Explore South Africa in style on this Cape Town and safari vacation package.
DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Depart on your international South African Airways flight to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. From the moment you board your South African Airways flight you will feel the warm and welcoming African hospitality in every detail of the world-class service you are about to experience.
DAY 2 – JOHANNESBURG / CAPE TOWN
On arrival at Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport’s Central Terminal Building, collect your luggage and then clear customs and immigration. Re-check your bags for your onward flight to Cape Town.
Arrive in the bustling and vibrant city of Cape Town to enjoy all the best that South Africa has to offer. You will be met by a Lion World Travel representative at the Cape Town Airport and transferred to the luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa.
The award-winning 5-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is situated on Cape Town’s most scenic route. Named for the ruggedly beautiful mountain range that towers behind it, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is characterized by impeccable design and luxury.
The majestic Twelve Apostles Mountain Range serves as a backdrop to this magnificent boutique property, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out in front, as far as the eye can see. Walk along the wilderness trails of the Table Mountain National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, that surround the property.
ACCOMMODATION: TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA – CLASSIC ROOM
DAY 3 – CAPE PENINSULA
After breakfast today you will depart on a full-day Cape Peninsula Tour.
On this tour you will see why the area earned the name of The Fairest Cape. Sit back and relax, as you drive along the exquisite stretch of coastline known as Millionaire’s Paradise – from Clifton to Camps Bay, to the exclusive beach hamlet of Llandudno – towards the charming working harbour of Hout Bay.
The tour then winds its way along the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, hugging the cliffs and relishing the breathtaking ocean views. After a stop for lunch (your own account), visit the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. You will have the opportunity to ride the Flying Dutchman funicular (optional and own account) to the old lighthouse for awe-inspiring views!
Finally, the tour makes its way back along the coast towards the City, visiting the historic naval port of Simon’s Town and the endearing African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Did you know that the African Penguin used to be called a “jackass” penguin because its call is similar to that of a braying donkey!
Beginning in August 2019, you will meet and have dinner with Christo Brand and his wife Estelle, at Azure Restaurant at 7:30pm. Christo was Nelson Mandela’s prison warden on Robben Island for many years. He has written a book, Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend. It is about his story of their extraordinary and close friendship that continued from beyond the prison cell into Parliament. Mr. Brand will personally sign a copy of his book at the dinner.
Christo first came across Nelson Mandela on Robben Island in 1978, where he was working as a guard. This was where they formed a relationship which was to become so much more. In 1982, Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison. Christo was also transferred to Pollsmoor and was responsible for guarding Mandela for the next 6 years. On his release from prison, Mandela organized a job for Christo as an administrative and logistics manager in the Constitutional Assembly.
ACCOMMODATION: TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA – CLASSIC ROOM
DAY 4 – CAPE TOWN
Enjoy a day at leisure in the fascinating city of Cape Town or choose to join our Franschhoek Tour, exclusively for our Lion World Travel guests, at a special price of $150 per person – please let us know if you would like to join this excursion which runs as follows:
After an early breakfast you will be met by your guide for today’s tour to the exquisite Franschhoek Valley in the beautiful mountains of the Cape Winelands. The first stop is at La Bourgogne Wine Farm which was among the first Huguenot farms proclaimed in 1694, where you will enjoy tasting Olive Oil, Olives and Fruit Preserves ending with a wine tasting and cellar tour.
Lunch will be at Paulina’s Restaurant at Rickety Bridge Winery. Take a seat overlooking the Rickety Bridge vineyards. Sip a glass of crisp estate wine and enjoy a delicious lunch while drinking in the splendor of the magnificent setting and stunning views of the Franschhoek mountains.
After lunch you will participate in an hour Wine Blending Experience. This interactive blending experience offers something to both wine novices and enthusiasts alike. The wine blending session will give you a chance to experience a crucial part of the wine making process, and you can leave with a bottle of wine to drink that day!
You will then have some free time to explore the quaint little town of Franschhoek before returning to Cape Town.
