Fly In : Gold Class

Destinations: Cape Town, Victoria Falls – Zambia and the Thornybush Game Reserve

From R 28 550 per person sharing

Day 1

Arrive Cape Town International Airport under your own arrangements. You will be met at the airport by an Island-Safari.com representative and transferred by private vehicle to the Cape Grace Hotel.

Spend three nights at the Cape Grace Hotel in a Luxury Room on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

The Cape Grace is a modern top-class hotel with traditionally styled interior set on a private quay in Cape Town's vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Hotel’s charm lies in the intimate atmosphere, stylish décor, and extraordinary hospitality. The Hotel is centrally located with quick and easy access to the airport, city centre and popular tourist destinations.

Each of the 122 rooms and suites feature a carefully chosen selection of fine furniture, luxurious fabrics and attention to detail. Double-glazed French doors open to scenic views of the international yacht marina, Table Mountain or the buzzing Waterfront harbour. From fragrant fresh flower arrangements to the tasty in-room deli snacks and scented bath and body products, each room is a haven.

For fine dining - experience the award winning contemporary cuisine at Onewaterfront restaurant, where mouth-watering flavour combinations and inspired wine pairings entice all who dine there. Perfectly positioned with views of the yacht marina and Table Mountain, Onewaterfront is an elegant space with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Skilled staff guide guests through menu choices, helping with suitable suggestions from the superb wine list.

There is also the Café Bascule - a lively coffee destination by day, and by night, Bascule Bar is the perfect place to ease into the evening, whisky in hand.

Day 2

This morning you will be collected from the Cape Grace Hotel for a full day private tour of the Cape Winelands, with lunch and entrance fees included. As a private tour your schedule will be largely flexible, but will look something like this:

HIGHLIGHTS
We visit the Paarl, or Stellenbosch Wine-producing Regions. Explore numerous superb quality Wine Estates in these Regions, 2 x Wine tasting, including 1 x Cheese Tasting.
Choice of Wine tasting at Estates such as Anura, Seidelberg, Backsberg,
Opportunities to purchase Wines at the Estates at “Cellar” Prices
(Includes 2 x Wine Tasting and 1 x Cheese Tasting. Any additional tasting or purchases to be settled by Guest direct.)

The Cape Wine lands are recognised as one of the premier wine producing Regions in South Africa. Nestling in the foothills of the historic Hottentots-Holland Mountains in an area known as the Boland (Uplands), the Wine lands are characterized by gently unfolding vineyards set against the backdrop of rugged and starkly spectacular mountain peaks.
Join us as we guide you on this tour to discover the intricacies of both viti- and viniculture, savouring the superb export quality Wines, Ports, Sparkling Wine (champagne) and Cheeses produced with love and dedication and for which the Cape has won international acclaim. We also include a cellar tour whilst visiting Wine Estates in the Vineyards of Paarl and Stellenbosch, the historic cradle of the South African Wine Industry.
Our tour includes at least two different premier Wine Estates, each specialising in Export Quality Wines. Our Tour ends with a drive through the Village of Oaks, Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, before we return to Cape Town.

Day 3

This morning you will be collected from the Cape Grace Hotel for a full day private tour of the Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain, with lunch and entrance fees included. As a private tour your schedule will be largely flexible, but will look something like this:

