SOUTH AFRICA
September 18, 2023 – September 29, 2023 (SOLD OUT - contact Solo Escapes)
THE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Welcome to
Cape Town
Monday, Sep. 18, 2023
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VIP Meet & Greet: Cape Town International Airport
On arrival, you will be met at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board. Should your aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal building, you will be transported to the terminal by bus where your Meet & Greet will be waiting for you as you step off the bus. You will then be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and on to your next service.
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Cape Town Airport to Camps Bay: Private Transfer
Pickup: Cape Town Airport
Dropoff: Twelve Apostles
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Cape Town
Scenically beautiful, Cape Town is a compelling mix of trendy modern and old-world elegance. Glamorous hotels, world-class dining and stunning vistas merge seamlessly with dynamic student suburbs and vibrant nightlife. Malay and African heritage is evident in the cuisine, traditions and entertainment while the architecture reveals a strong Dutch, German and English flavour and style. Contemporary art is proudly displayed in a variety of galleries and modern boutique hotels, and wine bars and brandy tasting lounges will appeal to the fashionable set. For the well-heeled the finest in opera, ballet, drama and music can be appreciated in style.
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A short boat cruise to Robben Island, just over seven km's from Cape Town harbour, you can experience a sense of hopelessness inside the prison cell where South Africa's most beloved legend, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years hard labour. It is difficult to imagine how anyone could rise above the horror of incarceration to become arguably the most iconic and compassionate leader of our era.
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An exciting trip up Table Mountain in a cable car provides panoramic views over the "Mother City" and other attractions include the Cultural History Museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Greenmarket Square's local crafts markets and the Bo-Kaap's colourful Cape Malay buildings add a sense of authenticity to your trip, and Long Street's vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs come alive after dark. Perhaps wander around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour and hub of entertainment and shopping opportunities.
Overnight at Twelve Apostles (Milkwood Room - Bed & Breakfast)
Includes: Breakfast and complimentary daily scheduled shuttle service to Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront between 8.00am and 9.30pm.
Day 2: Private Art Tour
Tuesday, Sep. 19, 2023
Private Half-Day Cape Town - Art in the City Tour
Duration: 3 hours
You will be met at your hotel by your Art Specialist Guide before setting off to explore some of Cape Town’s very best art galleries. Your day of Art in the City can be fully customised and curated to fit a specific interest in painting, sculpture, design, photography, printmaking, architecture, special historical art collections and ceramics, and may also be influenced by the exhibitions and showings taking place during your visit. You will visit up to four galleries or three galleries and one studio. Should you wish to include a visit to the Zeitz MOCAA, you will be able to visit one or two additional galleries in the Waterfront precinct area, which may include The Guild, Everard Read or Circa Gallery (time permitting). On the Fringe Art Tour option you will visit the edgier fringe art areas of Cape Town, including the home of a mural art project in Woodstock, a design hub and a studio visit to a prominent South African artist, as well as contemporary art galleries, and the workspace of a wonderful ceramicist duo...to name but a few!
*Zeitz MOCAA & Norval Foundation can only be combined on a full-day art immersion.
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Pickup: Twelve Apostles at 10:00
Dropoff: Twelve Apostles at 13:00
Includes: Services of an art specialist
*Extras included: 1 x Entrance Fees Zeitz Museum; 1 x Entrance Fees Norval Museum
Day 3: Private Peninsula Tour
Wednesday, Sep. 20, 2023
Cape Peninsula - Explore
Duration: 9 hours
Our tour begins at the working fishing harbour of Kalk Bay, with its bohemian arts and crafts shops, quirky boutiques, and antique stores. We head to the richly historic Simon’s Town, a naval town with museums and monuments to bring insight into the colourful past and the shark diving industry. We go in search of our own splinter colony of rogue penguins, away from the crowded boardwalks, on a beach known only to locals. Next, it's on to the Cape Peninsula for a gentle hike to explore the reserve’s secluded beaches and unique wildlife. Our return to Cape Town is via Noordhoek Farm Village a food artisan hub of the Peninsula OR alternatively, pop into a gorgeous Constantia wine estate, a well-known wine-producing area, one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere. Time permitting, we may stop for a sundowner at a local brewery, vineyard, beach, or scenic look-out.
Please note: your guide may advise route changes to beat the crowds.
Pickup: Twelve Apostles at 08:00
Dropoff: Twelve Apostles at 17:00
Includes: Entrance fees, selection of craft beers, wines, local gins & tonic, specialist tea, coffee & hot chocolate, juices, ice tea, gourmet pantry with home-baked goodies & local snacks, toy bag for children, car seats, children activity pack, child-friendly snacks.
