South Africa: culinary destination (option 2) GB

Departure for destination Cape Town, South Africa.

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport. After border clearance and luggage collection, we'll meet the local representative in the arrivals hall. They'll help you pick up your rental car.

Departure to the "Mother City," as Cape Town is often called (approximately a 20-minute drive).

Check in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

GUIDED OPTION:

• Airport transfer
• Visit to Table Mountain
• Dinner and transfer
• Lunch is free (not included)

Dinner tonight is at Galjoen Restaurant, specializing in fish and seafood!

Overnight  in Cape Town.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, we'll meet the people who live and work in the Bo Kaap (also known as the Cape Malay Quarter). This colorful scene is the setting for a Cape Malay cooking experience (including a walking tour of this historic part of the city).

Cape Malay cuisine is typical of Cape Town and is typically a fusion of traditional South African dishes, particularly from the West Coast, with Malay or Eastern influences.

Cape Malay cuisine is typically aromatic, with distinct flavors from a wide range of Eastern ingredients. The rest of the day is at your leisure (self-drive option).

GUIDED:

• In the afternoon, we'll explore Cape Town's historic city center.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner is at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, and if you're in the mood for shopping...this is the place to be!

Overnight in Cape Town.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Exploring the Cape Peninsula (self-drive option) is highly recommended!

GUIDED OPTION:

• Chapman's Peak Drive
• Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
• The African penguin colony at Boulders Beach
• Fish and seafood lunch
• Dinner, including wines

Light lunch and dinner are included.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out and depart for the West Coast, a picturesque area two hours northwest of Cape Town.

An absolute must is a trip via Bloubergstrand, Cape Town's 28-km-long sandy beach, famous for its postcard-perfect views of Table Mountain, the city, Table Bay, and the famous Robben Island, just 3.5 km offshore.

A visit to the West Coast National Park is a wonderful destination year-round. During spring in July and August, the national park is at its most beautiful, with its carpets of flowers and...watch out for Southern Right Whales, which arrive at this time of year. During spring, a section of the reserve opens, but remains closed for the rest of the year. During summer, it's wonderful to swim in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoon!

Lunch is included, and in good weather, what a spectacular view, within the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, also known for its floral splendor and charming little coves.

Tip: the region is very famous for its lobster!

GUIDED OPTION:

• West Coast National Park (during spring the Postberg section is open to the public)!
• Cape Columbine (Titiesbaai) 
• Lunch on the beach

Fine dining at the hotel is included.

Overnight in Paternoster.

Breakfast at the hotel.

A visit to the West Coast Fossil Park is highly recommended! Enjoy the beach at Saldanha Bay, where it's lovely to stroll along the shore. In the afternoon, it's time to enjoy oysters! The oysters grow in the bay, within sight of the hotel! We'll head out onto the water (those prone to seasickness can enjoy oysters at the hotel). It's literally a harvest and a taste! Since most of our country's mollusks are farmed in the cool, deep, nutrient-rich waters of Saldanha Bay on the Cape's west coast, there's no reason not to get to know this briny delicacy better.

Oysters are no longer the domain of expensive restaurants and high bills; they are now more affordable than ever and a delicacy no one should be excluded from. Few things beat the pearly pink sunset at Saldanha Bay, with a glass of MCC in hand and a plate of freshly opened oysters at the ready. This is life – Weskus style!

GUIDED:

• 10h00 - guided excursion at the West Coast Fossil Park
• Wine and oyster tasting

Dinner at the hotel is included.

Overnight in Saldanha!

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and departure to the Cape Winelands. Free day (self-drive option).

GUIDED OPTION:

• Historical walk in Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest city after Cape Town.
• Wine tasting and estate visit

Check-in at the wine estate.

Lunch is free (not included). Dinner tonight is at Clara's Barn!

Clara's chefs are guided by authentic family recipes and seasonal, fresh, creative, and indigenous ingredients. They combine this with South Africa's rich diversity of food cultures, including the cuisine of workers and slaves, and with imported influences from countries intertwined with South African history. The ever-changing menu features indigenous, local ingredients, specially selected for quality, season, and optimal ripeness. The atmosphere is relaxed, informal, and elegant, in a tastefully restored barn with excellent service and a superb wine and cocktail selection.

