Relish the best of what South Africa has to offer on a comprehensive but compact reconnaissance.
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TransfersGuests are met upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, from where they are assisted in transferring to a flight bound for Skukuza and, from there, a short transfer to the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park and is generally regarded as the finest private game reserve in South Africa.
Upon arrival at the lodge, guests are welcomed and assisted with check-in. Some time is set aside for lunch and relaxation before embarking on a first-afternoon game drive in this unique wilderness area. The game drive is led by an experienced ranger, who is assisted by a skilled tracker. These safari drives are informative in nature, with the ranger sharing their intimate knowledge of the natural world, animals and their behavior, and the rich bird life in the reserve.
Itinerary During your stay in the Sabi Sand, you can enjoy two included game drives daily: one conducted in the early morning and the other in the late afternoon, stretching into the early evening. You can also take part in a bush walk accompanied by an armed ranger shortly after the morning game drive and breakfast.
Few game reserves in Africa offer a finer safari experience in an area where many different animal species could be encountered. The Sabie and the Sand are the two major rivers that flow through the reserve, with numerous small periodic and episodic tributaries and waterholes scattered throughout this wilderness. The highlight for most visitors is the opportunity to spot a member of Africa's legendary Big 5; the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo are frequently spotted. Approximately 350 bird species have been identified here. You will see vultures, eagles, and many other species on the daily game drives and when you are relaxing in camp.
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Itinerary FlightsYour final morning game drive might offer the opportunity to spot one of the rare animals that have eluded you during the rest of your stay. Spotting the African wild dog or cheetah would be a fantastic way to bid farewell to the African wilderness before enjoying a late breakfast.
Guests are then transferred to Skukuza Airport for a flight to Cape Town, where they are met by their African Sky guide for the next leg of the holiday. Your guide will escort you to the hotel while discussing the adventures to follow and answering any questions you might have. The late afternoon is spent leisurely, with glorious views of the Atlantic Ocean from your perch at Ellerman House.
Distance Itinerary Today, your tour focuses on the Cape Peninsula and its attractions. Highlights include spectacular coastal drives and the Flying Dutchman Funicular, which ascends 87 m in 585 m from the Car Park at Cape Point to the upper lighthouse, traversing fine examples of Fynbos. Once the top is reached, visitors can explore the historic lighthouse and savor panoramic ocean views. Guests can enjoy lunch at the Two Oceans restaurant before a short drive through the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve in search of the animals that inhabit it.
On the return journey, we visit Boulders Beach to view the antics of a colony of critically endangered African Penguins. The boulder-strewn beach is the ideal habitat for the penguins, sheltering them from the wind and high waves. The crystal clear waters and white sandy beach create a beautiful backdrop for viewing nesting sites and watching how the penguins seem at home in water and awkward on land. Elevated wooden walkways ensure up-close sightings without interfering with the birds. We then return to Cape Town.
Distance ItineraryAfter breakfast, we head to the Table Mountain Cableway base station, from where a five-minute journey in a rotating cable car brings us to the mountaintop. On the way, we can enjoy exceptional 360-degree views of the city, Table Bay, Robben Island, and the Cape Peninsula. On a clear day, the 1085 m high summit allows us to see as far as Cape Point and the Hottentots Holland mountains. We walk along some of the well-demarcated flat trails and enjoy views of Signal Hill, Lions Head, and the Twelve Apostles.
Upon descending the mountain, your guide will stop for lunch before embarking on a short journey to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the eastern slopes. Here, we start at the visitor center for general information before visiting the Botanical Conservatory to view succulents and the baobab tree. We then stroll along the Centenary Tree Canopy walkway that meanders through the tree tops and offers panoramic views of the garden and mountain. We admire the protea garden and sculpture garden before returning to the overnight accommodation in the late afternoon.
Distance Itinerary You will be met early for a drive from Cape Town to Knysna on the Garden Route. This is a long drive, and we will gladly alter the itinerary to include a flight from Cape Town to George. However, the route takes us through scenic parts of the southern Cape and will be worth it for those who want to see as much of South Africa as possible. Stops are made as and when required to ensure the journey is comfortable.
From Cape Town, we cross Sir Lowry's pass into the apple-producing region surrounding Grabouw and the Elgin train station. The road then passes Caledon on its way to Swellendam in the Overberg. From late July to early September, the picturesque landscape is transformed by wheat and canola in bloom, creating postcard-perfect pictures against a backdrop of mountains. This beautiful landscape continues to Riversdale, whereafter it is arider as the route leads past Albertinia to Mosselbay and the start of the Garden Route, where one of South Africa's most beautiful areas begins. Time is allotted for lunch in Mosselbay before an onward trip to Wilderness, where we devote some time to visiting the map of Africa and another viewpoint from which the grandeur of the Garden Route with hills covered by Indigenous forest, long stretches of pristine beaches, and rivers and lakes that dot this landscape can be enjoyed. We then head to the overnight destination between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Distance ItineraryOn this day of your tour, we explore Knysna. The town is primarily on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between 'the heads.' The entrance to the lagoon became infamous in times past due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through its treacherous and unpredictable waters. In the morning, we board a ferry that crosses the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. The Reserve is a prime example of the contribution eco-tourism can make to conserve unique habitats. Upon reaching Featherbed, guests enjoy a 4x4 excursion to the top of the headland, stopping at various locations to enjoy the glorious views. A hike of just over two kilometers brings the region's fauna, flora, and rich history to life. Before returning to the Waterfront via Ferry, lunch is enjoyed under a canopy of Milkwood trees.
Your guide will then visit other areas of interest, which include the Eastern Head, Leisure, and Thesen Island, before returning you to your overnight accommodation.
Distance Itinerary After breakfast, a short drive leads to Plettenberg Bay, where Robberg Nature Reserve is first on the agenda. The reserve, located on a peninsula adjacent to the town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors rugged cliffs, dunes, sandy beaches, and marine biodiversity. Depending on the client's preferences, we enjoy one of three hikes, ranging from 2 to 9.2 km. A resident seal colony, dolphins, and whales (in season) can often be spotted and heard on these hikes. The area is rich in birdlife, with commonly spotted seabirds, including cormorants, kelp gulls, and African black oystercatchers. Abundant coastal and Fynbos Birds can also potentially be spotted. The visit to Robberg will be about four hours, after which we head into town for lunch.
We then visit the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, a stone's throw from town. This protected area features indigenous forests and a beautiful riverine environment. We take a short boat ride five kilometers upriver to enjoy the natural splendor of the towering forested cliffs separated by the serene river. Birdlife is abundant, and the cry of the Fish Eagle is normally heard. A stop is made at a natural riverbank to disembark and admire yellowwood and other giant trees or to relax at the water's edge. We return to Knysna in the late afternoon.
Distance Itinerary FlightsBreakfast is followed by a transfer to George Airport for a flight to Johannesburg, where guests are met and transferred to any location of their choice in either Johannesburg or Pretoria. Alternatively, a representative of African Sky will assist you with check in to your international flight home.
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