DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN

CRIOLLO EVENTS & TOURS  project manager and professional English and French Speaking guide will meet our group as we come into the arrivals lounge and escort us awaiting the  luxury coach.

Group proceeds directly to Table Mountain and take the cable car to the top, where some sparkling grape juice are served. Enjoy splendid views over the entire Cape Peninsula and Robben Island.

TABLE MOUNTAIN

Table Mountain provides Cape Town with the uniquely beautiful setting. Visible at times from 200 kilometres out at sea, the mountain made the anchorage at the Table Bay easy to find and attracted early seafarers to the “Tavern of the Seas” for the shelter, drinking water and fresh produce.

Descend after 45 minutes and meet back at our coach. Proceed to Signal Hill vineyard – the only city vineyard in the world! Here, the owner, Jean-Vincent will meet the group and give us a tour of the vineyards as well as degorgement demonstration! Enjoy some sparkling wine, tea or coffee, fresh pastries and fruit.

Afterwards, continue to our hotel. Check in at the Cape Milner hotel, located in the leafy suburb of Tamboerskloof.

Dinner at GOLD restaurant, with a 14 course menu
(http://www.goldrestaurant.co.za/menu.htm) 
 

DAY 2: CAPE PENINSULA ADVENTURE

Meet by 08:30 at the hotel entrance for a scenic transfer via the Atlantic Seaboard, Hout Bay Village, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Simon’s Town and onto Cape Point Nature Reserve. Visit Cape of Good Hope and the lighthouse at the top of Cape Point

SEAL ISLAND:

Stop in Hout Bay Harbour and board a boat for a cruise to see Seal Island – home to more than 5000 Cape Fur Seals!

Return after 45 minutes and continue your journey over Chapmans Peak. Stop to take some scenic pictures and have a surprise tasting of Cape Point wines, served with some fresh oysters.

CAPE PENINSULA

Situated at the junction of two of earth's most contrasting water masses - the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast , the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. Geographically, however, the Indian Ocean joins the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Agulhas.

LUNCH AT BLACK MARLIN RESTAURANT

Nestled unobtrusively on one of the most scenic coastlines in the Cape, just outside Simon's Town, and en-route to Cape Point, this historical building, once a whaling station, ensures the perfect setting for an idyllic lunch or evening experience.

Enjoy a light seafood lunch at Black Marlin restaurant on the way back from Cape Point. Then proceed to Boulders Beach to see the famous penguins.

BOULDERS BEACH

Almost 3000 African (jackass) penguins, so called because their call resembles the bray of a donkey, reign supreme amidst rounded rocks and fish-filled False Bay. These endangered, flightless birds are free to roam the seas and return to their private haven - Foxy Beach at Boulders.

Return to your hotel by late afternoon.

Meet in the hotel lobby by 19:30 for a short transfer to Café Dijon restaurant. Enjoy a delish selection of steaks and sides. (Non-meat options are available)


DAY 3: CAPE TOWN TO STELLENBOSCH

Leave luggage outside your rooms by 09:00 and check out. Board coaches by 09:00 for a short transfer to the village of Stellenbosch.

Stop at Villiera Wine Estate. This is a large, commercial estate but with many fascinating facets. Viticulturist, Simon Grier and wine maker Jeff Grier will conduct a guided “safari” of the estate, explain their operation and even introduce the group to South African Bush Vines!

Afterwards enjoy a great wine tasting then depart for a light lunch in the heart of Stellenbosch.

Enjoy a short guided tour and spend a little time browsing and shopping in the many craft markets and art galleries.

Depart to Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate by 16:00 and check in. Settle into your rooms and freshen up for the evening. Meet in the cellar by 18:00 and enjoy a lovely wine tasting experience.


DAY 4: FRANSCHHOEK WINES

Meet your guide in front of the hotel by 10:00 for departure to Franschhoek Valley.

Stop at Golbert estate, where the owner, Mr Jeanphi Colmant and wine maker Schalk, will meet the group for a private tour and tasting.

Thereafter, we proceed to the nearby Holden Manz boutique wine estate where wine maker Thierry and general manager Wayne will meet you and provide a private guided tour of the cellar and tastings directly from the barrels. This will be followed by a stunning lunch in a private room in the upstairs restaurant.