HIGHLIGHTS
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens & Conservatory, Constantia Valley, Muizenberg, False Bay Coastline, Fish Hoek. (Best Whale watching spots during Season - i.e. July to November);
Simonstown, Boulders African Penguin Colony; Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope; Scarborough & Misty Cliffs, Kommetjie, Noordhoek Valley; Chapman’s Peak Drive, (Weather permitting and if OPEN), Hout-Bay Valley; Atlantic Sea-Board, Camps-Bay, Twelve Apostles, Clifton, Green-Point, Sea-Point.
(Includes entrances to Kirstenbosch Gardens, Penguin Colony, Cape Point Nature Reserve & a Return Ticket on the Cape Point Lighthouse Tram Funicular. Excludes Lunch)
Exploring the Cape Peninsula is one of the most exceptional tourist excursions in the world. From Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope one is confronted by ever changing scenery that is both tranquil and dramatic, combining sights, fragrances, atmospheres and history wrapped up in fact, myths and legends. As one explores away from Cape Town, the natural beauty that Nature has sculpted and adorned with over 1 800 species of plants splashing colour in season unfolds in an exciting kaleidoscope to suffuse ones’ senses. The coastline of the Peninsula is subjected to a relentless pounding by huge azure rollers generated by the merging of the two major currents that define the Indian and Atlantic oceans. These have eroded the cliffs, moulding fantastic rock formations, boulder strewn shoals and pristine beaches of soft, golden sand.

Our magnificent Peninsula was described by Sir Francis Drake as: “The fairest Cape and the most stately thing we saw in the whole circumference of the globe.”  We depart Cape Town and head for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Here we enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Garden which boasts over 1 000 species of indigenous Fynbos Vegetation in the form of flowers, plants and trees as well as a great variety of birds. The tour then continues via the Constantia Wine Valley, to Muizenberg, stopping en route to revel in the stunning views across False Bay. We continue southward, on the east coast of the Peninsula, passing through the “dry” village of Fish Hoek and on into Simonstown where we visit the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. We next enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve and explore, taking in the scenery and keeping our eyes peeled for antelope such as the eland and bontebok; birds including the orange breasted sunbird and the sugarbird who are both endemic to the Cape Fynbos; and we may be lucky enough to encounter a troop of chacma baboons foraging their way across the Peninsula.  At the Cape Point Lighthouse we will spend some time, allowing for a scenic walkabout up to the Lighthouse and lunch before we descend to the famed Cape of Good Hope which is the most south westerly tip of the African continent for a photo stop.

On our return journey to the City, weather permitting, we will enjoy a scenic drive up the western side of the Peninsula and over the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak Drive (given that it is open as it is subject to rock falls) which is cut into the cliffs between Noordhoek and Hout Bay, stopping to overlook this small fishing village before proceeding further along the Atlantic Seaboard. We then make our way through Camps Bay, pulling over for photos of the towering buttresses known as the 12 Apostles. Hereafter we pass through Clifton to Sea Point, ending our tour in Cape Town.

(The actual route of the tour may be adapted to suit local weather conditions and traffic congestion encountered on the day, to ensure that you have every opportunity to enjoy the tour. Along the Peninsula, during the months from July to November, we can look out for the magnificent Southern Right Whales that visit our shores to mate and give birth, before returning to the Antarctic.)

Day 4

This morning you will be collected from the Cape Grace Hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Cape Town International Airport, where you will check in for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Connect with your scheduled flight to Livingstone. You will be collected and transferred by vehicle to the Royal Livingstone Hotel.
A 5 Star Resort Hotel located actually within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, enjoying prospects over the Zambezi River and the Falls shared by no other hotel in the Victoria Falls region.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel bedrooms are two-storey clusters inspired by the grand estate houses of a bygone era. Each cluster comprises 10 en-suite air conditioned rooms with private balconies and terraces that offer spectacular views of the great river and beyond. Each room offers a quiet retreat from the ruggedness of Africa, with large shaded verandas and open spaces cooled by swirling fans and tall shutters.

The travellers bar and lounge is a place where guests can relax under thatched shade, decorated in harmonious greens, creams and ebony. With its comfortable armchairs and low ottomans the lounge is a place to enjoy an impeccably served high tea or to linger longer over some fine port or cigar. The a la carte restaurant serves some of the best 'Haute Cuisine' on the African Continent.

The Pool area reflects the elegance of this classical 'colonial' style hotel, and the River Terrace Bar on the banks of the mighty Zambezi provides the perfect location for 'sundowners'.

