TUESDAY - 11 MARCH 2025 ARRIVE CAPE TOWN
Arrive in the bustling and vibrant city of Cape Town to enjoy all the best that South Africa has to offer.
You will be met by a Lion World Travel representative at the Cape Town Airport and transferred to the luxurious Cape Grace Hotel.
Effortlessly bridging the divide between indoors and outdoors, each of our 112 spacious, elegantly appointed rooms and suites extend an invitation to the world beyond. The fusion of modern comforts and timeless allure create a haven for the contemporary traveller.
SOUTH AFRICA EXPERIENCE:
VIP ITINERARY FOR
MERVIS DIAMOND
IMPORTERS
Travel price starts at just $6,350 for 11 days
Price includes domestic airfare in South Africa, luxury hotels, deluxe coaches, safari lodges and vehicles, English speaking tour guides, most meals, baggage handling and more.
Reach out to John Almeida at Lion World Travel to make your reservation at John@lionworldtravel.com or call 1-800-387-2706
Space on this trip is limited and an initial 25% non-refundable deposit is due upon booking the trip. Balance of payment is due by November 8, 2024.
Make Your Reservation Today!
Wednesday – 12 March 2025 Cape Town
After breakfast depart on a private full day Cape Peninsula tour including Table Mountain (weather permitting).
On this tour you will see why the area earned the name of The Fairest Cape. Sit back and relax, as you’re driven along the exquisite stretch of coastline known as Millionaire’s Paradise – from Clifton to Camps Bay, to the exclusive beach hamlet of Llandudno – towards the charming working harbour of Hout Bay where you can embark on an up-close-and-personal Seal Island cruise lasting about 45 minutes if you choose to (for your own account).
Thursday – 13 March 2025 Cape Town
After breakfast this morning you will make your way to the jetty for your scheduled ferry to Robben Island for your half day tour.
Robben Island is now a World Heritage Site offering stunning views across the bay with Table Mountain as its backdrop. For nearly 400 years Robben Island, 7½miles/12kms off the coast from Cape Town was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It is a highly charged and emotional moment when you visit the site of this suffering and realize how far South Africa has come since Mandela’s release just 28 years ago!
If you choose not to do the cruise you will have time to browse the shops and markets and perhaps enjoy a morning coffee at one of the restaurants at Mariners Wharf – the first harbor-front emporium in Africa. You then wind your way along the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, hugging the cliffs and relishing the breathtaking ocean views.
After a stop for lunch, visit the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. You will have the opportunity to ride the Flying Dutchman funicular (tickets provided) to the old lighthouse for awe-inspiring views! After, you’ll head back along the coast towards the City, visiting the historic naval port of Simon’s Town and the endearing African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach (tickets provided).
Cable Car
The last stop of the day will be Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain (weather permitting). Our guests will enjoy a private ascent in the world-famous revolving cable car. At the summit we will enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception and have a chance to marvel at the awe-inspiring 360-degree view as the sun sets and the city lights begin to twinkle.
The world-famous landmark is 1,086 meters/3,258 feet above sea level and is a national monument.
Accommodation: Cape Grace Hotel - Fairmont Harbor View Rooms (B, L)
Robben Island Ferry
Accommodation: Cape Grace Hotel - Fairmont Harbor View Rooms (B)
Friday – 14 March 2025 Cape Town
After breakfast depart on a private full day Franschhoek Winelands Tour.
Your first stop will be to visit Haute Cabriere Wine Estate for a wine tasting. Situated on opposite ends of the breathtaking Franschhoek Wine Valley, Haute Cabrière is something extraordinary. A rich history, a whimsical setting, a seductive approach to wine and a magnetic proprietor ensure that it is a decadent affair for any visitor. The core belief that wine is grown not made makes the farm's ethos incredibly real and intrinsically human.
Cape Winelands
The next stop is La Bourgogne Wine Farm which was among the first Huguenot farms proclaimed in 1694, where you will enjoy an olive oil tasting followed by lunch, where the chef creates an amazing menu using a lot of ingredients grown on the farm.
Wine Tasting
After lunch, continue onto for more wine tastings at Grande Provence.
Later you will transfer to your hotel in Cape Town.
Accommodation: Cape Grace Hotel - Fairmont Harbor View Rooms (B, L)
Saturday – 15 March 2025 Cape Town
Your final day in Cape Town! Enjoy a day at leisure exploring the many attractions in and around this cosmopolitan city, or simply relax on the fashionable beaches of Camps Bay or Clifton.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Accommodation: Cape Grace Hotel - Fairmont Harbor View Rooms (B)
Sunday – 16 March 2025 Cape Town/Kapama Private Game Reserve
It is time to say goodbye to beautiful Cape Town as you are transferred to Cape Town International Airport. On arrival in Hoedspruit, you will be met and transferred to Kapama Private Game Reserve where you will spend 3-nights including all meals and two daily safari activities.
