This varied tour offers some of the finest hotels and safari lodges available in Southern Africa. Highlights include Cape Town, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana and the Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Please note that no scheduled flights are included in the quote price. Domestic & regional suggested flights are always quoted separately on request. This tour is based on flying into Cape Town and we have given a suggested flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg (OR TAMBO Airport), Johannesburg to Maun in Botswana and Livingstone back to Johannesburg.

This tour is priced for Aug 2007. All other dates can be quoted on by request. We can also make changes - days can be taken out or added.

Tour Proposal

06 August 2007 – Arrival and City and Table Mountain Tour                               

On arrival at Cape Town airport, look out for our representative. They will be holding a name-board with your surname on it.  You will be transferred by private vehicle from the airport to your hotel. This will take approx. 30 minutes depending on traffic. A welcome gift, champagne and a personal card will be waiting for you at the Cape Grace.

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. Cradled by Table Mountain, it has immense charm and historical interest whilst its unique cultural blend; part African, part European and part Asian, makes for a cosmopolitan dining experience. Take the cable car or walk up Table Mountain, visit the colourful Malay quarter or meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Browse through the vibrant Greenmarket Square, take a boat trip to Robben Island or simply relax on the beach. When you want to range further, the Cape Peninsula offers one of the finest coastal drives in Africa to the Cape of Good Hope. Here you might see whales breeching just off the bay or quirky jackass penguins on Boulder's beach.

The charm of Cape Town is partly explained by Table Mountain, which breaks up the city into distinct areas, each with its own character and, indeed, its own weather! The city bowl basks in the dramatic shadow of the 1000m mountain, with its characteristic 'tablecloth' of mist rolling over the edge. The trendy Atlantic Ocean villages of Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay bring out the Mediterranean aspect of the city. Spectacular views of the Ocean, dramatic crimson sunsets, palm trees swaying against white sandy beaches and alfresco pavement dining are very much the norm, and yet you're only 10 minutes drive from the city.

This afternoon you have a private half day tour of Table Mountain and Cape Town which begins an ascent of Table Mountain by cable car for a panoramic view of the whole of the Cape Peninsula. Afterwards you travel into the city where you first see the Castle of Good Hope, the original fort of Cape Town built in 1652 and now painstakingly restored. The Castle was built by the Dutch between 1666 and 1679 to replace their original mud-walled fortress. The Castle's main entrance at first faced the sea, which in those days almost lapped at its walls. From there you continue to the lovely flower market and the historic centre of Cape Town with its many 18th century buildings where you enjoy a stroll through the Company Gardens past the Parliament buildings. Finally you explore the picturesque Malay quarter, a historic sector of the city with original Malay buildings and narrow streets before ending the tour at the Waterfront and harbour.

The Cape Grace has something of the atmosphere of a 'country house' hotel, yet it's situated on a private quay overlooking the yacht marina in Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. One.waterfront restaurant is a vibrant combination of friendly, seamless service, relaxed atmosphere and culinary flair, reflecting a modern South African influence.  Bascule Whisky Bar and Wine Cellar on the water's edge provides the ideal setting in which to sample the largest collection of whiskies in the Southern Hemisphere. Other facilities include a well-stocked library, an enticing African-influenced Spa and a heated outdoor pool. Special services are offered to all guests such as personalised picnic baskets for an afternoon on the beach, romantic special touches for honeymoon couples, even an in-room gym service complemented by a specially designed Health Menu. Well-appointed and elegant, the 122 spacious rooms and suites have French doors inviting the mountain and maritime views in; as well as sitting area, walk-in dressing room, air-conditioning, TV, telephone, Internet access and minibar. The impeccable, yet friendly, service and refined taste throughout the hotel make the Cape Grace the discerning choice.

We strongly recommend that you pre-book any treatment at their Spa to avoid disappointment. Treatment Menus can be sent to you on request.

