Cardinal Lodges & Leisure - Exceptional South Africa By Private Air Charter

Day 1: Johannesburg

We will meet & greet guests off their arriving international flight at O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. Our handlers will assist guests with Customs and Immigration and then meet our transfer representative in the Terminal A arrivals hall. 

Transfer to the Saxon Hotel for brunch & luggage drop. After freshening up guests will depart for a half day tour.

 Maropeng & Hartebeespoort Cable Car Visit

The Maropeng Visitors Centre is a world-class interactive exhibition tracing the development of humans over millions of years. It is part of the Cradle of Humankind, an important archaeological site where the remains of early hominoids have been found along with numerous Stone Age relics, providing clues to how our ancestors lived and progressed over the centuries. The visitors centre encompasses a selection of exhibits, displays and archaeological sites, as well as a vast burial mound known as the Tumulus.

The Hartebeespoort Cableway, located in the small resort town of Hartbeespoort offers visitors the chance to explore the Dassie Loop and experience  a spectacular bird’s eye view of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range which is also a World Heritage Site. At the top visitors can enjoy hiking/leisurely walks amongst the lush, diverse vegetation and melodic calls of the local bird life, while admiring the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. There is also a charming mountain-top bar and restaurant that offers a selection of refreshing cocktails, light meals, and pizza.

Guests will return to the Saxon Hotel  for an evening at leisure.

Tumulus B Tumulus

Day 2: Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Early breakfast at the Saxon Hotel and then transfer to Lanseria International Airport.

Depart on your private Cardinal Air Services charter flight to Kruger International Airport (KMIA), arriving at 09h00.

Our crew will escort the guests through security and hand over to our transfer representative. Guests will depart on their private Panorama tour, experiencing inspiring views of eastern South Africa's lowveld bush region.

Canyons, Cultures and Contrasts – Panorama Discoverer
A day out on the famed ‘Panorama Route’ along the Drakensberg Escarpment: this tour features visits to the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, God’s Window and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. You’ll get up close and personal with some of the region’s natural beauty, and we’ll tell you about the history of the area’s hardy pioneers.  Guests will enjoy a VIP packed lunch and refreshments during their tour. 

Upon completion of the tour, guests will be transferred to Ulusaba Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Late Afternoon / Evening Game Drive

There’s something special about the bush in the late afternoon. The nocturnal animals start to stir from their day time slumber. It's common to stop for sun-downers as the daylight starts to fade - it's a magical experience!

Dinner at the lodge and an evening at leisure enjoying your luxurious suite and the night sounds of the African bush.

Activities and Services

Day 3: Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Early Morning Game Drive

You might not be a morning person but it’s certainly worth getting out of bed for this. Your morning starts with freshly baked goodies and tea and coffee to help get started. Your Ranger and Tracker will meet you and your morning adventure begins. As sunlight dawns over the Sabi Sand you’ll be treated to the beauty of the majestic African bush.

This is generally the best time to spot the wildlife, as the temperature is cool and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting. We don’t want to give too much away, so just remember to set your alarm.

Breakfast at lodge and a morning at leisure enjoying the lodge facilities.

Lunch at the lodge and an afternoon at leisure enjoying the lodge facilities.

Late Afternoon / Evening Game Drive

There’s something special about the bush in the late afternoon . Nocturnal animals start to stir from their day time slumber. It's common to stop for sun-downers as the daylight starts to fade - it's a magical experience!

Dinner at the lodge and an evening at leisure enjoying your luxurious suite and the night sounds of the African bush.

Day 4: Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Breakfast at Lodge

Safari Walk

Your Ranger and Tracker will guide you and will point out various birds and animals – this is a great opportunity to see smaller creatures that are often missed when you’re on the game vehicles. You will also learn some fascinating facts about the medicinal use of trees and plants along the way.

Lunch at the lodge and an afternoon at leisure enjoying the lodge facilities.

Late Afternoon / Evening Game Drive

There’s something special about the bush in the late afternoon. Nocturnal animals start to stir from their day time slumber. It's common to stop for sun-downers as the daylight starts to fade - it's a magical experience!

Dinner at the lodge and an evening at leisure enjoying your luxurious suite and the night sounds of the African bush.

Ulusaba - Safari Lodge Ulusaba - Safari Lodge

Activities and Services

Day 5: George

An early transfer with breakfast packs to Kruger International Airport (KMIA).

Depart Kruger International (KMIA) at 08h00 on your private Cardinal Air Services flight and arrive in George, Western Cape at 11h15.

Upon arrival guests will be assisted through security by our crew and handed over to our transfer representative for the short trip to The Fancourt Hotel.

An afternoon at leisure to explore Fancourt and all the facilities on offer in this beautiful Garden Route setting. A round of golf, spa treatments or a visit to Herolds Bay can be arranged.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Montagu Golf Course

Day 6: George

Morning breakfast &  then depart for your Knysna  Lagoon, Town and Forest tour.

The Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head of Knysna is the premier eco-experience on the Garden Route. A trip on the Knysna Lagoon is a must for first time visitors and locals alike. Depart  for a four-hour eco-experience to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. This experience includes a private boat trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head. A 4x4 vehicle will drive up the headland to the Reserve where you will enjoy spectacular viewpoints. Learn about the history and fauna and flora. After a guided walk, enjoy a buffet lunch outdoors. After lunch, return to the mainland for leisure time, to explore the quaint town with its many arts and craft shops followed by a visit of the Garden of Eden. The Harkerville Forest is situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The walk may be short, but it is through one of the most beautiful examples of the Wet High Forest.

