15-Day Flower & Safari Tour

Day 1 Arrival in Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Balalaika Bed

Day 2 Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

This morning after you have enjoyed breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (flight excluded). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Rhino Post Safari Lodge. This transfer lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Rhino Walking Safaris:

Rhino Walking Safaris lets you discover nature’s hidden wonders in specially tailored walking trails through a 12,000 ha private wilderness concession in the Kruger National Park. The concession shares a 15km unfenced boundary with the famous Mala Mala and Sabi Sand reserve with an abundance of wildlife moving freely between the two reserves. The concession is noted as an excellent game viewing area and good sightings can be expected.

Overnight: Rhino Post Safari Lodge Full Board

Day 3 Kruger National Park

Full Day spent enjoying lodge activities.

After an introductory brief on the 'do's & don'ts' of bush walking safaris, the specialist guide will structure the trail taking into account the fitness level of the group and any special requests. The guide will take you on an all-encompassing bush walk to include information about fauna, flora, insects and astronomy. A typical day would include an early start, a cup of fresh coffee or tea, after which guests set out on either a morning walk or game drive. Guests on foot follow rhino trails and elephant paths for approximately 3 to 4 hours. Returning to the lodge the guests enjoy a leisurely brunch and time to relax around the pool overlooking the waterhole. In the late afternoon after a delicious high tea, you can enjoy an evening game drive or walk, winding down with sundowners, watching an African sunset and spotting nocturnal animals in the park.

Overnight: Rhino Post Safari Lodge Full Board

Day 4 Kruger National Park to Johannesburg via Pretoria Botanical Gardens

After your early morning game activity and breakfast, you will be collected from the lodge and transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg (flight excluded). Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will be collected and transferred back to Protea Hotel Balalaika, via a tour of the Pretoria Botanical Gardens and a private garden visit.

A 50 m high quartzite outcrop divides the Garden in two sections. Its frosty south-facing section and the north-facing, warmer section present two different worlds to the visitor and botanist. Paved nature trails give access to the fascinating natural vegetation on the ridge.

Fifty hectares of the total area are devoted to developed garden, using almost exclusively South African plants. All the flowering plant species to be seen including 50% of the country's tree species, make this Garden a botanical tapestry, offering the visitor a glimpse of different biomes such as Savanna, forest, fynbos and some plants of other biomes.

Special features are the treed wisteria avenue and special collections of medicinal plants, cycads, aloes, tree species, succulents and natural ridge vegetation. The green lawns and spreading shade trees in summer and the massed aloe collections that blaze into flower during winter, are just some of the seasonal features that draw visitors to this spectacular Garden.

Arrival at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Balalaika Bed & Breakfast

Day 5 Johannesburg to Kakamas via Upington

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your flight to Upington (flight excluded). Upon arrival at Upington Airport, you will be collected and taken to the Augrabies Falls National Park.

The Khoi people called it 'Aukoerebis', the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 metres in a spectacular waterfall. Klipspringer and kokerboom (quiver trees) stand in stark silhouette against the African sky, silent sentinels in a strangely unique environment where only those that are able to adapt ultimately survive. The 28 000 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds and reptiles to springbok, gemsbok and the endangered black rhino.

Vergelegen Guest House:

Experience the natural wonder of the spectacular and renowned Augrabies Falls surrounded by harsh Kalahari desert landscapes whiles staying at Vergelegen Country Estate in comfort, luxury and elegance, indulging in chef prepared meals and relaxing under the African sun next to the sparkling pool in our lavish green gardens.

Vergelegen Guest House was built especially with keeping the guests needs in mind. Situated on the outskirts of Kakamas on a beautiful farm setting near the world famous Augrabies Falls. One overlooks the contrast of barren landscapes and lush green vineyards of the Orange River valley.

Overnight: Vergelegen Guest House Bed & Breakfast

Day 6 Kakamas to Springbok via Pofadder

Depart Kakamas, drive towards Pofadder. The very little town of Pofadder lies surrounded by rugged, sparsely populated and very scenic countryside. Explore the Namaqualand daisies.

Continue to Springbok. The pretty town of Springbok is found in the heart of the Namaqualand. Its repute as the flower capital of Namaqualand has placed Springbok on the map. It’s not difficult to imagine the prominence of Springbok antelope in the narrow valley wedged between the high granite domes of the Klein Koperberge (copper mountains) that must have lead to the town’s rather obvious name.

Also visit the town of Nababeep - During the springtime the magnificent display of spring flowers is spectacular to say the least. The entire town is ablaze with orange and yellow masses of spring flowers. One is unable to step anywhere without stepping onto this profusion of natures' annual bountry.

Return to Springbok in the late afternoon.

