Wanderlust

TIRP - Platinum Class Tour

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Day 01
Depart Cape Town via Du Toit's Kloof Pass to Worcester and traverse the famous Route 62 passing through the town of Robertson. Visit the towns of Barrydale and Calitzdorp where the true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the ever-changing semi-desert areas. After arrival in Oudtshoorn, visit an ostrich farm for a guided tour before arriving at your deluxe country hotel. Enjoy an exquisite dinner served in the elegant dining room famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines.
Rosenhof Country House (Executive Suites) or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 02
After an early breakfast, visit the world famous Cango Caves for a fully guided tour where stalactites, stalagmites, curtains and pillars will leave you in awe. Travel over the Outeniqua Pass: named by the Koi people meaning 'land of honey' via George and South Africa's 'oyster capital', Knysna to the 'millionaires playground' of Plettenberg Bay. Late afternoon arrival at the lodge that can best be described as a symphony of stone, wood, glass and water high above the floor of the magnificent indigenous forests of Tsitsikamma. Enjoy an exquisite dinner that is a unique celebration of African spirit.
Tsala Treetop Lodge - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 03
After breakfast on your secluded deck, drive to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari to view seals, dolphin and whales (in season). We then take a short drive out to Keurbooms Beach - pleasant for walking and an ideal optional lunch spot. Return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon and dinner.
Tsala Treetop Lodge - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 04
After breakfast enjoy a drive through Nature's Valley and cross the Storms River at Storms River Bridge where photographic opportunities abound. Travel via Port Elizabeth to the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch and afternoon game drive. Steeped in settler history and dating back to a time when a multitude of game roamed freely, the reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus supporting the many forms of plant, animal and bird life. An afternoon game drive with a trained ranger will increase your enjoyment with his knowledge of both the flora and fauna. As the light fades, with the help of a powerful hand-held light, your ranger will sweep the 'veld' in search of nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge and enjoy a delectable meal, expertly prepared by the chefs or a barbecue at the river next to a roaring fire.
Shamwari Game Reserve (Eagle's Cragg Lodge) - full board basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 05
Morning and afternoon game activities are on offer. Visit the property's cultural village where Xhosa, Zulu and San cultures are showcased. Weather permitting; enjoy an intimate bush dinner with your ranger amid cheerful recollections of the day's discoveries.

Important Note:
Recommended Elephant Back Experience:
A unique opportunity to ride an elephant and to be at one with nature with these awe-inspiring gentle giants. Transportation to and from the site is in the form of a light aircraft. The site itself is situated in the pristine valleys of the Zuurberg Mountains, bordering the recently proclaimed Greater Addo Elephant National Park. This area is regarded as Africa's most biologically diverse, supporting 4 of the 7 biomes or eco-regions in Southern Africa.
Shamwari Game Reserve (Eagle's Cragg Lodge) - full board basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 06
After an early morning game activity and a sumptuous brunch, travel to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Durban (not included). On arrival in Durban, you will be met and transferred to your resort hotel located near the seaside village of Ballito on Durban's North coast.
Zimbali Lodge - bed and breakfast basis

Day 07
Enjoy a full day at leisure. This jewel in the crown of KwaZulu-Natal's pristine coastline offers its guests the opportunity to relax or explore. The hotel itself is sheer luxury and provides a myriad contexts for relaxation. For the ultimate in self-indulgence, treat yourself to a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the beaches of the warm Indian Ocean.
Zimbali Lodge - bed and breakfast basis

Day 08
Depart from the bustling city of Durban and travel through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard toward Phinda Private Game Reserve. Enjoy a leisurely safari on the Mzinene River where late afternoon sundowners and snacks are served as the boat winds its way along the reedlined river. Here an abundance of wildlife and birds can be seen. Return to the lodge for dinner served in an African Boma (weather permitting).
Phinda Private Game Reserve (Vlei or Rock Lodge) - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 09
Set off on an early game drive in 'Big Five' country. Spend the heat of the day relaxing and enjoying the hospitality of this unique wilderness wonderscape. At sunset, depart on a safari where an entirely different world of nocturnal bird and animal species unfolds. Return to the lodge for a dinner feast.

