A Taste of South Africa

April 22 – April 30, 2023

Welcome to South Africa. This 9-day journey will take you through Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, the wine region of Stellenbosch and iconic safari game drives in search of the Big 5! Enjoy morning wellness activities, hiking up to Table Mountain, kayaking around Boulder's Beach to visit the South African penguins at Boulder Beach and multiple wine farm visits in Stellenbosch. The highlight of your trip will be at the end during a three-night stay at Abelana River Lodge. Each morning and evening, you will search for many of the locals animals such as Rhinos, Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards. Enjoy this wellness retreat of a lifetime!

Hotels:

Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town
Hazendal Hotel, Stellenbosch
Abelana River Lodge, Phalaborwa

Included:

Meals:

8 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
6 Dinners

Activities:

Hike to the Top of Table Mountain
Paddle Boarding with Penguins at Boulders Beach
Take a Wine Drive Safari at Waterford Estate
Visit and tasting at Boschendal Wine Farm
Visit and tasting at Vergenoegd Low Wine Estate
Guided game drives, bush walks, birding and stargazing at Abelana Game Reserve

Other Services:

Accommodation in double/twin bedded rooms in hotels stated in itinerary, or similar. Single room supplement provided.
Meals as defined in the itinerary.
All transportation during the tour provided on a private basis.
Tours as described in itinerary with fully qualified English-speaking guide and driver (unless otherwise stated).
Entrance fees where applicable, unless otherwise stated.
Porterage for reasonable pieces of luggage at airport

Not Included:

Meals not mentioned in the program
Tips for porters, guide and driver- the value of the tip is up to the client
All other services not mentioned as included
International and domestic airfare throughout the program
Domestic and International airport taxes, airport porter and extra baggage
Hotel early check-in and late check-out
Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
Any expenses of personal nature such as telephone, laundry, alcohol, etc.
Travel Visa (Please confirm Visa requirements prior to travel)
Travel insurance
Excess baggage

Notes:

International flights should arrive into Cape Town Airport and depart out of Johannesburg Airport
Domestic flights should depart from Cape Town Airport to Hoedspruit Airport on day 6 and from Hoedspruit Airport to Johannesburg Airport on day 9

Day1

Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a private transfer to your hotel where you will start your experience of a lifetime. Tonight will be at your leisure to experience your well-appointed hotel and have a taste of the local South African fare.

Accommodation: Vineyard Hotel

Day2

Cape Town

Start your morning off with a wellness class and breakfast before enjoying the amenities of the hotel. Later in the morning, we will set off for Cape Peninsula, where you will experience the sparkling water of the Atlantic Ocean and feel the spray of salt water on your face. Using easy to paddle, two person kayaks, we will explore the crystal waterways of this fascinating area. Enjoy the views of the rocky pools and the warmth of the sun on your shoulders as you view the penguins waddling over the rocks and gliding through the water! After drying off, we will continue to an included lunch overlooking the ocean. Later in the afternoon, return to the hotel for the afternoon at leisure before you end our day with a culinary experience at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Vineyard Hotel

Day3

Cape Town

After an early breakfast, your afternoon will start with a Table Mountain hike from the lower cable station on Taffelklip Gorge. The trail is the oldest, easiest, and most direct route to the summit and therefore also the most popular, so expect company along the way. You will experience jaw dropping photo opportunities of the iconic front face of the mountain and its imposing cliffs as we trail up a beautiful deep ravine. After the hike, enjoy lunch at leisure before returning to your hotel to relax. Later in the evening, we will head out for dinner at a local restaurant in the V&A Waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Vineyard Hotel

Day4

Cape Town - Stellenbosch

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we will meet you for your transfer to the magical Cape Wineland for an unforgettable wine “Safari”. The Wine Drive Safari is a unique three-hour trip on a safari-type vehicle, through the 120-hectare estate on the beautiful slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This experience will allow you the chance to taste the award-winning estate wines among the vineyards of their origin, and we will expertly guide you through all the aspects of what makes this area so biologically diverse and unique. Various light snacks, which are well suited to pair with the individual wines, will accompany the wine tasting. The experience will culminate with the Wine and Chocolate Tasting, back at the winery. Upon checking in at the hotel, enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening on the property grounds.

Meals: Breakfast & Afternoon Snacks
Accommodation: Hazendal Hotel

Day5

Stellenbosch

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning at the hotel where you can enjoy the amenities or do a wellness activity with other travelers. Once refreshed, you will start your wine tasting at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate. Enjoy lunch at leisure on their farm before continuing to Boschendal Wine Farm. Join us under the oak trees to taste a wide variety of Boschendal’s finest wines. Visit and experience our Chocolatier Pairing – especially handcrafted by a local chocolatier. With our wine ambassadors ready to answer any questions and take you on a journey of discovery, wine tasting at Boschendal is always an exceptional experience. After the tastings, you will have a chance to freshen up at the hotel before enjoying dinner this evening at Tokara Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hazendal Hotel

Day6

Stellenbosch- Abelana Game Reserve

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Hoedspruit Airport. Upon arrival, we will check in at the Abelana River Lodge for the last 3 nights of our unforgettable South African experience. The 20-room lodge offers spectacular views overlooking the Selati River, which is home to a plethora of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Guests can expect to indulge in delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lodge offers bush walks, in addition to dawn and dusk safaris. On arrival at Abelana River Lodge, once you have settled in, you will be treated to lunch. Later in the afternoon, partake in an afternoon safari searching for the big 5 which includes the African Elephant, African Lion, African Leopard, African Buffalo, and Rhinoceros! Return to the lodge for dinner while taking in the beauty of the nighttime stars all around you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Abelana River Lodge

Day7

Abelana Game Reserve

Start your day with an early morning game drive in the private reserve. After searching for the big five, return to the lodge, followed by a healthy breakfast. During the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities or partake in an optional wellness activity with the group before embarking on another afternoon safari game drive. Close the day with an unforgettable dinner, campfires and laughs with the other travelers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Abelana River Lodge

Day8

Abelana Game Reserve

Start the day watching an early morning African sunrise and explore the bush on foot with our trained field guides to bring you closer to the gems of Abelana Game Reserve. After lunch at the lodge, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel amenities or partake in an optional wellness activity with the rest of your group.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll depart for another game drive in the bush. Close the day with an unforgettable dinner at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Abelana River Lodge

Day9

Abelana Game Reserve - Departure

Partake in your final morning game drive before having breakfast at the hotel. Once you have concluded your checkout formalities, we will meet you for your transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight connecting in Johannesburg before returning home.

Meals: Breakfast

The activity Level for this tour is:

Average - Some tours may include hiking or potential higher elevation hiking, biking, SUP, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking on uneven surfaces or for longer periods of time.

Have Questions? Email Us

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Accommodation names are subject to availability. Should accommodation mentioned on specific itinerary not be available, a similar or higher rated accommodation will be substituted. Single room allotments are subject to availability and booked on a FCFS basis. Fit4Travel will work with each vendor or supplier to secure as many single rooms as possible to accommodate each traveler.