Itinerary Details
Swain Destinations: Eco-Luxury Sojourn in South Africa
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa! Arrive into spectacular Cape Town where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
South Africa’s “Mother City” is indescribably beautiful, steeped in fascinating history and pulsating to a heady African rhythm. Indeed, few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the mountainous Cape Peninsula spine, which slides into the Atlantic Ocean. South Africa boasts incredibly good weather, gorgeous scenery and fantastic beaches and is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture offer visitors a unique and inspiring experience.
Ellerman House
Day 2 Cape Town, Christo Brand, Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Exploration
Your morning begins with a private audience with Christo Brand, the former warden of Nelson Mandela. Enjoy hearing his unique story from childhood on a farm to becoming a prison guard at Robben Island at the age of 19 where he met Nelson Mandela. Find ourt how their unique relationship grew and developed through a mutual respect and trust for each other. He will share fascinating insights into the life of Mandela from Prisoner to President, and how the 2 men stayed in touch right until Mandela passed away. After this inspirational meeting, make your way to the top of the Iconic Table Mountain which overlooks the dynamic city of Cape Town. Leave the noise behind and hike away from the crowds, keeping watch for wildlife and rare plants - if you can tear your eyes from the vistas. Wander through the inner city, soaking up the magical vibe of Cape Town through a combination of tales of the past juxtaposed with modern day culture. Lastly visit Kirstenbosch Gardens, one of the world's most scenic botanical gardens which is home to an incredible array of the Western Cape's unique floral kingdom species. Wind down the day with sundowners at a secret local spot with a view of the city and majestic mountains.
Ellerman House
Meals: B, L
Day 3 Cape Peninsula by Helicopter
See the scenic Cape Peninsula from high above. This spectacular flight leaves the VA Waterfront and flies over the city bowl, Green Point Stadium, Clifton, Camps Bay and the majestic Twelve Apostles, over the rustic beauty of Llandudno, Hout Bay with a view of magnificent Seal Island. The flight continues via the impressive Chapman's Peak, Noordhoek Beach, Kommetjie, Scarborough, Cape Point Nature Reserve, the sweeping crags of Cape Point and Simon's Town. You could be very lucky with some seasonal whale spotting! Continue past Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and the lush Constantia Valley - South Africa's oldest wine region and home to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The afternoon is at leisure.
Ellerman House
Meals: B
Day 4 Cape Town to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Today you will depart the city traveling to the coastal town of Hermanus. Enroute enjoy a stop at the quaint coastal town of Betty's Bay to visit the Stony Point Nature Reserve, home to a unique colony of African Penguins. Here you will be able to see these wonderful flightless birds up close, observiing their daily activities in their natural habitat, without disturbing or disrupting them. Also present in the colony are three species of cormorant; the Crowned cormorant, Cape cormorant and Bank cormorant, all of which breed on the outer rocks. There are also Hartlaub’s Gulls and Kelp Gulls which forage in the colony, while the Rock Hyrax, more commonly known as the Dassie, can be seen on the surrounding rocks. Continue your transfer to Grootbos, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon enjoy activities available at the lodge.
Grootbos is a luxury eco-reserve close to the Southern tip of Africa tucked between mountains, forest and sea. Blending harmoniously into the pristine natural environment, the unique accommodaton offer the ultimate in luxury and style.
Grootbos Nature Reserve - Forest Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Grootbos Nature Reserve is true to its name, it has a sea of multi-hued flowers and lush fynbos foliage on a slope of the Duineveld Mountains. This 2,500-hectare landscape resembles a modern-day Garden of Eden, where buck, bee and bird still freely go about their way unperturbed by human awe. Enjoy unique botancial safaris on board an open landrover learning about the incredible birds, plants and animals in the floral kingdom. Traverse the reserve on horseback or enjoy one of the many hikes and walks on the reserve on on the ocean’s edge. Grootbos offers a collection of curated experiences which have been inspired by the pristine surroundings with conservation and community at its core.
Grootbos Nature Reserve - Forest Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6 Whale Watching
Whale watching in this unspoilt natural environment is an almost spiritual experience, which is why people from around the world flock to Walker Bay in the Western Cape every year to do so. Grootbos is ideally positioned to offer you a close encounter with the magnificent Southern Right Whales. Spot Southern Right Whales by boat, led by a marine biologist. You may also spot dolphins, penguins, seals and Great White Sharks.
Grootbos Nature Reserve - Forest Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7 Grootbos Private Nature Reserve to Franschhoek
Depart Grootbos and travel to the Cape Winelands to your Franschhoek accommodation.
