TWO WEEKS EXPLORING THE ROMANCE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Embark on a two-week romantic sojourn to the captivating landscapes of South Africa, an odyssey of unforgettable experiences tailored for lovers seeking an extraordinary adventure. From the cosmopolitan heartbeat of Cape Town to the untamed wilderness of the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa presents a unique blend of vibrant cultures, awe-inspiring vistas, and enthralling wildlife encounters. This journey promises moments of intimate connection amidst breathtaking beauty, creating shared memories that will echo in your hearts long after the African sunsets have faded from your view.
Read on to explore every inch of this itinerary in detail and contact our team on +44 1491 575 987 to let us know what you think! If this itinerary doesn’t suit your every need, want and desire, our team are ready and waiting to alter it to fit perfectly to your travel aspirations.
TOUR DETAILS
- 4 nights in Cape Town
- 3 nights in Cederberg Mountains
- 3 nights in Franschhoek
- 3 nights in Sabi Sands Game Reserve
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Private Cape Town City Tour
- Food tour of Cape Town
- Private tour of the Cape of Good Hope
- Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach
- A stay in the Cederberg Mountains
- Days at leisure in South Africa's protecte wilderness
- The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on-hop-off tour
- Two magical days on safari
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
- Fly from London to Cape Town in approximately 11 hours, 40 minutes
- Spend 4 nights in Cape Town
- Transfer by road to Cederberg Mountains
- Spend 3 nights in Cederberg Mountains
- Transfer by road to Franschhoek
- Spend 3 nights in Franschhoek
- Fly to Skukuza Airport, Kruger National Park
- Spend 3 nights on safari at Sabi Sands Game Reserve
- Fly to Johannesburg and onto London
day one
Welcome to South Africa!
Upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, meet your guide for your quick private transfer to your first hotel.
Spend 4 x nights in Cape Town.
Suggested hotel: Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
At Cape Cadogan, you have the best of both worlds: a quiet, beautifully styled hideaway with the vibrant neighbourhood of Kloof Street on your doorstep. Her look is elegant and stylish, in beautiful emerald greens, classic black and white, and touches of gold. You’re invited to make yourself completely at home in this historic hotel, with each room individually and stylishly decorated around her uniqueness. Enjoy the relaxed guest areas, a calming spa, gymnasium, and their very own restaurant Upper Union, curated for the creative and curious.
Enjoy a little more room to unwind in, with a spacious bedroom and bathroom and your own private sun terrace. The seven Luxury Rooms have a king-sized bed, shower, or shower and bath, TheraNaka bathroom amenities, robes and slippers, sitting area, Nespresso coffee machine, pre-stocked minibar, air conditioning, and high-speed fibre.
day TWO
Private Cape Town City Tour
Today, head out on your private guided tour of Cape Town (duration 9 hours).
Embark on a city tour of Cape Town that immerses you in its vibrant energy and rich tapestry of cultures. Begin your exploration at the bustling V&A Waterfront, a hub of dining, shopping, and entertainment set against the backdrop of stunning ocean views and the iconic Table Mountain. Traverse the city’s historic heart, the Company’s Garden, home to the South African Museum, and the beautiful St. George’s Cathedral. Immerse yourself in the multicultural milieu of the city as you wander the colorful streets of the Bo-Kaap district, tasting Cape Malay cuisine and learning about the area’s unique heritage. No visit to Cape Town would be complete without a trip up the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding coastline. This guided tour of Cape Town is the perfect way to experience the city’s diverse offerings, providing a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that will linger in your memories long after your journey concludes.
Your tour includes an English guide, Table Mountain Cable Tickets and all applicable entrance fees.
day three
Cape Town Food Tour
Today, embark on a stunning Food Tour of the Cape Town City area, with transfers from your guest house (duration 7 hours).
