Tailor-made itinerary 02
Itinerary Specially Prepared For 2
27 Jan
On arrival in Johannesburg, you check into the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (4) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
On arrival in Johannesburg, you collect your rented group B car and make your way to the Mpumalanga Escarpment area. Here you check into the Mount Sheba Country Hotel for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Sleepily tucked away amongst the mountains above the historic mining town of Pilgrims Rest lies Mount Sheba Country Lodge. Surrounded by indigenous forests this up-market lodge resort is an ideal retreat yet lies in easy distance to some on Mpumalanga's superb tourist attractions including 'God's Window', the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Potholes, Sudwala Caves and of
course, Kruger National Park. The beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms with private patios offer panoramic views allowing the beauty of the surroundings to be enjoyed from the comfort of your room. The cosy bedroom fireplaces are a perfect place to snuggle up with a book on chilly winter nights and your every comfort is catered for. At the main lodge cocktail hour is an event in the 'Potted Owl' before dining in the Chandelier Restaurant where the world-class gourmet menus are complimented by exceptional service that the Three Cities Group has become renowned for. For the leisure guest there is plenty to keep you occupied. Apart from visiting
the many sights of the area there is also superb hiking, mountain biking along trails through thick indigenous forests, trout fishing and forest picnics. For birding enthusiasts Mount Sheba is a 'Mecca'. Internationally known Peter Lawson conducts regular birding outings in the area which is renowned for its birdlife.
28 Jan
Day at leisure to explore the area and visit points such Blyde River Canyon, Gods Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Pilgrims Rest or the many waterfalls of the area. Alternatively you may decide to go on a few forest walks on the property.
29 Jan
Today you descend the escarpment into the Lowveld and make your way to the Sabie Sands Game Reserve. Here you check into the Djuma Vuyatela Lodge for (4) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Vuyatela - meaning, "come and visit again" - was recently built. This exclusive lodge has broken the mould of traditional game lodges and is the pride of Djuma. When building, Jurie and Pippa shunned heavy machinery and chose instead to employ as many local Shangaan people as possible to hand-craft the camp, thus creating jobs as well as a unique and beautiful construction.
Before construction, we invited the local Sangoma to bless the site. The ancestors were to be informed of our intentions. The Sangoma, who led the proceedings, "threw the bones" - their relative positions interpreted as omens, good or bad. The lie of the "bones’ indicated that the ancestors were pleased! Pippa, with the help of talented friends, has created a set of mosaics for each room and these colourful patterns and symbols add to the atmosphere of each "Kaya".Also, each of the eight chalets has been attractively hand painted by nearby Shangaan villagers - a contest was held for the best designs. Vuyatela is an expression of modern South African culture. Each of the eight chalets or kayas is secluded in African bush. The bedrooms look out onto teak decks, which end in private plunge pools. Each of the chalets at Vuyatela is a collection of buildings joined to each other. You will notice that each of the buildings that make-up your chalet, or "Kaya" (Shangaan word for house), is built in a different technique. Some of the "Kaya’s" have abstract patterns painted on the walls and others have even domestic scenes painted on them. The private lounge is separated from the bedroom by a beautiful Teak deck, which ends at the private plunge pool. The view from the Teak deck is into pristine African Savanna with its bounty of animal life.
30 Jan - 01 Feb
On safari at Djuma.
02 Feb
This morning you exit the Sabie Sands early and drive south to the small town of Piet Retief where you check in at the Dusk to Dawn Guest Farm for (1) night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Dusk to Dawn is situated on the N2, 35 km south of Piet Retief and 65 km north of Pongola
Dusk to Dawn is a spacious country house in the most southern tip of Mpumalanga - the place of the rising sun. Johann and Gudrun Engelbrecht have turned their family home into a friendly and welcoming half-way stop for tourists and visitors en route on the N2 from the Kruger National Park or Gauteng to the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Coast or vice versa. Dusk to Dawn has been a Finalist in the AA Accommodation Awards for the past 3 years and was the Winner in the Farm Accommodation Category for the year 2001 and also features the AA Superior Grading Endorsement. Furthermore Dusk to Dawn is a regular feature in the Portfolio Bed and Breakfast Collection. SABS-Grading: 3-Crystals. A full English and Continental breakfast is served in the beautiful dining room or on the verandah with a stunning view onto the large garden and the wide open spaces of this well managed 1800 ha farm.
03 Feb
Today you continue down to the Three Tree Hill Lodge close to Spioenkop. Here you check in for (4) nights on a full board basis (all meals).
Andrew Ardington, together with David and Nicky Rattray, has created a lodge where the history of the Anglo-Boer war unfolds itself in a stunning, secluded environment. Three Tree Hill Lodge overlooks the battlefield of Spioenkop. The striking aloe spectabilis and the paperbark acacia dominate the vegetation. The lodge adjoins the Spioenkop Nature Reserve which contains white rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, numerous smaller antelope and 270 recorded bird species.
The lodge has been constructed using mostly wood and iron so as to resemble the housing kits brought out from Britain in the nineteenth century. Each of the six twin cottages has its own bath, shower and verandah, with magnificent views of Spioenkop - even from the bath.
