how they came to be in our care as well as the threats facing elephant populations today, in an interesting and informative talk.

Guests will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephant and the sight of the gentle grey mammals up close and personal will be imprinted on guests’ minds’ 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 in the cool of the Elephant Wallow. A transfer back to Victoria Falls concludes the experience.

Continue from the Elephant Sanctuary to the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary & Croc Farm

This guided tour of the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary and an opportunity to see some of Africa’s biggest crocodiles, ranging from babies to full grown adults as we take you on a tour of the crocodile breeding farm and through the tannery.

Departure Times: Generally 10h00 and 15h00 as this allows you a rare opportunity to watch them feeding at 11h15 and 15h45.

Duration: 1hour

Continue from the Croc Farm and enjoy lunch at leisure and for own account.

14h15: Make your way to the Helipad, for your Afternoon Flight of the Angels Experience (12 / 13 minutes). Includes Park Fees

The “Flight of Angels” is an amazing journey over the 1700m vast curtain of water known locally as the “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders) and along the Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park.  Passengers are treated to an unforgettable helicopter journey comprising of 4 circuits (2 on either side) offering unrivalled spectacular views, photographic, and filming opportunities and putting the full breadth and height of The Falls into glorious perspective within the surrounding environment.

Return to the hotel after the tour and spend the remainder of the day at leisure

19h00: Meet your driver in the hotel foyer and transfer to Dinner at The Boma Restaurant

This evening of non-stop entertainment includes performances by traditional singers, dancers and drummers, face painting and a four-course dinner featuring local cuisine. The grand finale is an interactive drumming show, giving you the chance to discover your inner African rhythm! There is also a good list of beverages available, including wine and beer.

On arrival you will be dressed in a chitenge (sarong), and after being seated, you will have the chance to take part in a traditional hand washing ceremony and sip on a mug of local beer, before tucking into a shared starter platter, featuring skewered peppered impala, smoked crocodile tail and corn ciabatta and “nyimo” fritters.This is followed by soup from the campfire.

The main course buffet offers pork fillet, mouth-watering grilled ostrich, buffalo curry, lamb on the spit, game stews and kudu steak. There are also vegetarian options available, with an extensive salad bar, as well as local dishes such as peanut butter spinach and sadza (a thick porridge made from ground maize that forms Zimbabwe’s staple diet).

If you are feeling brave, try a dried mopane worm, and don’t forget to claim your certificate as proof! Finish off with something sweet by indulging in our wide selection of desserts from the buffet.

Return to the hotel after dinner and Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Activities

Elephant Encounter

Zambezi Nature Sanctuary

Shearwater Crocodile Farm Tour

Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience (Zimbabwe)

The Boma Restaurant

Elephant Encounter

The Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage has been a safe-haven to a myriad of orphaned and injured elephants since its conception in 1992. Whilst hand rearing these orphans we have come to understand that the best way to appreciate these magnificent creatures is to watch them living wildly and freely. The Elephant Encounter will give guests the opportunity to unobtrusively interact with some of the biggest personalities in Africa, in a pristine environment overflowing with raw natural beauty.

Guests will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephant and the sight of the gentle grey mammals up close and personal will be imprinted on guests minds long after they have returned home. Witness the special relationship our keepers share with the elephants 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.

Zambezi Nature Sanctuary

The Zambezi Nature Sanctuary is home to a variety of wild animals, including the lion and leopard. The sanctuary also features crocodiles, a tea garden, curio shop, museum, video auditorium as well as a small zoo.

Shearwater Crocodile Farm Tour

The Crocodile Farm Tour takes place at the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary, and is an hour long. Guests enjoy a guided tour of the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary and an opportunity to see some of Africa’s biggest crocodiles, ranging from babies to full grown adults, at the crocodile breeding farm and through the tannery. The tour includes the rare opportunity to watch the crocodiles feeding at 11h15 and 15h45.

Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience (Zimbabwe)

To put the Victoria Falls into true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle becomes all the more clearer from above.  The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zigzag funnel of the gorges.