Mountain View Guest House:

Mountain View, as its name aptly describes, is situated high on the hill overlooking the picturesque and bustling Northern Cape Town of Springbok. Relax in the beautiful tranquil gardens, enjoy breakfast in the dining room with magnificent views of the mountains in the distance or the stunning garden where Maggie has created several interesting features using indigenous plants and rocks from the area.

Overnight: Mountain View Guest House Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 7 Springbok & Surrounds

Today we explore Springbok and the surrounding area.

Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve. The Goegap Nature Reserve with its granite peaks and sandy plains are dominated by Carolusberg, the highest point in the area. Goegap's wild flower garden contains an enormous collection of succulents endemic to the area. A visit to the Goegap Reserve will make a lasting impression with the spectacular annual display of wild flowers in spring.

Visitors to the reserve may take advantage of 3 hour guided tours in an open truck, which are conducted seasonally. In this way tourists have a bird's eye view of this floral marvel. Besides the unbelievable number of floral species, Goegap boasts a recorded 45 mammalian species including springbok, gemsbok, the endangered Hartman's Zebra and the aardwolf amongst several others.

Thereafter, visit the Namaqua National Park (Skilpad Wildflower Gardens). The Skilpad sector of the region forms part of the greater Namaqua National Park. This is situated in the Hardeveld otherwise known as the Namaqualand Klipkoppe. The Namaqualand Klipkoppe are made up of a fragmented chain of mountains measuring approximately 50kms in width. The chain separates the low-lying Sandveld to the west and the Bushmanland plateau to the east. This area is world renowned for its annual colourburst of wild flowers which comes to life in spring. In addition, a rich diversity of succulent plants with an estimated 3 500 species, more than 1000 endemic to the area may be viewed throughout the year.

Return to the guest house in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Mountain View Guest House Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 8 Springbok to Nieuwoudtville via Kamieskroon

After a leisurely breakfast, depart to Kamieskroon. A thriving agricultural centre surrounded by the granite Kamiesberg Mountains. The village is renowned for the variety and wealth of its wild flowers which bloom in spring. Synonymous with spring flowers, the Kamiesberg region extends the season with brilliant shows of Bulbinella latifolia.

Continue to Nieuwoudtville. Nieuwoudtville is known for its unique vegetation and the 100m high Nieuwoudtville Falls, on the Doring River. We refer to Nieuwoudtville as the Bulb Capital of the World, since it has the highest speciation of bulbs in the world. South Africa's greatest contribution to world horticulture has been bulbs such as Freesia, Ixia, Tritonia, Gladiolus, Babiana, Sparaxis, Dierama, Clivia and many others.

Check in at your guest house in the late afternoon. Your group will be split up into smaller groups and transferred to various guest houses in Nieuwoudtville.

Van Zijl Guest Houses:

The guest houses are beautifully restored traditional sandstone buildings typical of the architecture and stone masonry of Nieuwoudtville. Indulge in the country cuisine served by your host, Hendrik Van Zijl at his Smidswinkel Restaurant.

Overnight: Nieuwoudtville Guest Houses Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 9 Nieuwoudtville to Clanwilliam via Vanrhynsdorp

This morning after breakfast, depart to Vanrhynsdorp en route to Clanwilliam.

Three botanical kingdoms converge in Vanrhynsdorp, namely the Nama-Karoo vegetation, Knersvlakte succulents and Cape fynbos in the mountains. This botanical diversity explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour every spring, offering excellent flower viewing. Vanrhynsdorp's succulent nursery, the largest of its kind in the world, has become the centre of preservation of a variety of indigenous succulents.

Continue to Clanwilliam. Here we will go on a Rooibos Tea tour. This is the only place in the world where the Rooibos plant grows. We will be enlightened as to how it is cultivated and prepared.

Visit the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden - it contains a variety of more than 350 species of cultivated wild flowers. The walks on the laid-out paths through the garden also offer a beautiful view over the Clanwilliam Dam and of the Cederberg Mountains.

Arrival at the lodge in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Clanwilliam Lodge Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 10 Clanwilliam to Paarl

We depart late morning towards Citrusdal, through the Citrus plantations along the Olifants River Valley. All around town in a good season you can see carpets of Namaqualand Daisies and other indigenous species.

Continue via Riebeek Wes towards Paarl. One of two comparable towns lying in the stunning Riebeek Valley - Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel - with views that have had many a day tripper making rash decisions to relocate, Riebeek West might be regarded as the Cinderella of the two, but has its own draw cards - beautiful old Victorian houses, peace and quiet, and easy access to local vineyards. Visit Het Vlock Casteel - it derives its name from the castle-like building near the entrance to the farm. This building conjures up thoughts of the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town and is the hub of activity for the processing of the wide range of produce available at the farm shop.

An olive press, where the farm's olives are pressed for oil, as well as the farm's wine cellar is also located here.