Cape Grace (B)

07 August 2007 – Private Cape Peninsula Tour      

You are collected by your private guide at 9:00. Your private Cape Peninsula tour includes a scenic coastal drive along Chapmans Peak; the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point; viewing the Penguins at Boulders Bay; Simon's Town historical naval base and ends with the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. 

You travel along the coastal road through the chic suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and onto the picturesque fishing community of Hout Bay.  Next you enjoy a scenic drive along Chapmans Peak as it hugs the cliffside and continue south to reach Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, said to be the romantic meeting point of two mighty oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian.  Sir Francis Drake, the famous explorer, once called it "the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe." 

Returning along the Indian Ocean you stop to visit the unique penguin colonies at Boulders beach, often a highlight of your time in Cape Town, and meander through the historic naval base of Simonstown and onto Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens, which must surely be some of the finest gardens in Africa, nestling on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. We walk through the gardens where 4,000 of the 22,000 Southern African flowering plants are cultivated in a setting of mountain streams, pools and rolling lawns. In the late afternoon, you are dropped off at your hotel.

Cape Grace (B, L)

08 August 2007 – Private Winelands Tour  

You are collected by your private guide at 9am for your private Winelands tour. A combination of the favourable effects of the two major ocean currents meeting off the Cape makes the climate in the Winelands perfect for the acres of vineyards. The stunning backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the tree-lined streets and the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads all blend in tranquil harmony. You first visit a wine estate for a fascinating tour of the winemaking process. Here is the perfect opportunity to sample and buy Cape wine and experience the rich historical and architectural traditions of the region. You continue to Stellenbosch: it is easy to see why Simon Van Der Stel decided to build a village in such a charming spot. Walk up

Note: If you are particularly interested in wines, you can choose our Private Wine Connoisseur tour as an alternative.

Cape Grace (B, L)

09 August 2007 – Private touring     

Today is at leisure for private touring. However you have a private guide at your disposal who will collect you at 9am (or whatever time suits you). Your guide is available for the whole day. He will advise about possible touring options. Please note that, as this is a go-as-you-please touring day, all entrances and meals are for your own account.

Some suggestions/ideas:

Private Shopping:

Cape Town is a shopping mecca with something to suit everybody's taste and style.  Whether you want to shop for clothing, fabric, furniture, diamonds, spices, African art or crafts, Cape Town will appeal to all lovers of shopping. 

Your guide can combine some serious shopping with some gentler sight-seeing around the city today. She's extremely knowledgeable about where to find the most interesting African artefacts, fabrics and furnishings at good prices. She can also introduce you to some of our innovative South African fashion designers.

Private Seafood, Flower and Rooibos tour

This is a (very) full day tour which heads north through the wheatfields of the Swartland to the magnificent rugged Cedarberg mountains to visit a working Rooibos plantation where you learn about the farming methods of Rooibos and see the drying fields and packing plant. This tour also explores the indigenous Fynbos vegetation in the area. August is the middle of the wild spring flower display in the Cedarberg as well so you may be rewarded with carpets of flowers. Afterwards you head to a rustic seafood beach restaurant for a relaxing afternoon of seafood before returning to Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Private sidecar tour

Experience the beauty of the Cape in a classic 1940's Sidecar. This is a unique experience -cruising around the Cape on a classic vintage 750cc Sidecar which is practically unchanged in style from the late 1930´s. You will be driven by an experience driver/guide with one passenger riding behind your guide and one passenger in the sidecar. There is even a roomy compartment which can take small bags/cameras, even a picnic lunch. You are collected by your driver/guide after breakfast. He will provide bike leathers (optional) and a helmet to wear (mandatory). After choosing who starts in the sidecar and who's on the back, you set off on your private day tour. Your chauffeur will advise on the suitability of routes during the different seasons and take care of all logistics including being the 'designated driver' whilst wine tasting!

Cape Grace (B)

10 August 2007         

           

This morning you are collected by your guide for a private transfer to Cape Town Airport. This transfer will take approx 30 minutes depending on traffic.

You board your scheduled flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. (Excluded in price quote)

On arrival at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) airport, look out for our representative. They will be holding a name-board with your surname on it.

