15 DAY FLAMESPIKE SAFARI
South
Africa including Zambezi River, Luxury Train Journey,
Johannesburg, Kruger, Cape Town and Garden Route.
DAYS
1 & 2 - ZAMBEZI RIVER - Matetsi Water Lodge
Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport where you will be met and transferred
to Matetsi Private Game Reserve. On the banks of the spectacular Zambezi
River lies Matetsi Water Lodge - a sophisticated harmony of teak, slate
and thatch. Shaded by the indigenous mangosteen and waterberry trees,
the camp has rooms that are supremely luxurious with their own private
river decks and plunge pools from where you can view the hippos regularly
break the surface. The lodge serves excellent Pan African cuisine, characterised
by fresh flavours and the light simplicity. Daily activities include game
drives, fishing, guided bush walks, river boat cruises, canoeing and visits
to Vic Falls, a mere fifty minutes away. Overnight on full board basis
at Matetsi Water lodge.
DAY
3 - 4 - LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY - Rovos Rail
Transfer to the railway station for your 48 hours, 1600kms luxury train
journey on Rovos Rail - departing at 18h00 for Pretoria. Rovos Rail visits
the golden age of luxury travel. Rich mahoganies, the dark green and cream
livery of Rovos, the sinuous lines of the Art Nouveau lamps, the sparkling
silver and crystal all contribute to the period style that is always tempered
by regard for comfort. A delicious breakfast and lunch and a sublimely
elegant dinner, for which many guests prefer to dress more formally, are
inclusive. After lunch or dinner, many travellers retire to the deeply
cushionedarmchairs of the Observation Car for coffee and liqueurs where
the glass end wall affords magnificent views of the surrounding countryside
- imagine crossing the spectacular Victoria Falls bridge! A breathtaking
journey awaits . Accommodation is on full board basis.
DAY
5 - JOHANNESBURG - Fairlawns Hotel
Arrival at Pretoria Station at 16h00, where you will be met and transferred
by road (in approximately one hour) to Fairlawns Hotel. Once the home
of Mary Oppenheimer, daughter of the famous mining magnate and philanthropist,
Fairlawns Luxury hotel welcomes travellers with the spirit of grace and
elegance of a bygone era. Reception rooms are classically proportioned
and decorated, in keeping with the architectural features, in the style
of the late 18th century in Europe. The extensive gardens are beautifully
kept. while the bedrooms are individually decorated, each with a theme
(Louis, Bismarck, African...) that determines style and fabrics. Fairlawns
is the realisation of the owner's dreams - to create a boutique hotel
combining fine architecture and high style with excellent food and personal
service. Overnight on bed and breakfast basis.
DAYS
6, 7 & 8 - KRUGER - Londolozi Main Camp
Transfer to Jan Smut Airport for your scheduled flight (flight price included)
to Skukuza where you will be met and transferred by road or air to Londolozi.
From its pioneering days, over seventy years ago, Londolozi has blossomed
into one of Africa's finest game lodges and became the first safari lodge
to be awarded the prestigious Relais and Chateaux membership. Set in the
world renowned Sabi Sands, Londolozi offers prolific viewing of Africa's
most impressive wildlife on daily morning and evening game drives in open
landrovers and on bush walks. Experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers
guide guests through the beautiful landscape and show them the wildlife
they have come to see. Accommodation is at Main Camp which is built on
the site of the original hunting camp. The eight chalets have private
plunge pools and extended decks and are decorated in a romantic style
with billowing mosquito nets, a huge tub with wonderful views, intricate
mosaic detailing and air-conditioning. Londolozi is beautifully appointed,
charmingly styled and supremely comfortable. Overnight at Londolozi Main
Camp on full board basis.
