Signature Dunkeld Adventure Experience (10 Days) DUN001

MONDAY Three hours from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport, deep within a magnificent forest, is a place commonly referred to as ‘Scotland’s Only Outpost in Africa’ or ‘the Place of Eternal Mist’. On the map, it’s called Dullstroom, a mecca for fly-fishermen, hikers, mountain bikers, plant lovers, horse riders and those who simply want to curl up in front of a log fire and enjoy the scenery. Take advantage of all the leisure activities on offer at the Dunkeld Country and Equestrian Estate.
Overnight:  Dunkeld Country Estate

TUESDAY After breakfast, you will explore Dullstroom and its own calm, distinctive, and singular atmosphere. Explore the original architecture, quaint stores, artisan shops and art galleries which line Dullstroom’s main street. Thereafter, you will be whisked off to Pilgrim’s Rest which is a small town with a very colorful and exciting history. In 1873 the town and surrounding area was densely populated with prospectors all hoping to make their fortunes in the second of the Transvaal gold fields. Today the town is a tourist location that takes visitors back in time to the days of the gold rush in the 1870’s. When it first became a tourist attraction in 1970 it was changed very little from its heyday and is now a protected historical site. In 1986 the town was declared a National Monument and since then a concerted effort has been made by curators, historians, architects and other interested parties to ensure the integrity of its history is preserved at all times. . After lunch you enjoy the day following the Panorama Route and will find yourself staring out of God’s Window at the canyons that seemingly stretch forever and the waterfalls, and indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The Lisbon Waterfalls, named after the Portuguese who, in the late 1800s, panned for gold in the area, plunges over 300 feet into the ravine. View the intricate network of large, otherworldly potholes, tunnels and whirling pools at Bourke’s Luck Potholes. These bizarre shapes in the sandstone were formed over millennia at the mouth of the canyon by the raging Blyde and Treur Rivers swirling and crashing together. Visible on the other side of the northern edges of the Drakensberg mountains and shaped like traditional African huts are the iconic Three Rondavels, once known as the Chief and His Wives. From there, the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world and largest green covered canyon in the world opens out before us before you arrive at your lodge
Overnight:  Dunkeld Country Estate

WEDNESDAY  Enjoy breakfast at leisure before you depart for your Safari. Welcome to the Tshukudu Game Lodge which will be your home for the next four days. Nestled between the Blyde River Valley and the Kruger National Park with whom Tshukudu shares an unfenced border. Freshen up and relax before dinner and a good night's rest.
Overnight: Tshukudu Game Lodge or similar

THURSDAY Tshukudu Private Game Reserve is home to some of the most endangered wildlife in Africa - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Other, but equally fascinating wildlife, such as the shy, spiral-horned nyala, and the not-so-shy vervet monkeys are only 2 of the myriad of species that live in the environs of Tshukudu Private Game Reserve. It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, not to mention twitchers. Apart from the four-legged creatures, there are 477 species of birds in the Greater Kruger area, from Little Grebes to Goliath Herons, Pink-backed Pelicans to Lappet Faced Vultures, as well sparrow hawks, falcons and quail. After your sunrise game drive and brunch, you will have the rest of the afternoon to yourself. Your first sunset game drive is the perfect introduction to life, sophisticated and wild, at Tshukudu. You will have plenty of time once you return to the Lodge to freshen up before dinner.
Overnight: Tshukudu Game Lodge or similar

FRIDAY It has been said that even an hour in paradise is a rewarding experience and this can also be said to be true of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuary, the Kruger National Park. An hour is rewarding, but a whole day is a life-changing experience. For an authentic safari experience, our full-day Kruger safari will give you an unbelievable overview of this iconic destination. Game viewing from open safari vehicles in Kruger has to be one of the ultimate safari experiences in Africa and being able to do this in a day is ideal for those with limited time available. If the weather permits, dinner back at the Lodge will be in the outdoor boma, around the fire, under the star-filled African sky.
Overnight: Tshukudu Game Lodge or similar

SATURDAY Your final morning at Tshukudu Game Lodge provides you an opportunity for one more wild encounter in your last sunrise game drive. Savour the moment with coffee and muffins as the animals and birds welcome the new day. After breakfast, a short transfer to catch your flight to Cape Town. Upon arriving in Cape Town, you will be whisked out to Ladybird in time for a scrumptious dinner - a great way to mark your arrival in South Africa's Mother City and the start of your new adventure.
Overnight: Ladybird or similar

SUNDAY Today's full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula begins in Hout Bay, a quaint village with a fishing harbour. After browsing the quayside market, enjoy a 40-minute cruise charter takes you past the famous Maori Bay Wreck, to the protected home of thousands of wild Cape Fur Seals - Duiker Island Seal Colony. After lunch (*for your account) in Hout Bay Harbour, you journey beyond Simon's Town to Boulders Beach, including a photo-stop at Chapman's Peak. The highlight at Boulders Beach is the colony of vulnerable African Penguins in their natural habitat. Then, take in the countryside en-route to the southern point of the Cape Peninsula. Here three promontories tower over 200 metres above the sea - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear and Cape Point. The Cape Point Funicular Railway takes you to the old lighthouse and panoramic views at the summit of Cape Point. You will be returned to your hotel for the night where you will have dinner.
Overnight:  Ladybird or similar

MONDAY After an à la carte breakfast, your Adventure begins with a drive of never-ending breath-taking scenery along part of the Atlantic Seaboard which stretches from Hout Bay to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A). Your first stop today is at the V&A for the Shimansky Diamond Experience. Discover a diamond’s journey from the Earth’s core to sparkling gem. From the depths of the Earth to the depths of the Ocean, your next stop is the Two Oceans Aquarium. Meet the creatures which inhabit both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans which meet at the southernmost tip of Africa. After lunch (*for your account) at the V&A Waterfront, you rise above the city in a rotating cable car to the top of Cape Town’s most iconic natural landmark – Table Mountain. At 3563 feet above sea-level, it’s one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Settled within the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of only 6 Floral Kingdoms in the world, and the most diverse, Table Mountain is a place of myth, legend, and spectacular views! The Hop-On-Hop-Off bus which will take you to Table Mountain and back again hosts the rest of your day’s adventure and will allow you to experience all that cosmopolitan Cape Town has to offer. Dinner that evening will be at GOLD Restaurant, complete with a djembe drum performance and a 14-dish tasting menu. Each dish is based on African culinary traditions and storytelling.
Overnight: Ladybird or similar

TUESDAY What better way to start your day after a scrumptious breakfast than by heading into the Winelands surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Stellenbosch Hills. The relaxed atmosphere sets you up for a delicious day of food, cheese, and wine, all produced on the centuries-old vineyards of the region. Here is where you will find some of South Africa’s finest wines and beautiful architecture. Nestled among the green and fruitful vines are stunning examples of the area’s Cape Dutch homes. If you like cheese, then you’ll find the cheese tasting opportunities a delight as the region produces a vast range of both cow and goat milk cheeses. Following trails of flowers and wildlife winding their way through the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve overlooking the Franschhoek Valley will help you build up your appetite once more as they lead to another foodie delight for dinner.
Overnight:  Ladybird or similar

WEDNESDAY Depending on your schedule, enjoy a healthy and filling breakfast at the hotel or at the Cape Town International Airport before flying home or onward to another adventure on your vacation.