South Africa
This is the cradle of civilisation. This is a place so stunning, words and images fail to do it justice. Wildlife roaming free in vast reserves. Cities that promise every possible sort of luxury. Mountains dusted with snow. The untamed beauty of the Kalahari. Vineyards celebrated the world over. Beaches the colour of talcum powder, lapped by a cerulean ocean. A study in dramatic contrasts, South Africa is the new age traveller’s dream destination.City Information
Knysna
Knysna doesn’t boast the tallest buildings or the longest bridges. Its inhabitants would much rather spend their time playing a leisurely game of golf by the lagoon or sipping a cool drink at one of its ubiquitous cafes. After all, when you live in a town that is wellfavoured by the benevolent sun and bordered by emerald woods and a large estuary, why would you ask for more?Cape Town
There are destinations that are known for housing geographical marvels. Tourists flock to others for their historical significance. While still others offer more frivolous cultural pursuits. As a city that houses Table Mountain, Cape Winelands and is a short distance away from Robben Island; Cape Town manages to wend its way into every list.Johannesburg
Jozi is the vibrant, pulsating hub of South Africa. The best of the country’s nightlife is concentrated here, as are restaurants and shopping malls. Interestingly, here modern pursuits haven’t replaced the more traditional ones as it so often happens in other cities. Craft markets with African masks, beaded dolls and colourful ceramics line the streets. It’s the nation’s largest city after all, there’s always room for more.Sun City
Although it shares the title of a gambler’s paradise, South Africans would disdain the idea of likening Sun City to Vegas. Sun City does not limit itself to cards, slot machines and roulette wheels. This resort offers more, so much more in the form of golfing and other outdoor activities. Add a dash of myth and history and you have a more accurate picture.Franschhoek
The architecture, you can’t help noticing, is distinctly Dutch. The wineries have names you’re more likely to stumble upon in France. The vineyards themselves are a far cry from the South African savannahs. Yet here you will find it all, serenely congruous in the quaint town of Franschhoek.
The Cango Wildlife ranch
A crocodile swims towards you, stopping only centimetres away from the grills that separate you. On dry land, a cheetah stalks past while the Bengal tiger cubs carry on with their gambolling. This is the Cango Wildlife Ranch, the closest you will get to these beasts and still live to tell the tale.
Cango Caves
26 kilometres north of Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo is an underground network of rocky chambers and ante-chambers called the Cango Caves. Follow the route of Cango One, after which you will experience an ‘assault course’ which will give you a taste of spelunking.
Safari Ostrich farm
On this tour, you will learn everything about breeding these queer flightless birds, courtesy the farm’s multi-lingual guides. Watch eggs hatch in the incubator. Test the strength of ostrich eggs by stepping on them. Meet the ostriches, and if you’re brave enough, attempt riding them.
A Wine tasting tour
The Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek Valleys are where you will find the country’s premier vineyards. Wine connoisseurs rejoice, this is the only area you will come across pinotage - a rare variety of grape. And of course, you will find all the old favourites: shiraz, chardonnay and semillon.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain commands an unsurpassed view of Cape Town. The cableway will take you to the summit in less than 10 minutes, and the rotating cable car affords a 360-degree view. On the top of the Mountain, two kilometres of pathways give you marvellous views over Cape Town, Table Bay, Robben Island, the Cape Flats and the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain also boasts 1,500 plant varieties.
Cape Point
The southern end of the Cape Peninsula boasts two points of interest, the Cape of Good Hope and the more southerly and higher situated Cape Point. This is where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. With its diverse habitats, ranging from rocky mountain tops to beaches and open sea, the Cape of Good Hope is home to at least 250 species of birds.
Seal Island
It’s the stuff nature channels thrive on. This small rocky outcrop off the coast of South Africa is inhabited by thousands of Cape Fur Seals. The waters are a seasonal haunt of Great White sharks that are often seen launching themselves out of the water to prey on the seals - a behaviour that is possibly unique to this place.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Occupying an enviable location between Robben Island and Table Mountain, and set off with brilliant mountain and ocean views, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination.Taj Hotel Cape Town *****
Restored from the impressive building which housed the South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers, this hotel is an impressive blend of antique grandeur and modern luxury.