INCLUDES:

  • Private boat on the lagoon to the Knysna Heads,
  • Nature drive.
  • Optional guided 2.2 km walk through a coastal forest and fynbos and into ancient sea caves.
  • Lunch. 
  • Short City Orientation tour of Knysna Town.
  • 1 km walk at the Garden of Eden - The Harkerville Forest. 
  • English Speaking driver/guide.
  • Luxury air-conditioned transport

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Evening enjoyed at leisure.

Activities and Services

Day 7: Franschhoek

Depart Fancourt and transfer to George Airport for your 08h30 Cardinal Air Services flight to Cape Town.

We arrive in Cape Town at 09h45 and our guests will enjoy the use of a  private lounge. 

Cardinal Lodges & Leisure will escort guests to their Classic & Vintage vehicles for the transfer to the Franschhoek winelands.

Explore the beautiful town of Franschhoek, filled with a mixture of European and African markets, arts & craft shops and restaurants . There are many renowned wine estates in the region complimented by  the most amazing mountain scenery.

Check in at the La Residence Hotel.

Wine Tasting Afternoon

Whether you are a connoisseur with your own cellar or an enthusiastic newcomer to the wonderful world of wine, wine tasting in Franschhoek offers a unique experience. Explore boutique wineries or experience a private tasting with an expert sommelier.

Wine-making has an illustrious 300-year old history in the Franschhoek Valley and the oldest family-owned wine farms are worth visiting for their quaint architecture and beautiful vineyards alone. There are so many different ways to enjoy wine tasting - eight in fact. On horseback, on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, on a Harley Davidson, by helicopter, on a guided wine tour, at La Residence, on bicycles or simply on foot. A complimentary transfer service is available at La Residence to escort you to any of the local estates.

Dinner at the  hotel and an evening at leisure. 

    

Adventure Works Vintage Car Transfers

Day 8: Cape Town

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast cocooned in the beauty of the Franschoek Valley.  Explore the Huguenot Monument and the many wine estates, followed by a lunch at Delaire Graff Wine Estate.

The wine estate is designed with the discerning global traveller in mind. Savour breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the Stellenbosch Valley. Striking Cape Dutch architecture meets African artifacts and styling. Sample award-winning wines from the estate and enjoy lunch at their flagship restaurant.

After a day in the winelands , guests will transfer to their Cape Town hotel.

Overnight at the Cape Grace Hotel.

Day 9: Cape Town

Morning breakfast 

Half Day Cape Point Peninsula Tour

HIGHLIGHTS include:

  • Cape Point Peninsula
  • Simons Town
  • Boulders Beach & Penguin Colony

Starting at approximately 08h00 am, the tour guide will collect guests at the hotel and commence the private tour.

Cape Point and Peninsula

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay, a quaint seaside village with magnificent mountain views. Continue onto Chapmans Peak Drive, one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, which is perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Watch the dramatic clash of the seas from the viewpoint which can be accessed by foot or the Flying Dutchman Funicular (additional cost to own account). A lunch stop (to own account) will be discussed with your guide en-route to Simons Town.

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

Arrive in historic Simons Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Boulders penguin colony is home to the endangered and protected African penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view penguins in their natural habitat. The tour ends with a drop off back at your hotel.

Late afternoon return to the Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town.

Evening at leisure to explore the V&A Waterfront and all the attractions it offers.

Activities and Services

Day 10: Cape Town

Morning breakfast

Full Day Table Mountain & City Tour

Table Mountain

Transfer to Table Mountain for your cable car ride to the top (weather permitting). Enjoy the panoramic views over the city with Robben Island lying sleepily in Table Bay. Marvel at the expansive view across the Atlantic Seaboard.

Bo-Kaap

Enjoy  a drive through Bo-Kaap to discover how the Malay slaves influenced the culture, food and aesthetics of this beautiful city and its people. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, this picturesque corner of Cape Town well-known for its vast collection of colourful houses and cobble stone streets, became home to the Cape Muslim community and many freed slaves after the abolition of slavery in 1834.

Company Gardens

Proceed to the Company Gardens located in the heart of the central business district. The park and heritage site was originally established in the early 1650s by the European Settlers arriving in the area. The gardens provided fresh fruit and vegetables to the ships seeking replenishment when rounding the Cape on their journey to the East. The Gardens now offer a natural retreat from the bustle of the City. Finish your tour of the Company Gardens with a stop at the South African Museum which houses a variety of important African zoology, palaeontology and archaeology collections.

The Castle of Good Hope

Continue your city tour with a stop at the Castle of Good Hope. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) as a maritime replenishment store, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. The drive through the city will also take you past the Houses of Parliament, the Grand Parade and City Hall; from where Nelson Mandela first addressed South Africans after his release in February 1990.

Dinner & evening at leisure to explore the V&A Waterfront and all it's attractions.

Day 11: End of Itinerary

Morning breakfast - Check Out

Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your departing international flight.

End of the South African Experience!

back to top