4-Day Big 5 Safari Lodge, Whales, Wine & Penguin Colony

• Clients collect their self-drive vehicle at the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

The Cape Winelands - overnight on a wine farm

Drive to Stellenbosch, a fertile region where vines replaced wildlife & nomadic Khoisan (Bushman) people.
Today Stellenbosch is surrounded by mountains and known for its period architecture, wines & university. Visit an old-time South African shop, enjoy a guided wine cellar tour before travelling over the beautiful Helshoogte Pass en route to Franschoek. Named after French Huguenots who settled there in the 16C. Visit the Huguenot Museum.
At a boutique wine farm taste local vintages including Pinotage which is South Africa’s own unique cultivar. Outside Paarl, see Mandela's statue at the entrance to the prison where he was incarcerated.
Paarl means “Pearl”, in Dutch, referring to the imposing granite mountains surrounding the town. The Taal monument, dedicated to the Afrikaans language, is the world’s only monument to a language.

Time permitting, visit the Cheetah Outreach Program near by.

Main Destination:

Cape Winelands

Accommodation:

The Log Cabin

• Mid-range cottage

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Big Five Private Game Reserve - Great Karoo

Enjoy another historical Stellenbosch walk about about and visit boutique wine estates in the area.

Depart the winelands, through the Huguenot tunnel into the Great Karoo on your way to the Big 5 private game reserve.

On arrival your lunch shall be ready, afternoon/sunset safari. On return, enjoy the "Boma" dinner, sit neat to the fire and feast.

After dinner ask a local ranger to point out various constellations like the Southern Cross which can only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. The Karoo is famous for its starry nights.

Safari program
13h00: Arrival / welcome drinks
12h30 - 14h00 - Buffet lunch
14h00 – Check-in to room
16h30 – 2 to 3hr game drive
19h00 – Buffet Dinner
20h00 – Followed by stargazing
07h00 – 1 to 1,5hr game drive
08h30 – Buffet breakfast
10h00 - 10h30 – Check-out.

Main Destination:

Aquila Game Reserve

Accommodation:

Aquila Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Aquila GR

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Morning Safari & Whale Coast - Hermanus

Early this morning depart on the 2nd safari, look out for those magnificent creatures great and small, some who perhaps evaded you the day before.

Return to the lodge, freshen up and after a hearty breakfast, travel east towards the Whale Coast and the charming Indian Ocean town of Hermanus.

Here you can partake in a 3 hour marine boat cruise and get up close to the magnificent Southern Right Whale, her calf, and other marine life, like dolphin, ocras, seal, penguin, otter, sunfish and other whale species.

The chances are good that in season you shall hear and see whales from your seafront hotel suite mere meters from the ocean.

Hermanus offers superb cuisine, coastal hikes, a world-renowned 18-hole golf course, award-winning wine farms, and a host of activities/adventures for everyone.

Your Ocean View suite is on the coast, and a 4 minute walk from the touristy town centre with its restaurants, markets, Old Harbour, whale lookouts, foot paths & whale museum.

Main Destination:

Hermanus (Whales)

Accommodation:

Windsor Hotel

• Mid-range hotel

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Southern Cape, Whale Coast, Penguins, Clarence Drive, Botanical Gardens & Optional Shark Cage Diving

After breakfast and whale sightings, continue to Betty's Bay, visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens (UNESCO world heritage site) for a short waterfall hike. 1 hour.

Visit Africa's largest critically endangered African penguin colony at Stoney Point Nature Reserve.

Purchase the world's finest Biltong in Kleinmond. A South African speciality similar to beef jerky, but much better.

Continue to the scenic Clarence Drive, voted as one of the world's most spectacular coastal passes. Stop along the way to appreciate the setting sun over False Bay, arriving in Cape Town at around 6:00pm.

PS: Hermanus is situated a mere hour away from Gansbaai, the Great White Shark Cage Diving capital of the world. A bucket list experience not to be missed! The activity includes prof instructors, modified shark boat, diving gear, wetsuits, breakfast, lunch & drinks. From USD 89.

*We are happy to recommend & book optional activities for you throughout your safari holiday at our generous preferential rates.

Main Destination:

Boulder's Beach (Penguins)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Clients return their self-drive vehicle at the airport.