Southern Africa In Style

From the Cape to 'The Falls'

ENLARGE MAP

Day 1 - Cape Town

Your private driver will meet you at Cape Town airport and transfer you along the Atlantic Ocean coast to prestigious Bantry Bay where your destination is the intimate 11 room Ellerman House (picture 2) - an historic Cape Town landmark which boasts a truly stunning coastal setting with views looking directly out across the ocean. Once the stately residence of shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman and his wife, this elegant house has been meticulously restored to its original early 20th century splendour and today offers sophisticated style with a discreet and very personal service. You will enjoy warm, homely hospitality where you can relax in the comfortable living rooms or on the verandah and soak up the breathtaking views. Yours will be one of the 11 beautifully furnished guest rooms, each of which has its own distinct character and charm. If you don't fancy venturing too far this evening, allow Ellerman's acclaimed chefs to introduce you to some of the best cuisine in the Cape - and if the a la carte menu is not to your taste, they will happily prepare something special just for you.

Days 2 - 4 - Cape Town

Arise to one of the most breathtaking coastal views in Cape Town! Look out across the beautiful swimming pool and the manicured palm tree-lined gardens to the ocean beyond. A rental car will be delivered on your first morning so take the opportunity to go exploring but return each day to the sanctuary of Ellerman House where breakfast and drinks (excluding wine and champagne) are included in your stay. (B)

Day 5 - Franschhoek, Winelands

Head to the French Huguenot village of Franschhoek today in the heart of the Cape Winelands (just under an hour's drive) where your secluded retreat for the next 3 days is the charming Auberge du Quartier Français. Small and homely, this French style auberge has just 17 rooms, all of which face onto a central garden court and swimming pool. Egyptian cotton bedlinen, deep down duvets, a spacious living area and a cosy wood-burning fire in the winter are all special features which contribute to the warm ambience which pervades this stylish country hideaway - not to mention the superb Cape Provençal cuisine and fine regional wines for which 'The Tasting Room', Le Quartier Français's multi award-winning Restaurant is so renowned for.

Days 6 & 7 - Franschhoek, Winelands

Spend the next few days exploring. Franschhoek is one of South Africa's smallest, but arguably most picturesque wine areas. First settled by the French Huguenots in 1688 who brought their wine expertise with them, Franschhoek is now known as the 'wine and food capital of the Cape'. And for a lighter affair - Le Quartier's relaxed café-style 'iCi' restaurant, which flows on to the street-side terrace, is not suprisingly a firm favourite with locals. (B)

Day 8 - Kruger National Park

Early start today to head back to Cape Town airport to drop off your car and board your onward flight to Hoedspruit - gateway to the northern region of the Kruger National Park where you will be met and transferred in an open 4WD vehicle (approx 45 minutes) to the exclusive Royal Malewane Private Game Lodge (picture 3) for your 3 night stay. (B,D)

Days 9 & 10 - Kruger National Park

Rediscover yourself in the company of all things wild. Royal Malewane offers a relaxed but very personal service where you will savour the finest cuisine and enjoy some of the best game viewing in Africa on early morning and late afternoon game drives. Dinner is served under the African stars or with silver and crystal in the dining room. All meals and game drives are included. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Mpumalanga

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, board your awaiting helicopter for an exhilarating 3 hour 'Mountain Magic' flight - enroute to your next destination - Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa (picture 4). Swoop over deep gorges and lush valleys, hover over roaring rivers and cascading waterfalls and fly past the old gold mining outpost of Pilgrim's Rest. Continue through the fascinating and dramatic rock formations of Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Pot Holes before landing on a remote mountain for a picnic lunch - you will be surrounded on all sides by breathtaking views over the Eastern Mpumalanga Lowveld. After lunch, arrive by helicopter at Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa - an old hunting lodge set on 300 acres of African paradise deep in the forests of Mpumalanga. The main lodge is a charming old farmhouse with a wide verandah where you can sip 'sundowners' and look out over the magnificent gardens. Your accommodation is in a secluded cottage with a log fireplace and a private pool. This evening, enjoy a superb silver service dinner in the candle-lit dining room. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Mpumalanga

A day at leisure to relax and enjoy your forest seclusion. Sit by the pool, explore the surrounding area (there are a variety of walks and touring options available) or indulge in a revitalising treatment at Cybele's superb 'Spa in the Forest'. (B,D)

Day 13 - Zambia

Fly from Kruger Mpumalanga airport to Johannesburg today to connect with your onward flight to Livingstone - on the Zambian bank of the Victoria Falls where you will enjoy 2 nights at the magnificent Royal Livingstone Hotel(picture 5). A testament to David Livingstone's discovery of the 'greatest mass of falling water on earth' and in reverence to the sheer breathtaking beauty of this World Heritage site, the Royal Livingstone Hotel combines the charm and romance of a bygone era with the style and sophistication desired by today's discerning traveller. Your large shaded verandah boasts spectacular views of the great Zambezi River. (B)

Day 14 - Zambia

There are numerous options available to you today. Take an unforgettable helicopter or light aircraft flight over the magnificent Victoria Falls, join a 2 hour cruise on the upper Zambezi or we can highly recommend the 4 hour lunch on Livingstone Island - the world's most exclusive picnic spot and a memorable end to your holiday. (B)

Day 15 - Johannesburg

Return to Johannesburg today to connect with your overnight international flight back to the UK. (B)