You will be met by our representative, , and transferred by road from Cape Town to your Winelands hotel.

Rusthof Country House

Rusthof lies in the heart of the historic French Huguenot valley of Franschhoek.  Each of the 6 spacious bedrooms has its own unique character, with pure cotton bed linen, coffee and tea facilities and the most luxurious interior décor.

Franschhoek

The origins of this charming and beautifully situated village date back to 1688 when some of the French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution settled in the valley, then known as Elephants Corner.  As the settlers increased the elephants ceased their annual migration to the valley, which later became known as French Corner, or 'Franschhoek' in Afrikaans.  The French influence is evident today in the ancient wine estates with their French names and in the number of excellent restaurants. It is a small place and can be visited for an afternoon or treated as a base for exploring the rest of the region.

·        There are a number of interesting shops, art galleries, antique dealers and craft shops in Franschhoek, and it is an especially good place to stock up on 'foodie' delights for later picnics or to take home. 

·        You may like to visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum, which serves as an information and education centre on the Huguenots. 

·        Turn left at the top of the Main Road to take the R45 over the Franschhoek pass to Villiersdorp.  We recommend that you drive at least part of the way up the pass because it is one of the prettiest passes in the country, with beautiful views down the Franschhoek valley.

Cape Dutch Houses

Many of the wine estates have beautiful old Cape Dutch homesteads (eg. Bellingham and L'Omarins) but most are not open to the public.  Two of the finest homesteads are open and provide a superb introduction to the history of the early wine-makers. Cape Dutch architecture is highly vernacular and took the Dutch fashion and adapted it to the Cape climate - the thick white washed walls and small-paned shuttered windows are designed to keep out the summer heat whilst the thatched roofs with their elegant gables kept the houses cool in summer and warm in the cold winters.

·        Vergelegen - A visit to Vergelegen is essential if you are interested in the history of the Cape, as it was the country house of governor Willem Adrian van der Stel and partly the cause of his fall from grace.  This elegant and tranquil estate offers much for the visitor: the Cape homestead, the lovely garden, an excellent restaurant for lunch as well as wine-tasting and cellar tours. Take the R44 to Somerset West. Turn left into Main Road.  Turn left at the second set of traffic lights into Lourensford Road.  Drive for 3.2 km and turn right at the Vergelegen sign.  Open daily from 0930 to 1600.  Sunday wine-tasting from 1030 to 1130 and Cellar tours are at 1030, 1130 and 1500 (Mon to Sat).  Reservations essential for cellar tours and the restaurant on 021 847 1334.

·        Boschendal Manor House and wine tasting - This farm was granted to Jean Le Long in 1685.  A fellow Huguenot, Abraham de Villiers bought it in 1715 and his family lived here until 1879 creating all the existing buildings.  As with Velgelegen, the 1815 manor house can be visited; there's excellent wine-tasting at the cellars and a choice of a traditional Cape restaurant or lighter lunches and picnics.  Boschendal is on the R310 from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek.  The manor house and wine/gift shop are open daily from 0930 to 1700.  Wine-tasting is from 0830 to 1630 (Mon to Sat).  It closes at 1230 on winter Saturdays (May to Oct). Tours of the vineyard are at 1030 and must be booked ahead on 021 870 4211.

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is South Africa's second oldest town, and probably the most beautiful.  Governor Simon van der Stel visited the Eerste river valley in 1679 and decided the area was suitable for colonization. The charming town was established in 1685 and still contains a number of well-preserved Cape Dutch streets. Stellenbosch's architecture is of simple style and character with white limestone walls, oak-lined avenues and a well-ordered layout.

·        Walk up Dorp Street - one of the longest rows of old Cape Dutch buildings in South Africa.  Ask the Publicity office for their leaflet 'Discover Stellenbosch on foot'. As well as Dorp Street, explore the nearby streets of Kerk Street, Ryneveld Street, Drostdy Street and Die Braak.  Or you could join one of the Publicity Office's walking tours, which depart daily. Perhaps pop in at Oom Samie Se Winkel at 82 Dorp Street, a Victorian-style general store and gift shop or visit the Rembrandt van Rijn Art Museum. Open 0900 to 1245, 1400 to 1700 (Mon to Sat).