Indulge your senses on a culinary journey through Cape Town, a city renowned for its eclectic food scene that beautifully mirrors its rich cultural tapestry. Embark on a gastronomic adventure that takes you from the vibrant stalls of the Old Biscuit Mill, where artisanal foods and locally produced delicacies beckon, to the heart of the Cape Malay Quarter. Wander along the city’s trendiest streets filled with a myriad of eateries, each offering a unique taste of South Africa. From sampling the city’s finest wines in the Cape Winelands to savouring fresh seafood by the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Town food tour promises a feast of flavours that will tantalise your palate and leave you with a deeper appreciation of the city’s culinary heritage.
day four
Private Half Day Tour of the Cape of Good Hope
Your private half day tour of the Cape of Good Hope will depart at approx. 8.30 am.
Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay, to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbour with magnificent mountain views and beach. Continue via Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point which is perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Go on to historic Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach which is your last stop for the morning. Boulders Penguin Colony is home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat and there is also a new information centre.
The tour ends at around 1pm with drop-off at your hotel.
day five
Welcome to Cederberg Mountains
This morning, after breakfast, check out and meet your driver at reception for your three-hour transfer north to the stunning Cederberg Mountains where you will spend the next three nights.
This expansive mountain range, renowned for its dramatic sandstone formations and ancient San rock art, presents a stunning backdrop for adventurous pursuits. Whether you’re hiking along its rugged trails, exploring age-old rock art in hidden caves, or star-gazing under the widespread African sky, the Cederberg Mountains offer an immersive experience in a landscape untouched by time. Amidst the untamed wilderness, you’ll discover a profound sense of tranquility and connection with nature that are quintessentially Cederberg.
Suggested hotel: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat
The focus at Bushmans Kloof is on preserving and restoring the indigenous culture and environment, and trying to regain a sense of what the original Africa was like. In addition to this, you get to enjoy an amazing sense of isolation from the modern world, accompanied by endless vistas under huge blue skies. The delightful settings, high standards of accommodation and service, and great food have enabled Bushmans Kloof to become part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group. At the heart of Bushmans Kloof is the elegant Homestead, where guests can trade travelling tales at the convivial bar or enjoy quiet moments of learning in the library and Heritage Centre. The lush courtyard offers a heated pool and gymnasium open to all guests, while the shaded terrace is idyllic for al fresco dining on warm summer days. The elegant dining room offers a more formal culinary experience, paired with select vintages from the award-winning wine cellar. Home to nearly 3000 bottles from 700 producers in South Africa and abroad, guided tastings are available on request.
Each of the 17 rooms and suites at the Lodge offer private patios overlooking manicured lawns and lush indigenous gardens that blend seamlessly into the rocky wilderness of the surrounding reserve. Guests enjoy access to four serene swimming pools, with well-marked walking trails to allow for independent exploring. While the serenity of this pristine mountain wilderness is itself a balm for the soul, The Spa is the focus of the healing energy of Bushmans Kloof. The Spa is accessible to residents only and does not offer day-visitor facilities. With unique décor and charm, Deluxe Rooms offer additional space, luxury, and privacy, with en-suite bathrooms, fully stocked mini bar and stunning expansive views. Your stay includes all meals and a variety of enriching and exhilarating activities, which will be discussed on arrival.
day SIX
Explore the activities on offer at Bushmans Kloof
Spend the next two full days at leisure, exploring the activities on offer at Bushmans Kloof.
With 7500-hectares of pristine mountain wilderness waiting to be discovered, guests at Bushmans Kloof are spoilt for choice when it comes to filling their days. Enjoy a guided hiking trail with expert rangers, or let the scenery roll past on an idyllic evening nature drive. The gravel tracks of the reserve are perfect for mountain biking, while the pristine mountain pools will tempt for a swim on hot summer days. Keen anglers can cast a fly for wily Clanwilliam Yellowfish, or simply enjoy a sedate paddle on the placid waters of the dam. Whether you like it wild or mild, Bushmans Kloof offers an unforgettable wilderness adventure.
day seven
Another day at leisure in Bushmans Kloof
You have another day at leisure to relax or get stuck into the activities at Bushmans Kloof.
day eight
Welcome to Franschhoek
After breakfast, check out and meet your driver for your transfer down to the winelands town of Franschhoek, your home for the next three nights.
