A Superb South Africa Honeymoon: In Luxury
Tour Introduction
A very stylish honeymoon indeed and an exceptional start to married life. With private chauffeured transfers and virtually fully inclusive throughout, this five-star itinerary begins with a top beach hotel in Hermanus on the Cape coast where you can relax by the pool, stroll through the fynbos flora, and enjoy the marine environment. In season (June to October) you may not even have to leave the hotel in order to see southern right whales cavorting before your eyes. Enjoy a taste of Cape Town’s manifold delights before going on safari in Kruger’s Makalali and Sabi Sands Private Game Reserves based at two luxury safari lodges with extra-romantic twists such as a private sleep-out and bush bath under the African skies. Please be warned: we will all be very, very envious should you choose to book this itinerary (but don’t let that spoil it for you).
Full Itinerary
Arrive Cape Town and transfer to Hermanus. The erstwhile quiet fishing village of Hermanus has become quite lively and popular as a holiday destination and one of the best locations in the world to observe the southern right whale. Between June and November they come inshore to breed and raise their young. Local drinks, snacks, mini bar, laundry and house wine are all included.
Staying at Birkenhead House. Includes All Meals.
At leisure in Hermanus (complimentary shuttle from the hotel to town). Enjoy the beach, marine life and walking trails. Whale watching trips offshore can be arranged for close views of the right whales and to look for humpback and Bryde’s whales and see the many seabirds that come to feed in this rich environment.
Staying at Birkenhead House. Includes All Meals.
Another day at leisure in Hermanus, with optional activities that can be arranged if desired. Or just pamper yourselves by the pool at your luxury hotel.
Staying at Birkenhead House. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Cape Town to enjoy a private city tour, taking in all the key sites including a cable car up Table Mountain for breathtaking views (weather dependent - ticket payable locally). Rest of day at leisure to enjoy the superb beach-side location of your superb hotel.
Staying at Tintswalo Atlantic. Includes Breakfast.
Luxury sedan private transfer to the airport. Fly via Nelspruit to Hoedspruit and then transfer to Makalali Private Game Reserve. Settle in to your intimate and exclusive camp. Afternoon safari in the reserve, where sightings of elephants and big cats are frequent and there is a large diversity of other game to observe.
Staying at Garonga Safari Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy safaris in Makalali Private Game Reserve. Spend the evening relaxing in a romantic bush bath under the African sky.
Staying at Garonga Safari Camp. Includes All Meals.
Morning and afternoon game drives in Makalali Private Game Reserve. Staff will take you to your private deck in the middle of the bushveld, with picnic hamper and hot and cold drinks for a night under the stars - a magical experience.
Staying at Garonga Sleep Out. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Hoedspruit airport and fly to Nelspruit. Connect on light aircraft to Londolozi airstrip in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Your stay includes game drives, local drinks, house wine, nature walks, yoga, gym and all laundry.
Staying at Londolozi Varty Camp. Includes All Meals.
Safari activities in the exclusive Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. The Sabi Sands reserve adjoins the world famous Kruger National Park and supports an extraordinary density of big cats and other game and offers some of the best leopard viewing anywhere in Africa.
Staying at Londolozi Varty Camp. Includes All Meals.
Another day of safari activities in Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.
Staying at Londolozi Varty Camp. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Jo'burg. Connect with your international flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Birkenhead House
Overview
Birkenhead House is a beautiful boutique hotel perched atop a cliff overlooking Walker Bay in Hermanus. The artistically designed hotel mixes beach house style with quirky comfort. Having only 11 suites, the hotel succeeds in providing an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for its guests.
The individually designed suites have light colours and classic antique furnishings. Each room has a large double bed with high quality linens and attached private modern bathrooms. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, digital TV, DVD player, mini bar, and have Wi-Fi internet access and some rooms have balconies with sea views.
There is an excellent gourmet restaurant serving delicious gourmet dishes with a mix of traditional African, French, Italian and Asian cuisine as well as local Cape peninsula seafood.
Facilities at the hotel include an attractive lounge with grand fireplace, bar and sun deck with infinity pool looking out on the bay. There is also a spa offering a range massage, aromatherapy and reflexology treatments, and a well stocked gym.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, restaurant, lounge, bar, swimming pool, spa, gym, massage treatment, fireplace, free WiFi, TV, library.
Local Wildlife
Walkers Bay and the sea off Hermanaus are superb for watching southern right whales between May and October.
Optional Activities
Whale watching, tours of Hermanus, hiking, mountain biking and yoga are all also available.
Tintswalo Atlantic
Overview
Tintswalo Atlantic is a luxurious five-star boutique lodge between Hout Bay and Cape Town with the Atlantic Ocean to the front and the magnificent Table Mountain National Park behind. The property has an ocean theme and provides a friendly and relaxing atmosphere for its guests with helpful staff, sensational views, delicious food and excellent service and accommodation.