DAYS
9, 10 & 11 - CAPE TOWN - Steenberg Country Hotel
Transfer to Skukuza Airport for your flight (included) back to Johannesburg,
where you are met and assisted at check-in for your flight (included)
to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape town you will be met and transferred
to Steenberg Country Hotel The exclusive Steenberg Country Hotel is situated
on the Cape's oldest wine farm, a mere twenty minutes drive from the bustling
heart of Cape Town. The hotel nestles in the tranquil Constantia Valley,
against the slopes of the Steenberg mountains, offering sweeping views
over False Bay. The hotel buildings, dating back to 1682, have been fastidiously
restored and have received National Monument status. Individually decorated
rooms are furnished with exquisite antiques and have views over the vineyards
or the lovely gardens. An exclusive18-hole championship golf course meanders
gently through the vineyards, pine forests and waterways. Activities included
over the two days are a visit to the Table Mountains and a full day excursion
to the spectacular Cape Peninsula where you will travel past Sea Point,
Camps Bay, the famous beaches of Clifton and towards Hout Bay via Chapmans
Peak Drive. After lunch enroute, you will continue to Cape ofGood Hope
Nature Reserve and ride the funicular to the scenic view point where the
Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. The return journey will take you
past the beautiful Boulders Beach, famous for its Jackass Penguins, and
Simon's Town, a quaint and popular cape resort. You may also visit the
bustling Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical
Gardens and the numerous museums and vineyards nearby. Excellent restaurants,
such as the Blues and the Bukhara are within easy reach but must be booked
in advance. Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at Steenberg Country
Hotel.
DAY
12 - GARDEN ROUTE - Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate
Today we embark on the first leg of our Garden Route tour via Worcester,
Swellendam and Mossel Bay. The Garden Route, the strip of land between
Stilbaai and Port Elizabeth on the south coat, is one of South Africa's
best known areas. Lushly verdant, it lies between the deeply forested
peaks of the Outeniqua and the Tsitsikamma mountains and beaches lapped
by the Indian Ocean. These geographical conditions provide the area with
a temperate micro-climate responsible for the green, almost English, landscape,
with its rivers, lakes and green fields. Arrive at Fancourt Hotel and
Country Club Estate in George. Set in the heart of the Garden Route with
the Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop, the setting for the Fancourt is
quite lovely. Landscaped gardens that gently dip and curve revealing the
dramatic peaks of the mountains, perhaps a pool or a babbling fountain,
surround the most magnificent leisure facilities. Two 18-hole Gary Player
designed championship golf courses, four tennis courts, a squash court,
lawn balls, two indoor swimming pools and a leisure centre provide endless
ways of relaxing. Accommodation is inclusive of all meals.
DAY
13 - 14 - GARDEN ROUTE - Hunter's Country House
After breakfast depart for Oudtshoorn, the centre of the ostrich industry.
You will visit the famous Cango Caves situated in the Swartberg mountain
range just outside Oudtshoorn. These caves were discovered by a herdsman
in 1780 and the guide will introduce you to all its many wonders. You
will also visit an ostrich farm where a guided tour of the farm will give
you insight of the ostrich. You will then be driven to Hunter's Country
House, just outside Pletternberg Bay and overlooking an indigenous forest.
The House is an exclusive retreat. Classic country house style combines
with the rich hardwoods and reeded roofs of colonial Africa. The original
thatched homestesd houses lounges with downy-soft armchairs, candle-lit
dining rooms and a sun-drenched conservatory. Exuberant floral fabrics
frame the delightful casement windows and bring the glorious gardens into
the house. Travellers are made supremely comfortable in their luxurious
suites with fireplaces, antique furniture and country-style ambience.
Superb cuisine include the delicious, rich and buttery shortbread that
arrives with your morning coffee in the conservatory. There are numerous
activities to choose from - forest trails, bird watching, garden walks,
aromatherapy, reflexology or swimming. Various sporting activities can
also easily be arranged by the ever-helpful staff. Accommodation is inclusive
of all meals.
DAY 15 - DEPARTURE
Drive to Port Elizabeth for your homebound flight (not included).
Summary
of The Flamespike Luxury Safari:
Day
Location Accommodation
Board
Activity
1 Zambezi
River Matetsi
Water LodgeLDBB
Trsf,HDS
2
Zambezi
River Matetsi
Water LodgeLDBB
FDS
3 Luxury
Train Rovos
Rail LDBBTrsf
4
Luxury
Train Rovos
Rail LDBB
5Johannesburg
Fairlawns
Hotel BB
Trsf
6 Kruger
Londolozi
Main Camp
LDBB
Trsf,
HDS
7
Kruger
Londolozi
Main Camp
LDBB
FDS
8
Kruger
Londolozi
Main Camp
LDBB
FDS
9
Cape
Town Steenberg
Country Hotel
BB
Trsf,HDS
10
Cape
Town Steenberg
Country Hotel
BB
FDS
11
Cape
Town Steenberg
Country Hotel
BB
FDS
12
Garden
Route Fancourt
Hotel
LDBB
FDS
13
Garden
Route Hunters
Country Hotel
LDBB
HDS