Day 1

Depart from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) for your South African Airways flight to South Africa.

Day 2

On arrival in Johannesburg you will connect onwards for your 2 hour flight on South African Airways to Cape Town.

On arrival in Cape Town you will be met by your driver for your transfer to your hotel.

Winchester Mansions is situated at the famous Sea Point Promenade facing the Atlantic coastline. The original Cape Dutch architecture combined with personalized hospitality and professional service form the hotel’s unique classic elegance signature. Business and leisure travelers can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that is set against the backdrop of the mountain and overlooking the swell of the Atlantic.

Experience a dash of flair as the contemporary elegance of Winchester Mansions provides the perfect setting of a romantic courtyard, stylish restaurant and luxury rooms with spectacular sea or mountain views.

Bistro by day and restaurant by night, Harveys at Winchester Mansions offers guests South African cuisine with a European twist. The Winchester’s beautiful colonnaded Courtyard, built in the style of an Italian piazza, is a tranquil oasis from the pace of city life. Encircled by palm trees and water fountains, it makes a perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the stars.

Lifestyle offerings exclusive to Winchester Mansions are the Sunday Jazz Brunches, monthly Grapes Gourmet and Gallery evenings and holistic treatments at the Ginkgo Health and Wellness Spa form part of the well-rounded services.

Staying at Winchester Mansions is not just accommodation; it is part of your journey!

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Winchester Mansions

Day 3

After breakfast you will be met by your local English speaking driver-guide for your full day tour of the Cape Peninsula.

The tour takes you out of the city along the Atlantic seaboard to the fishing port of Hout Bay, where you can partake in an optional boat excursion to Seal Island to view a colony of Cape Fur Seals. From Hout Bay continue over Chapman's Peak Drive (weather conditions permitting) to the Cape Point Nature reserve, the south-western most tip of Africa. Here you will have time to explore the awe-inspiring scenery from all the vantage points, as well as the opportunity to visit the Cape of Good Hope. You will have time for lunch (for your own account) before starting the return journey to the city. En route you will have the possibility for an optional visit to the penguin colony on Boulder's Beach before visiting the naval town of Simon's Town. Your last stop of the day will be the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Leaving the gardens you will return to the city.

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Winchester Mansions

Day 4

After breakfast your local English-speaking driver-guide will meet you at the hotel for a tour of the Cape wine region.

We will depart from the hotel and head north to Paarl. Our first stop is for our morning wine tasting at Nelsons Creek Estate. After a tour through their cellars, there is a chance to sample some of their local wines as well as a cheese tasting. A brief city tour of Paarl follows, before we make our way to Franschhoek with a photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. This little village nestled amongst the mountains, can easily be mistaken for a little Switzerland. After a short tour of the town, a second wine tasting will be enjoyed in Franschhoek followed by a lunch stop and perhaps a chance to savor some of the fresh trout for which Franschhoek is renowned. After lunch the tour continues to the university town of Stellenbosch. It is easy to understand why Simon van der Stel decided to settle a village amongst the mountains. The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads and the oak lined streets and lanes all blend in to give this place a charm that will not be quickly forgotten. Time permitting we will include a third and final wine tasting. Then we set off for our return to the Mother City.

Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Winchester Mansions

Day 5

In the morning you will be met by your driver to take a road transfer to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

The two hour drive from Cape Town provides for a spectacular scenic route along the Cape Whale Coast.

Grootbos is situated half an hour outside of Hermanus, on the Fynbos and forest clad hills, overlooking the whale watching haven of Walker Bay and Gansbaai.

With its 5-star luxury accommodation, scenic beauty, unique flowers and abundant marine life, the luxury designed lodges and exclusive villa offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, breaching whales and ancient forests, with activities to satisfy even the most ardent nature lover. Come to Grootbos and feel momentarily humbled by what has been described as one of the most idyllic locations on Earth, a pristine piece of wilderness hidden away at the Southern Tip of Africa.

Overnight on a full board basis at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Day 6

Grootbos offers a wide variety of activities for guests to enjoy during their stay.

Everyone goes horse riding at Grootbos, and we promise you, you won't regret it! Grootbos caters for all riders, beginners to experts. With 16 horses, 3 specialized guides looking after the horses, a ride through the beautiful fynbos reserve is a must!

Grootbos offers its guests some of the best whale watching opportunities in the world. The magnificent whales can be viewed by land, by boat or by air, all in one day! Land based whale watching with a specialized guide, snacks and drinks is included in the rate!

Truly unique experiences at Grootbos are the beach and cave excursions with a specialized guide. What makes these trips so special are the untouched beaches of the Walker Bay, the history of the ancient archeological Klipgat caves and the spectacular scenery.

A truly fascinating experience at Grootbos is the flower safari. Only once you are in the midst of the Fynbos will you appreciate its true beauty and the complex ecosystem that underpins its existence. A specialized guide will accompany you on the flower safari and intrigue you with all the mesmerizing tales of the Fynbos.

Grootbos offers birders of all levels a great opportunity to experience the fauna of the Southern Cape, Overberg and Hermanus. Knowledgeable guides are at hand to take you on birding tours, on and off the reserve.

It's no wonder, Grootbos prides itself in offering its guests much more than 5 star luxury and with all the included activities with a specialized guide, you are sure to leave Grootbos with truly unique memories.

Overnight on a full board basis at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Day 7

During your stay at Grootbos why not face your fears and fantasy and take part in a Great White shark experience. This activity is optional and may be booked at an additional charge.

An encounter with these amazing animals is bound to change anyone’s perception of sharks.

Grootbos, in partnership with Marine Dynamics, is geared to take you on a captivating boat cruise to the world-renowned Shark Alley between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock where the Great Whites feed on the Cape Fur Seal colonies. To witness a shark breaching over 2m out of the water in pursuit of its prey is an ultimate WOW experience. The sharks are curious and circle the boats, providing you with fascinating close-up surface views.

For an even closer encounter with the most successful predator in the world, you can enter the cage and duck underwater to meet them face to face. No diving experience is required, and all equipment is provided on board.

Take a dive into the deep side and indulge your adventurous spirit!

Overnight on a full board basis at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Day 8

After a morning at leisure and breakfast you will be met for your transfer to the airport in Cape Town for your flight to Johannesburg and onwards connection to North America.

Day 9

Arrival in the United States at New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) airports

Includes

Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport ~ Domestic coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg) ~ Accommodation as per the itinerary ~ Most meals as per the itinerary (6 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x dinner) ~ Ground transfers as per the itinerary ~ Scheduled Cape Peninsula Tour ~ Scheduled Winelands Tour ~ Welcome drink served upon arrival at Grootbos ~ Fresh fruit daily in suite at Grootbos ~ Horse riding for non and experienced riders through the Grootbos reserve ~ Guided walks including fynbos nature tours and Milkwood walks ~ Nature, marine & coastal drives and walks including the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, De Kelders cliff walk, Klipgat Cave combined with seasonal land-based whale watching (whale watching especially during June – December) ~ Bird-watching; experience a great variety of bird species on the Grootbos reserve.

Excludes

Add on air from other US cities ~ Any meals or services not mentioned above ~ Entrance fees on Cape Peninsula tour to Boulders penguins, Seal Island cruise ~ Grootbos optional activities: Boat trip to Dyer Island combined with seasonal whale watching (June – December) ~ Shark Cage Diving ~ Beach horse riding ~ scenic flights ~ Day trip to Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa ~ Any items of personal expense - i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc. ~ Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers

Note

Horse riding for non and experienced riders at Grootbos has a weight limit of 198 lbs. per person & children under the age of 12 are only allowed on guided pony rides.