South Africa Hiking Wine Adventure & Safari
October 10-18, 2008

South Africa is one of the most amazing countries we at Zephyr Adventures have visited. It is inspirational for its recent history of a mostly nonviolent handover of power from whites to blacks. It is incredible for the game drives and game walks we do on safari. The wine country is beautfiul, Cape Town is wonderful, and the people are exotic. We simply can't use too many adjectives.

One of the best things about South Africa is that it combines the wonders of Africa with the efficiency of a modern economy. You don't have to forego safe air travel, efficient hotel receptionists, or high quality restaurants on this African trip.

Although this is a Wine Adventure, we couldn't resist adding three days in a very non-wine area, the bush of Kruger National Park. It's more than worth it. Sitting in an open Land Rover as your ranger and spotter track a pride of lions or a herd of elephants is an incredible event, something everyone should have the opportunity to experience. Perhaps more memorable is walking through the bush, open to the elements and animals, on a walking safari. We do both.

Most of our trip is spent in Cape Town and the surrounding wine area. Cape Town is a fantastic, modern city in an absolutely stunning setting. The wine area, centered on the town of Stellenbosch, is simply delightful. We do a variety of hikes on a fantastic network of signed paths in the wine area, on the Cape Peninsula, and up Table Mountain perched above Cape Town. It's amazing.

Accommodations
We spend one night in Johannesburg at the Peech Hotel, a small and very high quality boutique hotel in the capital city. We then fly directly to Kruger National Park where we spend two nights at the Chapungu Bush Lodge. The creature comforts are supreme and almost match the daily game drives and bush walk. After our stay in Kruger, we fly to Capetown and drive directly to the Stellenbosch wine country and our hotel for three nights, the Devon Valley Hotel. Located in one of the major wine areas - the Devon Valley - the hotel is next to vineyards, surrounded by gardens, and near the network of hiking wine trails in the region. Finally, we stay two nights in Cape Town at the Cape Heritage Hotel, a small, elegant hotel that has the oldest living vine in South Africa (from 1781) right in its courtyard.  Because we are using four small hotels with limited bed arrangements, it is probable we will use alternative hotels for some participants on some nights. Specifically, we will use the nearby Serondella Lodge as a backup to the Chapungu Bush Lodge and the nearby Devon Valley Hotel as a backup to the Sugarbush Manor. These alternative hotels are excellent, our Zephyr guide will also be staying there, and this should not negatively impact your vacation.

For More Information
See our South Africa Frequently Asked Questions or Itinerary pages or visit our Travels With Wine blog. If you haven't yet watched the Battle at Kruger You Tube video, definitely do that.