The Boma Restaurant

Described as an unforgettable African experience infused with Zimbabwean cuisine, spirited performances and traditional storytelling, The Boma – Place of Eating has firmly established itself as a Victoria Falls highlight. Partially open to the skies, The Boma specialises in a superb selection of Zimbabwean dishes. A four-course meal combines a choice of starters with a barbecue buffet. The adventurous are enticed with local delicacies such as mopani worms and potjiekos (hunter’s game stew), whilst those wishing to enjoy beef, pork, fish and chicken or a variety of vegetarian meals are welcome to do so. The sights and sounds of the evening are accentuated by a feast of nightly entertainment, incorporating traditional dancers, who captivate guests with their vibrant songs and dance. The acclaimed Zambezi Drumbeat provides a wonderful interactive drumming experience.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

• Transfers and touring to the Elephant Encounter, the Crocodile Farm and the Flight of the Angels Helipad

Helicopter flight over the Falls (weather dependent)

• Hotel accommodation, B&B basis
• Dinner with transfers to the Boma

Excluded

• Additional touring
• Lunch

DAY 9: THE CAPE MILNER HOTEL, CAPE TOWN  

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to Cape Town to enjoy this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laidback lifestyle. Whether you are a serious tourist or just want to lie on the beach and enjoy life, Cape Town will satisfy your needs.

Day Itinerary

Very early breakfast at the hotel

07h30: Check-out, Meet in the hotel reception area and board the transfer vehicle

Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport and check-in for the flight to South Africa (PASSPORT POINT)

Regional Flight:

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to Cape Town (South Africa)

Airline:  Kenya Airways or any other regional flight

Flight duration time:  10h30 // 13h40

OWN ARRANGEMENTS

13h40: Arrive in Cape Town International Airport and meet our South Africa representative in the Arrivals Hall.  Please keep an eye out for your name in the Arrivals Hall.

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum.

14h15: Make your way to the waiting transfer vehicle and depart for the hotel. Transfer from the airport to the hotel and check-in

16h00: Meet the driver-guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to Table Mountain (weather dependent). Return cableway tickets handed to guests by driver-guide. Return to the hotel after Table Mountain

Since the first person laid eyes on Table Mountain in Cape Town it has exerted its powerful and charismatic pull, enchanting and drawing any and all who fall under its spell. The way to the top has never been easy, and for many centuries only a handful of bold and enterprising people could say that they had climbed it.

Did you know?

Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world at 260 million years. Even the Andes, at 250 million years of age, is younger. The Himalayas, which people automatically assume are far older, are only 40 million years old.

By the late 1870’s, several of Cape Towns more prominent (and possibly less fit) citizens had suggested the introduction of a railway line to the top. Plans to implement a proposed rack railway got under way but the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war put a halt to the plans.

By 1912, with a strong desire to gain easy access to the top of Table Mountain, the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer to investigate the various options of transport to the top. The engineer, a Mr. H.M. Peter, suggested that a funicular railway running up from Oranjezicht through Platteklip gorge would be the most suitable option. A vote was held with the vast majority of Cape Town’s residents voting in favour. This in spite of its cost a staggering (in 1913) 100000 Pounds.

The Table Mountain project was delayed yet again by war; this time the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). The plan was resuscitated in 1926 after a Norwegian engineer, Trygve Stromsoe, presented plans for a cableway to the top of Table Mountain. The plan caught the collective eye of a group of eminent local businessmen.

The idea that an easy route up would finally become a reality drew them together, forming the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) to finance the construction. Work began soon afterwards and the project was finished relatively quickly.

On the 4th of October 1929, the Mayor of Cape Town, Rev A J S Lewis, headed the official opening ceremony that was attended by over 200 other guests.

Since it’s opening in 1929, over 16 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain. The Table Mountain cableway has since become something of a landmark in Cape Town, and has carried some of Cape Town’s most illustrious visitors including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Stefi Graf, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Magaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Micheal Schumacher, Brooke Shields, Micheal Buble, Tina Turner, Jackie Chan, Dolores O’Riordan, Skunk Anansie and Paul Oakenfold.

In 1993, Dennis Hennessy, the son of one of the founders of TMACC sold the company. The new directors immediately set about planning an upgrade to the existing Table Mountain infrastructure. Apart from upgrading the restaurants and machinery, new cars were purchased. Unlike their predecessors, the new cars, or Rotairs, have a revolving floor that allows passengers a 360-degree view of the city and Table Mountain as they travel.

Work on the upgrade began in January of 1997 and, for several months cranes and large helicopters carrying building materials dominated the mountain skyline.

The new cableway was opened on the 4th of October 1997, the anniversary of the original launch, almost 70 years previously. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company celebrated its 83rd anniversary in 2012 and remains the most popular tourist attraction in Cape Town.

Welcome Dinner for own account, at a restaurant of your choice.

Overnight: The Cape Milner Hotel

Expert Tips

More about the Cape Milner Boutique Hotel:

It’s a touch of class in the heart of Cape Town; a sophisticated sojourn against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain. An eclectic mix of contemporary boutique and old-world charm, The Cape Milner is modern, boutique-style living in a secluded, yet convenient location. Colourful geometric designs, African craft and silver-tinted ceilings create an elegant boutique sanctuary for corporate and leisure travellers.

