The Lion Tour Itinerary
Lion Tour 14 days
Destinations:- Cape Town and surrounds - 4 nights
- Garden Route - 3 nights
- Johannesburg - 2 nights
- Greater Kruger - 4 nights
Day 1 to day 4:
Welcome to South Africa! We meet you at the Cape Town International airport and take you to your hotel. If flight schedules allow, an afternoon drive through Cape Town will put you in the mood for what is to come. This evening, dine in one of the many restaurants of the Waterfront.
No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to the Mother City. It lies beneath the sandstone countenance of Table Mountain, often shrouded in a veil of clouds. Far below its flat crest lies the harbour, with colourful sailing boats returning from stunning trips to the precipitous cliffs of the Twelve Apostles, the magnificent Monte Carlo-like mansions of Clifton, the sandy white beaches of Camps Bay, Muizenburg and Fish Hoek, not to mention Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years!
After breakfast we head for the wine region of South Africa, with vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads, nestled in the foothills of majestic mountains. We first head for the farming district of Paarl, and take the scenic route through its oak-lined streets and the surrounding wine region. We stop at Laborie for a cellar tour and wine tasting.
Then we move on to Franschoek, historically dating back to the arrival of the French Huguenots in the 17th century. A drive up the mountain affords us spectacular views of the valley below. Closer to town we take a wagon ride through a patchwork of vineyards overlooking the town. Franschoek boasts some of the best restaurants in South Africa. We stop for lunch and also allow you time to browse through the small shops on Main Street to buy a trinket or two.
After lunch we depart for Stellenbosch. Walk down the canalised avenues in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historical buildings. High up in the Simonsberg is a wine farm belonging to the golfer, Ernie Els, our country’s well-known export. What a vista of the Cape peninsula!
On our third day we head for “the Mountain”. We ascend its vertical cliffs by cable car and from the “table top” – one kilometre above sea level. The view of the city, the Atlantic seaboard, Robben Island on the horizon and the Peninsula will take your breath away. Then on to the Waterfront and our boat trip to Robben Island. What an experience to see and feel the “home” of the most admired person on earth – Nelson Mandela. An experience never to forget. Our last stop is Signal Hill, from where we will view the setting sun and the early lights of the fairest city of them all!
After breakfast our leisurely drive along the coastline takes us through the exclusive suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. We stop for a drink at the posh Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and then head to Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. On our way back we stop to view a famous penguin colony, and drive through the coastal towns of Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. We also drive through the grand suburbs of Constantia, Newlands and Pinelands and make a brief stopover at the tranquil Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.
This is our last day in the Cape of Good Hope. We board a colourful catamaran and sail south down the coastline, past the majestic mountains, with the suburbs in the foothills reserved only for the rich.
Day 5:
We leave the Cape of Good Hope with a sense of nostalgia. Today we are en route to Oudshoorn. We take the scenic Route 62, reminiscent of the more famous Route 66 in the USA. Sit back and enjoy the magnificent landscapes, towering cliffs and the scenic passes. The mountains form the backdrop to a rainbow of colours – fields of wheat, canola, vineyards and orchards.
In Oudshoorn, we visit the Cango caves, a natural wonder of the world, with eight kilometers of majestic stalactites and stalagmites. We also look in on an ostrich farm, with its grandeur manor house, reflecting on the heyday when ostrich feathers were high mode. We watch farm labourers engage in their daily “Ascot” ostrich race. Why not try it yourself – but remember: hold on! After a busy day we can enjoy the luxurious desert retreat of a country house.
Day 6 to day 8:
Early morning we join the Garden Route, undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the South African coast line. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate and unsurpassed natural beauty. We spend the next two days in the sleepy picturesque town of Knysna. The town lies on the shores of a beautiful estuary, with the lagoon spilling into the ocean, passing through the monolithic sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. After a siesta we take a sunset cruise across the lagoon to the Heads to get a full view of the lagoon and the town.
After a light breakfast a short drive takes us into one of but a few remaining indigenous forests in South Africa, known as Tsitsikamma. Have you ever dreamt of an enchanted forest of mysterious and impenetrable lushness, with a canopy of giant Redwoods and moss and ferns under foot? Well this is it! We take the back roads deep into its inner sanctum. Here we enjoy the pleasure of a “bush brunch”. We continue our journey, meandering through the forest, to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. We spend the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy the vistas of the lagoon below and the winding coastline in the distance. Weather permitting, a stroll on the beach – and for the brave, a dip in the waves – will start you planning your next visit. We return to Knysna in the late afternoon.
On day 8 we fly to Johannesburg for the next leg of our journey.
Day 9:
Our stopover in Johannesburg is an adventurous one. During our stay we explore two well-known landmarks of Johannesburg, namely Gold Reef City and Soweto. Johannesburg, more commonly known as Egoli, is built on the richest goldmine in the world. Experience the mining process by entering an underground mine, search for the elusive specs of yellow in the rough rock and feel the heat of the golden liquid as it is poured into the mould.
Soweto, the most populous black urban community in South Africa, is steeped in history. Its political heartbeat has guaranteed it a place on the world map. Soweto was at the centre of the uprising that led to the overthrow of the apartheid regime and the onset of the peace process towards a democratic dispensation. However, Soweto is far more than this. Despite its poverty, it has a vibrant cheerfulness and is a hive of activity. We will visit its landmarks and a shebeen – a traditional drinking joint where we will enjoy the music, have a pint or two and enjoy a traditional African meal.
Day 10 to day 14:
We will spend the next five days in the tranquillity of the African bush. Experience the great outdoors in the company of the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, and more species of mammals than anywhere else in Africa. Remember, there is no typical day in the Kruger. Each day is different because of the unpredictable behaviour of the wildlife.
An early morning game drive is advisable because the bush is alive with activity at that time of the day. In the late afternoon, the amazing African sunset will make your sundowners even more enjoyable. As darkness descends, your ranger will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and point out the elusive nocturnal wildlife. Tonight, around the fire, you will sit back and ponder the wonderful day that has come to an end.
But keep in mind, you have come to relax and refresh the soul. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and explore the camp – just don’t wander off too far! The afternoon siesta is a must, to make up for the early morning wake-up call. Soon you will feel relaxed, yet exhilarated.
To soon our African safari has drawn to a close. The management of Sunset Safaris will be at the airport to bid you an African farewell – hamba gathle! We fly back to our country with so much to say about this country in the South.
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