·        The Village Museum - is a collection of preserved houses that give insight into the lives of the early settlers in Stellenbosch. 18 Ryneveld Street. Open 0930 to 1700 (Mon to Sat) and 1400 to 1700 on Sundays.

·        Stellenryk Wine Museum - offers an insight into old methods of winemaking, massive wine vats and other wine curios. 31 Dorp Street on corner of Old Strand Road and Dorp street. Open from 0900 to 1245 and 1400 to 1700 (Mon to Sat).

·        Van Ryn Brandy Cellar - has a tour of the brandy distillery, maturation cellar and working cooperage followed by informal brandy tasting. Tours at 1000, 1130 and 1500 Monday to Thursday and 1000 and 1530 on Friday. Tel 021 8813875.

Paarl

Paarl is a bustling old town with a beautiful central oak lined street lined with Cape Dutch houses.  Wine growing in the area began in the 1680s as French Huguenots brought viticulture to South Africa.  The town was established in 1720 and rapidly became the centre for wagon building due to its proximity to the towering Boland mountains.  However, it is for its role in the development and promoting of Afrikaans that it is now famous. The Afrikaans Language (Taal) monument on Paarl Mountain and the its museum pay testament to this fact.

·        Paarl Mountain Reserve - The granite domes, which dominate Paarl, are the largest in the world after the Rock of Gibraltar.  The town's name comes from the granite rock glistening in the sunlight after rain, like a pearl.  The nature reserve, which covers the mountain, has a large number of proteas and the Mill Water Wild Flower Garden is a lovely place for a picnic or sunset drinks.  The Publicity Office has a map showing all the walking trails in the reserve.  An 11 km gravel road, Jan Phillips Drive, gives lovely valley views and runs up from the KWV building in Main Street to the Taal Monument where you have a panoramic view of the valley.

·        KWV Wine Cellars - this huge co-operative winery controlled the whole of the South African wine industry until recently.  It is still the largest exporter of wine to Europe and the tours of the vast cellars (covering 22ha) are fascinating. More than 100 different wines and brandies are produced for export. The famous Cathedral Cellar with its barrel-vaulted roofs features carved red wine vats depicting the Cape's winemaking history.  Booking is recommended on 021 807 3007.  English speaking tours are at 1000, 1030 and 1415 (Mon to Sat). Take the Main Road into Paarl (from the N1) and turn right into the Bergrivier Boulevard, right again into Cecilia Street and right again into Kohler Street.

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 area 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, which must be one of the finest towns in South Africa.  It is easy to see why Simon Van Der Stel decided to build a village in such a charming spot.  The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland mountains, the white gabled Cape Dutch Homesteads and the oak-lined streets and lanes all blend in to give this place a charm that will not be quickly forgotten. Walk up Dorp street, one of the longest row of old Cape Dutch buildings in South Africa and then visit the Village Museum, a collection of preserved houses which gives an insight into the lives of the early settlers in Stellenbosch through to the Victorian era.

Afterwards you enjoy a scenic drive over the majestic Helshoogte Pass to the charming village of Franschhoek for lunch.  The origins of this charming and beautifully situated village date back to 1688 when some of the French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution settled in the valley, then known as Elephants Corner.   As the settlers increased the elephants ceased their annual migration to the valley, which later became known as French Corner or 'Franschhoek' in Afrikaans.  The French influence is much in evidence today in the ancient wine estates with their French names and in the excellent restaurants of the village. After lunch you visit the magnificent homestead of Boschendal before continuing to Paarl where you visit the "Taal Monument", a symbolic gesture to the Afrikaans language, which was established and fostered here.  Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding areas from Paarl Rock before being dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon at approx 5.30pm.

Abbey Manor Luxury Guesthouse

Cape Town

Cape Town is famous throughout the world for its majestic mountain and ocean setting. Over the centuries, visitors have marvelled not only at the peninsula's natural splendour but also at the cultural diversity of the Mother City - the blending of Eastern, African and Western ways of life, which is constantly evident in architecture, dress and local customs. There is so much to do and see in Cape Town. We have outlined some of the main pastimes below. 