Enjoy the symmetry of Art Deco and the ornate detail of Cape Town’s Victorian heritage with splashes of urban African design and vivid teals and mustards accenting the contemporary neutral finishings.

From its state-of-the-art conferencing facilities and plush comfortable rooms to its relaxing pool deck and trendy new Glass Lounge venue, The Cape Milner is Cape Town’s meeting place, and meeting space, with personalised attentive staff offering an engaging experience.

Activities

Table Mountain

Table Mountain Cableway

Sunset on Table Mountain

The Glass Lounge

See and be seen at the Cape Milner’s swanky new Glass Lounge cocktail and tapas venue offering an elegant, yet relaxing setting in which to enjoy a quiet coffee or classy cocktail catch-up with friends against the backdrop of the majestic Table Mountain.

Inspired by the 1920s Speakeasy Prohibition era with a modern twist, The Glass Lounge is Cape Town’s new place to be seen, rain or shine. With a varied collection of signature cocktails, from Cosmopolitans to Classic Daquiris, single malts, liqueurs and a considered wine list, as well as a range of tasty tapas dishes including truffle & cheese croquettes, jalapeno & cream cheese cigars and cheesy nachos, The Glass Lounge promises a sincere, sophisticated food experience in glamorous surroundings.

A glass roof shields this plush vintage, yet modern-style venue with splashes of Art Deco influences, offering stunning views of Table Mountain in the day and a romantic starry roof at night.

The Glass Lounge is the venue for special occasions, a place to bring someone new, the perfect end to a busy Cape Town day.

2 on Milner

2 on Milner, serves up a fine array of both local and international cuisine. With attentive staff taking care of guests’ every need, 2 on Milner is the perfect retreat to end a busy day’s sightseeing and exploring. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with menus ranging from elegant and refined to casual and simple.

The restaurant serves a Full buffet every morning from 07h00 to 10h30. You have the choice of a wide selection of the Cape’s finest fruit, freshly baked breads and pastries, cold meats, cheeses, yoghurts and cereals on the continental buffet as well as a Full English hot breakfast with eggs done to order. Filter coffee and teas are included in the price and specialty coffees are available from trained baristas.

Every evening, at 18h00, the doors open to the cozy fine dining restaurant. With a continental menu claiming influences from France, India and the Orient, our Chef will dazzle your palate with sumptuous meals made from the finest fresh ingredients Cape Town has to offer. Come in your finest or walk in off the beach, this is where you feel at home.

Table Mountain

Without a doubt it is Table Mountain that makes Cape Town the unique city it is. Rising up over 1000m above sea level, it is the icon that makes Cape Town instantly recognizable. It is a symbol, a playground, a spiritual retreat and a big draw card for tourists. So intertwined with the identity of Cape Town is Table Mountain that a visit to the city isn’t complete without having walked or taken the cable car to the top.

Table Mountain Cableway

A trip up Table Mountain is quite rightly one of the first things a tourist wants to do when arriving in Cape Town. Once on the top, a 1000m above the city below, you are rewarded with spectacular 360 views. Take your time and enjoy this unique environment, go for a walk or have a bit to eat at the restaurant with arguably one of the best views possible.

Sunset on Table Mountain

There are few better ways to enjoy a sunset than from the top of Table Mountain, with a 360° view of the Cape Peninsula’s mountains, oceans and suburbs below.

Overnight: The Cape Milner Hotel

Cradled beneath the majestic Table Mountain in Cape Town’s trendy suburb of Tamboerskloof, this boutique hotel offers a worldly and contemporary ambiance with the highest standards in style and luxury. The sweeping panorama of Table Mountain from The Glass Lounge and its close proximity to the trendy Kloof Street makes it one of Cape Town’s hottest spots. The 57 rooms are designed to offer complete comfort and relaxation in a modern contemporary style.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

• Airport transfers to the Airport (Victoria Falls International)
• Meet & greet at Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
• Transfer from airport to hotel
• Return Table Mountain cableway access tickets (weather dependent)
• Hotel accommodation, B&B basis

Excluded

• Additional touring
• Dinner transfers and Lunch & Dinner
• International flights

DAY 10: THE CAPE MILNER HOTEL, CAPE TOWN

Day Itinerary

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel

08h30: Meet your local driver-guide in the hotel foyer and depart on a Full Day Cape Peninsula tour, along the Atlantic Seaboard, to the most South-Western Tip of Africa

Full Day Tour: Cape Peninsula Tour

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Camps Bay

Clifton

Hout Bay

Simon’s Town Naval Village

Boulders Beach Penguin colony

Lunch on route and on own account

Estimate 17h00. Return to the hotel after the tour

Dinner for OWN ACCOUNT.