Important Note:
Recommended optional coastal flight:
This exceptional air safari is a unique and thrilling way to discover the extent of Maputaland's remarkable ecological diversity, from the freshwater lakes to the most tightly forested coastal dunes in the world. The highlight of the flight is the ascent over these high dunes to the unspoilt coastline and clear blue Indian Ocean.
Phinda Private Game Reserve (Vlei or Rock Lodge) - full board basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 10
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast river safari. After departing the lodge, enter the Kingdom of Swaziland at Goelela border post. Driving through the eastern Lebombo Mountains, leave Swaziland at Mananga border and arrive at your safari hotel. Unwind in your luxury-thatched suite, which is spread out in lush, indigenous gardens with a private patio and pool, bringing the bush right to your doorstep. At dinnertime indulge in an assortment of eclectic African cuisine.
Malelane Sun (Presidential Suites) - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 11
After a sumptuous breakfast we explore the world famous Kruger National Park. Established in 1898, this National Park at over two million hectares is unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna. After exiting the park, arrive at an exclusive private game lodge resting among the rocky geometry of the Sabi Sand Reserve, where rough-hewn timber, leather and stone meet thatch and wild views. Late afternoon game drive in an open vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker who will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the 'Big Five'. Upon returning to the lodge enjoy a safari style bush dinner under the stars (weather permitting).
Singita Private Game Reserve - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 12
An early morning bush walk or game drive is on offer. For ultimate indulgence, make use of a masseuse offering treatments from the more conventional European massages to Ayurvedic treatments and acupuncture, reflexology, manicures, facials and aromatherapy. Enjoy a work out in the modern fitness centre whilst gazing across the endless wonders of the African bush. After high tea, set out for an evening game drive with a stop to admire the African sunset complemented by refreshments. Whilst viewing nocturnal animals, return to the lodge for traditional culinary delights under an African sky.

Important Note:
Recommended optional helicopter adventure:
Experience it all in real style with an exhilarating helicopter trip - Cascades & Canyon Spectacular. Linger above roaring rivers and cascading waterfalls, allowing for magnificent photographic opportunities and awesome panoramic views of the 'bushveld' below. Enjoy a delicious picnic accompanied by South African sparkling wine on top of the majestic Pinnacle.
Singita Private Game Reserve - full board basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 13
Participate in an early morning bush walk or game drive. After a sumptuous brunch, depart and explore the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring stops at the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrim's Rest. Continue to your elegant hideaway in White River described as an 'African Paradise' set in the cool of a living forest. Sip a sundowner on the wide verandah before indulging in the lodge's legendary cuisine.
Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa - dinner, bed and breakfast basiss

Day 14
Enjoy breakfast looking out over the magnificent gardens, mountains and meadows. Our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls and the small town of Sabie. Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Saxon hotel, in Johannesburg's northern suburbs. This hotel makes a worldclass statement of ethnic African elegance, combined with personalised attention to detail.
Saxon - bed and breakfast basis

Day 15
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure. Your guide is at your disposal to offer an orientation tour of the city or simply to catch up on last minute shopping en-route to Johannesburg International Airport for your homeward flight.

AT A GLANCE

Accommodation
- Exclusive hotels and private game lodges geared for super deluxe 5 star travel
- Wellness treatment opportunities at specified properties

Flights
- Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, not included
- Flights may be arranged through your agent or our central ticketing entity The Flight Zone

Driver / Guide
- Services of SA Tourism registered driver/guides throughout the tour
- Wildlife viewing with an experienced local guide/ranger and tracker

Main Attractions
- Magical Cape Town. Optional extras: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, world famous and award-winning wine estates
- The ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, with a fully guided tour of an ostrich farm and the Cango Caves
- Ocean safari viewing various whales (in season), dolphins, seals and penguins at a 50m range
- Scenic Garden Route featuring attractions such as Bloukrans, Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma Forest and Nature s Valley
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve
- Pristine, unspoilt Kwazulu-Natal beaches
- Phinda Private Reserve and a boat safari on the Mzinene River
- Sabi Sands Private Reserve
- World famous Kruger National Park, rich in fauna and flora, with game viewing in open safari vehicles
- Panorama Route featuring Pilgrim s Rest, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke s Luck Potholes, God s Window, Lisbon Falls and Lone Creek Falls.