DEPART CAPE TOWN 10:40 AM 4Z 657
ARRIVE HOEDSPRUIT 1:10 PM
HOEDSPRUIT TRANSFER
Pick-up Point: Hoedspruit Airport
Pick-up Time: 1:10 PM
Drop-off Point: Kapama River Lodge
The Kapama Game Reserve offers a large area of undisturbed bushveld, with prime wildlife viewing and panoramic views of the nearby Drakensberg Mountain range. The area supports a wide variety of game including elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, and a large population of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest, and kudu. A small permanent water source lies just beyond Kapama River Lodge perimeter fence attracting animals like antelopes, elephants, and buffalo.
Kapama River Lodge – Deluxe Suite
Each spacious room at Kapama River Lodge features a full en-suite bathroom and patio with uninterrupted views into the leafy-green game reserve. Step onto your private balcony with a cool drink from your mini bar, and while away free time, gazing lazily into the bush for animals that may pass by.
Game drive Vehicles
You will arrive in time to take a late afternoon game drive where you will have excellent photo opportunities of Africa’s most amazing animals and views. Depart in an open vehicle game drive in Kapama Private Game Reserve – sure to be a thrilling experience!
Accommodation: Kapama River Lodge – Deluxe Suites (B, L, D)
Monday – 17 March 2025 Kapama Private Game Reserve
Your day begins early, with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Outside, the sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, showing off a spectacular landscape.
Wildlife viewing
Your experienced ranger and tracker team ensure that you have a ringside seat for any wildlife encounters in this big game reserve in the Greater Kruger Park. There is no way to know exactly what the safari experience will bring from day to day, but it will be memorable!
You can also take a virtual safari tour by watching our video.
Game Drive
A general idea of your days on safari:
5:00AM Wake-up call
5:30AM Tea/coffee and game drive departs.
9:00AM Game drive returns, then breakfast/brunch is served.
At leisure Bush walk or activities of personal preference
1:00pm Light luncheon
4:00PM High tea is served.
4:30PM Afternoon game drive departs.
8:00PM Game drive returns and dinner follows.
Mouth-watering meals are served in the dining area which has open sides or under the stars, so you can appreciate the tranquillity of the camp's bush setting.
Accommodation: Kapama River Lodge – Deluxe Suites (B, L, D)
Outdoor Dining Area
Tuesday – 18 March 2025 Kapama Private Game Reserve
An early start this morning as another day of wilderness experience begins. You are accompanied by highly skilled game rangers, who provide interesting information and anecdotes about the inhabitants of the bush.
Wildlife viewing
While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are just as captivating. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge for a full breakfast. Relax and cool off in the pool, just perfect for those hot summer days or to refresh you after an exciting safari through the bush. Make sure your binoculars are on hand to watch the jewelled colored birds flying around or the animals in the nearby bush.
In the late afternoon everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route you will stop for a drink as the sun sets over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains. Arrive back at the lodge with time to freshen up before enjoying a fabulous dinner.
Accommodation: Kapama River Lodge – Deluxe Suites (B, L, D)
Wednesday – 19 March 2025 Hoedspruit/Johannesburg
After an early morning game drive to track the animals that may have eluded you so far, followed by breakfast, you will be transferred to Hoedspruit Airport. Bid farewell to the place that has given you unforgettable wildlife encounters in the African bush.
DEPART HOEDSPRUIT 2:20 PM 4Z 874
ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG 3:25 PM
Upon arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to the Melrose Arch Hotel where you will spend the night.
The Melrose Arch Hotel is in Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch area with its variety of trendy retail shops and leisure amenities. The 5-star Melrose Arch Hotel is bright and modern with the ultimate in service and technology. Luxury bedrooms with wooden floors, an extra deep bathtub, flat screen TV and DVD surround sound system are but a few of the unique features.
Hotel Exterior / Melrose Arch
Ideally situated in the heart of Johannesburg, the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel specializes in luxury without compromise. Guests are welcomed with a unique blend of chic design and outstanding service, for a visit that defies expectations. Stretch out in your sumptuous hotel accommodation, and be spoiled by amenities including free Wi-Fi, ultra-plush bedding and oversized soaking tubs and rainforest showers. Dine on fantastic global cuisine at March Restaurant or linger over an aged whiskey by the fire at Library Bar. Spend time lounging by the crystal waters of our hotel pool, which features a vibrant bar with drinks and light dining. Melrose Arch Hotel is ready to make you feel at home!
Accommodation: Melrose Arch Hotel – Standard Room (B)
Thursday – 20 March 2025 Johannesburg
Today you will take part in a full day Cullinan Diamond mine surface tour.
Accommodation: Melrose Arch Hotel – Standard Room (B)
Friday - 21st March 2025 Johannesburg/Depart
You will have the morning at leisure. You will have the option of booking onto on optional morning tour for an additional USD80 per person. You may either visit to a diamond cutting and polishing factory or book onto an optional Apartheid Museum tour.