Suggested restaurant in Cape Town: Gold Restaurant (no bookings are currently in place)

Overnight: The Cape Milner Hotel

Activities

Cape Point

Cape Point Lighthouse

Chapman’s Peak

Camps Bay

Clifton Beach

Llandudno Beach

Hout Bay

Simon’s Town

Boulders Beach

Optional

Gold Restaurant

Cape Point

This is the real Cape Point, the southern most point on the peninsula. Cape Point is a spectacular sight, covered in endemic fynbos and home to breathtaking bays, beaches and rolling green hills and valleys, just 60km outside of Cape Town. Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora. Cape Point is open daily and is a must-see.

Chapman’s Peak

Chapman’s Peak Drive winds it way between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world. The 9km route, with its 114 curves, skirts the rocky coastline of Chapman’s Peak. The drive offers stunning 180° views with many areas along the route where you can stop and take in the scenery or sit down for a relaxing picnic.

Camps Bay

Camps Bay is a wealthy coastal suburb located just ten minutes from the city bowl. Set on the slopes of Table Mountain, it overlooks a series of beautiful sandy bays and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.  Camps Bay is home to Cape Town’s most glamorous beach.

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is a popular surfing beach located about 25 km southeast of Hobart. The Clifton Beach Road runs to the western end of the beach, providing access to the growing community and the Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which was established in 1963. The entire beach is backed by a coastal reserve, which incorporates coastal dunes behind the central and eastern part of the beach. The now vegetated dunes have transgressed up to 300 m inland rising to more than 20 m, with dense vegetation behind, then the shallow southern shores of circular Pipe Clay Lagoon. The beach is bordered by 54 m high Cape Deslacs in the east and 50 m high rocky cliffs in the west that run south for 3.5 km rising to 100 m high at Cape Contrariety.The beach is 2.1 km long and faces south-southeast into Storm Bay exposing it to all southerly swell. Waves average 1-1.5 m and maintain a moderately steep beach fronted by a continuous bar which is cut by rips every 200 m during and following high waves, with permanent rips against the rocks at each end.

Hout Bay

The originally small fishing village of Hout Bay is now a popular suburb of Cape Town. Over and above being a lovely family beach, it has many tourist attractions which include the World of Birds, a township tour to the vibrant Imizamo Yethu, arts and crafts, boat rides out to Seal Island and some great, casual restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Simon’s Town

Nestled on False Bay within easy distance of Cape Town, South Africa, Simon’s Town is rich in history, character, atmosphere and warmth. The neighbours are whales, penguins and seals with world heritage status bird life. Simon’s Town offers one of the best holiday accommodation in Cape Town. Featuring the beauty of the Table Mountain range, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the town has stunning views in the most beautiful environment of the Cape Peninsula.

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is ideal for kids as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents and large waves – but please always take care. It is a rare pleasure to swim with the penguins but don’t touch or feed them. They might look cute and cuddly but their beaks are as sharp as razors and if they feel threatened they have no qualms about nipping the odd finger or nose.

GOLD Restaurant

GOLD Restaurant is a vibrant pan-African experience offering a set Cape Malay and African menu, together with live entertainment and djembe drumming 7 nights a week. Operating from an old warehouse building and a modern function venue, GOLD offers visitors a sophisticated African experience.

Enjoy an award-winning,14-dish tasting menu inspired by ingredients and textures from all over the African continent. Be seduced by live dancing and singing to the rhythmic beating of African djembe drums. Feel part of their tribal community with some optional pre-dinner drumming under the guidance of an experienced facilitator.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

Full day tour with an English-speaking local driver-guide to the Cape Point region and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Entrance fees as per itinerary included, with applicable toll fees.

Hotel accommodation, B&B basis

Excluded

Additional touring

Dinner transfers

Lunch & Dinner

DAY 11: L’ERMITAGE FRANSCHHOEK CHATEAU & VILLAS, FRANSCHHOEK

Franschhoek

Idyllically situated in the Cape Winelands, this peaceful country retreat is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The once sleepy little village was named Franschhoek, meaning ‘French Corner’ as it was founded by French Huguenots. The fertile valley of Franschhoek boasts a rich heritage showcased at the fascinating Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village remains remarkably well preserved. The town’s proximity to Cape Town allows for pleasant day trips during which visitors can explore the area’s many world-class wine estates and impressive range of excellent restaurants or simply browse the quaint, upmarket boutiques strewn along the town’s lovely tree-lined avenues.

