South Africa & Mozambique Grand Adventure

Day 1: Cape Town, South Africa / Cape Winelands
On arrival at Cape Town airport, you are welcomed by our representative, and transferred to your hotel during about an hour drive. The Cape Winelands is an area of exquisite beauty only 45 minutes from Cape Town, where rugged mountains overlook green vineyards and oak avenues leading to elegant Cape Dutch wine estates. The picturesque village of Franschhoek is brimming with ‘joie de vivre’ and rural charm. It’s full of gourmet restaurants, eclectic shops and boutique hotels in a pretty valley setting. The origins of Franschhoek date back to 1688 when a group of French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution settled in the valley, then known as Elephants Corner. With their arrival, it became known as French Corner, or ‘Franschhoek’ in Afrikaans. The French influence is still evident today with wine estates such as Mont Rochelle, Haute Cabriere and La Motte as well as excellent, award-winning restaurants.

The lifestyle here is the focus, appreciating the wines, excellent dining and superb Cape Dutch architecture. Browse the boutiques and galleries, explore the Winelands, take a scenic drive or walks in the mountains.

Enjoy your lodge’s calm and gentle holistic ethos offers an elegant sanctuary with its light and airy spaces and spacious interiors. Each lodge has a private heated plunge pool and sundeck, and guests enjoy access to the lodge bar and private cinema, gourmet restaurant, and Indochine, a restorative spa and technogym. The dining experience at Delaire Graff Restaurant presents contemporary menus accompanied by exceptional South African wines, at Indochine, or choose to dine in the indulgent privacy of the lodge. Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa – Deluxe Lodge (Garden view) 

Day 2: Cape Winelands
Today take in the Cape Winelands on a private tour during a leisurely exploration of the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek as well as wine tasting at local wine estates. The majestic scenery of the winelands is unparalleled so even if you don’t drink wine, the countryside and history are worth exploring.

A combination of the favorable effects of the two major ocean currents meeting off the cape makes the climate perfect for the acres of vineyards. The stunning backdrop of the mountains, the tree-lined streets and the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads all blend in tranquil harmony. The exact wine estates visited vary for each private tour, tailored to each visitor. Your guide will discuss the options with you and select the best wine estates to visit.  The tastings will include some award-winning red and white wines. Depending on which estates you visit, the order of the tour may vary. Explore the rich historical and architectural traditions of the region. Tour a selection of cellars, sampling their vintages as well as perhaps a cheese tasting. Take in the picturesque village of Franschhoek set in a beautiful valley, with its fascinating shops and boutiques.

Lunch at one of the spectacular award-winning winelands restaurants. After lunch, head to Stellenbosch, where it’s easy to see why Simon Van Der Stel decided to build a village in such an idyllic spot. The Cape Dutch architecture along the oak-lined streets and the alfresco cafes give Stellenbosch a charm that will not be quickly forgotten. We return to Cape Town in the late afternoon. Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa – Deluxe Lodge (Garden view) (B,L)

Day 3: Cape Winelands / Cape Town
This morning, you are picked up for your private tour that begins with about an hour transfer from the ape Winelands Cape Town. Take a trip up Table Mountain by cable car for panoramic views of the entire Cape Peninsula. Enjoy a short walk around the summit to admire the incredible scenery. Note: cable car ascent is weather dependent. Travel into the city and discover the Castle of Good Hope, the original fort here built in 1652 and now painstakingly restored. From there you continue to the historic center of Cape Town with its 18th century buildings and explore two of Cape Town’s museums and you maybe take a stroll through the Company Gardens past the parliament buildings. Finally, you see the picturesque Malay quarter, a historic sector of the city with original Malay buildings and narrow streets.

Check into your hotel, The Silo, part of the The Royal Portfolio, offers a magical space towering above the V&A Waterfront surrounded by natural wonders. With just 28 rooms, it is built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex and occupies six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art. From the outside, the greatest visible change to the building’s original structure is the addition of ingenious glass windows inserted into the geometry of the hotel floors, which bulge outward as if gently inflated. The hotel is a celebration of art, style, architecture and design, and a tribute to timeless glamour and contemporary luxury offering the highest levels of personalized service. Four family suites are located on the four corners of seventh floor. Each is like a luxury two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Cape Town with a vast downstairs living room, dining room and cloakroom. Upstairs are two en-suite bedrooms – one master bedroom and one children’s bedroom. The Silo Hotel is an exclusive and intimate destination with a spectacular rooftop pool, a specialist spa and an array of dining experiences. By night, this transforms the building into a glowing lantern or beacon in the harbor. The Silo Hotel sets a new standard for luxury Cape Town accommodation The Silo – Silo Room (B)