Three full meals and teas offer delicious, varied and elegant fare. Weather permitting, these are served on the cool wide verandahs of the main lodge. A viewing deck, swimming pool, wonderful walks and library offer you complete relaxation in this unique African setting.
In November 1899, 13 500 British soldiers and 8 000 civilians were beseiged in Ladysmith by Boer forces. As a result of the siege a series of battles was fought in the vicinty of Ladysmith. After 118 days General Sir Redvers Buller finally relieved the siege. On the hill behind the lodge overlooking the Drakensberg mountains Andrew Ardington (whose great grandfather took part in the siege) will talk to you on the origins of the Anglo-Boer war. The following morning as you tour the battlefield itself, you will listen to the dramatic story of Spioenkop - the bloodiest battle of the war for both Briton and Boer. Louis Botha, Deneys Reitz, Winston Churchill and Mohandas Ghandi all played a part in this fascinating and moving story.
04 - 06
Feb At leisure at the Three Tree Hill Lodge. On one of the days here you will be taken on a full day tour of the Anglo - Boer Battlefields by Andrew Ardington.
07 Feb
Today you continue to the Drakensberg Mountains, where you check in at the Cathedral Peak Hotel for (3) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Is a charming family resort set against the backdrop of the majestic Drakensberg in tranquil surroundings. Offering excellent cuisine and warm hospitality, this complete hotel has a range of accommodation, including beautifully furnished suits for executives or newly weds, and interleading family rooms with panoramic mountain views. Activities include daily guided
walks, bird watching, nearby game viewing, tennis, squash, outdoor chess, swimming, gym, trout fishing, sauna and challenging nine hole golf course.
08 - 09 Feb
At leisure in the Drakenberg. (Fishing, walking, golfing are all possible in the immediate area).
10 Feb
Today you drive down to Durban International to drop off your car and board your flight SA 659 to Port Elizabeth, departing at 12h25 and arriving at 13h45. On arrival you collect another rented car and make your way to the Shamwari Game Reserve. Here you check into the Bayete Lodge (in the newly aquired section of Shamwari) for (4) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Bayethe Lodge, pronounced "bi-ye-ti" is a luxury, 5-star tented lodge of Shamwari Game Reserve – a magnificent bushveld-type lodge of stone walls and thatched roof, accommodates the lounge, dining room, an outdoor banquet boma, swimming pool and viewing deck overlooking the Buffalo River, a tributary to the great Bushmans River. It is an 18-bedded wilderness type lodge that opened in December! This area of the Shamwari Game Reserve is spectacular with rolling hills covered in Aloe’s and many other indigenous Eastern Cape plant species – Six Biomes come together here – one of which is commonly known as the Zuurveld with abundant succulents and many flowering plant species! There are open plains and a most amazing natural indigenous forest with Yellowwood trees that are hundreds of years old, set along the Buffalo River which is the ideal habitat for the Knysna Lourie and many forest bird species. The accommodation is tented where each of the tented suites are situated along the banks of the river and all have separate plunge pools, air-conditioning and heating. They are very well appointed with private wooded decks with great views over the water. Each has a large en-suite bathroom with separate toilet, his and hers vanities, a slipper bath and a spectacular outdoor shower. Two of the tents are on a small island between the river and you need to cross a low suspension bridge to get to them. Activities offered include morning and evening Big 5 game drives in open land rovers, guided nature walks and bird watching all with experienced game rangers. The rates are inclusive of all meals, local beverages and game activities.
11 - 13 Feb
On safari at Shamwari Game Reserve.
14 Feb
Today you start down the garden route to Plettenberg Bay. Just outside Plettenberg Bay you check into the Hog Hollow for (3) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Lush indigenous vegetation and forests framed by majestic mountain ranges on the one side and the Indian Ocean with it's pristine white beaches on the other, make the Garden Route, situated on the East Coast of Southern Africa, one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Hog Hollow Country Lodge, a private nature reserve, is situated 18km East of the small coastal town of Plettenberg Bay in the heart of the magnificent area providing guests with an ideal base to explore the Garden Route. Twelve uniquely individual rooms offer uninterrupted views over the indigenous forests and Tsitsikamma Mountains. These comfortable African-styled rooms, situated in the gardens surrounding the main house, are decorated in earthy colours, naturally woven fabrics, artefacts and tones from north-eastern Africa, and local handcrafted woods. Each room has a private wooden deck, fitted with its own hammock and wooden furniture overlooking the forest and an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. At breakfast, hosts assist our guests in planning their day. There are so many wonderful places to see and things to do in the area that we are able to advise and book activities according to your specific individual needs. Attractions nearby include at least 50 charted and guided walks. The area is part of one of the world's great floral kingdoms with a host of bird-life and wildlife for nature lovers. Horse-riding, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Windsurfing, Canopy Walk, Scuba Diving, Paragliding, Deep Sea Fishing, Bungi Jumping and Black Water Tubing down the Storms River Gorge are among some of the great outdoor activities the area has to offer.