Day Itinerary

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel

09h00: Check-out and meet your driver-guide in the hotel foyer. Depart on the full day tour and transfer to the Cape Winelands

Continue to Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Villages. Tour includes a grape juice tasting, Stellenbosch Historical Walking Tour, Franschhoek Village orientation

THE STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTE

Boasting nearly 200 wine and grape producers, Stellenbosch was the first region to establish a formal route among the wineries—a route which has gone on to become one of the country’s six most popular tourist destinations. 148 wine farms adorn the vine-covered landscape, many of them historical farms with achingly beautiful Cape Dutch manors houses, gardens, hotels, and fine-dining restaurants.

 

THE FRANSCHHOEK WINE ROUTE

Franschhoek is another wine route with outrageously beautiful landscapes. With many of the wine farms sharing a French Huguenot heritage, expect to find enormous French influence here. The Champagne-inspired sparkling “Cap Classique” is the star of this show. The gorgeously quaint village of Franschhoek abounds with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. Take the Wine Tram for a lovely bit of history.

Lunch on route and for own account

Around 15h00: Arrive at the hotel & check-in. Late afternoon at leisure

Dinner at leisure and for own account

Suggested restaurants include Foliage, Marigold Indian Restaurant & Reubens’. No bookings are in place

OVERNIGHT: L’Ermitage Chateau & Villas

Expert Tips

More about L’Ermitage Chateau & Villas:

L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas, a stunning 34-bedroom Hotel with conference venue and chapel, just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town, situated in the heart of the Franschhoek winelands on the Fransche Hoek Wine an Olive Estate.

The exclusive 4* L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas offers luxury accommodation and sanctuary for the soul. With its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, quaint cobbled street and indigenous fynbos, you will experience a unique and unforgettable taste of the Franschhoek Country lifestyle.

Activities

Historic Stellenbosch

Franschhoek Pass

Pniel

Optional

Boschendal Wine Estate

Segway Spier Wine Farm & Vineyards Glide

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Foliage Restaurant

Reuben’s Restaurant

Marigold Restaurant

Historic Stellenbosch

The recorded history of Stellenbosch goes back to 1679, when it was discovered by the Cape’s first governor, Simon van der Stel, who earmarked it as a fertile valley ideal for agriculture and coined its name (a Dutch derivative of ‘van der Stel’s bush’). Along with Constantia, Stellenbosch was one of the earliest wine regions in the country, and to this day, continues to produce a kaleidoscopic range of fine wines. Historical tours of the town take in it many well-preserved old buildings, some constructed as early as the 18th century.

Pniel

Situated in the incredibly scenic Cape Winelands, Pniel is a charming little village in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Resting at the foot of the SImonberg Mountains on the route between the famous towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, it makes an excellent stopover for visitors exploring this stunning area. Visit the Pniel Museum Gallery, taste local wines at a wide selection of warm fines, enjoy biking and hiking through spectacular scenery. Other highlights include cellar tours, hot-air balloon rides over the vineyards or simply strolling down the oak-lined main road edged by picturesque heritage buildings.

Segway Spier Wine Farm & Vineyards Glide

Visitors to Spier Wine Farm can enjoy a leisurely 2-hour glide through the tranquil vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa. One will meander around the indigenous River Garden and yin-yang wastewater recycling plant, then through the leafy vineyards while enjoying the stunning views of the Helderberg mountains on a two wheeled, self-balancing Segway. Before finishing off the tour one can rest with a delectable wine tasting.

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Over the past several years Dylan Lewis has become increasingly aware of the significance of wilderness to the human psyche and has been exploring the idea of co-existing internal and external free and untamed wild spaces. This led to his desire to deepen the animal-human interface in his work, and in early 2009 he began to explore the male figure for the first time in his career. Since then he has launched himself into a passionate exploration of both male and female figures: a dynamic integration of human, animal, and earth, held together by ideas of ancient animistic belief and myth. This new work represents the ongoing human struggle of everyday duality, suggesting that we embrace the tensions between animal and human nature and moreover, that there is a beauty to be found in wrestling with that integration.

Foliage Restaurant

Foliage Restaurant is located in Franschhoek farm and forest to plate fresh. The setting, much like the menu, falls somewhere between upmarket bistro and contemporary farmhouse. The restaurant also offers great vegetarian dishes.

Reuben’s Restaurant

Reuben Riffel has matured into one of South Africa’s premier chefs, with wards to prove it. Reuben’s philosophy is simply to create extraordinary food with familiar ingredients that people know and love.  Tel: 021 876 3772

Marigold Restaurant

Marigold evokes the exotic with its small plates menu inspired by aromatic and spicy North Indian cuisine. Seasoned Chef Vanie Padayachee, who hails from Durban, has been on the opening teams of various restaurants and a cookery school in South Africa, and was most recently part of the Le Quartier Français culinary team.