Day 4: Cape Town
This morning set out on a full day private Cape Peninsula excursion, encompassing a beautifully scenic coastal drive along Chapmans Peak. Travel along the spectacular Atlantic Seaboard through the chic suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay, and on to the scenic fishing village of Hout Bay.  Chapmans Peak drive hugs the cliffside with a 200-meter drop on one side and a 200-meter rise on the other. This is without a doubt one of the world’s most spectacular mountain passes. Continue south to reach the Cape of Good Hope National Park. Explore the rocky coastline and unique Cape Fynbos vegetation, which is home to unique birdlife such as African black oystercatchers and Cape sugarbirds. You may see wildlife such as the Cape mountain zebra, bontebok, ostrich and baboon. Climb up or take a funicular train ride to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture magical views over the bay.

After lunch you visit the unique penguin colonies at Boulders beach for an exciting close encounter with African Penguins, often a highlight of the day. Drive through the historical naval village of Simonstown and over yet another spectacular mountain pass, Boyes Drive, and on to Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens which features some of the finest gardens in Africa nestling on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. Walk through the gardens where 4,000 of the 22,000 Southern African flowering plants are cultivated in a setting of mountain streams, pools and rolling lawns. You are dropped off at your hotel having seen the best the Cape has to offer. The Silo – Silo Room (B,L)

Day 5: Cape Town / Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Today you are transferred to Cape Town airport to board your scheduled flight to Skukuza, where you are met on arrival by a representative and transferred to camp. A safari is an extraordinary part of any Africa adventure. Savor the thrill of tracking a leopard on the hunt or observing a breeding herd of elephants at a waterhole. The 65,000-hactare Sabi Sands Game Reserve is one of the premier wildlife destinations in Southern Africa. It shares an open border with the Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, and the animals move freely between the two reserves.

Due to a long history of sensitive game-viewing, the animals are generally relaxed around game vehicles, especially leopards. In this diverse ecosystem with it rich array of wildlife that you have an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with Africa’s famed ‘Big 5’ – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard as well as a variety of species of antelope, spotted hyena, wild dog, jackal and more.

Enjoy game drives in open vehicles with an experienced ranger and a local tracker who work together to give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and natural cycles of the bush. Drives are in the early morning and late afternoon when game is most likely to be active. The evening meal is often enjoyed in a ‘boma’ or even in the bush around an open fire.

Your lodge sits on the Sand River, a fresh, contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge. It combines a tented camp with bush lodge style. Inspired by romance, adventure, tented camps, explorers’ abodes and campaign furniture, the interiors are enhanced by the luster of well-polished ebony and mahogany woods and natural fibers in cool tones. All this is brought to life by the rich, golden glow of old brass, hand-woven baskets, traditional khaki and beige tent canvas and exposed thatch. The lodge comprises 12 suites, each with its own private plunge pool. External walls have been almost completely removed and replaced by canvas and glass to create safari tent-style suites to maximize views and space, and allow guests to be immersed in nature.  Outdoor pavilion decks – ideal for dining and relaxing – are suspended off the river banks as if hanging in the trees. Singita Ebony Lodge – Suite (B,L,D)

Days 6 & 7: Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Savor daily activities at the lodge. Walking safaris offer an incredible way to experience the bush up close with an expert guide and tracker, who accompany you as you track animals on foot through the wilderness and explore the magnificent landscapes. Evening drives reveal the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa. Game drives are conducted in state-of-the-art Land Rovers, each accommodating a maximum of six guests. During your stay, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife, including leopard, lion, rhino, large herds of buffalo, elephant, reedbuck, hyena, hippopotamus, nyala, cheetah, wild dogs and a variety of birds. Singita Ebony Lodge – Suite (B,L,D)

Day 8: Sabi Sands Game Reserve / Johannesburg
After a final morning game drive and breakfast, you transfer to Skukuza Airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg, one of Africa’s most vibrant cities. It is economic capital of South Africa’s industrial and commercial life where gold mining continues. On arrival at Johannesburg airport you will be met by your private guide for your tour of Johannesburg and Soweto, perfect for first timers to discover the area from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south. The suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton, Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the downtown area, city hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge, the Carlton Center. Continue on to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street. Bishop Desmond Tutu’s home. After the tour you go to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

