Arrival in Cape Town
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by your driver-guide, who will be with you for the duration of your time in Cape Town, and transferred to your hotel.
Your hotel is located in the heart of Cape Town's vibrant city centre within walking distance of the fashionable foodie district, Bree Street, which offers a variety of dining experiences.
Your hotel is located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront within easy walking distance of the many shops, restaurants and attractions on offer here.
Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your own leisure, depending on your arrival time there are several options of things to do in the city.
Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
- Visit the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions to enjoy
- Sunset Cruise in Table Bay
- Sunset views from Signal Hill
- Sunset Kayak Experience along Table Bay Coastline
Private Half Day Cape Town City Tour & Table Mountain
You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Half Day Cape Town City Orientation Tour to learn about Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant cultures. The day starts with a cableway trip to the top of one of the World’s Natural Wonders – Table Mountain, also the city’s most iconic and recognisable landmark. Explore the walking trails at the top and take in the many different views point across the City Bowl, Table Bay, Atlantic Seaboard and Peninsula.
From Table Mountain your guide will take you back down into the city to visit the colourful Bo Kaap (Cape Malay Quarter), enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens and Greenmarket Square and an orientation drive taking in some of the important historical buildings (for example the Castle of Good Hope – South Africa’s oldest building), streets and features.
Highlights:
- Table Mountain and the aerial cableway (weather depending)
- Bo-Kaap – one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots thanks to its picturesque colourful houses and cobblestone streets
- The Company Gardens – a large public park lined with oak trees and surrounded by iconic historical buildings, museums and art galleries
- Vibrant Greenmarket Square market offering a wide range of African arts and crafts
- Orientation drive to see The Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, Grand Parade and Adderley Street with its many statues and historical buildings
The rest of the day will be at your own leisure, you can choose from a wide range of optional activities and excursions that Cape Town has to offer.
Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
- Visit to the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions to enjoy
- City Tour by Bicycle or E-Bike
- Paragliding from Signal Hill or Lions Head
- Scenic helicopter flight
- Lions head guided hike (morning or sunset)
- Robben Island Excursion - with option of a private guided tour with Christo Brand as the guide (Nelson Mandela's prison guard who became his friend)
- A visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a walk, including the Boomslang Treetop Canopy Walkway
- Cape Malay Cooking experience in the Bo Kaap
- If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to a local Food Market (e.g. Oranjezicht City Farm or Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill)
- Constantia Winelands Zip and Sip Trip (half day Ziplining and Wine Tasting in the Constantia Valley) or half day wine tour in the Constantia Valley
Private Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour. Cape Town is frequently acknowledged and awarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful places – this tour will show you why! Experience the spectacular natural splendour and abundance of life of the Cape Peninsula. With scenic views to take your breath away and photo opportunities galore this trip also takes you through a World Heritage Site – the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, passing magnificent beaches and the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. From the busy fishing harbour at Hout Bay you have the option of a boat trip to see the thousands of Cape Fur Seals living on a rocky outcrop. Browse for souvenirs at the Hout Bay Craft Market or take a walk on the beach and paddle your feet in the sea.
The tour continues over Chapman’s Peak, known as one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world, all the way along the Peninsula to the southern tip at Cape Point. An invigorating walk takes you to the two lighthouses at the top and bottom of the headland, from where you will enjoy extraordinary views of the cliffs and the ocean below. Alternatively, you could take an optional short funicular ride to the top. Take a photo down at the most south-western point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope beach.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a seaside restaurant (excluded and for your own account) before we make our way along the False Bay coastline to the Naval village of Simon’s Town. We will visit the delightful African Penguins of Boulders Beach and then the drive takes us back via Cape Town’s coastal and southern suburbs.