A visit to the farm's shop will undoubtedly include a very informative talk by Ansie Vlok herself, as well as an olive oil tasting where you will learn all the tips you need for recognizing a good olive oil. All the other produce for sale can also be tasted.

Arrival in Paarl in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Cascade Manor Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 11 Paarl to Cape Town via Winelands Tour

This morning visit the neighbouring Olive Farm, which hosts the brand name of Buffet Olives, and is South Africa's biggest table olive producer; a tour of the factory will be arranged.

Thereafter, visit the picturesque Seidelberg Wine Estate. An informative cellar tour and winetasting gives visitors personlised insight into the finer points of winemaking. Proceed to the town of Franschhoek, historically dating back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town retains a French Huguenot style. Franschhoek complements the artistry of its chefs and winemakers with the breathtaking beauty of its setting. We enjoy a winetasting at one of the numerous wine estates in the area, before taking time to enjoy the fabled culinary skills of the chefs at one of the many award-winning restaurants. Onward to Stellenbosch, via the scenic Helshoogte Pass, the heart of the South African wine Industry, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. With the sheer vastness of wine estates on offer, we are truly spoilt for choice when we enjoy our final winetasting of the day in Stellenbosch.

Continue to Cape Town, where you will spend the following four nights.

Overnight: The Vineyard Hotel Bed & Breakfast

Day 12 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Depart for a visit of the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, where we will spend the rest of the morning on a guided tour of the gardens.

Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It consists of landscaped gardens of indigenous plants and trees, watered by the Liesbeek River, as well as natural forest that extend up the lower slopes. Kirstenbosch covers an area of 828Ha, 60 ha of which are cultivated; the remainder is a natural flora reserve.

It is a living display featuring 4 700 of the estimated 20 000 species of indigenous South African flora, and close to 50 per cent of the Peninsula's floral wealth. In the cultivated area, related plants are grouped together and radiate from the central lawns like the spokes of a wheel.

Among the interesting sections here are the Cycad Amphitheatre, which hosts most species of these 'living fossils' found in southern Africa; the famed Protea Garden on the higher slopes, with its profuse growth of silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum); the JV Mathews Rock Garden (named after the first curator) containing succulents of the genera Crassula, Aloe, Lampranthus and Euphorbia; the Erica Garden and the Pelargonium Koppie.

Thereafter enjoy lunch at the Silvertree Restaurant.

Depart from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a private garden visit in Constantia.

Return to your hotel and enjoy a private tour of the hotel’s gardens with the horticulturist.

The remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

Overnight: The Vineyard Hotel Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 13 Cape Town City, Company Gardens & Table Mountain Tour

You are collected from your hotel and taken to the lower cableway station on the slopes of Table Mountain. Weather permitting, ascend the mountain by aerial cable car (entrance fee included), and from a height of 1067 metres, view the city and Table Bay below, Robben Island, the Atlantic Seaboard as well as most of the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Afterwards, head down into the Malay Quarter with its’ narrow cobbled streets and colourful Mosques.

You will be dropped off at Wale Street and walk though the Company Gardens - continue to Government Avenue, stroll to the National Gallery and SA Museum, as well as view the Houses of Parliament.

We then go on a short city orientation tour before we enter the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a region that abounds with shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment, where lunch will be enjoyed.

This afternoon, enjoy high tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. No visit to Cape Town is complete without experiencing Mount Nelson Hotel’s legendary Afternoon Tea. Graceful notes from the Grande Piano add to the ambiance, and a selection of over thirty of the finest loose-leaf teas, from Rooibos and Lapsang Souchong, to Earl Grey and Darjeeling, completes the indulgence. The Mount Nelson Hotel is situated within a sprawling lush garden estate in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural centre.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight: The Vineyard Hotel Lunch, Bed & Breakfast

Day 14 Cape Town & Surrounds

After being collected from your hotel, you will view the exclusive suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay before continuing via Llandudno to the fishing harbour of Hout Bay.

Once in Hout Bay, visit a private garden.

Travel along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to Kommetjie, and enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve where you will be taken to the best vantage point to view what is erroneously said to be the meeting place of two mighty oceans. After a stop for lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant, the tour continues to an African penguin colony, the Naval hamlet of Simon’s Town and then continues via Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay to Muizenberg. Return to the city via Rhodes Drive, which bisects the plush suburbs of Bishopscourt, Claremont and Newlands. The tour terminates at your hotel again in the late afternoon.

This evening you are collected from your hotel for a special treat – a home dinner, where you have the opportunity to interact with South Africans in their home.

Overnight: The Vineyard Hotel Lunch, Home Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Day 15 A fond farewell…

In the morning after you have enjoyed breakfast, you are colleted at your hotel as transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your flight home (flight excluded). This is where we bid you a fond farewell, as you at home many wonderful memories of South Africa.

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