12 nights | 13 days | $8,695| Limit 8 women | Minimum 6 women
There is no doubt that South Africa is one of those destinations that dreams are made of and this is your opportunity to make your dream come true! Let’s explore this magnificent country made up of mountain landscapes, beautiful seascapes, world-class wildlife, a fabulous wine country and luxurious jungle lodges on an unforgettable South Africa Dream Vacation. We will immerse ourselves in the culture and explore the history of the Afrikaans people. *
*Suggested itinerary only. Subject to change based on local conditions.
Cape Town has a history of being a city of many layers: cosmopolitan trade roots under the Dutch, then the British rule, followed by the troubled history of the apartheid years.
From cosmopolitan cities to isolated villages, private game reserves to jungles, we will complement this amazing adventure with South African wines and wonderful award-winning regional cuisine.
During our South African vacation adventure, we will spend 5 days in a luxury designer boutique hotel on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. (Depending on the makeup of the group as a whole, we may even stay near one of the glorious beaches!)
Cape Town is a beautiful and sophisticated city perfectly situated for exploring. There are many different and distinct neighborhoods which would be perfectly suited for any small group of women traveling solo. We will also visit the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet, walk on Boulder Beach among the colonies of African penguins, take the cable car to Table Mountain and hike to the beautiful vistas overlooking the city.
You will have the opportunity to visit Robben Island and learn more about the days of apartheid and the life of Nelson Mandela and his contribution to the Afrikaans people.
There will be a day to visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and take in the amazing carpets of exotic flowers, quaint fishing villages and the small towns along the way featuring the most impressive Cape Dutch architecture.
Leaving beautiful Cape Town, we will spend 3 days touring the South African Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Only half-an-hour drive outside of Cape Town, we are at the beginning of the Cape vineyards, where cultivation of grapes dates back to the 1600s. Today this is the largest wine-making region in South Africa, and the large wine estates offer you a personal experience of wine tasting and education.
After our fill of wine, flora, fauna and architecture, we will fly to Johannesburg (or nearby) to begin a most memorable part of your dream vacation: 4 days spent on an African safari. Our authentic safari may commence at a private Game Reserve near Kruger Park. Travel conditions and local happenings will determine where we stay near the bush experience for the true wonder of Africa, as we enjoy daily safaris to view the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino), bush walks and spa treatments! Take care of YOU!
A country filled with much diversity and experiences ensures this trip to be your dream vacation of a lifetime. Your dream vacation is Her Dream Vacation! 12 nights, 13 days of a South African vacation like no other. This dream vacation will begin in Cape Town, SA and end Johannesburg, SA.
Please join a group of like minded women with a South Africa Dream Vacation on their bucket list. They have decided that the time is NOW! How about you?
Day 1 - Welcome to South Africa!
You will be met in the arrivals area of the International Airport and brought to our luxurious hotel by a private driver. Arrivals are often times late evening into Cape Town. If your preference is to arrive a day early, please let us know!
This day will remain flexible until individual flight information for group is confirmed. A serendipitous day indeed!
*Dinner
Day 2 - Capetown: Cobblestones and Colored Houses
After breakfast, we will meet for our guide for our morning exploration of Cape Town. Cape Town is referred to as the Mother City and in the Mother City, we will begin!
Our professional guide and driver will take us to the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and, of course, Table Mountain which will give us spectacular views over the city and Peninsula.
On the descent, we will stop at the Bo Kaap, home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobblestone streets and brightly colored houses.
Our evening will be spent on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with a festive and colorful welcome dinner at a local Afrikaans restaurant.
*Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Capetown: From Prison to High Tea
We will begin the morning with a tour of Robben Island. Located in Table Bay, we will take a ferry to visit the island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life imprisoned. This journey will give you a moment of pause and reflection as you think about those years of his captivity and the years of apartheid.
It’s a humbling moment when you step into his former cell and reflect on his life. After this amazing experience, we will then visit the District 6 Museum. The museum highlights the forced expulsion and ultimate demise of this former vibrant district.
But not all is lost in the reflections of a dark past. Once we arrive back in Cape Town, we will have High Tea on the beautiful porch of the infamous Mount Nelson Hotel. You will have the evening free to shop or do more exploring on the majestic Albert and Victoria Waterfront!
*Breakfast
Day 4 - Cape Peninsula: The meeting of two oceans
After a sumptuous breakfast, we will depart by private transportation for our full day Cape Peninsula Tour! The hottest real estate in the world!