Experience a tranquil haven of exquisite natural beauty, opulence and complete seclusion in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley. Located on a private 30-acre estate surrounded by mountains and vineyards, La Residence sets the benchmark for luxury accommodation in South Africa’s celebrated Cape Winelands.
La Residence
Meals: B
Day 8 Winelands Grape Escape Exploration
Experience the Cape winelands from a unique perspective, delving off the usual tourist paths to showcase some hidden gems and to discover the rich history of this scenic region with the help of your guide and Cape Wine Master. A feature the day is a traveling pop-up wine cellar - here you can taste a selection of your guide's personally chosen wines that are not readily available, with unique stories of their own and in a setting decided upon by the pulse of the day. Start with a gentle stroll in the expansive gardens of Babylonstoren which are steeped in fascinating history. A working farm dating back to 1692, Babylonstoren is a historic Cape Dutch farm that boasts one of the best-preserved farmyards in the Cape. Continuing the journey to Warwick Estate, where you taste a selection of their understated classic wine which exudes elegance. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant on a wine farm overlooking the gardens and the vines with the breathtaking mountains as a backdrop. After lunch indulge in another wine tasting in the afternoon at Muratie Wine Estate. Muratie's rich history is captured in every nook and cranny. Enjoy a unique wine tasting at one of South Africa’s first organic wineries to receive a five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide, Reyneke Wines. Meet the owner and hear about his long and often challenging journey to establish a successful chemical-free wine grape operation. End the day with a scenic drive to Oldenburg Vineyards for your final wine tasting.
La Residence
Meals: B, L
Day 9 Franschhoek to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
This morning transfer to Cape Town Airport to connect with your scheduled charter flight to Tswalu. Upon arrival into Tswalu, you will be met and transferred by open vehicle to your accommodation.
Tswalu is a vast, magical land of infinite possibility, with sweeping vistas and a liberating sense of space. The green Kalahari is nature at its most diverse and surprising, and to spend time here is to be touched by exuberant, soulful beauty. Loapi Tented Camp, sustainably designed and environmentally sensitive, each tented home is tucked into the contours of a valley offering you the ultimate private wilderness experience. A dedicated butler and private chef, as well as a private safari vehicle, guide and tracker offer personal service.
Loapi Tented Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Meals: B, D
Day 10 Activities in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Tswalu Kalahari offers an unrivalled wealth of experiences. Explore the green Kalahari and its treasures by vehicle with your field guide. Learn more about research in action. Tswalu is home to most of the "charismatic" African big game species such as lion, cheetah, wild dog, desert black rhino and buffalo, the arid habitat also supports a surprising array of smaller animals, birds and plants (there are already over 77 species of mammals, 240 species of birds, 42 species of reptiles and 4 species of amphibians confirmed as occurring at Tswalu). Activites include open vehicle game driveds, guided bush walks and horseback safaris.
Loapi Tented Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11 Activities in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Today is another full day in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve as you enjoy the activities offered by the lodge.
Loapi Tented Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12 Tswalu Kalahari Reserve to Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Enjoy your last game activity before transferring to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg Airport where you will connect with your onward scheduled charter flight to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Upon arriving at the airstrip you will be met and transferred to your lodge.
Undoubtedly the most prestigious game park in South Africa, the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is known for having some of the best available Big Five game spotting in the country. Located on the southwest corner of the Kruger National Park, there are no restricting fences so the animals roam freely just as nature intended.
Cheetah Plains
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13 Activities at Cheetah Plains
Cheetah Plains is a pioneer in its class and the undisputed home of the definitive upscale eco-safari in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The expert team of safari guides and trackers will guide your personal discovery of this prolific, significant conservancy. The best time of day to explore the bush is in the early morning and late afternoon. Twice-daily game drives are led by best-in-class safari guide and tracker teams and taken in innovative Land Cruiser Electric Safari Vehicles. For the most immersive safari experience, guests can embark on guided, interpretive bush walks. Accompanied by your certified and experienced walking-trails field guide, the opportunity to explore certain parts of The Sabi Sand Game Reserve on foot, is one not to be missed. The duration of walks are easily customized to your requirements, taking number of guests, fitness levels, ages, weather conditions and your preferred game drive schedules into account. There is no more tangible way than this to surround yourself with nature.
Cheetah Plains
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14 Activities at Cheetah Plains
Enjoy another day enjoying safari activities at Cheetah Plains.
Cheetah Plains
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15 Sabi Sand Game Reserve to Johannesburg Airport
This morning enjoy your last morning game drive before transferring to the airstrip for your departing scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg Airport.
Cheetah Plains
Meals: B