This morning on arrival you enjoy a private Soweto, Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum tour. Depending on your flight arrival, this will probably be slightly less detailed than our full day private tour to the same area.

Our tour is designed to give visitors to Johannesburg an overall impression of  Johannesburg and takes an in-depth look at the history of apartheid, its impact on Johannesburg and the role of the city in shaping South Africa's future. The tour begins with a short drive through the suburbs of Illovo, Rosebank and Houghton, passing Nelson Mandela's residence en route to Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), the largest black residential area in South Africa. This sprawling 'city within a city' is home to approximately 2-million people. Our tour includes all the major points of interest, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Freedom Square, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's former home.

 

We bid farewell to Soweto and return to the city centre. After lunch we visit the Apartheid Museum. Here you may embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines the story of apartheid right up to Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and the first democratic elections held in 1994.

 

Afterwards you head to Fairlawns Hotel for an overnight stay.

The Fairlawns opened its doors as a boutique hotel in January 1998, with the original 12 courtyard suites, the restaurant and bar. Today there are another 6 premier suites and a presidential suite, a large fully equipped gym and a spa. Once the private home of John and Anna Thacker, the current owners, the property was bought from the Little Brenthurst Trust of Oppenheimer fame and consisted of a 10 acre property with horses and stables and rolling lawns (hence the name Fairlawns). Portions of the property have unfortunately been sold off, but it has managed to retain its stately, park-like ambience with huge mature trees and prolific bird-life. The external architecture is Palladian, but there are a myriad styles in the bedrooms, one to definitely suit every taste.

Fairlawns Hotel (B, L)

11 August 2007                     

Our representative will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the OR Tambo (Johannesburg) Airport.  

Your excess luggage is stored at our transfer company's offices. (You are met on your return to Johannesburg Airport and your excess luggage is returned to you.)

You board your scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Maun. (Excluded in price quote)

On arrival, you are met and transferred by light charter flight from Maun Airport to Chief’s Camp in the Okavango Delta. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.)

Botswana is one of Africa's last pristine lands and offers its visitors beautiful scenery and prolific big game in equal measure. Most people know of the Okavango Delta, yet Botswana conjures up so many memorable images for those lucky enough to visit - the shimmering heat rising from the vast white salt pans of the Makgadikgadi pans; the flight of a fish eagle as it glides over the waterways of the delta; the majestic baobab trees rising out of the Kalahari grasslands; or the elephant family coming down to the Chobe River to drink as dusk falls. An enlightened programme of conservation in this stable country has meant that vast areas, one sixth of the country, remain a sanctuary for magnificent herds of game.

A jewel in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is Africa's largest and most beautiful oasis - an isolated, lush green paradise with some of the richest wildlife in the world. The maze of waterways, lagoons, vast grassy plains and palm-fringed and wooded islands is home to crocodile, hippo, elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, wild dog, rare antelope and around 400 bird species. But wildlife is just one of many elements that combine to make the Delta a treasure house. It is the brooding quietness of the waterways, the plaintiff cry of the African fish eagle, the Malachite kingfisher reflected in the translucent waters, the scent of the water lilies and the Okavango's glorious sunsets, which will stay with you forever.

The delta's source lies in the highlands of Angola. From here the Cubango River flows south, gathering ever more water until it reaches Botswana, where it is known as the Okavango. Here it forms a vast, fan-shaped, astonishingly luxuriant wilderness of flood plain and forest, with the occasional large expanse of open water - the ideal breeding ground for an incredible diversity of wildlife. With the annual flood, the delta's water levels rise steadily from May onwards with its peak level reached in August. 

The evocative mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe made from an ebony or sausage tree) trips largely take place in shallow waters and seasonal flood plains of the semi-permanent sector of the delta. Gliding along in a traditional mokoro, in total harmony with nature, with a knowledgeable guide behind you, is an experience not to be missed. Camps in the semi-permanent waters tend to offer water-based activities from June to October (exactly when varies by lodge and by season) when the water levels are highest, as well as 4x4 game drives in open vehicles and game walks. Most of the delta is divided up into private "concession areas", each with only one or two safari camps, thus ensuring exclusivity and tranquillity. There are no fences so the game is free to move around naturally.

