South Africa Hiking Wine Adventure & Safari
October 10-17, 2009

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 beautiful, 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 Thornybush Private Reserve near Kruger National Park. It's truly the highlight of the trip. 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. Sometimes more memorable is walking through the bush, open to the elements and animals, on a walking safari. We do both.

We divide this trip into three distinct parts: Cape Town and the Cape Peninusla; the wine area around the university town of Stellenbosch; and the Thornybush Game Reserve. Cape Town is a fantastic, modern city in an absolutely stunning setting; our hike up Table Mountain gives us 360-degree views of the area. Near Stellenbosch we do three separate hikes in and around vineyards, with the obligatory wine tastings during and after each hike. And this is all capped off by the safari, and experinece one 11-trip veteran of Zephyr called "the most amazing experience of my life".

Accommodations
Our accommodations on this trip are very high standard. 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. We then transfer to the university town of Stellenbosch where we stay at the D'Ouwe Werf, a fantastic hotel located right in the midst of the city's restaurants, pubs, and shops. We then fly directly to Kruger National Park where we spend two nights at the Chapungu Bush Lodge. The tented cabins have fantastic creature comforts and the impeccable staff makes us feel like royalty. Best of all, we usually have the eight cabins to ourself.

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.