ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
The Rainbow Nation Visit: Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Battlefields and Sabi Sands Game Reserve / Kruger Highlights: all inclusive, transfers by road and air (2 scheduled flights excluded), exclusive hotels and lodges, wildlife viewing from open sided 4x4 vehicles, professionally guided hikes and walks, excellent birding, penguins, private Cape Town city tour including Table Mountain, private Cape Peninsula tour including lunch, the Cape Winelands, and a battlefields tour. This 12 day safari offers a diverse look at South Africa's varied attractions - from Cape Town (one of the world's top ten most beautiful cities), to the Cape Winelands guests will enjoy private tours and incredible cuisine. Then travel to Zululand and become immersed in the history of South Africa on a battlefields tour (this tour has brought grown men to tears - it is simply incredible). The trip end at the world renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve with day and nighttime wildlife viewing drives and professionally guided walks. Full itinerary and trip details below: DAYS 1, 2, 3 CAPE TOWN Upon arrival at the Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to Kensington Place. Kensington Place is a small boutique hotel set on the slopes of Table Mountain in one of Cape Town's prime residential areas. The décor is contemporary colonial, mixed with African art and textiles. Earthy tones and natural textures have been successfully used to create an understated elegance. Well positioned, Kensington Place makes an ideal base for forays to historical sites, vineyards, nature reserves and beaches. After a day out, return for a dip in the plunge pool. Then retreat to your private terrace to enjoy wonderful views of the city, harbor and mountains and contemplate your dinner venue - trendy Kloof Street is just a stroll away. Each of the six sumptuous suites at Kensington Place is named after one of Henry Vlll's wives and each reflects the spaciousness and grandeur of a bygone era. African textures contrast delightfully with superb European style and the marble bathrooms complete the picture of exceptional luxury. Exceptionally well run, the service at Kensington Place is professional and personal. Staff will happily offer to run errands or rustle up a midnight sandwich for a hungry guest. While in Cape Town you will enjoy a private full day Cape Peninsula tour including lunch (adventurous guests may wish to sea kayak to Boulder's Beach to view the Jackass penguin colony as part of the full day peninsula tour - please inquire about the additional cost) and a private half day Table Mountain / city tour. CAPE TOWN, Kensington Place, bed and breakfast in a luxury room DAYS 4, 5 CAPE WINELANDS On day 4 you will be transferred by road (private) to the Cape Winelands and Le Quartier Francais. Le Quartier Francais rests in the historic French Huguenot village of Franschoek, at the head of one of the most beautiful valleys of South Africa's Cape Winelands. Enter Le Quartier Français and you step into a Matisse painting - big blocks of primary colors saturate fine quality hand-painted fabrics. Design is simple, clean and playful - abstract floral prints and stripes abound. Attention to detail is exemplary at Le Quartier with smooth white Egyptian cotton sheets, down duvets made for sweet dreams, and beige wool carpets with undercarpet heating for chilly mornings. All rooms have working fireplaces. Rooms are situated around a central courtyard with a stylish black granite swimming pool, a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with an iced bottle of local Chardonnay. Enjoy an afternoon coffee or pre-dinner drink in the Parisian style bar with marble topped tables, or outside on the quaint patio with cornflower blue and creamy yellow furniture, the colors of Provence. Dining at Le Quartier Français should not be missed! Touted as one of South Africa's most innovative restaurants, Le Quartier Français has won numerous accolades for its food, service and wine. It is listed in Wine Magazine's top 100 restaurants in South Africa! The cuisine is a successful melange of French, Malay and traditional South African dishes, each to be enjoyed with its appropriate wine counterpart, of course. There are fifteen luxury rooms and two suites at Le Quartier which guarantees an ambience of exclusivity. Le Quartier Français is a perfect base from which to explore the wonderfully picturesque Franschoek valley, its wines, history, architecture, and culinary pleasures. CAPE WINELANDS, Le Quartier Francais, bed and breakfast DAYS 6, 7, 8 BATTLEFIELDS On day 6 you will be transferred by road (private) to the Cape Town Airport in time to board your scheduled flight (not included) to Durban. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by road to Fugitives' Drift Lodge. Although most travelers wouldn't rate a visit to battlefields high on their list of things to do in South Africa this has to be one of the most intriguing and rewarding destinations in the country. Battlefield tours, led by brilliant guides, bring grown men to tears...Set on a hillside above the Buffalo River Gorge enjoy superb meals in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Zulu War memorabilia. Set in the Fugitives' Drift Game Reserve - a Natural Heritage Site - the owner run lodge offers comfortable accommodation in spacious en suite cottages, each with a view over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge. The large lounge houses numerous works of art pertaining to the Zulu War - a veritable museum of artifacts, relics and contemporary