ACCOMMODATION: TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA – CLASSIC ROOM
DAY 5 – CAPE TOWN
Your final day in Cape Town! Enjoy a day of leisure exploring the many attractions in and around this cosmopolitan city, or simply relax on the fashionable beaches of Camps Bay or Clifton. Cape Town offers historic and cultural sites, world-class museums and bustling markets, inviting beaches and lush gardens, as well as great restaurants, wonderful shopping and culture.
ACCOMMODATION: TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA – CLASSIC ROOM
DAY 6 – CAPE TOWN / JOHANNESBURG / HOEDSPRUIT
It is time to say goodbye to beautiful Cape Town as you transfer from your hotel to Cape Town Airport in time for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Here you will connect with your flight to Hoedspruit to begin your 5-star safari with exceptional game viewing at one of Africa’s most extraordinary private reserves.
Upon arrival at Hoedspruit Airport you will be met and transferred to Kapama River Lodge. Kapama River Lodge. Kapama River Lodge is stylishly furnished and beautifully positioned along a dry riverbed. The ambience of nature is captured perfectly and guests fall in love with River Lodge the moment they arrive. Each spacious room at Kapama River Lodge features a full en-suite bathroom and patio with uninterrupted views into the leafy-green game reserve. Step onto your private balcony with a cool drink from your mini bar, and while away free time, gazing lazily into the bush for animals that may pass by, or have your early morning coffee in your room, watching the bush come alive with sound as the first rays fall.
The 20 spa suites are positioned a little way from the lodge to ensure additional privacy and proximity to the spa for unique African spa treatments. Expansive glass doors and frameless windows allow unobstructed bush views, including from the bathroom. Each suite is equipped with a minibar, coffee and tea-making facilities, as well as a safe, hairdryer and international plugs.
The central guest entertainment areas include a large rim-flow swimming pool with sun umbrellas and recliners for lazy afternoons. The Rhino Boma dining area has a roaring outdoor fire that gives a glow to evening meals. Buffet-style meals introduce African flavors with Pan African dishes using fresh local ingredients and specialist dishes featuring venison like kudu and impala.
The Kapama Game Reserve covers 12 000 hectares of undisturbed bushveld in prime Big Five – Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard – country. The reserve offers panoramic views of the nearby Drakensberg Mountain range and the area supports a wide variety of game including elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, and a large population of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. A small permanent water source lies just beyond Kapama River Lodge perimeter fence attracting animals like antelopes, elephant and buffalo.
ACCOMMODATION: KAPAMA RIVER LODGE – SPA SUITE
DAY 7 – KAPAMA RIVER LODGE
Your day begins early, with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Outside, the sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, showing off a landscape that is spectacular in its enormity and serenity. Game drives in open safari vehicles offer you the opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’ and a large variety of smaller wildlife.
Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge for a full breakfast. Relax and cool off in the pool, just perfect for those hot summer days or to refresh you after an exciting safari through the bush. Make sure your binoculars are on hand to watch the jewelled coloured birds flying around or the animals in the nearby bush.
In the late afternoon everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route you will stop for a drink as the sun sets over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains. Arrive back at the lodge with time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: KAPAMA RIVER LODGE – SPA SUITE
DAY 8 – KAPAMA RIVER LODGE
Enjoy another bright and early start to the day as another day of wilderness experience begins. You are accompanied by highly skilled game rangers, who provide interesting information and anecdotes about the inhabitants of the bush. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are just as captivating.
In the later afternoon take a game drive in this wilderness paradise. As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge.
ACCOMMODATION: KAPAMA RIVER LODGE – SPA SUITE
DAY 9 – HOEDSPRUIT / JOHANNESBURG
After an early morning game drive to track the animals that may have eluded you so far, followed by breakfast, you will be transferred to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Bid farewell to the place that has given you unforgettable wildlife encounters in the African bush.
On arrival at Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport, connect with your scheduled international South African Airways flight back to the USA.
DAY 10 – ARRIVE USA
Return home with a lifetime of memories!