(Cape Town/Prince Albert/Mount Camdeboo/Addo Elephant Back Safaris/Port Alfred /Port Elizabeth )
8 nights/9 Days
INR 159999* Only
Travelers looking for something different are in for a real treat, as they venture into the heartland of South Africa. This journey offers a variety of unique experiences, from the mode of travel (air, water, large mammal, land vehicle, foot) to the terrain and environments that surround each property. The common denominator is the very personal touch that each property brings to the journey and guests will take that away with them as an intangible memory that will always stand out in their scrap books.
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DAY 1 Cape Town – Prince Albert
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Today your journey of fun and excitement begins.
You depart Cape Town and transfer with an English speaking driver to Prince Albert (approximately 4.5 hours drive ) .
Upon arrival in Prince Albert, make your way to African Relish, a recreational cooking school with Karoo chic-style accommodation, which is located on the main street that runs through the centre of town. Check-in at the reception area, and enjoy a refreshing drink before being shown to your overnight accommodation.
Retire for the evening, and enjoy a restful night’s sleep in this quiet, peaceful country town.
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DAY 2 Prince Albert & African Relish “Gastronomical” Cookery Experience
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For early birds who are keen on cycling or walking, meet at African Relish for coffee and some home-baked treats, before transferring to the base of the Swartberg Pass. Enjoy an energizing walk or cycle through these magnificent surroundings, before returning to African Relish for a hearty Karoo breakfast.
After breakfast, you will have time at leisure to return to your accommodation to freshen up.
Thereafter, meet Executive Chef, Vanie Padayachee for a hands-on, interactive cookery course in the culinary hall. Before embarking on this gastronomic journey, accompany Vanie into her fruit and vegetable garden to gather a selection of fresh produce.
Spend the remainder of the day getting creative in the kitchen, and learning some secret tips from Vanie who was recently voted one of the top 10 hottest young chefs in South Africa.
Take a short lunch break, and enjoy a light meal lovingly prepared by Vanie and her team.
Enjoy a short siesta, before meeting later in the afternoon for a visit to Gay’s Guernsey Dairy for a cheese-tasting.
Meet at African Relish for another delicious meal, and sample some of the dishes that you have helped to create.
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DAY 3 Prince Albert – Mount Camdeboo
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Meet at African Relish for another early morning activity. This is also a good opportunity to walk off all those extra kilojoules that you are sure to have consumed the previous day!
Join Dr Sue Milton for a botanical walk in the Karoo bushveld, and learn more about the large variety of wondrous plants that survive in this harsh climate.
Return to your respective accommodations to freshen up and pack your belongings, before meeting back at African Relish for a Karoo-style brunch.
Transfer to the Prince Albert airstrip, where you will be met by a representative from African Ramble.
Fly to Mount Camdeboo, a 14’000 hectare private game reserve that lies cupped in the palm of the Sneeuberg Mountains, near Graaff-Reinet in the heart of South Africa’s Great Karoo.
Touch down at the Asante Sana airstrip, where you will be met by a specialist field guide. Enjoy a refreshing drink, before transferring to the Main Reception area in 4×4 open Land Rovers.
The 5 star property we have selected for you provides guests with a unique game viewing experience due to the combination of four biomes and an altitude range of almost 5’000 feet. From the bush thickets and riverine areas to the plateau grass plains with the backdrop of the majestic mountains, every game drive becomes a breathtakingly beautiful experience.
You will then be transferred to your allocated Manor House for a light lunch, before being shown to your rooms. Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing at the pool, or taking a siesta to escape the midday heat.
Meet on the verandah for “high tea”, before joining your guide for a game drive during which you will hopefully encounter herds of antelope and mountain zebra, as well as giraffe, rhinoceros and buffalo, to name but a few. Cheetah-tracking on foot is another exciting activity offered at this property.
Take in a majestic Karoo sunset, whilst sipping your favorite drink.
Return to the lodge for an outdoor “boma” dinner.
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DAY 4 The Battle Sites of Mount Camdeboo
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Enjoy a hearty brunch at your hotel, before heading out to the Plains of Mount Camdeboo. Visit the historic Boer War site where the “Battle of Paardefontein” was fought. Commandant Johannes Lötter, the famous Boer Commander who led the Lötter Commando, was captured here and then later executed in Middleburg.
Return to the Manor House during the mid-afternoon, having worked up an appetite for a delectable “high tea” which will be served upon your return.
Dinner &Overnight at Manor house.
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DAY 5 Mount Camdeboo – Addo Elephant Back Safaris
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After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip to board your private charter flight to Addo Elephant Back Safaris.
This eco-friendly property is located on a 700 hectare fully-fenced game conservancy, high up in the Zuurberg Mountains, bordering the Greater Addo Elephant National Park in the “malaria-free” Eastern Cape.
On arrival at the lodge’s airstrip, you will be met by a staff member who will transfer you to the lodge. Enjoy a light lunch before being shown to your rooms.
The 10 luxury suites under canvas and wood blend discreetly into the yellowwood forest and hillside, and have elevated wooden decks affording guests wonderful views of the surrounding valley and bushveld environment. The suites are luxuriously decorated to evoke a feeling of Hemingway’s Africa of yesteryear.
Here you can enjoy indoor & outdoor showers, private spa baths, 220V electricity, safes, overhead fans, hairdryers, a mini-bar and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Addo Elephant Back Safaris provides you with a once in a lifetime adventure as you share a personal encounter with three bull elephants, Abu, Mukwe & Thaba, whose lives were spared from culling in the Kruger National Park, and relocated to Addo in December 2003.