We will drive past pristine beaches, stop for coffee in quaint Hout Bay and then take a scenic Seal Island Cruise. Following our cruise, we will make our way to the Cape of Good Hope where we will ride a funicular to the southern tip for the most amazing views. This viewing point will leave you breathless as you look down to where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
Hovering over the sea with mountain views and rocky landscapes, this is also home to mountain zebra, baboons, ostriches and eland.
After a fabulous cliff-side lunch, we will continue along the coastline to beautiful Boulders Beach.
When was the last time you took a stroll among a colony of African penguins? Our last stop of the day will be in Simon’s Town. Simon’s Town is an old European settlement and we will spend the afternoon shopping in the quirky shops before we have our sun-downer and head back to Cape Town.
*Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 - Cape Town: Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Today we will continue getting acquainted with Cape Town. We will meet our guide who will lead us on a tour of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to amazing examples of South African flora and fauna. With over 3,500 species, it is regarded as one of the finest botanical gardens in the world. Stone sculptures, floral shows, botanical displays and Table Mountain as an amazing backdrop---it doesn’t get better than this!
The tour will end with a diamond cutting demonstration and a private afternoon shopping tour before returning to our hotel.
*Breakfast
Day 6 - Winelands: Feast of food and drink
This morning will be at leisure before we begin our journey to the Winelands. With over 300 wineries, how will we have enough time over the next three days to visit them all?
Guided by an expert guide of the region and a local sommelier, we will spend the three days taking in the best of the best.
As we travel to our hotel, we will stop for a wine tasting lunch at a wine estate with the most fantastic views of the stunning mountain ranges. The amazing estates, the Dutch homesteads, the vineyards, is where we we will sample some of South Africa’s most exquisite wines.
In the late afternoon, we will arrive to our luxury boutique hotel accommodations in either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Experiencing the world’s gastronomic capitals and South Africa’s oldest settlement will be a delight. This evening’s dinner will be at one of the finest, award-winning restaurants featuring local meats, amazing desserts and of course, the finest of wines.
*Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Franschhoeck: A Dutch treat
After a lovely traditional Dutch breakfast, this morning can be spent shopping in Franschhoek (a shopaholic’s dream!), or you can choose to remain at leisure and have a spa treatment. There is truly something for everyone in this lovely village. If you choose shopping, you will find antiques, collectible books, diamond jewelry, designer clothing, artworks or chocolate along the Main Street.
This afternoon we visit the monument erected in memory of the French Huguenots, who brought their wine-making skills to the valley in centuries past. We will then visit two of the finest wine estates in the area to experience first-hand the fine wines and local cheeses made in the traditional way.
*Breakfast
Day 8 - Stellenbosch: Biltong and Wine
This morning we leave Franschhoek and begin our way back towards Stellenbosch, the wine capital of South Africa, and the second oldest town. We will sample Biltong and Bobotie, Koeksisters and Melktert while meeting a host of the local characters en route!
Between tasting stops and visits with artisans, we will hear delightful stories, some true and maybe some not so true.
In the afternoon, we will jump into an open Land Rover for a two-hour trip through the beautiful Waterford Estate on the beautiful slopes of the Helderberg.
Not only will we get the chance to taste award-winning Estate wines in the vineyards of their origin, but we will meet the winemakers and be guided through all the aspects of what makes this area so bio-diverse and viticulturally unique.
We will end our wine tour with a visit to the award-winning Tokara or Thelema and the breathtaking Stark-Conde wine estates.
*Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Stellenbosch: Let's trade...then off to a safari!
A morning at leisure to take a walk along the popular Dorp Street in Stellenbosch with its historical old Cape Dutch architecture. There will also be the opportunity to visit “Oom Samie se Winkel”, an old trading post that is a must-see before we make our way to the airport and head to our Safari adventure!
We will take an early afternoon flight to Johannesburg (or nearby) , where we will then take a short-hop flight to meet our guides who will take us to our beautiful luxury lodging of a Game Reserve near Kruger Park.
After we have settled in, we will have a sunset safari and an evening welcome braai.
*Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - On Safari!
The day starts early with a wake-up call at 5.30am. We will meet our guide/ranger who will take us to Kruger Park to find the leopards, the rhinos, the lioness, the impalas, the hyenas. We will spend the morning game viewing, stopping off at water holes, following river lines, checking dams. What will we spot?
For breakfast, we will stop at a picnic site for a bountiful well-deserved breakfast. For the rest of the morning, we will continue game viewing on a few loops in the Satara region, focusing on the Timbavati River loop.