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Visit the Waterfront with its array of craft shops, restaurants and entertainment. For more than 80 years the Waterfront was a thriving harbour however after the Second World War, decline and dilapidation set in until 988 when it was decided to redevelop the area. Now visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and browse through the craft markets, watch an open-air concert, enjoy a meal, or simply to sit and admire the spectacular view of Table Mountain and the activities of a working harbour. Also at the Waterfront are the following:

·        The Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront - an enjoyable place to go if the South-Easter is blowing or if Cape Town is having a cloudy day.  The Aquarium shop offers a wide selection of aquatic souvenirs, gifts, books and videos. The Bay front Blue Restaurant is open daily. Open 0930 to 1800 - last tickets sold at 1700.

·        The Art and Craft Market - here you can buy anything from lampshades to belts, fabrics and T-shirts, or you can simply spend time browsing among the stalls admiring the crafts.

·        The BMW Pavilion houses the IMAX cinema, with its cinema screen showing images up to seven storeys high. Excellent for children. Shows daily from 0900 to 2300 during summer and 1100 to 2100 during winter. Tel - 021 419 7364.

·        Cruises around the harbour and to Robben Island - see below under Boat Trips.

·        Victoria Wharf shopping - over 200 speciality and designer shops. Open Monday to Saturday from 0900 to 2100, Sunday 1000 to 2100.

On arrival you have a road transfer from Kruger Park Airport (KMIA) to your private game lodge in the southern part of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve with our representative from Eastgate Safaris.

Varty Camp, Londolozi

Londolozi, Sabi Sand has a justified reputation as one of the finest private game reserves in Africa and is most famous for its leopards. Spanning the verdant banks of the Sand River, Londolozi offers four exclusive camps where the raw splendour of the bush perfectly blends with luxurious accommodation. Londolozi, meaning "protector of all living things" in Zulu, is known for its far-sighted methods of bush clearing as a means of restoring the area to its original mosaic pattern of woodland and open grassland. The impact on the wildlife has been dramatic and today Londolozi has some of the best game viewing in Africa. Londolozi has also recognised that ecotourism is only viable if it involves the inclusion of the communities living in and around the Reserve.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve

So diverse is its habitat and wildlife that you have an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with the 'Big 5' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as six species of cat, many species of antelope, several dog-like species including spotted hyena and cape hunting dog, two species of jackal, and a variety of smaller mammals.  

The pattern of Game-viewing

The pattern for safaris is to take game drives with your ranger in the late afternoon and early morning. This is the time when animals are most likely to be seen. After lunch you can relax in your room or by the pool until tea and coffee are served at approximately 1530 (in winter) or 1600 (in summer).  The game drive will start immediately after tea and will continue into the early evening.

Your vehicle is manned by a qualified ranger and a highly skilled tracker. Their combined resources of sound bush knowledge, practical skills and love of nature promise you informative, exciting and rewarding encounters with the abundance of wildlife.  The Ranger drives the vehicle and converses with guests, and, by means of two-way radio, also communicates with other vehicles on game drive in order to keep in touch with sightings in other areas.  The tracker, seated in a vantage point on the front of the vehicle, tunes into every nuance or clue offered by the bush - a fresh scent mark on a shrub, a muddy patch on a tree left by an itchy rhino, or a tell-tale sign where a kill has been dragged into the bush, and informs the ranger and guests accordingly. Your game ranger is not only your guide for the game drives but also on hand to assist you throughout your stay.

I won't go into detail as to what game you will see as your ranger can give you a deeper overview of the animals in the region. Major scene stealers are probably the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino (the so-called 'Big Five'), but some visitors get just as much of a kick out of spotting a kudu, a comical warthog or tiny steenbok.

Half way through the drive, you enjoy sundowner drinks and then the drive continues using lights to spot the nocturnal animals. Your dinner will be served back at the lodge. During your stay, the evening meal is often enjoyed in an open enclosure or 'boma', around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat.

