Cape Town, Winelands, Safari, South Africa
Whatever you do - book Katie the Wine Fairy.
- More about your Oliver Guide: Ginny Rothschild
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: AT LEAST 10 DAYS
to & from
- Book everything through Elizabeth Bradford (elizabeth@flysaavacations.com, ph.520-696-9833) with South African Airways Vacations . She was responsive and flexible, helping us customize this trip specifically to what we wanted. She is able to secure much better airfare, hotel, and tour deals. She allowed a trip to another continent feel like a real vacation.
- Book your safari first then work everything around it. Fly direct to Johannesburg on South African Airways (affiliated with United Airlines) from JFK. Bid on business class tickets a week before the flight as the upgrade is well worth it. Domestic flights were easy.
- Our focus was safari, Blyde River Canyon, Cape Town and wine country. I recommend 3-4 nights on safari, 1 night on Blyde River Canyon, 4 nights in Cape Town, and at least 2 nights in Franschhoek.
Where to Stay
- Stay near or at the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. We used uber to get to restaurants, tourist sites and then would have the restaurants call us a cab back to our hotel. We felt safe the entire time.
- Serendolla Lodge at Thornybush Reserve: I cannot say enough good things about our experience. Thornybush Reserve is a private reserve outside of Kruger. Serendolla Lodge arranges all game drives (two a day) meals and activities while you are there. Our specific lodge had a limit of 8-10 guests. We each had our own guest house that slept two. There is one guest house that can hold a family of 6. We loved that we had a small experience where we got to know the other guests and staff. Monica runs the lodge and Chewy is the ranger. They exceeded all our expectations.
- Oliver's Restaurant and Lodge, Blyde River Canyon: We had a tour guide Clifford pick up up from Serendolla Lodge and take us on a tour/drive through the Blyde River Canyon. Highlights were Bourke's Potholes, lunch at Harrie's Pancakes, and Lone Creek Falls. Another one of my favorite dinners from trip was at Oliver's, where we stayed.
- We stayed at Leeu Estates The views, sunsets, vineyards, service, beds, shower, and mini bar were beyond all expectations. The owner is a big art collector and each room throughout the hotel features South Africian artwork. The pool is delightful. You feel like you are a part of the Winelands. They have a shuttle to town at your service and it is a short 3-5 minute drive. (We chose to stay in Franschhoek, the Sonoma of the Winelands, the other choice is Stellenbosch which is more like Napa.)