*Extras included: 1 x Entrance Fee; 1 x Lunch - Fine Dining or Wild Picnic
Day 4: Private Local Eats & Table Mountain Tour
Thursday, Sep, 21, 2023
Private Full-Day Cape Town Eats
Combined with Table Mountain
Duration: Approximately 8 hours
After collection from your hotel, you'll have the opportunity to explore Cape Town from all sides as you experience the history, the people, their cultures, their cuisines, as well as contemporary Cape Town and its artisanal trends. You will walk the city flat as you explore and taste the city. The tour will be tailored by your guide depending on your interest and taste and will reflect on the positive outcomes, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Capetonians. So, if you like history, sweet things, coffee, savory bites, shopping, etc. your guide will make sure to take you to their favourite spots and ensure you have an immersive experience in the city! After exploring the city on foot, hop back into the vehicle and head to visit Table Mountain (Cable Car ticket included) to enjoy the best views of the city from all sides.
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Pickup: Twelve Apostles at 10:00
Dropoff: Twelve Apostles at 17:00
Includes: Table mountain tickets plus all entrances and tastings for a full-day tour around the city region.
Day 5: Cape Winelands
Friday, Sep. 22, 2023
Camps Bay to Stellenbosch: Private Transfer
Pickup: Twelve Apostles at 11:00
Dropoff: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa at 12:30
*Extras included: 1 x Bottled water
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Cape Winelands
An easy drive from Cape Town, the Winelands' dramatic mountains stand guard over a quilt of working vineyards, elegant Cape Dutch estates, and quaint towns boasting top restaurants, hotels, and spas. Sample some of the region's award-winning wine offerings, stroll through exquisitely maintained gardens, or explore art galleries and antique shops in the oak-lined streets of the local towns. The buzzing university village of Stellenbosch was named after the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and, as the historic hub of the Winelands it is surrounded by around 200 wineries.
Franschhoek, a charming town with French Huguenot heritage is arguably the culinary headquarters of the country and home to the creative genius of a number of resident chefs. Framed by a majestic backdrop of the Helderberg Mountains, Paarl lies peacefully nestled amongst vineyards laden with the harvest's finest offerings.
Enjoy gourmet meals lovingly prepared by experienced chefs and served in lush gardens, or stylish restaurants. Sample local wines and explore the cellars of well-established wine farms. The Winelands is all about stepping back from the hectic pace of modern living and appreciating the finer things in life in some of the most gorgeous and tranquil locations this country has to offer.
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Overnight at Lanzerac Hotel & Spa (Classic Room - Bed & Breakfast)
Includes: Breakfast, select mini-bar (replenished once daily), complimentary premium wine tasting of 5 Lanzerac Estate Wines & a guided cellar tour (one per person per stay), complimentary transfer service between the hotel and Stellenbosch town at set times.
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Day 6: Private Winelands Tour
Saturday, Sep. 23, 2023
Winelands - Explore
Duration: 9 hours
Explore the fascinating town of Stellenbosch, browsing through appealing shops and museums, and sipping coffee in one of the tempting street-side cafes. We awaken our senses with a wine-tasting experience at an iconic property. Soak up the scenery of this wonderful region, admire a contemporary art collection, see the highest-growing vines and take in breath-taking vistas from an elevated vantage point. After lunch, discover the town of Franschhoek, established by the French Huguenots in 1688, where historic charm blends with a contemporary ambiance. The town boasts a host of boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and galleries. We continue to some family-owned, off-the-beaten-track estates for a more intimate, boutique wine-tasting experience, before returning to Cape Town.
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Pickup: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa at 10:00
Dropoff: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa at 17:00
Includes: Guests would typically visit 3-4 wine estates tailored around their interests and preferred wine varietal.All tasting fees, entry, and attraction fees included
*Extras included: 1 x Entrance Fee; 1 x Lunch (Fine Dining)
Day 7: Phinda Safari
Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023
Stellenbosch to Cape Town Airport: Private Transfer
Pickup: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
Dropoff: Cape Town Airport
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King Shaka Airport to Phinda Game Reserve: Private Transfer
Pickup: Durban Airport
Dropoff: &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
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Zululand
Untamed and wild, Zululand is claimed by game parks and eco-reserves teaming with life. Extensive tracts of bush abut coastal stretches of swamp and vegetated dunes. Woodland forests open up onto lakes and rivers, and sandy beaches flow into seas and lagoons. Zululand is vitally alive, from the smallest creature seen on nature hikes, to the big tusker elephants which sway through the parks, disdainful of excited human onlookers. Nature conservation is of prime importance here, and some of the world's most endangered species are carefully protected and nurtured. The area's biodiversity offers both water and land-based game experiences, providing a uniquely well-rounded safari which includes the big 5, marine and wetlands animals.
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park is home to a healthy population of highly endangered black and white rhino and at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles can be witnessed laying their eggs on the very beaches from which they hatched many years before. The turtle's ability to navigate back to its place of birth is still a source of wonder in the world of science. World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso offers supreme diving, and a variety of ecological zones and claims the world's highest vegetated dunes. Zululand's private reserves afford both luxury and a top safari experience.
