DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA

 

WELCOME TO CAPE TOWN

CAPE TOWN AND TABLE MOUNTAIN

Cape Town was originally established as a refreshment station in 1652 for the trade between Europe and the Far East.  When visiting Cape Town you will be taken on orientation tour of the city center; visit Green Market Square, known for its craft market; take a walk through the Company Gardens; drive by the Houses of Parliament, and the old Malay Quarter, known as the Bo-Kaap

Lunch! wouldn’t it be awesome having an interactive cooking experience with one of the local inhabitants of the Bo-Kaap (also known as the Malay Quarter, situated just outside Cape Town’s CBD)?  Then visit the Bo-Kaap Museum, and the Atlas Trading Company known for its wide variety of spices.  How about being involved in the preparation of a typical Malay meal and enjoy lunch

Have you ride a cable car? Well! here is your experience when you ascend Table Mountain. This excursion usually takes about 2 hours.  (Visit is weather dependent; should excursion not be possible, it will be moved to the following day, or the day after – weather permitting)

Other places of interest are Jewel Africa, or similar, where the 4 important C’s of the diamond industry will be explained ,ie color, carat,  clarity, and cut ; Here you have the option to buy local craft or jewellery.  Just prior to 1868 the first diamond fields near Kimberly were discovered; Another important milestone in the history of diamond mining in South Africa, was the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond, found near Pretoria, split sections of which are today to be  found in the Crown Jewels of Queen Elizabeth of England. There is nothing like the music of local drummers in the late evening!!

 The Cape Peninsula is another place of interest where visitors spend the whole day exploring. Starting with a boat cruise from Hout Bay to view the seals at Seal Island, The boat departs at 09h15. Enjoy the scenic of Chapmans Peak as you pass along to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This Visit is the most south westerly tip of Africa!

Care for Some Seafood?  Warm up your taste buds for a sumptuous lunch when you pass through The False Bay coastline to the Simon’s Town local restaurants.
Visit the breeding colony of Jackass Penguins,  travel along the False Bay coastline, and visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in the afternoon, ladies! you’ll be taken on a private tour of the gardens. Not for getting Rhodes Memorial with its memorable view of the city and the Cape Winelands mountains.  Wow!!!!

 

Stellenbosch, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, is just a 45 minute drive from the nearest hotel – Here you can visit the Village Museum and do a short walking tour in the town, which also houses the University of Stellenbosch.

Experience a 4 x 4 safari ride through vineyards of one of the wine estates (which will unfortunately be largely leafless during August, as budding will only start in spring, ie September) to the top of hill with a magnificent view over the Cape Winelands.  The Big 5 of South African  wine cultivars will be explained before tasting.

Continue over the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, situated in the “Valley of the Vignerons” and settled by the French Huguenots in the 16th Century.  Driving time from Stellenbosch about 20 mins

What’s for lunch! Enjoy any of the various gourmet restaurants which line the main street of the town as well as the shopping opportunities provided by many of the interesting shops. Did someone say chocolate!!! Yes! chocolate tasting after lunch is swell way for that dessert. Here is something to do in the afternoon—visit the Huguenot Museum

Grab an Early Breakfast and head out for transfer with English Chauffeur to Cape Town Airport (20 kms)  for a Flight to Johannesburg Or Tambo Airport; here you’ll be met by a driver/guide on arrival where you’ll continue to the Mpumalanga Province, stopping en route to visit the Botanical Gardens at Nelspruit, after which the coach travels to Nkambeni Safari Camp, arriving at the end of the afternoon.

Enjoy a full day game drive in the Kruger National Park, with a local ranger in an open safari vehicle. After an early breakfast depart at about 06h00 and return at about 16h00. you can enjoy a light lunch in the park.

This reserve was created by former President Paul Kruger in 1898 as a sanctuary for animals, which currently comprise about 450 different birds, 106 different types of mammals, ie elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippo’s, kudu, impala, and lion . The park is about 220 miles long and 37 miles wide, but there is every chance of seeing the Big 5, ie Lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant.

Scared to Overnight? : Nkambeni Safari Camp, includes lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as the full day game drive, and the Kruger National Park Conservation levy: Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Wondering what next while at Nkambeni Safari Camp?

How about a guided tour to the Hoedspruit Environmental Species Centre, travelling distance about 1.5 hrs. The tour starts with an educational video after which you will be taken on a tour of the centre focusing on the conservation of rare, vulnerable and endangered animals. Cheetah conservation is one of their core disciplines, as well as looking after baby rhinos whose mothers maybe have been killed by poachers for their horns.

After the HESC, visit Jessica, the hippo, who voluntarily lives with a local inhabitant in the nearby town of Hoedspruit, and if Jessica is at home and not visiting elsewhere, there is the opportunity to feed or stroke her .. Jessica has become an international star and has her own following on You-tube

In the evening, enjoy the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where, wherever possible rehabilitated birds and animals are returned to the wild but those not so fortunate are used for educational talks. This centre also contributes to the conservation of injured and poisoned wildlife, and has several successful breeding programs.(tour takes about 2/5 hrs)

 

Kruger Park is another full day from about 6am and return at about 4pm so you’ll need a hefty breakfast. Enjoy your lunch in the park!

After breakfast, depart Nkambeni Safari Camp, for the drive back to Johannesburg you sure will enjoy. Total travelling time about 5 hours: a different route will be followed, via the towns of Sabie and Lydenberg, stopping in Dullstroom for lunch at one of the many eateries, the village is known for its trout-fishing opportunities and beautiful scenery.

Wow!!! What an amazing journey! Got to share with others!!!