Tailor-Made Itinerary 06
Itinerary Specially Prepared For A Party Of 2 Ad 24 May – 15 June 2005
24 May
Today you make your way to the Kruger National Park's Olifant Camp, where you check in at the Nshawu Guest House for (3) nights on a self catering basis. (You will have sole use of the guest house).
The Kruger National Park is a world renowned game reserve which covers an area of 19 455 km squared kilometres. It has a host of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates to match it's size, including the 'Big Five'. It has an extensive road network which enables visitors to cover the parks different veld types. There are 12 rest camps, all of which have either chalets or rondavels equipped for self catering, however all the camps do have restaurants in them as well as a shop selling basic food items, gifts and curios. Swimming Pools are at the following camps only: Berg-en-dal, Pretoriuskop, Mopani and Shingwedsi and may be used by resident
visitors. The climate is subtropical with hot summers and warm dry winter. Summer rains fall between October and March. There are no television sets or radios in the Camps, to ensure maximum enjoyment of the wilderness sounds. Malaria prophylactics are essential. Consult your Doctor or Chemist.
25 - 26 May
On a self drive safari in the Kruger Park.
27 May
Today you drive back to Johannesburg where you check into the Saxon Hotel for (2) nights in an Egoli Suite on a bed and breakfast basis.
Nestled in the exclusive Sandhurst suburb of Sandton, SAXON makes a world class statement of ethnic African elegance, combined with personalised attention to detail. SAXON has always been a place of welcome. First as a home, now a home away from home. With its roots in the heart of Gauteng, it has drawn the warmth of the city that bred it - from the world it has won
it's refinement and ease. SAXON has witnessed history within its walls as it became home to Nelson Mandela after he was released from prison. It was during this time that South Africa's former President used the serene setting of SAXON to edit his autobiography "Long walk to Freedom ". Saxon boasts twenty six suites of various sizes. All suites incorporate a strong
element of African art, latticed shutters covering large bay windows, looking onto the tranquil gardens or pool area. Each suite features large screen televisions, VCR and DVD player with surround sound system. Workstations fitted with multi telephone, fax and ISDN lines, provide each guest an incomparable experience in business oriented hospitality. The four presidential suites each feature a separate lounge and dining area. The spectacular Mandela and Mbeki platinum suites are furnished to cater for the most discerning traveller. The welcoming entrance with stately staircase sweeps around a central glass dome, permitting natural light to blend with
and enhance the contemporary African decor and handcrafted ethnic art artifacts. Leading off this area is a boutique shop, piano lounge, smoking library and the dining room. Set in six acres of lush landscape gardens, SAXON has been designed to capture and embrace its natural environment. One of the design themes is the extensive use of water. The central point of the
water theme is the magnificent nine hundred and twenty square metre swimming pool.
28 May
Day spent at leisure at the Saxon Hotel.
29 May
This morning at 08h30 you will be transferred to Capital Park in Pretoria. Here you board the Rovos Rail which departs at 10h00, for the (8) night African Collage journey to Cape Town, staying in a Royal Suite, on a fully inclusive basis.
Rovos Rail has introduced a new annual journey, which started 31st May 2001. This perfect 8-day sojourn commences at the gracious Rovos Rail Station Capital Park in Pretoria.The first leg of the journey takes the passengers through Witbank and Middleburg and then traverses the majestic Drakensberg escarpment en route to Mpumalanga and the Lowveld. A new day takes the pride of Africa slowly through the bush to Maputo and after a short visit the train winds its way southwards through Swaziland to the famous game reserve of Hluhluwe in KwaZulu Natal. Following the early morning game drive, our passengers have the opportunity of visiting the historically famous area of St Lucia and Shakaskraal. The Train, after an evening in Durban, steadily ascends the scenic escarpment through Pietermaritzburg and the Valley of a Thousand Hills en route to Ladysmith and Bethlehem. This route takes our Train past Lesotho and the highest mountains in the Drakensburg range at 3482 metres (11 425 feet). During the night we pass through Bloemfontein, the Free State capital, and amble southwards reaching Graaff-Reinet in the late afternoon. This historic village was established in 1786 and is famous for its architectural heritage. Early morning departure from Willomore takes the Pride of Africa into Oudtshoorn for a visit to the Highgate Ostrich farm followed by another spectacular rail descent down the Outeniqua pass into George. A morning visit to Knysna and the surrounding attractions will complete the visit to this natural Paradise. The Train sets off at midday from George travelling along the scenic Garden route through Mossel Bay and Riversdale. The next morning, after a short visit to the KWV Brady Distillery in Worcester, the Pride of Africa ends its magnificent collage in the Mother City of Cape Town.
06 June
On arrival in Cape Town at approximately 17h00, you will be met and transferred to the Village at the Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, where you check in for (3) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Spier is an internationally renowned winelands destination, which offers village ambience, superb restaurants and the peace and tranquillity of a farm-fresh atmosphere. The Village at Spier comprises thirty-two double-storey buildings grouped around six private courtyards, each with its own pool and entertainment area. It offers guests 155 spacious rooms, including four suites, nine Villa rooms, elegantly, yet simply appointed in traditional country style. "We offer so many choices in one," says Haysom. "Guests are able to enjoy professionally conducted wine tastings on the estate, with five fabulous restaurants to choose from, each offering different menu concepts to enjoy at lunch and in the evening against the backdrop of the magnificent Hottentots Holland Mountains." "We've got seven swimming pools, a horseriding centre that hires out horses for trail rides, and an educational Cheetah programme on the property. "We are close to the city and ideally situated for people who want to explore the many attractions of the wine
route. For the active holidaymaker, there is plenty to do." No summer is complete without one of Spier's famous picnic baskets, to be savoured at leisure along the banks of the Eerste River, rich in bird life, or in the shade of the trees that overhang the dam teeming with ducks and geese.
