The Wonders Of South Africa With Michaela Strachan

Depart London Heathrow on the direct overnight British Airways flight to Cape Town.

On arrival the group will be met and transferred to stay for five nights on bed & breakfast basis at the Cape Milner Hotel

This evening a welcome group dinner will be held in the hotel.

Accommodation: Cape Milner Hotel.

After breakfast travel on a full day trip down the Cape Peninsula. Over 30 miles in length, it juts out from the city of Cape Town and offers a beguiling mix of dramatic coastal drives, deserted beaches and quaint seaside villages before it ends at the Cape of Good Hope.

The journey will include a drive along the extraordinarily photogenic Chapmans Peak Drive, a visit to the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a trip on the Flying Dutchman funicular railway, and the chance to explore historic Simon’s Town. The lunch stop will be at an ostrich farm.

Accommodation: Cape Milner Hotel.

This morning the group will take to the skies with a breath-taking helicopter trip!

Taking off from the V&A Waterfront, the Atlantic ocean will stretch out to the horizon, before passing directly over Green Point Stadium – which was built for the 2010 Football World Cup – and getting a bird’s-eye view of Robben Island on the right, and Table Mountain on the left.

Hugging the Atlantic coast, marvel at the City Bowl, the Peninsula’s white beaches and the Twelve Apostles mountain range before heading back to the V&A Waterfront where the group will be joined for an informal lunch by Michaela Strachan, wildlife enthusiast and presenter of the BBC’s Springwatch & Autumnwatch programmes.

After lunch she will lead a visit to the SANCCOB penguin hospital. Michaela has previously presented a documentary series to raise awareness of, and raise funds for, the work done by SANCCOB (Southern Africa Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds), so this hospital is somewhere close to her heart. The group will enjoy an informative and interactive tour of the facility, with the opportunity to meet the specialist staff and some of the latest patients!

A Question & Answer event this evening will be hosted by Michaela.

Accommodation: Cape Milner Hotel.

Today is a free day to explore Cape Town – perhaps visit historic Robben Island or spend time exploring the city’s many boutiques?

Accommodation: Cape Milner Hotel.

The group will again be in the company of Michaela Strachan for the day, and will begin the day with a trip up to the city’s most iconic feature - Table Mountain. One of the new natural 7 wonders of the world, it is a mountain chain which stretches from Signal Hill in the north, to Cape Point in the South and is the single richest floristic area in the world. It is actually home to more species of plants than the entire British Isles, despite covering an area less than the size of London. After taking the cable car trip up 1089 metres to the top, the group will gain their first insight into the wonders of the fynbos flora. After soaking up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains, the group will enjoy a nature walk along one of the hiking trails to explore the summit further.

Lunch will be enjoyed on the water’s edge in Hout Bay harbour at The Lookout Restaurant, and will be followed by a boat cruise out to the Duiker Island seal colony where, in addition to numerous sea birds, thousands of wild Cape Fur seals can be viewed close up in their beautiful natural habitat.

Accommodation: Cape Milner Hotel.

After breakfast the group will travel via the beautiful scenic coastal route around False Bay to Betty’s Bay, for a guided tour of the Stony Point Nature Reserve, home to the largest breeding colony of African (or Jackass) Penguins in the Western Cape.

Over 2000 breeding pairs of these comical birds can be viewed in their natural habitat, with a boardwalk winding its way around the edge of the breeding area, giving visitors a view of the rocky outcrops and swimming penguins on one side, and the shrubbery and nests on the other. Stony Point is also home to large numbers of three endangered species of cormorant - Bank, Cape & Crowned, the nests of which are all easily visible from the reserve’s elevated viewing platforms.

The journey continues to the charming fishing village of Hermanus, where there will be time to take lunch in one of the numerous restaurants which overlook the old harbour and sea wall, and to visit the Museum, which explains Hermanus’s strong relationship with the Southern Right Whale.

After lunch visit the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, which serves to act as an educational platform, creating awareness about conditions big cats face in captivity, and how animal welfare and enrichment play a vital role in giving them the best captive life possible. It is a true sanctuary where no cub petting, or breeding, but where visitors are encouraged to visit and to observe, photograph, enjoy and be educated about the resident lions, cheetahs, leopards, tigers and caracals.

The group will then travel onwards to stay for two nights on dinner, bed & breakfast basis in the tranquil surrounds of the Blue Gum Country House.

Accommodation: Blue Gum Country House.

The morning is free to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities and surroundings.

After lunch set out on the Lady Stanford, an exclusive luxury boat cruise down the Klein River from Stanford towards the Hermanus Estuary. Perfect for any nature lover, indulge in the scenic beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges, while the experienced guides point out a wide variety of birdlife.

Accommodation: Blue Gum Country House

Today the group will travel into the heart of the wine region to the charming village of Franschhoek for a guided tour of the Huguenot Memorial Museum & Huguenot Monument and a chocolate and wine-tasting at the Franschhoek Cellars.

There will be the opportunity to enjoy lunch in one of the village’s eateries and to explore the numerous boutiques, shops and galleries before continuing onward to the Spier Wine Estate to stay for two nights on bed & breakfast basis at the Spier Hotel.

Accommodation: Spier Hotel.

The group will make a visit this morning to explore the many delights of historic Stellenbosch, South Africa’s oldest university town - amongst the highlights are the Dutch Reform Church, the town hall, museum and numerous galleries & shops, including the famous Oom Samie se Winkel general trading store.

The group will then return to the Spier Wine Estate to enjoy a wine tasting in the Tasting Room, home to a Heath Nash chandelier made from over 300 recycled wine bottles. Enjoy the wonderful mountain and dam views before a picnic lunch will be served on the spacious lawns.

The afternoon is free to explore Spier’s many attractions – perhaps take a Segway tour of the vineyards, visit the craft market or enjoy a walk through the estate.

Accommodation: Spier Hotel.

The morning is free to explore the wine estate and to enjoy a leisurely lunch before the group is transferred to Cape Town airport in time to depart on the direct overnight British Airways flight to London.

Arrive London Heathrow early morning.

VICTORIA FALLS

15 Sep, Wed
Transfer to Cape Town airport this morning to depart on the direct flight to Livingstone, and on arrival transfer to stay for two nights on a bed & breakfast basis at the AVANI Victoria Falls Resort.

Included during the stay will be a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, as well as an afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

17 Sep, Fri
Transfer to Livingstone Falls airport and depart on the afternoon flight to Johannesburg. Connect with the onward direct overnight British Airways flight to London.

18 Sep, Sat
Arrive London Heathrow early morning.

Cost: GBP895.00 per person sharing (single supplement GBP295.00)

EASTERN CAPE SAFARI

15 Sep, Wed
Transfer to Cape Town airport this morning to depart on the direct flight to Port Elizabeth, and on arrival transfer to stay for two nights on full board basis, including safari activities, at Amakhala Woodbury Lodge.

Included during the stay will be twice daily safari activities – game drives, bush walks & boat cruises – in search of the Big 5 animals which call Amakhala home.

17 Sep, Fri
Transfer to Port Elizabeth airport and depart on the afternoon flight to Johannesburg. Connect with the onward direct overnight British Airways flight to London.

18 Sep, Sat
Arrive London Heathrow early morning.

Cost: GBP895.00 per person sharing (single supplement GBP295.00)