The region is grounded in the culture and traditions of its people, dating back to the feared warrior king, Shaka, and visitors can experience the warm hospitality of the locals, explore traditional villages and enjoy a tasty meal while listening to harmonious singing.
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Overnight at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge (Suite - Fully Inclusive)
Includes: All meals, local brand drinks, 2 scheduled safari activities daily, laundry and return Phinda airstrip transfers.Activities: game drives and nature walks (must be arranged prior to arrival and is subject to availability). Maximum 6 guests per vehicle.
*Extras included: 4 x Conservation Fee
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Days 8-10: On Safari
Phinda
Monday, Sep. 25, 2023-Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2023
On Safari: Phinda Reserve
Encompassing 28,555 hectares in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda has seven distinct habitats and boasts good sightings of cheetahs and a wide variety of activities. Start the day with an early morning open vehicle game drive when the animals are at their most active. A refreshing stop for coffee provides the opportunity to listen to the sounds of the bush and appreciate the beautiful scenery. Spend some downtime relaxing during the midday heat, or if the option is available, perhaps take a guided game walk. In the late afternoon, hop aboard your game vehicle, and depart in search of the creatures which start to move about as the sun goes down. Sundowners and perhaps even a short cruise, then continue the search for nocturnal species, with the assistance of a spotlight. After dark is a terrific time to make the most of the night skies with some stargazing.
Day 11: Durban
Thursday, Sep. 28, 2023
Phinda Game Reserve to Durban: Private Transfer
Pickup: &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Dropoff: The Oyster Box
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Durban
A multi-cultural fusion, Durban combines its variety of customs and flavours into a vibrant city abounding in energy. Both an important port and a laid-back surfing mecca, Durban blends unique and arty with business-oriented and fast-paced. The Art-deco, Indian, and Colonial architecture bears evidence of the influences which have helped create this fascinating hub. Museums display collections of tribal artifacts and offer insights into the city's past and the apartheid era which tore the country apart.
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Discover the surrounding townships with their spaza shops, local foods and traditions, and the Zulu customs so much a part of the province's heritage. Move from the intoxicating fragrances of the spicy foods at the crowded city bazaar, market, and town center, to the fresh breezes of Durban's beachfront and swimming beaches.
A striking landmark and tribute to the Soccer World Cup, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is carved into the Durban landscape and from the heights of the SkyCar, visitors can obtain panoramic views over the city. The coastline stretches out in front of the stadium. Popular beaches exude surfer vibes and offer the chance to mingle with the locals, while further along the Golden Mile is the home to an impressive array of marine life, uShaka Marine Park. To the north, the village of Umhlanga glistens in the sun, a shining jewel of beaches, walkways, restaurants, and shops.
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Overnight at The Oyster Box (Classic Room - Bed & Breakfast)
Includes: Breakfast
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Day 12: Last Day of Group Tour
Friday, Sep. 29, 2023
Umhlanga to King Shaka Airport: Private Transfer
Pickup: The Oyster Box
Dropoff: Durban King Shaka International Airport
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Farewell, Totsiens, Hamba kahle
Today you say your fond farewells as you make your way back to the airport to begin your journey home or on to your next destination. We hope you’ve had a wonderful and unforgettable stay in Southern Africa!
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THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Twelve Apostles
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Dramatically poised on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles, just outside Camps Bay
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70 individually designed rooms & suites with contemporary African style & classic comfort
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5-star boutique hotel, light & airy with stunning views
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Overlooking a natural paradise: uninterrupted ocean & mountain panoramas
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Elegance & serenity, luxurious rooms & exquisite dining
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Magnificent fynbos garden, heated pool, Jacuzzi & spa
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
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Perched on a hilltop with uninterrupted views of lush surrounds
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24 luxury suites with expansive glass, natural light & private decks with outdoor showers & plunge pools
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Beautiful contemporary spaces for unwinding & socialising
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Stunning wraparound vistas from this mountain setting
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Al-fresco candle-lit dining & a traditional stone & reed boma
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Distinct habitats & diverse landscape
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
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A Winelands sanctuary amidst splendid scenery on the outskirts of the town of Stellenbosch
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48 elegant rooms & suites open to private patios with vistas over lush vineyards, gardens, or mountains
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300-year-old working wine estate offers luxury, gourmet dining & exceptional hospitality
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Historic Cape Dutch architecture is stylishly enhanced with the use of classic décor & antiques
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A gastronomic experience: culinary delights paired with the region’s finest wines
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An ambiance of refinement: indoor, terrace & courtyard dining, whisky & cigar bar, piano lounge
The Oyster Box
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Located on the Umhlanga seafront, opposite the iconic lighthouse
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86 sea or garden-facing rooms & suites charmingly appointed for luxury & comfort
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Classic colonial style & timeless elegance with glorious ocean views
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Evocative flavours of India & the ambiance of a bygone era
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Graceful design: glass-roofed wine cellar, spiral staircase & wide verandahs
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Direct beach access, excellent cuisine, heated pool & spa