Hopefully, this afternoon, we will spot a cheetah while making our way to the Orpen Gate as we leave Kruger Park. We will head back to our camp, passing through rural villages. Photo opportunities along the way!
Upon returning to the Reserve, we will head back to our lodging to freshen up before our for lunch. After lunch, we will have leisure time – siesta, a swim or some socializing. There will be options for you to choose from but most importantly, take care of YOU!
Late afternoon we will have our tea and coffee before we make our way to the open 4 x 4 Land Rovers and start our afternoon game drive.
*Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Lions and leopards, and...
After a leisurely breakfast, we will have our first safari of the day in hope of spotting the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo. Have your cameras ready!
The beautiful and historic Private Game Reserve comprises 65,000 acres and 50 kms of unfenced border, adjoining the Kruger National Park. Wildlife roam freely between the reserve and the park. What we spotted yesterday may be different than what we see today!
Sun-downers, a lovely dinner and a campfire for tonight! Sleeping to the roar of lions! Sweet Africa Dreams!
*Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Don't make mama mad!
During this morning’s safari, we focus on the elephant. Our guide will be tracking a big breeding herd of elephants with the hope we will be welcomed. The females are very protective of their young and the matriarch makes it very clear we are not wanted.
Loud trumpeting and a few mock charges from them, but with extra caution, we can approach.
Your photos will be as magnificent as the majestic elephants!
It will be an impressive gathering of elephants, young and old, and of course, we will be star-struck by their performances in the wild! The herd will slowly leave us. And as we head back to camp for breakfast, we hope to spot the white rhinos!
This afternoon before tea and safari, we will pack to be ready to depart in the morning. A special safari and farewell celebration will be a part of the evening events as we say goodbye to our hosts, both two legged and four legged!
*Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - One More Safari: Then Mooi Loop (Go Well!)
One more safari to say goodbye? And then we begin our journey home.
***It's a four-hour relaxed drive to Johannesburg for your early-evening flight home. In the event, you would like to stay overnight in Johannesburg, arrangements can be made. Every effort will be made to not have the long drive and fly out of a nearby regional airport to Johannesburg.
*Breakfast
More about this trip
Culture & Gastronomy
Local culture and gastronomy are a primal part of our travel experience. We visit cultural sites and always enjoy the local seasonal dishes, fresh vegetables and local wines. We spend time with the locals, stay in a variety of accommodations and we are respectful of local customs, cultural differences and new experiences. Please join us!
Trip Inclusions
12 nights/13 days
Single accommodations 5-star boutique hotels, Luxury Safari Camp
Arrival/departure transfers.
Breakfast each morning
Lunch and dinners where indicated
6 nights Cape Town
3 nights in the Cape Winelands Stellenbosch/Franschhoek
4 nights Sabi Sand Game Reserve or similar
*Air Transfer to/from Game Reserve
Tour of Cape Town
Robben Island Tour
District 6 Museum
Table Mountain
Cape Peninsula Tour
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Shopping tour with diamond cutting demonstration
High Tea
Wine Tastings
Local Foods Tours
5 game safaris
Return transport to Johannesburg
*Air transfer within South Africa to/from game reserve is included if tour is booked and prepaid prior to NOVEMBER 15, 2024. In the event, booking is after this date, you will be responsible for paying for your flight to Johannesburg or nearby regional airport to the Game Reserve.
Not Included
International flight or mandatory all-inclusive "cancel for any reason" travel insurance
Tips for guides, drivers, meals, drinks and personal spending or VAT taxes (we will suggest appropriate tipping upon your arrival)
Other Things To Know
Itinerary is subject to change based on weather and unknown events.
Final itinerary with listed hotel accommodations, contact information transfer schedule, etc., will be sent prior to departure.
Licensed, English-speaking guides (licensed for tourism)
Join Us!
Early reservations are advised and a non-refundable deposit of $800.00 is required
Guests will receive an invoice for the balance due
Full payment is required 120 days prior to commencement of trip
If you are making your reservation fewer than 90 days of departure, the entire amount of the trip must be paid in full at the time of reservation
Please note that this tour is limited to 8 women
Safety and sanitary precautions are implemented for your protection by all vendors
In the event that we do not meet the minimum capacity for travel, you will have the option to pay a supplemental fee for a private, customized tour. This decision will be made with your approval
Please read our Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
Your Total Cost
$8,695
Includes *private single rooms, boutique hotels, meals and tours where indicated, private transportation. *Note: sharing may be needed for safaris. You will be advised prior.
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