memorabilia of this historic era. Guests are encouraged to participate in the exploration of the historic richness of the region, including 17km of river frontage - the site of Fugitives Drift - where Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill were killed saving the Queen's Colors of the Regiment in 1879. Guests can also enjoy wildlife viewing drives and walks through the nature reserve where they can expect to see species such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, kudu, nyala and a variety of smaller antelope species. Over 275 species of birds have been identified in the region. BATTLEFIELDS, Fugitive's Drift, all inclusive DAYS 9, 10, 11 SABI SANDS / KRUGER After breakfast on day 9 you will be transferred by road to the Durban Airport in time to board your scheduled flight (not included) to the Kruger area. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by light aircraft (included) to Leopard Hills. Located on the border of the Kruger National Park, Leopard Hills covers 10,000 hectares of the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The lodge has a wonderfully impressive location, built on a hill overlooking a natural waterhole and the African plains. Leopard Hills is similar to Singita in many ways, on a smaller scale. The lodge consists of eight glass-fronted suites (5 overlooking the African plains from on high and three east facing rooms), each with its own sundeck and rock plunge pool. The en suite bathrooms include indoor and outdoor showers. Air conditioning, overhead fans and a fully stocked mini bar provide added comfort. The main lodge has a pool and indoor/outdoor lounge area, beautiful swimming pool, curio shop and bar. Activities center around early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives, led by experienced rangers in specially modified Land Rovers with individual bucket seats and fold down armrests. For the more active there are professionally guided walks. Wildlife one may see includes lion, white rhino, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, hippo, crocodile, elephant as well as many species of antelope. SABI SANDS / KRUGER, Leopard Hills, all inclusive DAY 12 EN ROUTE After a last mornings wildlife viewing drive and breakfast you will transfer by light aircraft (included) to Mpumalanga Airport where your safari ends.
Trip name: The Rainbow Nation Type of safari: Premier Collection - Top quality all inclusive lodge / tented camp / hotel safari with some light aircraft transfers which departs upon request on any dates. This is not a group safari and accommodations, activities, and total number of days can be altered to suit your needs. Trip length: 12 days Trip cost: US $5,595 per person January through April 2004. US $4,695 per person May through August 2004. US $1,495 single supplement January through April 2004. US $1,295 single supplement May through August 2004. Price excludes international airfare, includes internal flights. Air tickets: Click here to view airfares to Africa. When to travel: Wildlife viewing is best during the period April through October each year. The Cape beaches are at their best December through February. Departures: This safari departs upon request for one or more travelers. This is not a group safari and accommodations, activities, and total number of days can be altered to suit your needs. Accommodations: The accommodations on this trip are all first class and very comfortable. All of the rooms have proper beds with mattresses and duvets, en suite toilets, basins and showers with hot and cold running water. Other amenities include mosquito netting, lamps, purified water in carafes, insect repellent, flashlights, wardrobes, and ethnic furnishings. Guides: You will enjoy some of Africa’s most remote wilderness areas in the company of Africa’s top professional and learner guides. While on city tours you will be accompanied by Satour registered guides. Luggage: As small aircraft are used for some of the transfers between lodges and camps baggage is strictly limited to 12 kilograms (26 pounds) packed in one soft sided bag per person. Suitcases will not be permitted. Trip price includes: all airport meet and greets and transfers to and from camps, lodges, hotels and airports by road and light aircraft (excepting scheduled flights Cape Town - Durban and Durban - Mpumalanga), all inclusive stays at Fugitive's Drift and at Leopard Hills, 3 nights Kensington Place on a bed and breakfast basis, and 2 nights at Le Quartier Francais on a bed and breakfast basis, all guided wildlife viewing activities (in open vehicles and on foot), Park's fees, private full day Cape Peninsula tour including lunch, private half day Cape Town Table Mountain / city tour. Trip price excludes (unless stated): international airfare, internal flights unless stated, airport taxes, entry visas, and all items of a personal nature i.e. extra activities in Cape Town, trip insurance, tips and gratuities, most drinks, and telephone calls. Visas: American passport holders traveling as tourists DO NOT require an entry visa for South Africa. Reservations: Phone toll free 1 800 461 0682 within the United States and speak with one of our safari consultants or send us an email including the trip name, your full name, the number of people traveling, and proposed travel dates. Questions: If you would like to ask any questions send us an email or phone toll free within the United States on 1 800 461 0682 and speak with one of our safari consultants. Return to Ultimate Africa's South Africa Safari Collection Links to other pages: ULTIMATE AFRICA
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