Vanie, whose style of cuisine is influenced by the rich diversity of cultures found in South Africa, is an expert at tempering and blending spices. She recently visited India to experience the culture and cuisine firsthand, bringing to Marigold’s offering authenticity and a tangible reference to its origins. Marigold specialises in a variety of Indian dishes, from fragrant curries and flavourful biryanis to succulent meat cooked in the charcoal tandoor.

Overnight: L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas     

Situated in the heart of the Franschhoek winelands on the Fransche Hoek Wine and Olive Estate, the exclusive L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau and Villas offers sanctuary for the soul. With its breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, quaint cobbled streets, vibrant piazza and indigenous fynbos, you will experience a unique and unforgettable taste of the Franschhoek country lifestyle.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

Full day tour  & transfer with an English-speaking local driver-guide to the Cape Winelands region, with drop-off in Franschhoek. Includes Stellenbosch walking tour, Franschhoek village orientation, grape juice tasting along the way, Pniel drive-through

Hotel accommodation, B&B basis

Excluded

Additional touring

Dinner transfers

Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12: MISTY WAVES BOUTIQUE HOTEL, HERMANUS       

Hermanus

Situated just 140 kilometres from Cape Town and built between the beautiful shores and cliffs of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become possibly the best-known place for whale watching in the world. This town is also famed for its natural scenic beauty, long stretches of pristine beaches and excellent variety of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Today, Hermanus is more than just a popular holiday destination and offers visitors all kinds of activities, both energetic and relaxing. Visitors can explore the Old Harbour Museum, which is comprised of the charming fisherman’s village, the old harbour, and the Whale House Museum; hike through the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and sample an array of top-quality wine along the famed Hermanus Wine Route.

Day Itinerary

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out

09h00: Meet your driver-guide in the hotel foyer and depart to the Overberg Region, along the Garden Route

Continue to the Whale Coast, via Elgin and stop for a tree-top canopy tour (weather dependent), Elgin Valley orientation tour, Hermanus village tour

The Elgin Valley is fast making a name for itself in the wine world. Historically known for its apple and pear production, recent decades have seen a number of orchards being turned to vineyards by passionate winemakers who have recognised Elgin’s uniquely cool climate as the perfect environment to create distinctive, characterful wines.

The wine route offers scenic drives through Elgin’s picturesque Overberg valley. Expect a warm embrace from this friendly community where you can enjoy intimate wine tastings whilst taking in spectacular vistas over vineyards and valleys.

Overberg is a region of South Africa, east of Cape Town. It’s known as a gateway to the Garden Route coastal stretch. Agulhas National Park, on Africa’s southernmost tip, has a 19th-century lighthouse with views of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Northeast, Bontebok National Park is home to rich birdlife, including the blue crane. Whales swim near Hermanus town’s Grotto Beach and adjacent Walker Bay Nature Reserve.

The beautiful Overberg – just ‘over the mountain’ from Cape Town – has five routes one can follow when visiting the area, designed by Overberg Tourism. The Overberg is brimming over with attractions, towns to visit and sights to see, and it makes it that much easier to break it down into a couple of routes, or just one, every time you visit.

The first of these is the Whale Route, and possibly the most obvious as it is in the Overberg that some of the best whale viewing spots in the country are found between August and December.

The route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman’s Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country – views over False Bay are incredible on clear days.

One passes through the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay and on to Betty’s Bay, where Stony Point is a popular spot to visit one of only two mainland African Penguin colonies. Just around the corner is the wonderful Harold Porter Botanical Garden, which is well worth a visit.

Pressing on, the route reaches Kleinmond where joining the R43 will bring you to Hermanus, which boasts not only some of the world’s best land-based whale watching, but has its very own whale crier during the season.

On through the town of Stanford, a beautiful village on the edge of the Klein River and on to Gansbaai– known as Great White Shark country because of the shark cage diving available here. The route ends at Die Dam, but you could also continue on to Baardskeerdersbos, Elim and Cape Agulhas, if the whim takes you.

The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman’s Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country – views over False Bay are incredible.

Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known as a whale-watching destination. Beaches include Voëlklip Beach and the broad Grotto Beach, overlooking Walker Bay. The Old Harbour Museum is a site encompassing the old harbour, a fishermen’s village and the Whale House Museum. The latter has informative displays and a suspended skeleton of a whale.