Highlights:
- Drive along the Atlantic Sea Board passing the beautiful beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay
- Photo stop at Maidens Cove to take in the views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay Beach and Lions Head
- Stop at Hout Bay Harbour – a busy fishing harbour
- Optional boat ride to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals
- Chapman’s Peak Drive – known as one of the World’s most beautiful drives
- Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – most South-Western point of Africa and the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, spectacular scenery
- False Bay Coastal Road – look out for whales between June and November
- Visit the comical African Penguins at Boulders Beach
- Simon’s Town – home to South Africa’s Naval Base
- Picturesque drive past Kalk Bay and Muizenberg – see the famous colourful beach huts
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – optional and time dependent
There are also a number of other exciting ways to explore the Cape Peninsula and fun activities which can be included as an alternative to the standard routing above:
Optional Activities (at additional cost):
- Snorkelling with Seals from Hout Bay
- Kayaking with Penguins from Simon's Town
- Waterbike Ocean Adventure from Simon's Town
- Surfing lesson in Muizenberg
- Explore the Peninsula or a section thereof via Side-car
- Self-drive the Peninsula in a classic convertible Cobra
Private Full Day Cape Winelands Tour - Franschhoek Wine Tram
You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Full Day Cape Winelands Tour. Situated only 45 minutes away from Cape Town, the Cape Winelands are surrounded by majestic mountains, beautiful vineyards and typical Cape Dutch style architecture. The Cape Winelands include the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl and are home to more than 150 wine estates and wine farms producing top-quality world-class wines. This region is also highly acclaimed for its many award-winning restaurants.
Enjoy the day exploring the Franschhoek Valley on the Wine Tram.
Depart Cape Town on the Blue Train
Today you exciting luxury railway journey begins! You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the Cape Town station to check-in at the Blue Train.
10.00 Register and check-in at The Blue Train Station Lounge, Cape Town. Enjoy pre-departure dry snacks and drinks.
11.15 Boarding commences. Butlers will usher you to your suite for a suite orientation done by butlers. Boarding concludes at 11:45.
12.00 The Blue Train departs from Cape Town Station. Canapés will be served.
13.00-14.15 First sitting for Lunch
14.30-16.00 Second sitting for Lunch
16.00-17.00 Leisure time - enjoy time at any of the exquisite lounges and freshen up for dinner.
18.30– 20.00 First sitting for Dinner
20.15– 22.00 Second sitting for Dinner
Please Note: Dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket or waistcoat and ladies elegant evening wear. Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, Cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Blue Train
07.00-10.00 Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis
11.30-13.00 First sitting for Lunch
13.15-14.30 Second sitting for Lunch
OFF-THE-TRAIN EXCURSION (Weather & time permitting).
15.00 arrive at the Kimberley Open Mine Museum for a tour of the mine, view interesting and historical sites. You are also taken onto an enclosed ramp on the edge of the Big Hole.
17.00 Depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley Station. At Kimberly Station you will be greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train logo is a memento to keep.
18.30 The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station for the northbound journey to Pretoria
18.30– 20.00 First sitting for Dinner
20.15– 22.00 Second sitting for Dinner
Please Note: Dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket or waistcoat and ladies elegant evening wear. Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, Cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Blue Train Arrives in Pretoria - transfer to Johannesburg for overnight
07.00-10.00 Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis
13.00-14.15 First sitting for Lunch
14.30-16.00 Second sitting for Lunch
18.00 The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station
You will be met at the station and transferred to your hotel in Johannesburg for overnight.
Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park
This morning you will be met at your hotel at 09.00 for a road transfer to your lodge in the Pilanesberg, this drive will take approximately 3-hours. Ivory Tree Game Lodge lies in the heart of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The reserve is set within the crater of an ancient volcano – one of the largest of a very rare formation. This well-stocked reserve with its dramatic landscape supports a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.
On arrival at the lodge enjoy lunch, followed by check-in and your first afternoon game drive.
Dinner will be served back at the lodge. Indulge in a fusion of African flavours and international cuisine, meticulously prepared by talented chefs using locally sourced ingredients. Whether dining indoors or under the starlit sky, the warm service and breathtaking surroundings create an unforgettable dining experience.
Full day on safari
Your typical safari day starts with an early morning pre-dawn wake-up for your morning game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast followed by relaxation time, lunch and then in the later afternoon another game drive.
Transfer from Pilanesberg to Johannesburg
This morning you will enjoy your last game drive followed by breakfast before your transfer back to Johannesburg for your evening flight home.
