Summary
Short description
An 11-day tailor-made holiday to the wildlife-rich Madikwe Game Reserve and Cape Town
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Highlights
- Enjoy a guided tour of Soweto, the famous Johannesburg township that played such a vital role in the struggle against apartheid
- Discover the rich and varied wildlife of the Madike Game Reserve on a series of guided game drives
- Spend four nights in Cape Town, exploring the shops, restaurants and myriad attractions that make up South Africa’s most famous city
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
City | History & culture | Natural world | Safari | Wildlife
Easily reached from South Africa's capital Johannesburg and one of the few reserves in southern Africa that's malaria-free, the Madikwe Game Reserve borders Botswana in South Africa's North West Province. It's one of the largest reserves in the country and home to what's known as the Super Seven, adding cheetah and wild dog to the already-famous Big Five. In fact, it's probably the best place in the country to get reliable sightings of African wild dogs, which hunt, like wolves, in formidable packs.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
London to Johannesburg
Fly overnight from London to Johannesburg.
Day
2
Arrive in Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg, and check into the luxurious Michelangelo Hotel. Located on Nelson Mandela Square in the centre of Johannesburg, this member of 'The Leading Hotels of the World', the hotel boasts 242 suites and rooms. It's also perfectly positioned for access to some of the city's best shops and restaurants.
In the afternoon, embark on a tour of the township of Soweto. A vibrant, exciting and stimulating town, Soweto is home to over 2 million people, and has a vibrant, innovative and eclectic cultural scene - especially in music. A city with a rich and at times troubled past, it encapsulates the South African story. Embark on a tour of the town starting at the Hector Pieterson Museum, pass Mandela House and spend some time in its fascinating museum. Afterwards, visit Regina Mundi Church, a site that was utilised as a meeting point by many underground and banned political parties. Finish the tour with a visit to the largest stadium in Africa, Soccer City, which hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening and matches.
Stay: The Michelangelo, Johannesburg (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
3-5
Madikwe Game Reserve
Transfer by light aircraft to Madikwe Game Reserve. With its wild ridges dotted with rounded boulders and grassy plains that seem to roll on forever, Madikwe gives a great indication of what South Africa must have looked like hundreds of years ago. It's especially famous for Operation Phoenix, one of the largest game translocation exercises in the world. Between 1991 and 1997 more than 8,000 animals of 28 species were released in the reserve, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, antelope and other herbivores. Today its vast plains are home to 66 mammal species - including all the Big Five - and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species.
Embodying the spirit of this wild and rugged region is Madikwe Safari Lodge, your base for three nights. This sophisticated lodge is divided into three intimate camps of just 20 suites in total, cradled between two rolling hills with views across the game-filled plains towards the Dwarsberg Hills. Each suite has a fireplace, outdoor shower, wooden sundeck and private plunge pool, while activities include morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles, bush walks, bird watching, stargazing, bush breakfasts, boma dinners and local community village tours.
Stay: Madikwe Safari Lodge, South Africa (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Days
6-9
Cape Town
After your morning game drive, fly back to Johannesburg where you'll connect with a flight to Cape Town and transfer to the Four Rosmead Boutique Guest House. This intimate favourite is found on the very slopes of Table Mountain with views across Lion's Head, Signal Hill and, yes, South Africa's most iconic landmark. Relax with the Pamper Spa, outdoor pool or in your very own private garden. What's more, with just eight rooms, you'll enjoy a perfectly personalised service before you head out and taste your way through Cape Town's fresher-than-fresh seafood and Winelands-informed viticulture.
While staying in Cape Town, there are also lots of activities to enjoy and excursions to take. Enjoy a trip to Cape Point, the most southwestern corner of the continent. A breathtaking natural landmark, it's a mountainous scenic 30-km scenic landform. Another excellent excursion is a trip to the Winelands, a geographic region encompassing the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek that consists of a patchwork of award-winning vineyards surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges and fertile valleys. Or, you could just lie back and relax on the city's white sand beaches.
Stay: Four Rosmead Boutique Guest House, Cape Town (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
10
Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay with a trip into the Winelands or along the Garden Route.
Meals: B
Day
11
Arrive in London
Arrive in London and continue your onward journey home.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
11-day tailor-made holiday
from £5,140 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £17,385 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £5,140 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from London to Johannesburg and Cape Town to London
- Domestic flights between Johannesburg and Madikwe with Federal Air
- 5 nights accommodation in a mix of 4* (Superior) and 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a B&B basis
- 3 nights accommodation in a 4* (Superior) lodge on an all-inclusive basis; including a selection of beers, house wines and spirits, twice-daily game drives with refreshments & snacks and transfers from/to the airstrip
- Private transfers in Johannesburg and Cape Town
- Private half day Soweto tour
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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