Relax and enjoy The Silo Hotel after your long journey and enjoy a welcome sundowner drink with a member of The Royal Portfolio Foundation with whom you can discuss the details of The Foundation and your itinerary.
Be sure to check out the rooftop bar at The Silo Hotel with magnificent Cape Town views!
After breakfast you will visit the Lalela Project which provides educational arts for at risk youth. Many of their pieces hang in The Silo Hotel’s art collection. In the afternoon, there is a chance to visit and help out with one of the local feeding schemes or visit Table Mountain or Robben Island.
A visit to the South Africa Council for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)
where you will ‘adopt a bird’ in need, followed by a trip to the penguin colony in Simon’s Town. En-route you will stop at the Potters Workshop – a wonderful community craft project supported by The Silo Hotel.
After breakfast at The Silo Hotel you will transfer to Birkenhead House (approx. 90 minutes) where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure
Hermanus has some beautiful beaches to explore and soak up the sun.
Enjoy a half day Dyer Island Tour gaining fascinating insights into the marine world and the abundant life found in our oceans including whales (in season), penguins and sharks. In the afternoon you are welcome to enjoy a guided walk through the Fernkloof Nature Reserve learning about its unique ecology, the fynbos and the spectacular birdlife.
After breakfast you can visit Masibulele, an early learning centre supported by Birkenhead House. The Principal, Sweetness is the mother of one of our staff members – Sandile. From there you will continue on to La Residence in Franschhoek (approx. 90 mins) and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Visit nearby Wes-Eind Primary school and plant a tree (500L celtis sinensis) in their ‘Quiet Quad’ for the children to enjoy and to offset your carbon footprint in getting to South Africa. In the afternoon visit the local community in Groendal with Madeleine – our resident flower lady and gain insights into local life in the Cape Winelands.
Time for your flight to Royal Malewane! Take some time out enjoying your suite and your first game drive with the most qualified guiding team in Africa who will offer precious insights into the natural world and the basics of conservation.
Spend a Morning experiencing rural African education at the Sigagule Crèche, an early learning centre in the local village just 30 mins from the lodge. The teachers will show you their productive vegetable garden and the children love to have an audience to sing to. The younger children would love you to read a book to them, so pack one for your favourites if you would like to.
On the way home, you may wish to meet Brenda, the principal of the recently established Langutelani Crèche. She will share her story and her aspirations for her little school. The children are not accustomed to visitors so can be a bit shy, but Brenda will encourage them to show off what they have learnt.
In the afternoon you can join the Outdoor Wildlife Classroom where you will be part of a training walk with one of our apprentice guides/trackers and their mentors. You will accompany them as they walk through the wilderness tracking wildlife and learning a few ‘bush secrets’ along the way.
Visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (not open on Sundays) in the morning and in the afternoon meet the heroes of our highly specialised canine unit. Spend time with the dogs and their handlers who protect our endangered rhinos and other wildlife from poachers. They’ll share interesting insights into the specialised training of these remarkable dogs.
Spend your final evening talking to our expert guides and trackers around the fireplace.
You will of course enjoy all the usual game drives and bush walks.
Time permitting a final morning game drive and depart for your road transfer to Hoedspruit Airport and flight to Or Tambo Airport Johannesburg.
