Cape Town & Phinda Private Game Reserve

DESCRIPTION

Cape Town is a place where nature and city life merge; a cosmopolitan metropolis built around a mountain, all of which is flanked by the glistening waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The first four days of your tour are spent visiting the very best sights the city has to offer, all the while being driven in safety and comfort with your knowledgeable guide. The second leg of your trip will take you to the province of KwaZulu-Natal, home to some of the best safari experiences in South Africa.

Phinda Private Game Reserve is often referred to as the ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’ due to its green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems. The reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Africa’s Big 5, and is best known for its large population of cheetah and black rhino. Your stay at Phinda Mountain Lodge is made all the better with each room offering an elegant ensuite bathroom, private seating area, spacious verandah, outdoor shower, and private plunge pool overlooking the reserve. Al fresco dinners are enjoyed in the traditional stone and reed boma, with a large sparkling rim flow pool, state-of-the-art gym, and massage sala for those relaxing days in the bush. Two game drives depart daily, early morning and afternoon, as this is the optimal time to see animals in action.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

• Collected from Cape Town International Airport – please look out for a board on which your names will be displayed

• After an orientation tour of the city, check in to your hotel

• and indulge in panoramic views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean

• Overnight: Cape Town Waterfront Hotel BB

DAY 2

• 9am departure for the Cape Winelands (for those not interested in wine, this is still a beautiful part of the Cape to visit)

• Visit the town of Stellenbosch and walk its oak-lined streets filled with arts, crafts, and cafes

• Travel to Franschhoek – the ‘food and wine capital’ of South Africa

• Enjoy lunch in the village (own account) and explore the town

• This afternoon we will visit a wine farm

• Cellar tour & wine tasting (own account)

• Return to Cape Town in the late afternoon

• Overnight: Cape Town Waterfront Hotel BB

DAY 3

• Depart at 7am for our Cape Peninsula Tour

• Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard passing through some of Cape Town’s most sought-after beach towns

• Brilliant photographic opportunities along Chapman’s Peak Drive

• Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and arrive at Cape Point – the most southwestern point of the African continent

• Meet the African Penguins of Boulders Beach

• Return to your hotel in the late afternoon

• Overnight: Cape Town Waterfront Hotel BB

DAY 4

• This morning we will ascend Table Mountain in the cable car (weather permitting)

• The rest of the day is yours to do as you wish - some additional activities we recommend: spend the morning at the V&A Waterfront doing some shopping; visit the Two Oceans Aquarium; visit Robben Island; hike Lion’s Head; chill out on Camps Bay or Clifton Beach; helicopter flip over the city; Groot Constantia; Kirstenbosch; sunset cruise; Sea Point Kayaking tour

• Overnight: Cape Town Waterfront Hotel BB

DAY 5

• Early morning transfer to Cape Town International Airport

• Flight ex Cape Town to KwaZulu-Natal

• On arrival please look out for a board on which your names will be displaed

• Transferred to Phinda Private Game Reserve (approximately 3 hours)

• Check in to Phinda Mountain Lodge between 12h00-14h00pm

• After settling in enjoy high tea followed by an exciting evening game drive with sundowner’s served enroute

• Return to the lodge for dinner in the boma

• Overnight: Phinda Mountain Lodge Full Board

DAY 6

• With the reputation of being one of the best places to view and photograph cheetahs in their natural environment we depart for an early morning game drive to track these elusive creatures, along with the other predators such as lion and leopard

• Afternoon at leisure to enjoy spa treatments or lounge by the pool

• With sunrise and sunset being the best times to look for game we head into the bush in open vehicles for another exhilarating safari

• Dinner

• Overnight: Phinda Mountain Lodge Full Board

DAY 7

• Morning safari

• Return to the lodge for a buffet breakfast

• Day at leisure

• Afternoon Safari

• Dinner

• Overnight: Phinda Moiuntain Lodge Full Board

DAY 8

• Head out on your final game drive taking in the sights and sounds of the African bush

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out – please settle any extra expenses you may have incurred during your stay

• Transfer to King Shaka International Airport for your flight home

INCLUDED IN TOUR

• 4 nights Cape Town Waterfront Hotel BB

• 3 nights Phinda Mountain Lodge Full Board

• Certified guide

• Air-conditioned vehicle

• Cape Town city tour

• Cape Winelands

• Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach

• Table Mountain Cable Car

• Airport transfers

• Flight ex Cape Town to KwaZulu-Natal

• Transfer ex King Shaka International Airport to Phinda Private Game Reserve

• All meals at Phinda Game Reserve

• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and      coffees and refreshments on game drives at Phinda Game Reserve

• Conservation levies

• 6 safari game drives

• One hour nature walk accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability)

• Emergency medical evacuation insurance

• Complimentary Swarovski Optic binoculars per room during your stay

EXCLUDED FROM TOUR

• Lunches and dinners in Cape Town

• All beverages in Cape Town

• Wine tasting Cape Town

• Telephone calls

• Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits and cigars at Phinda Private Game Reserve

• Any purchase of a personal nature

• Additional activities

• Gratuities

• Private travel and medical insurance

WHAT TO BRING

• Swimming costume

• Sunscreen & sun hat

• Camera

• Comfortable walking shoes

Please note:

• This is a family-friendly trip and the Cape Winelands can be exchanged for another day tour WILDchild Programmes available for children between 3-12 years. 

• Child minding services available at an extra cost at Phinda Private Game Reserve

• 0-5 years not permitted on game drive unless in a private vehicle, which can be arranged at an extra cost and only at the guides discretion

• 6-11 years permitted on game drives only at lodge managers discretion/ not permitted on walking safaris

• 12-16 years permitted on game drives and nature walks/ not permitted on walking safaris

• The lodge is not fenced off so adults must accompany children at all times