Please note: As the lodge is not fenced, it is possible for wild animals to wander through the camp at night, though not common.  After your evening meal, please ask one of the rangers to escort you back to your room with a torch!  They will be only too happy to do so.

Clothing and equipment on open vehicle game vehicles

Casual bush clothes are the order of the day at the private game reserves and you are not expected to dress for dinner. Please ensure that you have a lightweight shirt and trousers to cover yourself in summer evenings when there are mosquitoes about. Neutral colours are most suitable.  Bright colours or white are to be avoided if you are planning to take a bush walk with a ranger as the animals will be scared off by strong colours. A hat with a brim and sunblock is also essential in Summer. 

In Winter and Spring, it can be very chilly in the early morning and late evening, no matter how warm it has been during the day - please believe us! Bring a warm jacket for the 0600 starts! It is best to dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off as the sun comes up.  By 0900 it could be quite hot again!

Binoculars are necessary to really appreciate the animals and good mammal and bird books will aid in identification and will boost your own enjoyment and recollection of your safari.

Photography on Safari

For close-up photographs of animals, it is essential to have a 300mm or telephoto lens. However much of our bushveld is characterised by wide open spaces, so a 28mm wide angle lens could also be invaluable, especially if you want to emphasize something in the foreground.

100-200 ASA film will be appropriate for most conditions, but some 400 ASA film can be useful for the light conditions at dusk or if you are lucky enough to come across a cheetah in a high speed chase. Make sure you bring some spare batteries, as these may not be readily available and an ultra-violet filter is also useful for reducing glare. A lens hood will prevent light from diffusing an image if you have to shoot towards the sun.

If you are not a regular photographer, the following tips may be useful:

·        The bright sunlight in South Africa means that early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for photography.

·        Avoid static pictures of animals - a giraffe drinking is a much better photo than one just calmly looking at you.

·        Think about your background - if you are at a water hole you can select a spot to wait, which gives you a good background and the right light.

·        If you don't have a good tele-photo lens, don't be tempted into taking numerous shots of animals in the medium ground. You'll end up with lots of photos of green or brown bush! Instead concentrate on taking landscape or scene shots, for example, zebras playing or animals congregated at a water hole.

  18 June 2007               The following morning as the animals rise early, to hunt in the cool of the day, you will generally take your game drive immediately after early morning tea and coffee.  The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast which will be keenly appreciated after your early morning activity. After breakfast if you wish, you can go on a guided walk into the bush with a ranger. This affords guests the ultimate, close-to-the-wild experience, and a chance to focus on the smaller bush inhabitants including birds, insects and butterflies.  You can also discover the interesting worlds of trees, grasses, flowers, geology and ecology - of course, occasionally big game can be seen on walks.  Alternatively you can simply relax around the lodge during the heat of the day. The pattern for the rest of the day is similar to the day before with lunch and a late afternoon game drive.  20 Jun

e 2007               

Today at 11h30 you board your charter flight with Nelair Charters & Travel to Kings Camp situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve.

 Kings CampKings Camp is a real 'find' hidden away deep in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. This delightful colonial-styled lodge has 10 air-conditioned thatched suites. Spacious suites are equipped with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with Victorian ball-and-claw bath, indoor and outdoor double shower, mini-bar and private veranda. Camp facilities include an inviting bar and lounge, viewing deck overlooking the spotlit waterhole, gym and sparkling pool. The staff and rangers are passionate about sharing their knowledge of bush and its wildlife. We like it because of its excellent cuisine, great wine cellar and flexible approach to guest's wishes, with bush breakfasts and sleep outs under the African sky on offer. 

The Timbavati Game Reserve

The superb Timbavati Game Reserve borders the Kruger National Park to the north.  You are also likely to see large elephant herds and you have an good chance of spotting many members of the so-called 'Big 5' - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino as well a variety of smaller mammals.

After a final morning game drive, we will collect you from the lodge and transfer you by road to Hoedspruit Airport where you board your scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

At Johannesburg you board your scheduled flight back home.