HOLDEN MANZ

Holden Manz wine estate is located above the Franschhoek valley overlooked by magnificent mountains which stand guard over the beautiful valley below. Situated between the Franschhoek & Stony Brook rivers, this 22 hectare wine estate, with its fertile and dark loam soils produces superb wines in a state-of-the-art cellar.

After a leisurely lunch, proceed to the village of Franschhoek, where you have time to explore the various chocolatiers, wine and gift shops.

FRANSCHHOEK:

The valley was originally settled in 1688 by 176 French Huguenot refugees, many of whom were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Olifantshoek ("Elephants' corner"), so named because of the elephants  that crossed into the valley to calve.

The name of the area soon changed to le Coin Français ("the French Corner"), and later to Franschhoek (Dutch for "French Corner"), with many of the settlers naming their new farms after the areas in France from which they came. The museum nearby chronicles the history of the first settlers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Enjoy some free time – lay at the pool or just enjoy a drink on your balcony with gorgeous views over the Stellenbosch winelands.

Meet on the deck and enjoy some drinks and light snacks.

DAY 5: CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and meet by 07:30 to board coaches. Guests to identify luggage prior to boarding coaches then depart for Cape Town Airport. Depart for Johannesburg by 09:00 and arrive by 11:00 then board your coach for a 2 ½ hour transfer to Pilanesberg.

Arrive at the Lodge and check in. Enjoy fruit cocktails while the Lodge Manager provides an orientation and safety briefing.

Settle into your suites and meet for lunch. Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing next to the pool. Meet for High Tea by 16h00. A selection of teas, coffee and fruit juices is served, along with a variety of sweet and savoury pastries.

Meet your personal game ranger and depart on safari by 17h00. Enjoy the thrill of tracking a variety of animals with your ranger and spot various antelope, warthog, hippo’s, elephant, lion and other amazing creatures.

Stop at a hide next to one of the watering holes for sundowners. Continue on your night drive with a very good possibility of finding lion or leopard on the hunt.

Return to the lodge by 19h30. Freshen up and meet for buffet dinner in the lodge restaurant.

DAY 6: SAFARI

Early wake-up calls at 05h00. Meet for early morning refreshments before setting off on a sunrise safari by 06h00.

Stop for a coffee break in the middle of the bush and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Return to the lodge by 08h30. Freshen up and meet for a delightful bush breakfast.

Enjoy the morning at leisure. Optional activities, spa treatments etc are available for guests to enjoy.

Buffet lunch is served at the lodge

Meet for High Tea by 16h00. A selection of teas, coffee and fruit juices is served, along with a variety of sweet and savoury pastries.

Today the safari programme is slightly different…instead of departing on safari by late afternoon, we meet at 18:00 for a short transfer into the bush for a surprise dinner . Here a group of tribal dancers will entertain the guests with their energetic dancing during dinner.

By 20:00 your game rangers will take you on a night safari and during the game drive, they will stop at a pre-selected site and show you the nights skies through telescopes.

Return to the lodge by 22:00 and enjoy a nightcap before retiring for bed.

DAY 7: SOWETO AND DEPART

Early wake-up calls at 05:00. Meet for early morning refreshments before setting off on a sunrise safari by 06:00.

Stop for a coffee break in the middle of the bush. Return to the lodge by 08:00 and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Check out and leave luggage outside your suite for collection by 09:30. Meet at the entrance to identify luggage and board coaches by 10:00.Depart for Johannesburg and stop at the famous Vilakazi Street – where the homes of two Nobel Peace prize winners are located, being that of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president Nelson Mandela.Visit the Mandela home which is now a national museum. Afterwards, visit Sakhumzi restaurant for a delicious township lunch.Stop at the Hector Pieterson Memorial to learn about the history South Africa’s Apartheid struggle.

Return to the airport by 18:00 and check in for your homeward flight or extention programme.

Au revoir!

Hotels are graded 4 stars. They may change but we guarantee the same category.

COST

Tour Cost 1750.00€ sharing a Double or Twin Room;
Supplement for single occupency

- 6 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation (2 nights in Cape Town, 2 night in the winelands and 2 night on Safari)

- Tastings of all wineries including lunch with wine
- All dinner, lunches and drinks except personal purchases
- All tours, visits, parc fees and local guides
- Private coach with a local guide
- All transfers

- Services of tour guide and oenologist

Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII 

TO BOOK THIS TOUR: RSVP and then send an e-mail to
Charles-Eric