LOCATION
The hotel is situated
at the centre of the city, at the
entrance to St. George's Mall.
It’s the perfect spot from which
to explore the rest of Cape Town.
FEATURES
There are several
varieties of cuisines on offer at the
restaurants here. These include
Indian, an all-day dining restaurant
and a champagne and oyster bar.
Banquet rooms and meeting rooms
are available, should guests desire
them. The hotel also houses a Jiva Grande Spa and a fitness centre.
ACCOMMODATION
The Taj Cape
Town houses 177 rooms and
suites, each of which offers the
kind of old-world luxury that is so
difficult to define. These include
the exquisite Heritage Rooms and
Suites, Tower Rooms and Suites,
The Presidential Suite and the
Taj Club.
One & Only Cape Town *****
One&Only Cape Town is a destination unto itself - an urban chic waterfront resort providing an unprecedented level of luxury in South Africa.
LOCATION
This is Cape Town’s
grandest hotel, situated at the
harbour at the fashionable
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
FEATURES
The hotel’s restaurants
include Nobu, Isola on the island
and Vista Bar for lively evening
conversations. The One&Only Spa
occupies its own private island and
offers the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio
by Bastien Gonzalez.
There is a Fitness Centre at
the hotel, with dedicated
trainers and yoga instructors.
The One&Only also houses Neo,
a stylish boutique.
ACCOMMODATION
The resort’s
seven-storey Marina Rise has 91
rooms and suites with private
balconies. Each of the 40 Island
Superior rooms and Island Suites
features a private balcony or
terrace and waterway views.
All rooms and suites are spacious,
air conditioned and designed
in striking African motifs and
colours. Guests enjoy 24-hour
butler service. All rooms and suites
feature an entertainment system
with satellite flat screen television,
DVD/CD player, mini bar, in-room
business services, an MP3 docking
station and complimentary
Wi-Fi access.
Cape Town, Knysna, Sun City.
While you will be greeted with candlelit dinners, massages by the pool, twilight cruises and all the requisites of a romantic getaway, South Africa offers something rarer: a dash of adventure.YOUR ITINERARY
Cape Town: 3 nights
Knysna: 2 nights
Sun City: 2 nights
Arrive at Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, where you will be welcomed by our representative, before you make your way to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a private dinner in your room as you sip on a bottle of wine from the hotel’s excellent cellar, presented with compliments. DAY 2
After breakfast, embark on your trip to Table Mountain. A cable car will take you to the summit which affords a view of the city and the coastline in all its glory. Move from landscape to culture by visiting the Cape Malay Quarter, the Iziko South African Museum with Bushmen exhibits and the castle amongst others. Then, it’s to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a tourist favourite. In the evening, take a luxury limousine ride to the Signal Hotel where a romantic table set for two, overlooking the yacht marina and Signal Hill, awaits you. DAY 3
It’s a full day tour of “the fairest Cape… in the whole circumference of the globe”, to quote explorer Sir Francis Drake. To begin with, visit the Hout Bay, an erstwhile fishing community that still retains its quaintness; cruise to Seal Island or visit the market at Mariner’s Wharf. Then say hello to the Jackass Penguins (now mercifully called African or Black-footed Penguins) at Boulders Beach before you proceed towards Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, home of some 3,500 species of South African fauna and flora, will mark the end of today’s tour. DAY 4
Journey towards Knysna, the gem of the Garden Route, soon after breakfast. Check in at your hotel, where you will be greeted with a gift and every luxury it has to offer. DAY 5
Spend your day leisurely walking through Knysna’s picturesque woods and beaches. At twilight, a dinner cruise to the Knysna Heads awaits you. DAY 6
After breakfast, you will be escorted to George International Airport where you will catch your flight to O.R. Tambo International Airport where our representative will escort you to the millionaire’s playground that is Sun City. Check in at your hotel before exploring this dazzling area. DAY 7
There are no fixed plans for today except to revel in luxury and a revitalising back, neck and shoulder massage by the poolside. DAY 8
Your private car will take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your flight back home.