Suggested hotel: Le Quartier Francais
Set within peaceful gardens in the shadow of rugged mountain scenery, Le Quartier Francais has a relaxed, contemporary feel, reflected in the bright colours and simple architecture used throughout. Most of the spacious rooms and suites look out over a central courtyard filled with flowers and a discreet pool, and are furnished in a tasteful, unpretentious manner. The attention to detail is as high as any international five-star hotel, yet the ambience is much less formal and more welcoming. This hotel offers high levels of service and comfort without the formal atmosphere and is an excellent choice for those who prefer a laid-back, relaxing stay. It’s also well-placed for sampling Franschhoek’s superb restaurants.
From here you can head out to explore the town or surrounding countryside before returning to a glass of the region’s fine wine.
day nine
Board the Franschhoek Wine Tram!
The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history.
It is a fun and informal tour where you will experience a unique and leisurely introduction to the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in either an open-sided single-decker tram or a double-decker tram as well as an open-air tram-bus stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. A combination of tram and tram-bus transport follows a loop of stops allowing you to hop off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, such as wine tastings, cellar tours, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards.
day ten
Day at leisure in the vineyards
Today, you have another day at leisure to relax or explore the beautiful surroundings. Enjoy a long leisurely lunch or head to another vineyard or two. For those with more energy, venture out on a picturesque hike, hire mountain bikes, or head out onto the pristine golf golf.
day eleven
Welcome to Kruger National Park
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your driver for your transfer to Cape Town Airport in time for your flight to Skukuza Airport in the heart of the Kruger.
Upon arrival, you will be met by a member of the team from your safari lodge and transferred through the game reserve. Watch out for your first glimpse of the African wildlife along the way!
Arrive and check in to the stunning safari lodge, your home for the next three nights, and then head out on your first safari game drive…
Suggested hotel: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
‘Stunningly beautiful’ is the best statement to introduce Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Tatler Magazine dubbed this awe-inspiring lodge as being ‘one of the best hotels in the world’. Just as its sister property, Lion Sands River Lodge, Ivory Lodge is situated on the banks of the Sabi River. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is probably also the lodge with the most unique design. The lodge is a little different compared to most other safari lodges in the Sabi Sands. Ivory and black colours lead the design frenzy, resulting in just eight one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom ‘Fish Eagle’ villa with a feeling of zen.
The lodge’s eight one-bedroom Villas, secluded at the confluence of the Sabie and Sand rivers, are the ultimate bush retreats. Your private lounge, patio, deck and pool invite easy relaxation, while a dedicated team of staff are around to take care or your every whim and fancy. Here, everything is included – from your champagne of choice stocked in the maxibar, to your favourite shirt, washed and pressed – creating a highly-personalised experience of a safari, your way.
day twelve
On safari!
Spend the next two full days experiencing all that a South African safari can offer.
The private reserve conserves 12,400ha of habitat that is home to the highest and most diverse concentration of wildlife in the southern hemisphere. You can see all of Africa’s iconic species here, including the Big Five, along with a supporting cast of 137 mammal species and over 450 varieties of bird. The magic here lies in HOW you experience this extraordinary place and its wildlife wonders.
You have morning and evening safari drives each day. Wake with the dawn chorus for the day’s first game drive. Sunrise is peak game viewing time. Encounter nocturnal animals returning to rest and others headed out to hunt. The thrill of being let in on this world will give you a buzz. As the daylight fades, a whole other world of animals emerges into the evening. It’ll take a little more effort to spot them, but with your guides’ keen eyes and your senses now attuned to the sounds, scents and movements of the bush, this experience captures the very essence of a safari in Africa.
day thirteen
On safari!
Spend another full day on safari!
day fourteen
Head home
Sadly, your South African adventure has come to an end. Enjoy your final game drive early this morning and one last breakfast, before meeting your driver for your transfer back to Skukuza airport in time for your flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, you will be met and assisted to your onward flight home.