Spier's annual Summer Festival runs from November to March in the open-air amphitheatre and other venues on the estate, and has become a regular highlight of the Cape Town calendar. Programme details can be obtained from Spier or from the "With the hotel Spier can offer local theatre-goers a wonderful weekend break," says Haysom. "They can come to a performance,
spend the night, relax in our healthy environment, and go back to town completely recharged." The Village at Spier promises to become one of the Cape's premier holiday and conference destinations, with special packages for out-of-towners, including flights, accommodation and car hire. The environmentally conscious will be pleased to know that Spier's commitment to
environmentally friendly practices and conservation of resources can be seen in their waste management system, their use of natural fibres and their homegrown produce.
07 June
This morning at 09h00 you will be collected at your hotel and taken on a private half day tour of the city and to Signal Hill.
This tour of the "mother city" includes visits to the SA Museum, the Malay quarter and the harbour. Depart from the hotel and drive past the cultural history museum, st George's Cathedral, the company gardens and the south African museum to the top of Signal Hill for views of the city and Table Bay. We return to the city via Tamboerskloof and the Malay quarter passing the castle en route to the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. After a brief orientation tour, you will be returned to your hotel.
08 June
This morning at 09h00 you will be collected at your hotel and taken on a private full day tour of the Cape Peninsula with lunch included.
We depart for the Cape of Good Hope along one of South Africa' most scenic routes. We will drive through Sea Point, visit Hout Bay. Continue through Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Botanicla Gardens. Kirstenbosch was established as a centre for the preservation and study of the indigenous flora of Southern Africa. All year round one can enjoy glorious living displays of wild flowers and the magnificent collection of Cycads, silver trees and other shrubs, plants and trees. Lunch is taken at Kalk Bay. We then travel through the historic naval based town of Simon’s Town, continuing onto Cape Point where two marine ecosystems and oceans are said to meet. Return to your hotel via Ou Kaapse Weg.
09 June
This morning at 05h30 (time to be re confirmed by Paradise Touring), you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport to meet your flight BA 6428 to Johannesburg, departing at 07h30 and arriving at 09h30.
On arrival you will be met by two different representatives, one from Wilro Tours and the other from Federal Air. The Wilro Tours represenative will relieve you off your excess baggage. The Federal Air representative will hand you your air tickets and transfer you to the Federal Air departure lounge. Your board your Federal Air flight to Londolozai at 11h30 and arrive Londolozi Game Reserve at 13h00. On arrival you will be met and transferred Londolozi Tree Lodge. Here you check into a Tree Suite for (6) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Londolozi Tree Camp is situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Londolozi has traversing rights over 17,000 hectares of prime game viewing land with exclusive rights over 7,000 hectares. Tree Camp, a member of Relais et Chateaux, boasts six luxurious suites. Each suite is beautifully decorated with a high-canopied muslin mosquito net and is equipped with air conditioning, ceiling fan and personal bar. All are en suite with a bathroom designed for ultimate relaxation, with huge tub and twin hand basins. Private decks with plunge pool and outdoor shower overlook the Sand River.
In addition three suites have a sala (intimate covered deck). Small and exclusive, Tree Camp is surrounded by large shady trees and offers wonderful views of the Sand River. There is a gracious lounge area with a guest library. The main sitting area leads out onto a wooden deck, raised on high stilts off the ground. Elegant candlelit dinners are enjoyed in the boma
(open air dining area). There is a large swimming pool set in the camp's garden. Guests are welcome to visit Londolozi Bateleur Camp's curio shop and orientation centre. View Africa's most impressive wildlife on morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers and on guided nature walks. The game viewing experience is complimented by other activities such as stargazing, bird- watching, moonlit bush dinners (weather permitting), private bush breakfasts, just relaxing in your own private plunge pool and bush presentations in the orientation centre. Visits to the staff village encompass the crèche, the school, the adult learning centre, the clinic and the craft centre.
Unique aspects of Londolozi Tree Camp:
- Ultimate in exclusivity yet retaining an ambience of African simplicity, warmth and heart felt hospitality
- Tree Camp sets the high standards of service excellence that are to be found in all of Londolozi's Camps
- Londolozi, meaning "Protector of all living things", has a rich heritage with roots as far back as 1921. It has been owned by the same family for over seventy years and is world famous for its leopard sightings
- Londolozi was the first game reserve in the world to achieve Relais et Chateaux status
- Dynamic model in wise land management and creative wildlife conservation
- World class rangers and Shangaan trackers
- Pan-African cuisine served in abundance at every meal
- World renowned for its bush dinners - a pioneer in this field
- Staff to guest ratio of 3:1 ensures attentive service
- Situated in one of the most productive wildlife areas in Africa: cheetah, rhino, lion, buffalo, elephant and, of course, leopard
10 - 14 June
On safari at Londolozi Tree Lodge.
15 June
Today you will be transferred back to the airstrip where you board Federal Air for your flight to Johannesburg, departing at 11h30 and arriving at 13h00. On arrival at Johannesburg make your way to Airport Sun Inter Continental Hotel (just outside the airport building). Here a day room has been reserved for your use for a few hours. Your stored luggage will be waiting at reception for you.