Chief's Camp in the Okavango Delta is part of the exclusive Mombo concession in Moremi, an area of unsurpassed predator sightings with a breeding pack of wild dog nearby, plenty of lion, cheetah and leopard - and now white rhino too. The lodge is tucked under a shady grove of trees, overlooking a seasonally flooded plain. Twelve luxurious and secluded tented suites offer some of the finest accommodation in Botswana - spacious, light and airy, with polished wooden floors, private viewing decks, overhead fans and luxurious bathrooms. The raised pool deck is used for starlit dining and daytime game spotting. Game activities are land-based, with mokoro excursions mid-July to mid-September.

Chief’s Camp (B, L, D)

14 August 2007                     

You are transferred by light charter flight from your Okavango Delta game lodge to Kasane airport. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.)

Chobe National Park lies in the northeast of Botswana, teeming with animals, in particular with huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Chobe's animal migrations follow an ancient pattern, only partly understood by man. However, broadly speaking, the game is drawn to the Chobe River during the dry winter season and spreads out to the open grasslands of the Savute marsh and pans during the wetter summer months. The Chobe/Linyanti river system is known for some of the best elephant viewing in Africa in the winter months (May to October), with huge herds of up to 500 or more at the end of the dry season. Lion are common, and almost expected, with buffalo, cheetah and an amazing variety of antelope often sighted. The river is alive with crocodile and hippo and marvellous birdlife, including kingfishers and bee-eaters. Languorous sunset cruises are a speciality of the area. Staying on the Chobe riverfront is therefore popular, given its abundant wildlife and ease of access to Victoria Falls (1½ hours by road) and the Okavango Delta.

On arrival at Kasane, you are met by the lodge staff from the short transfer back to the lodge. Chobe Chilwero is named for its panoramic views over the river, islands and floodplain. The 15 spacious and exquisite cottages each have a large sunken bath, indoor and outdoor showers, a private sala in a balcony or garden, fans and air-conditioning. The beautiful thatched main lodge comprises a stylish and contemporary lounge and dining room linked by spectacular viewing decks. There's also a secluded pool, library, wine and fine cigar cellar, spa and beauty therapist. Open 4x4 game drives, sundowner cruises, game-viewing by motor boat and fishing excursions are all on offer in and around the Chobe National Park only 5 minutes away.

Chobe Chilwero Lodge (B, L, D)

16 August 2007                     

Chobe Chilwero will transfer you to Kasane airport. Our representative will collect you at Kasane Airport and transfer you on a private basis across the Zambian border to the Falls Resort and Livingstone Airport.

The Victoria Falls is a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace from the private game reserves. It is a sight not to be missed - the clouds of spray generated by this thunderous descent have resulted in a lush rain forest full of stunning wild flowers and the most spectacular views of the Falls are from the Zambian side of the gorge (depending on the season). Various activities are on offer at the Falls including canoeing and languorous sunset river cruises on the tranquil Upper Zambezi above the falls. To gain an overall impression of the Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is considered essential by some. For the more adventurous, micro light flights, bungee jumping and white water rafting are available. Game drives and horse riding are also offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo and even the newly relocated rhino. Visitors can also sample elephant back safaris.

The best time to view the Falls is probably between April/May and August when the spray is less so that the Falls are easier to capture on film and yet the flow of water is still impressive. As the dry season progresses, the volume of water over the Falls declines quite dramatically. Visitors in late September to December need to be aware of this and we recommend that you book a helicopter trip or a microlite flight over the Falls so that you can enjoy the full length of the Falls.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is an elegant 5 star hotel in an unrivalled setting overlooking the Falls. The 173 rooms, with their hand-carved mahogany furniture, have an African feel with eastern overtones. All have a balcony or patio with views of the mature acacia trees, lawns and river. The hotel has a superb restaurant, large pool (which seems almost in the Zambezi), pool bar and small casino. A splendid large wooden deck affords sweeping views of the falls, ideal for cocktails at sunset. As the hotel is actually in the Zambezi National Park, park fees are included in the hotel's rates and so you can visit the falls as much as you would like during your stay. There are a range of excursions which can be booked by the hotel including sunset boat cruises, local village tours, game drives, helicopter flips and various adventure options. Manicures and pedicures can be arranged in-room and massages can either be enjoyed outside with a view over the river