Opening times:
Dinner: Thursday - Saturday from 18h00 - 22h00

Wines with each course are included in this exquisite culinary delight!

Overnight in the Cape Winelands.

Breakfast at the wine estate!

But before breakfast, there's a MUST-SEE!

The duck parade is a daily activity not to be missed on the estate.

Free day (self-drive).

GUIDED OPTION:

• Language Monument in Paarl (phenomenal views over the Paarl Wine Valley and, in good weather, Table Mountain on the horizon)!
• The Huguenot Monument and Museum in Franschhoek
• Wine tasting before a picnic lunch at the famous Boschendal Wine Estate (seasonal)

Dinner tonight will be during a visit to a "Colored" family in Stellenbosch or Wellington.

This includes mineral water, soft drinks, and wines.

For the self-drive option, an optional transfer is available, because drinking and driving... better not!

Overnight in the Cape Winelands.

Breakfast, check-out, and departure to Cape Town International Airport for the flight to Johannesburg.

Arrive at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport.

After picking up the rental car, drive to Bela Bela (approximately 2.5 hours' drive).

Option 2: Private transfer with driver.

We'll be staying in a small reserve with a very cozy atmosphere and excellent dining, while the animals come very close to the lodge. In the summer months, you can relax in the pool and enjoy watching antelope and zebras that even come to drink from the pool!

But...before dinner, we'll head into the reserve to enjoy the sunset with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. And when you say sunset in Africa, you mean a snack and gin & tonic! Mountain bikes are available (payable locally, but it's best to book in advance).

Overnight stay near Bela Bela (also known as Warmbad because of the hot springs in the area).

After breakfast, we depart for Welgevonden Game Reserve (approximately a 1.5-hour drive). We don't need to arrive at Laluka Farm until 11:30 AM!

GUIDED OPTION:

• Transfer to the reserve

Afternoon 4x4 safari (lunch included depending on flight time) and return to the lodge for a fine dinner.

Overnight in the Welgevonden Game Reserve.

This morning we enjoy a walking safari with an armed guide!

Back to the lodge for breakfast. Free time until lunch (included).

Around 3:00-3:30 PM we get ready for the afternoon 4x4 sunset safari.

Back to the lodge after dark (and look up at the beautiful southern sky, as there's no light or air pollution here!)

Refined dinner at the lodge. Have your camera ready, because if an elephant or other wildlife visits the illuminated waterhole, it's a photo opportunity not to be missed!

Overnight in the Welgevonden Game Reserve.

Today we'll sleep a little longer and not participate in the sunrise safari.

After breakfast, we'll visit Laluka Farm, just outside the reserve. Here we'll pick and choose the ingredients for tonight's dinner, including cow or sheep's milk if available!

Picnic lunch at the farm (tapas style). Back to the lodge for some time to relax.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE WATERPOOL!!! Game comes to drink day and night, from small mongooses to large elephants!

Afternoon 4x4 safari, and return to the lodge after dark.

Not just any dinner, but a showcase dinner that you're welcome to attend!

Optional wines are available.

Overnight in the Welgevonden Game Reserve.

Rise early for the morning 4x4 safari. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Free time until lunch.

Depending on animal sightings, it's possible to drive to the southern part of the reserve (2 hours each way), where cheetahs are often found in an area known as "Little Serengeti."

OPTIONAL: Authentic safari in a tent, a true "OUT OF AFRICA" experience. This overnight stay in the bush is accompanied by an armed guide!

Return to the lodge for a refined dinner.

Overnight in the  Welgevonden Game Reserve.

Depending on your return flight from Johannesburg, we'll have a morning safari.

We'll return to the lodge for breakfast. We'll arrive back at Laluka Farm around 10:30 AM, where our vehicle will be waiting.

Upon arrival at the airport, we'll return the rental car (self-drive option).

Option 2: We'll be picked up by our driver for a private transfer to Johannesburg airport.

We'll check in for our flight home.

Arrival back home.