Lunch on route and for own account. Suggested to be enjoyed at Peregrine Farm Stall or similar

Around 16h00: Arrive at the hotel & check-in. Late afternoon at leisure

Dinner at leisure and for own account.

Overnight: Misty Waves Hotel & Spa

Expert Tips

More about Misty Waves Hotel:

The impressive boutique hotel is situated in the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world – Hermanus a charming coastal village in The Cape Whale Coast or Overstrand.

Accommodation at the hotel offers guests absolute luxury, comfort and tranquillity, FREE WIFI and five-star service. Luxury suites in the heart of Hermanus, just meters away from the famous cliff paths, renowned for the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Activities

Elgin Valley

Optional

Bientang’s Cave

Cape Canopy Tours

Cape Canopy Tour is situated in a World Heritage Site within Cape Nature’s Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, located in the scenic Elgin Valley.

Cape Canopy Tour is a fully guided nature experience with a strong emphasis on client comfort and safety. Two trained guides will accompany each group through the 13 mountain side platforms. They will provide information about the endemic fynbos and geology of this unique World Heritage Site. Included in the tour is a 4×4 journey through the nature reserve, snack stop along the way, and the fully guided zipline activity.

Hermanus

Situated just 140kms from Cape Town and built between the beautiful shores and cliffs of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become possibly the best-known place for whale watching in the world. This town is also famed for its natural scenic beauty, long stretches of pristine beaches and excellent variety of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Today, Hermanus is more than just a popular holiday destination and offers visitors all kinds of activities, both energetic and relaxing. Visitors can explore the Old Harbour Museum, which is comprised of the charming fisherman’s village, the old harbour, and the Whale House Museum; hike through the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and sample an array of top-quality wine along the famed Hermanus Wine Route.

Overberg

Literally meaning ‘over the mountain’ in Dutch, the Overberg region extends from the Hottentots Holland Mountains, east of Cape Town, to the start of the Garden Route near the historic town of George. It serves as the perfect base to explore the spectacularly scenic landscapes which are characterised by fertile farmlands, a series of mountain ranges, tremendous plant diversity including the uniquely South African fynbos and a rocky coastline that makes it a haven for outdoor adventures.

Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of activities such as: 4×4 trails, kayaking, swimming, horse riding, sunset cruises, wine tasting, and whale watching. Popular attractions include: Agulhas National Park on Africa’s southernmost tip; the rich birdlife at Bontebok National Park and the seaside town of Hermanus, a whale watching mecca.

Elgin Valley

Located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the Elgin Valley stretches between the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and the Groenland Winery. It is one of South Africa’s top apple producers. The undulating landscape is characterized by deep valleys, forests, mountain streams, lakes and rivers, and lush hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards.

This outdoor adventure mecca offers visitors a wide selection of activities including: swimming, apple-picking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, river cruises, ziplining, bird watching and wine tasting. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample locally-made craft cider and visit the UNESCO protected Kogelberg Reserve.

Bientang’s Cave

Bientang’s Cave Seafood Restaurant & Destination venue is the most unique restaurant setting in the world.

Created out of a traditional cave previously inhabited by a Koi Strandloper of the same name, the restaurant spills out onto the rocks of Walker Bay in Hermanus, where Whale Watching is the preferred local pass-time. The rustic charm and natural ambiance of the cave and it’s surroundings is a delight to all our patrons with many returning year after year to sample the delights of Bientang’s Cave.

With an abundance of sea and bird life as well as Dassies for company, this exquisite setting is heightened by the freshest seafood and an award winning wine list (Diners Club Diamond Award).

And, should you be a non-seafood(ie), we offer meat, poultry and vegetarian dishes to satisfy any palate. We are also able to accommodate food allergies and special dietary requirements if pre-informed.

Reservations are always advised as our location, quality of food and ambiance attract visitors from across the globe throughout the year… however, should you be passing and the aroma’s drag you down our stairs, we do have a cocktail bar where guests may enjoy a drink whilst waiting for a table.

Overnight: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel  

At the impressive 4-star Misty Waves Hotel in Hermanus, you can lie in bed and watch the whales (in season) from your luxury suite with spa bath and private veranda. Experience all the refined luxuries such as: mini-bar, satellite television, room service etc. Our full buffet breakfasts are very impressive, and the venue offers stunning views over Walker Bay and the whales, during whale season.

Enjoy lunch at the poolside or dinner, served in our beautiful restaurant. The hotel can arrange your whale watching trips, shark cage diving, scenic mountain hikes in the Fernkloof nature reserve, quad biking, tree top ziplines, river rafting, and more, or just relax at the pool in the luscious garden with fountains. Misty Waves is located just a few minutes walk away from the historic Hermanus village centre with craftmarkets, restaurants, shops and the popular Whale Museum.