The Saxon is an exclusive private retreat in Sandhurst, Johannesburg. The entrance exudes an air of quiet majesty with its sweeping feature staircase and spectacular chandelier. The neutral shades of the interior reflect the tones and textures of Africa. The central point of the Saxon is the impressive infinity pool. The pool terrace is the ideal relaxation area for spending leisure time, taking in the superb sunset views and admiring the well-stocked Koi pond. Grei, the Saxon’s restaurant on the first floor, offers superb views of the evening skyline and takes guests on a unique experiential dining journey. Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa – Luxury Suite (B)

Day 9: Johannesburg / Benguerra Island, Mozambique
This morning, you are transferred back to the airport for your scheduled flight to Vilanculos, where you are met and assisted with your onward flight by helicopter to your resort. Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of romantic, Robinson Crusoe-type islands 40 km off the coast of Mozambique. The Bazaruto Archipelago forms part of a protected marine park and consists of five idyllic islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. Empty white sandy beaches, lush vegetation and an azure blue sea just made for swimming among the rich coral life. It boasts a relaxed atmosphere and delicious Portuguese cuisine.

The protected reefs surrounding the islands support dolphin, dugong, game fish and giant lobster. The shallow, crystal-clear waters offer spectacular safe snorkeling protected by the dazzling soft coral reefs. You float above starfish, anemones, seahorses and a bewildering range of jewel-like fish, which extend out to the many dive sites where you also encounter green turtles, manta ray, sailfish and a variety of docile sharks. Experience the exhilaration of big game fishing, fighting marlin (October to March) as well as barracuda, kingfish, tuna and sailfish among others. On the islands themselves a mosaic of forest, savanna and saltwater lakes sustain a diversity of flora and fauna on these idyllic island retreats. Bird watchers will not be disappointed with over 125 species recorded including the rare crab plover, green coucal, Narina trogan and paradise flycatchers. Above all, there are no people! If you want a cosmopolitan bustling resort experience, these islands are not for you! There are no shops, no real roads and very few vehicles.

Azura Benguerra Island is the first eco-friendly resort in Mozambique. It was hand built by and is operated in partnership the local community. Just 20 villas are nestled along one of the last largely undiscovered stretches of beach in the world. It encompasses all the creature comforts from sparkling private pools, to Mozambican butler-hosts who look after your every need, to fish and seafood fresh from the ocean. A fantastic range of activities and experiences are on the menu as well as an African spa, all at community-based projects, where the local islanders benefit. Azura Benguerra Island – Infinity Beach Villa (B,L,D)

Days 10, 11 & 12: Benguerra Island
Enjoy these days at leisure to be as busy or as relaxed as you choose, from relaxing on the beach to water sport facilities, snorkeling, horse riding, scuba diving, canoeing, fishing and whale watching. Humpback whales, dolphins, and the elusive and protected dugong ply these waters, along with marlin, sailfish and tuna to tempt the sports fishermen. From July to October each year, the oceans surrounding the islands come alive with humpback whales as they make their way to warmer waters. Watch dolphins catapult themselves out of the water, mingling with their friends and providing wonderful entertainment for onlookers. drive through many villages and have the chance to encounter some of the members of our local island community. En-route your guide will enlighten you on the local history and its community’s way of life. There is the opportunity to visit Benguerra’s School. This was built by Azura’s Rainbow Fund charity in 2008. Whilst at the school expect to see the local children attend class, as well as meet the teachers and possibly the school’s Headmaster.

Bird watchers of birdlife, our local people make for fascinating cultural encounters, and the starry night sky is quite magnificent to behold. zura Retreats offers you the ocean safari, from excellent diving sites, fun water activities, and whale-watching, to fishing for local species, educational guided marine walks, where crowds of ghost crabs scuttle by, and incredible turtle sightings, these two 5-star Mozambican destinations will help you create unforgettable memories. If you are interested in learning to dive, contact our dive instructors. We highly recommend that you complete the theory portion of your course at home, before your holiday. That way, you’re ready to start diving as soon as you arrive and will get to spend more time exploring the waters around the island. Azura Benguerra Island – Infinity Beach Villa (B,L,D)

Day 13: Benguerra Island / Johannesburg / Depart
Today you are flown back by helicopter to Vilanculos. Board your scheduled flight to Johannesburg from where you connect with your onward flight home later this evening. (B)