There are ten spacious suites, all individually designed with modern furnishings, pictures and stylish bold décor. Many have large picture windows with views toward the sea and some have balconies.
The air-conditioned suites also have mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, tea and coffee making facilities and en suite bathrooms with slipper bathtubs and his and hers wash basins. The main building features an attractive restaurant with open plan kitchen where the chef takes delight in discussing the creation of his delicious dishes with the guests.
Outside there is a sun deck with sun loungers and a small swimming pool.
Tintswalo Atlantic is approximately a 25-minute drive from Cape Town city and 45 minutes from the International airport.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, 24 hour reception desk, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, free parking, concierge service, room service, air conditioning, mini-bar,
Garonga Safari Camp
Overview
Garonga Safari Camp is situated in the private 27,000-hectare Makalali Conservancy, just to the west of Kruger National Park and only one hour’s drive from Hoedspruit airport. The elevated camp overlooks a dry riverbed lined with ebony trees which acts as a natural pathway for game passing in front of the rooms. The main camp offers guests a relaxing open plan lounge and dining area complete with a homely open fireplace. The thatched roof and rough plastered walls conjure up a rustic feel, while the outdoor dining deck steps down to a natural rock-lined pool.
The six en-suite tented rooms are a charming blend of textures. Set on raised screed concrete platforms, they have earthy, plastered wall frames with canvas-tented roofs and you may either have windows open to nature or roll down the canvas sides for privacy. The rooms are light, airy and spacious with large, draped beds, outdoor showers, crisp linens and “Out of Africa” mosquito drapes. Each suite has a wooden deck with a hammock for relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views. The camp provides a complimentary laundry service, safety deposit boxes and access to telephones and medical services. WiFi is available in most areas of the camp.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, outdoor showers, restaurant, bar, lounge, BBQ area, wine cellar, curio shop, massage pallor, swimming pool, hammocks, mosquito nets, complimentary laundry service, WiFi. safe deposit box and telephone access.
Local Wildlife
The area is home to all but the buffalo of the big five. Other exciting mammal species include cheetah, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, giraffe and an abundance of commoner plains game. Other wildlife includes Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, a variety of smaller lizards and snakes. Among the 200 bird species are ground hornbills, Kori bustard, saddle-billed stork and lilac-breasted rollers.
Optional Activities
Game drives, bush walks and camp-outs are available.
Londolozi Varty Camp
Overview
Londolozi Varty Camp in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve that adjoins the world famous Kruger National Park occupies the site of the original Londolozi camp set up the Varty and Taylor families back in 1926. The camp is the least expensive of five in the Londolozi Private Game Reserve, one of the earliest pioneers of the southern African safari experience.
The main building has high ceilings, rustic wooden structures and stylish décor and furnishings, and the walls are decorated with beautiful wildlife pictures and local artefacts. It houses the dining area, reception, lounge and a patio with small swimming pool and sun loungers. There is also a small library with computers available, gift shop, gym and yoga room and a boma where meals are sometimes served. The food is of very high quality given the remoteness of the camp and includes traditional African cuisine and more international and western dishes: special diets are well catered for.
The accommodation is in ten well designed suites raised off the ground on wooden stilts complete with private verandah and plunge pool overlooking the riverine woodland. Each bungalow has a comfortable double bed with en suite bathrooms and small living area.
The service at the camp is outstanding and the excellent staff and guides strive to provide guests with a personalized service. The camp caters well for families (with children over six years old) and they even run a special educational children’s activity programme.
The game drives in the Londolozi private reserve are excellent for sightings of the Big Five and it is not uncommon to see all in one day. Londolozi reserve is world famous for its leopards, which occur in high densities due to the abundance of game and have become habituated to vehicles over the generations making this one of the best places in Africa to see this normally very elusive big cat.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
All chalets have private bathroom, deck and plunge pool but the superior chalets also have outdoor showers. The main building has a restaurant, bar, lounge, mosquito nets, computer library, gift shop, yoga room, patio and swimming pool.
Local Wildlife
The big five are easily seen at Londolozi, as well as hippo, hyena, monitor lizard, African wild dog and a wide variety of ungulates. Birds are widespread including the hammerkop.
Optional Activities
Game drives in the private Londolozi reserve, part of the wider Sabi Sand Game Reserve openly adjoining the much larger Kruger National Park.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly from London to Cape Town, return from Johannesburg.
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Perhaps add a few of days to see more of Cape Town and/or tour the beautiful wine lands.
Garonga has a ‘Stay 5 nights, Pay 4 nights’ special offer, so you could add another two nights there for the price of one if you wish (also includes a complimentary half-hour massage.)
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. Leopard View was fantastic. The guide did his upmost for us and the rest of the game viewing was great. We saw everything that we wanted to see.
