South Africa Wine Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: Flights to Johannesburg airport arrive at all times of the day. You can fly in at any time and will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. If you arrive early enough, you might visit the Apartheid Museum or take a tour of the Soweto township. We will meet as a group in the evening for dinner and introductions.
Day 2: We return to the airport for our morning flight to Huidspruit airport near Kruger National Park and a transfer to the Chapungu Bush Lodge. This afternoon, if we have time we'll experience our first bush walk under the care of our professional (and armed) ranger. You'll be thrilled by the experience, guaranteed. (Note everything is optional and you can relax in the lodge if you wish to skip the bush walk.) Later in the afternoon, we'll take our first driving safari with a stop for "sundowners" (cocktails) as the sun sets over the bush. For dinner we have the first of the delicious meals cooked by the lodge's staff, perhaps accompanied by a South Africa wine.
Day 3: In the morning we again do a safari drive, which is scheduled at first light or in late afternoon for maximum animal activity. While not as personally exhilarating as the bush walks, we cover much more ground and see many more animals at what seems an amazingly close distance. After lunch and a rest, we repeat thecycle with an optional bush walk, late afternoon safari drive, and dinner.
Day 4: We have our final attempt to see all of the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) before transferring back to the airport for our flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in the late afternoon we drive straight to our hotel in the Stellenbosch wine country for dinner and, if time permits, a short walk through the vineyards that surround our inn.
Day 5: Today we hike on the Vineyard Hiking Trail, starting directly from our hotel, and with the option to do one of two routes. We will have tours, tastings, and intimate conversations with winemakers at two local wineries. That evening, we enjoy a South Africa cultural show and ethnic foods buffet dinner.
Day 6: We drive to the Elgin Valley where we meet a local expert, Doctor Paul Cluver, who will take us on a Vineyard Walk through this wine area. The Elgin Valley is cooler than Stellenbosch, making for distinctly different wines, and is known for its environmental and biodiversity efforts. We return to Stellenbosch for dinner in the center of town, giving you time to explore this central wine town of the country.
Day 7: Today we leave the main wine area and return to lovely Cape Town. You can choose to either hike up Table Mountain, the looming hill above the city, or take the cable car up and hike on the top. Either way you will get spectacular views of the city. The afternoon is free for you to explore Cape Town.
Day 8: Today we visit the Cape Peninsula. We'll take a hike on the peninsula and visit the lighthouse on the point, possibly seeing baboons on the trail. On the way back to Cape Town, we'll stop at a winery in the Constantia area to get a taste of this wine area's flavors. We end the trip by saluting our adventures and South Africa with a farewell dinner.
Day 9: We have no morning activities scheduled. After breakfast, we will take you to the airport for your return flight home.