15 - 16 Feb
Days at leisure to explore the Knysna – Plettenberg Bay area. (During this time you could visit Oudtshoorn for a day, go boat cruises on the lagoon or up the Keurbooms River, take the Outeniqua Tjoe choo Steam Train for a ride to George and back. Golf, walking and some beautiful drives are all possible as well).
17 Feb
Today you drive down to Hermanus area, where you check in at the Groobos Lodge for (4) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, with all lodge activities included in your stay.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is situated on the hills above Walker Bay, which is world-renowned for its natural beauty and amazing diversity of life. It is the best land-based viewing area in the world for Southern Right whales. Offshore islands are home to penguins, thousands of seals, a multitude of seabirds as well as Great white sharks. Beautiful white beaches are interspersed by wave-swept caves once inhabited by early humans, while the inland mountains are home to some of the richest flora on earth and a wide variety of fascinating fauna. Grootbos Nature Reserve, with over 1000 hectares of nature as we were intended to experience it, lies 160 kilometres from Cape Town on the way to the Garden Route.
Grootbos provides you with a unique opportunity to experience all of this and more with our specialised guiding team. Whether your stay is a brief or an extended one, you can enjoy our nature activities, or relax in comfort and style on the wooden decks of your private, luxury suite overlooking the forest and endless sea. With a maximum of just 28 guests and personalised attention, a full day of exciting activities is guaranteed. Whether you glide across the sparkling Atlantic Ocean to within touching distance of a 60 ton whale, watch thousands of seals swim around your boat, explore a middle stone age cave dwelling, ride on a horse for the first time, watch the sunbirds dance amongst a sea of proteas, hike to the top of the highest mountain, relax at the pool or sip champagne as the sun sets on a deserted beach, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve will provide you with an unforgettable nature experience.
The reception desk of Grootbos Lodge offers telephone, facsimile, e-mail and postal service facilities. Pamphlets and brochures of things to see and places to go, as well as binoculars and guidebooks, are available from reception. The Grootbos Lodge shop is a treasure house of local arts and crafts and outdoor wear, beautiful African jewellery and hand painted pottery. Adjacent to the reception and shop is the lounge, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, where whale-spotting telescopes are on hand for whale watching, or star gazing. The swimming pool and sundeck is available to guests at all times of the day. Relax and cool off at the swimming pool, tastefully set into natural rock features and overlooking the blue seas of Walker Bay. Drinks can be ordered from the fully stocked bar and enjoyed on the sundeck or at the pool.
The accommodation at Grootbos comprises of nine private luxury cottages which have been built from locally hewn stone and timber, nestling in the Milkwood Forest. Each cottage has a separate lounge, one or two bedrooms and en suite bathroom/s. The cottages are spacious with a one-bedroomed unit being 60 square metres and a two-bedroomed unit, 120 square metres. All cottages have open fireplaces in the lounge, inviting cosy and romantic evenings. The spacious wooden sun decks with panoramic sea and mountain views, convey a classical 'Out of Africa' feeling. Each luxury cottage is equipped with its own filter coffee machine, a selection of the finest quality teas and a well-stocked mini-bar. A fresh fruit basket is placed in your cottage each day and the ambience is enhanced by indigenous fynbos floral arrangements. Reading material and binoculars are provided in each cottage. The bedrooms are individually decorated with pure cotton luxury bedding and 100% down duvets. The large, bright, sunny bathrooms have double washbasins, spacious double showers and / or baths as well as heated towel rails for those chilly winter nights! Bathrobes and a hair dryer are also provided.
18 - 20 Feb
Enjoy the daily activities at Grootbos Lodge.
21 Feb
Today you take a leisurely, scenic drive down to Cape Town. In Cape Town you check into the Alphen Hotel in Constantia for (5) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Whitewashed buildings shaded by ancient oaks offer both tranquility and easy access to many splendours of the Cape. Alphen is just 15 minutes from the centre of Cape Town or 20 minutes from the airport or beaches. Alphen is a National Monument, a historic country manor house offering you so much more than mere accommodation. It is the heart of a former wine estate, centrally situated in the Peninsula and at the gateway to the Constantia Valley and Wine Route. Constantia has a country atmosphere with a distinctive historic and scenic environment and has an image of quality as Cape Town's most exclusive suburb.
22 Feb
Day at leisure in Cape Town.
23 Feb
Today you will be taken on a private guided full day tour of the Cape Winelands tour with lunch included.
In 1679, Stellenbosch was founded. Home to many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture, the town is famous for is's university and the oak trees that line it's quant streets. The tour visits a winery in this area for a cellar tour and wine tasting before taking an orientation tour of the town. The tour continues to the beautiful Franschhoek valley to visit Boschendal manor house, the celebrated historical estate. Lunch is enjoyed at one of the many good restaurants of the area. After lunch the tour takes in Paarl, "the pearl of the cape" and another wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.
24 - 25 Feb
At leisure to explore the Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain.
26 Feb
Today you drop off your car at the Cape Town International Airport and board your flight home.