Royal Livingstone (B)

17 August 2007 – Excursion to Livingstone Island

Livingstone Island lies perched right on the very edge of Victoria Falls in the very midst of this thundering mass of water, and is about as close as you can imagine to the Falls. Livingstone Island is the place from where Dr Livingstone first viewed the Mosi-oa-Tunya ('the Smoke That Thunders'). Five visits are offered daily with a maximum of 12 people per visit. This exclusive visit includes transfers to the boat jetty for a thrilling boat journey through the channels of the Zambezi to the very edge of Victoria Falls. On arrival you will be taken on a guided exploration of the island: learning about its long history, from ancient times when it was a sacrificial site, to the present day, as a protected World Heritage Site. You can take photos of the Falls from this extraordinary angle and the very intrepid can even take a heart-stopping peek over the island's edge to the churning mass below. After the tour, you can relax and enjoy lunch under the shade of our canopied dining area with a view of the Falls that is quite unique. For those of you who are keen on a swimming experience unlike any other, you can even brave the waters of this mighty river in the island's very own bathing pool, which forms each year amongst the rocks along the edge of the Falls. Royal Livingstone (B, L)

18 August 2007                     

Today you are transferred to Livingstone Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival at Livingstone International Airport, you check-in for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. (Flight is excluded in this price)

You are met by our representative on your return to OR Tambo (Johannesburg) Airport and your excess luggage is returned to you.

Holiday Summary

06 August 2007	Cape Town Airport to CPT Hotel - Private transfer	Private transfer per person for 2
	Pick Up Cape Town Airport

06 August 2007	Private City and Table Mountain Half Day tour	Per person (4-5 hours) for 2
	Pick Up Cape Grace
	Drop Off Cape Grace
Includes:	English-speaking Satour guide, City entrances, Air-conditioned vehicle and fuel

06 August 2007	Cape Grace	4 night(s) for 2
Luxury Room x 1		Status: Quote
Meal Basis:
Includes:	Bed and Breakfast and Tourism levy

07 August 2007	Private Cape Peninsula tour	Per person for 2
09:00	Pick Up Cape Grace
17:30	Drop Off Cape Grace
Includes:	English-speaking Satour guide, Cape Peninsula entrances, Client lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle and fuel

08 August 2007	Private Winelands full day tour	Per person for 2
09:00	Pick Up Cape Grace
17:30	Drop Off Cape Grace
Includes:	English-speaking Satour guide, entrances, Client lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle and fuel

09 August 2007	Private Sightseeing day	Per person for 2
	Pick Up
	Drop Off
Includes:	English-speaking Satour-registered guide, air-conditioned minibus, Client Lunch

10 August 2007	City to Cape Town Airport private transfer	Private transfer per person for 2
06:30	Pick Up Cape Grace

10 August 2007	Suggested Scheduled Flight Cape Town to Johannesburg (not included in price)	One way Economy for 2
CE 703	Depart  CPT 08:00
	Arrive  JNB 10:00

10 August 2007	Private Johannesburg & Soweto tour	Half day private tour for 2
10:00	Pick Up Johannesburg Airport
Includes:	Vehicle rates include fuel, toll road fees and English-speaking, entrance fees, Client lunch.

10 August 2007	The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa	1 night(s) for 2
Courtyard Suite x 1		Status: Quote
Meal Basis:
Includes:	Bed and Breakfast

11 August 2007	Hotel to Joberg Airport road transfer	Private transfer per person for 2
07:15	Pick Up Fairlawns