Enjoy an exhilarating experience as you ride bareback aloft these “gentle giants”, accompanied by an experienced elephant handler. You will then walk through the African bush with the elephants, observing and interacting with them in their natural environment, finally feeding them their favorite treats. A highlight is watching these three swim and frolic in their favorite waterhole, before putting them to bed for the night.
Dinner will be served at the lodge, after which you may wish to retire to the comfort of your suite. How about some star-gazing whilst soaking in your bubbling spa bath before settling down for the night?
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DAY 6 Addo Elephant Back Safaris
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After a hearty breakfast, join a guided bush walk or enjoy some rest and relaxation, taking in the views from the private wooden deck of your suite, overlooking the reserve.
Enjoy a light lunch at the lodge.
In the late afternoon, join a 4×4 open vehicle nature drive. The reserve comprises of 5 different biomes including savanna grassland, valley bushveld, fynbos, riverine forest & acacia woodland. Eland, gemsbok, springbok, wildebeest and zebra have recently been introduced to the property and these may be encountered.
Sundowner drinks will be served at a wooden viewing deck, perched high on a cliff overlooking the reserve. Thereafter, make your way to a secluded clearing in the bush, for a candlelit barbecue dinner around a roaring log fire!
Return to the lodge after this exciting “African bush” experience!
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DAY 7 Addo Elephant Back Safaris – Sibuya Tented Camps
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Breakfast will be served at the lodge, after which you will have the opportunity to say a last goodbye to Abu, Mukwe & Thaba.
Transfer to the airstrip and board the plane for your flight transfer to Port Alfred. The varied landscapes from the air are impressive as you pass over game reserves and farmland.
On arrival at Port Alfred’s airstrip, you will be met by a representative.
This stunning malaria free nature reserve lies on the banks of the Kariega River in the Eastern Cape, with access by boat from Kenton-on-Sea. It is in fact the only South African Game Reserve with access solely by river.
Transfer by road to Kenton-on-Sea and board a leisurely 30 minute cruise up the Kariega River, where the game viewing begins as you step aboard. While the boat gently winds its way up the scenic stretch of salt water, from the harbour estuary through wooded thickets, steep banks, wide grassy flats and sandbanks, bird enthusiasts will enjoy fabulous viewing. Over 400 different bird species have been recorded.
The camp offers luxurious and romantic, en-suite tented accommodation, with private decks and views over the river or thick bush. The camps are nestled in riverine forest and constructed in an environmentally conscious manner with wooden walkways carefully placed to ensure no vegetation is disturbed.
As there is no electricity, the camp offers an authentic and romantic experience, with a solar system providing lighting and gas lamps and fireplaces adding to the atmosphere.
Enjoy a delicious lunch on the wooden deck overlooking the river, before being escorted to your luxury tents. Spend some time at leisure before meeting for your afternoon game drive.
Sibuya, which means “We shall return”, is a sanctuary to an abundance of diverse wildlife including the Big 5 and much more. Otters and blue duikers are a common sight. Conservation efforts on the reserve include a cheetah breeding project and you can experience the thrill of a close-up view of these magnificent predators.
Stop at a viewpoint overlooking the river, and watch the sun sink slowly into the horizon as you enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and a selection of tasty snacks.
Return to the lodge for dinner, followed by a good night’s rest, listening to the sounds of the African bush.
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DAY 8 Sibuya Tented Camp
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Awaken at sunrise, and enjoy an early morning game drive on the reserve. Return to the lodge for breakfast, after which you may wish to join one of the many activities available at Sibuya. These include massages, guided walks, river cruises, fishing, canoe trips, birding and horse-back safaris. Deep sea fishing and white sandy beaches, perfect for swimming, are nearby.
Lunch will be served at the lodge.
Enjoy an afternoon siesta, before joining another late afternoon game drive.
Return to the lodge for dinner, before retiring for the night.
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DAY 9 Sibuya Tented Camp – Port Elizabeth – Departure
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Join an optional early morning game drive, before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
Pack your belongings before boarding the boat for your return boat transfer to Kenton-on-Sea.
From here, you will be transferred back to Port Alfred for your flight transfer to Port Elizabeth. Enjoy a scenic flight down the coast, flying over vegetated dune belts and long stretches of sandy white beaches. You may even get the chance to spot one of the Big 7 as whales can often be seen frolicking in the ocean at certain times of the year!
On arrival in Port Elizabeth, check in for you onward flight arrangements.
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Cost includes
- Airfare & Visa
- All road transport in a luxury touring vehicle with an English speaking driver/guide
- 2 nights at African Relish incl. all meals, soft drinks, cooking classes, demonstrations, ingredients, and excursions in & around Prince Albert
- 2 nights at Mount Camdeboo incl. all meals & activities on the property
- 2 nights at Addo Elephant Lodge incl. all meals, selected beverages, elephant back safari, lodge activities and an elephant bedtime encounter
- 2 nights at Sibuya Tented Camps incl. all meals, local beverages, game drives, boat transfers & cruises, and camp activities
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Entrance fees & sightseeing as per itinerary
- Open vehicle game drives with English speaking rangers
- Charter Flights as per itinerary including relevant taxes
Cost excludes
- Client visas
- Personal insurances
- All items of a personal nature (gratuity, curios, etc.)
- All other accommodation not mentioned in itinerary
- All meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- All drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- All optional activities and entrance fees
- All domestic / international flights incl relevant taxes
- Porterage at airports / hotels (limited to 1 piece of luggage per person)