Opened in 2001, The Royal Livingstone Hotel is a place to enjoy the majesties of Africa with all the charms of a bygone era. It introduces an unparalleled level of luxury, service and sophistication to the region.

Livingstone Royal Golf Club was originally established in 1908, in Livingstone, Zambia, the Livingstone Club was first redesigned in 1936 and again completely restored in 2006. Set in a veritable botanical garden with over 118 tree species, this 9-hole golf course provides a unique African golfing experience. The second nine holes are being renovated and will be ready by the beginning of 2007.

The distinctive genuine Edwardian Club House extends a very warm welcome, offering a five star restaurant experience and club bar both overlooking the wonderful views of the golf course.

Spend two nights at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in a Double Room, with breakfast included.

Day 6

Today you will be collected from the Royal Livingstone Hotel and transferred by vehicle to Livingstone Airport. Check in for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Proceed to the nearby D`Oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace.

Spend one night at the D`Oreale Grande Hotel in a Standard Room, with breakfast included.

Day 7

This morning you will make your way to OR Tambo International Airport and check in for your flight to Thornybush Game Reserve.

Here, unrivalled big game viewing is complemented by elegant accommodation and sublime cuisine. Thornybush Game Reserve's exclusive private Thornybush Game Lodge provides accommodation, consisting of stylish air-conditioned suites, with extensive living areas overlooking the seasonal Monwana River. There are 18 en suite, suites, each of which has indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck –from which guests can view the River. Bathrooms boast large glass windows, also offering unique game viewing in and around the river bed. In addition, there are two family suites, with lounge area, and sleeper couch. These suites also boast a viewing deck, and private plunge pool.

Game drives and walks are accompanied by highly trained and experienced rangers and trackers, ensuring that your bush experience is truly memorable. A typical day includes an early morning up-close game drive followed by breakfast either back at the Main lodge or in the riverbed or bush. The rest of the day is spent at the discretion of the guest and may include additional bush walks with your ranger and tracker, browsing in the intimate library; being pampered at the exclusive Spa or simply relaxing at the pool.

Walks allow guests a better chance to see some of the smaller creatures of the bush as well as an opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region and to have a chance to follow tracks in more detail.

Thornybush Private Game Lodge offers unique exclusive Safari experiences in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species: 147 mammals including the "Big Five", 114 reptiles, 507 birds, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 trees. The reserve is predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year round climate, it is the ideal African safari holiday destination.

Spend three nights at Thornybush Game Lodge on a fully inclusive basis (including).

Day 10

This morning you will be collected at Thornybush Game Lodge in time for your flight back to OR Tambo International Airport. From this point you will depart under your own arrangements.

END SERVICES

Prices from: ZAR 28 550 + US$ 495 per person sharing

Rate Includes
Accommodation as specified, Meals as specified, Ground transportation and excursions as noted, Park and entrance fees for lodges/camps inside national parks.

THE CAPE GRACE HOTEL
Accommodation and Breakfast

THE ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL
Accommodation and full English Breakfast
Return Livingstone Airport transfers

THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE
Accommodation
All meals, teas, coffees & snacks
Dawn and dusk safaris in open land rovers and bushveld walks
Sun downer local drinks are included

Not Included

Domestic flights (quoted separately) All flights as specified in the above itinerary: PLEASE NOTE: Fares are subject to class/seat availability at the time a reservation is made.
Lunches &dinners (unless specified)
Drinks &refreshments
Tips for porters and restaurants
Telephone calls, laundry &other incidental personal expenditure
Visa fees, in countries where these apply
Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply
Medical, cancellation and baggage insurance

Notes:

All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions
** PLEASE NOTE: These rates are given as guidelines, and will differ depending on factors such as the time of the year that guests travel, the number of guests travelling, and the class of airline seats available. All rates are subject to change at the discretion of the properties/operators, and due to currency fluctuations, unforeseen increases in fuel prices, increased airline prices, or any future government imposed taxes