Close to the world famous Hemel En Aarde valley, with a variety of vineyards for wine tasting.Your stay can be as relaxed or adventurous as you want. Just ask our friendly and efficient staff to assist with any bookings you require.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Included

Full day tour  & transfer with an English-speaking local driver-guide to the Whale Coast region, with drop-off in Hermanus. Includes Elgin orientation, Tree-top canopy tour and Hermanus village tour

Hotel accommodation, B&B basis

Excluded

Additional touring

Dinner transfers

Lunch & Dinner

DAY 13: CAPE TOWN – NAIROBI  – INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE BACK HOME

Nairobi

As previously described

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out

Meet your driver-guide and return to the Cape Town region via the scenic Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass

SIR LOWRYS PASS, CAPE HELDERBERG

Early travellers would not have had an easy time of attempts to negotiate the Hottentot’s Holland Mountain range, which stretches along the eastern side of Somerset West and Gordons Bay.

The summit provides one with the most awe-inspiring backdrops in the Western Cape – on a clear day you can view the range all the way from the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Today, Sir Lowry’s Pass allows easy passage across this daunting natural barrier.

The beauty of this pass, often shrouded in mist and rain, more than makes up for the unsynchronised traffic lights that grace the N2’s tardy passage through Somerset West and around Gordons Bay, invariably resulting in bumper-to-bumper snarl-ups and quick sales amongst the posse of self-employed salesmen who dart in amongst cars with the latest sunglasses, hats, cell phone chargers and the like.

But Sir Lowry’s Pass is a lot more than a route across a formidable mountain range. It is also a haunt for bird watchers and nature lovers and the car park, on the western side of the N2 as one approaches the top of the pass, provides a perfect stop to explore the area. The mountain fynbos is fairly accessible here and one can take three to four hours to explore the mountain side and the lower areas where streams become densely vegetated and provide perfect cover for birds.

The town side of Sir Lowry’s Pass has some truly awesome views over False Bay, whilst over the other side of the mountain one enters a beautiful valley that is home to forests, orchards, fruit, flowers and vineyards – the Elgin Valley. In spring this part of the world is a display of blossoming fruit trees and heavy with grapes on the vine

Overberg

Literally meaning ‘over the mountain’ in Dutch, the Overberg region extends from the Hottentots Holland Mountains, east of Cape Town, to the start of the Garden Route near the historic town of George. It serves as the perfect base to explore the spectacularly scenic landscapes which are characterized by fertile farmlands, a series of mountain ranges, tremendous plant diversity including the uniquely South African fynbos and a rocky coastline that makes it a haven for outdoor adventures.

Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of activities such as: 4×4 trails, kayaking, swimming, horse riding, sunset cruises, wine tasting, and whale watching. Popular attractions include: Agulhas National Park on Africa’s southernmost tip; the rich birdlife at Bontebok National Park and the seaside town of Hermanus, a whale watching mecca.

Sir Lowry’s Pass

Sir Lowry’s Pass was constructed in 1828 in order that ox wagons could cross the mountains originally used by the Bushmen. It is named after a former British governor of the Cape, Sir Lowry Cole. On a clear day, the top of the pass affords a spectacular view across the Cape Flats and False Bay to Table Mountain and Cape Point. This view at night is spectacular as Cape Town’s lights join the stars and she shines in all her glory.

Included

Transfer from Hermanus to Cape Town International Airport

Excluded

Additional touring

Flights

Arrive into Cape Town International Airport and check-in for the Regional flight from South Africa to Nairobi and connect your outbound International flight back home!

Flight: KQ 792 at 14h30 // 22h05

International Flight:

Airline: KLM 792

Flight  time: 14h30 // 22h05  – Non-direct flight via VFA

PLEASE NOTE: Flight restrictions apply on the non-direct route

BON VOYAGE!

Expert Tips

AMA SAFARIS LTD CHECK-LIST:

International Flight / E-ticket

International Travel Insurance

Passport, with applicable blank pages

Visa (if applicable)

Vaccinations and/or personal medication

FOREX / Travellers Cheques / international access on Credit or Debit cards

International roaming on mobile devices to be used

Alternatively pre-booking a SIM-card or mobile device to be collected on arrival (South Africa only)

Pen

Itinerary with Emergency Contact numbers

Sunscreen

Insect repellent (if going on safari)

Hat

Toiletries

Applicable clothing based on season of travel

International adapter

Camera equipment and additional camera batteries

Closed shoes for evening dinners (men only in city locations)