Later this afternoon you will be transferred to Johannesburg Airport in time for your international flight back home. (B)
Return home with a lifetime of memories!
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
COSTING
USD 6,350 (Includes Fuel Surcharges & Taxes)
Rate per person based on double occupancy
Single supplement: USD 2,970
*Rates valid for March 2025 based on minimum 20 passengers traveling together
INCLUDES:
- All services as specified
- Domestic flights in South Africa
- Accommodation in standard rooms
- Meals as specified
- Game drives as specified in itinerary.
- Transportation in luxury air-conditioned vehicles
- Lion World Travel Representative meet and greet upon arrival.
EXCLUDES:
- Round trip international airfare
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls etc.
- All other services not mentioned.
- Gratuities/tips for game rangers, tour guides, and drivers
- Costs of obtaining passports and/or visas
- Trip Cancellation, Interruption and Medical Insurance: please note that insurance for this trip is a mandatory requirement from suppliers in Africa - proof of insurance must be provided before bookings are confirmed. It is your personal responsibility to ensure you have enough travel insurance coverage from the provider of your choice. Please let your Africa Specialist know if you would like information on this.
Please Note:
Visas: United States of America passport holders will be issued with an entry permit valid for 90 days upon arrival into South Africa. The South African Government requires that you do have at least two blank visa pages in your passport for a visitor’s entry & exit permit to be stamped onto – please see additional information below. On arrival into Johannesburg, please clear Immigration from the Foreign Passport holder’s channels.
Visas: Canadian passport holders will be issued with a Temporary Resident Visa/Permit, valid for 90 days, upon arrival in South Africa. This visa/permit is issued free of charge and is in the form of a stamp. The South African Government requires that you have at least two blank visa pages in your passport, one for the visa/permit and the other for an exit stamp. On arrival into Johannesburg, please clear Immigration from the Foreign Passport holder’s channels.
Passports: Please ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport with at least TWO BLANK PAGES marked “VISA” and that this is valid for at least 6 months after your intended return date from South Africa. If you are visiting other countries, please establish entry requirements and have additional blank visa pages for those countries as well. In accordance with South African government regulations, boarding will be denied should you not have the correct number of pages in your passport.
Please check the following government site for information for US Citizens traveling abroad:
Malaria: If you are visiting an area where malaria is found – this includes the Greater Kruger National Park area incorporating the Sabi Sands, Thornybush, Timbavati Kapama, and other private game reserves, please contact your physician or travel clinic for advice as to what precautions against malaria they suggest for you.
Valuables: Some areas you visit will be quite poor by our standards and it is thoughtless to flash money or jewellery. We urge you to leave valuables, passports etc. in hotel safes or with camp managers at lodges that do not provide safes.
Domestic flights in South Africa:
If your domestic flights are issued as part of your international air ticket, the same allowance as on the international ticket will apply. If your domestic flights are issued on separate tickets, most airlines will have a luggage restriction of one piece of checked luggage weighing no more than 23kg/50lb. Your Africa Specialist will be able to tell you which rule would apply to your tickets. Always go with the most restrictive rules to avoid having to either pay for excess luggage or be asked to leave items behind.
Irregular shaped luggage and luggage with long straps that cannot detach may need to be wrapped (this is a payable service offered at major airports) if they are to be checked.
Hand / carry-on luggage should weigh no more than 8kg/17lb with dimensions not exceeding 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, total dimensions of 115cm (22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, total dimensions of 45 inches). You can also carry a slim line laptop bag or small purse. Exceeding the carry-on restrictions will result in you being sent back to the check in counters and checking the bag.
Photography/Security: Do not take photographs of the local people without their permission. Never take photographs of military, military institutions, armed forces barracks, policemen, the President, Government officials or airports.
Import regulations: Please note that the import of meat or any products thereof (dried, canned etc.), plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, livestock, endangered wildlife species and products thereof (for example clothing and accessories) into the United States and Canada is prohibited. This includes Ostrich eggs and animal skins for sale in Africa!
USA Security: You may be asked to turn on any electronic or battery powered devices such as telephones, tablets, e-books and laptops in front of airport security teams and /or demonstrate the item’s functionality. Please make sure you do all you can to ensure that items are fully powered before arriving at the airport, items may be confiscated if you are not able to demonstrate their functionality.
Please contact John Almeida at Lion World Travel to make your reservation
john@lionworldtravel.com or call 1-800-387-2706 (Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm)
As space on this trip is limited, an initial 25% non-refundable deposit is due upon booking the trip and then the balance of payment is due by November 8, 2024.
Let us know you're interested in joining us!
Reach out to John Almeida at Lion World Travel to make your reservation or to learn more at John@lionworldtravel.com or call 1-800-387-2706