7-DAY | FIVE-STAR PACKAGE Enjoy a world-class safari and discover the Garden Route’s treasure trove of pristine beaches, lush indigenous forests, fynbos-covered mountains, dramatic cliffs and tranquil lagoons on this self-drive tour. This leisurely paced tour begins with a 2-night stay in picturesque Knysna or sophisticated Plettenberg Bay, an area known as South Africa’s Riviera. Explore the Plettenberg Bay Wine Route and find yourself in foodie heaven. You then spend 3 nights on a private Big 5 safari at Lalibela Game Reserve, staying in the exclusive-use Mills Manor Private Villa. Your journey then takes you back down the Garden Route where you have a night at glamorous Fancourt before heading home to the Cape. ITINERARY Day 01 f Departure to Plettenberg Bay Depart Cape Town and cross the scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass, leaving the Mother City behind. Your route takes you through the Hottentot-Hollands Mountains and then down onto the Overberg coastal plain, where South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, can often be spotted standing in the rolling wheat fields. You could break your journey in Mossel Bay and visit the Post Office Tree – an 800 year old Milkwood tree used by early Portuguese sailors as a mailbox. You then drive through the heart of the Garden Route, passing through Wilderness and the Lakes District. You check in for your 2 night stay. Accommodation: The Plettenberg Hotel Days 01 -03 f Plettenberg Bay (2 nights) Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks. Plettenberg Bay is now recognised as one of South Africa’s “Wine of Origin” regions. The area's climate makes it more conducive to cooler-climate wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir varieties. Plettenberg Bay offers an endless array of flavours and an amazing assortment of cuisines at a range of cafés, bars, bistros and fine dining establishments. There are also a number of markets offering fantastic local farm produce. Suggested Activity | Guided Plettenberg Bay Winelands Tour Unveil the rich tradition and specialties of family-owned vineyards! Enjoy this intimate wine experience visiting small, boutique style vineyards. Taste a selection of award- winning wines and bubblies while enjoying a scrumptious lunch. Suggested Activities | Guided Knysna/Harkerville Wine Tour Fancy a bit of country flair? Join us as we venture out to Harkerville, on the Knysna side of Plett. Welcomed by the embrace of an indigenous forest and mesmerised by endless rolling hills, we offer you multiple award -winning wines complimented by a homemade, hand- crafted cheese platter. From majestic Elephants roaming across from the vineyard to sea views in the distance, the wine farms in Harkerville offer intimate settings, taking extreme pride with delicate flavours and producing wines of excellent quality. Suggested Activities | Forest Horse Trail Ride Meander across lush green fields, overlooking the forest and mountains in the distance. A beautiful ride past tea plantations and vineyards at the foot of the magnificent Tsitsikamma mountains. This ride reaches the Kurland Polo Estate with open fields and a single track at the foot of the mountains, ideal for an optional trot or canter whilst being close to nature. Suggested Activities | Craft Beer Tasting It looks like beer. It tastes like beer. It must be beer! To define craft beer is challenging, beer can be very subjective and of course is largely be based on your personal taste. Join us as we take you to some of the Garden Route’s most popular craft breweries. Explore the world of Lagers, Ales and Stouts, ending the tour off by enjoying a gourmet burger served with a choice of 5 craft beers brewed in other regions in South Africa. Day 03 f Plettenberg Bay to Lalibela Game Reserve Your journey continues along the Garden Route travelling through Storms River and Port Elizabeth. You arrive in the early afternoon at Lalibela Private Game Reserve where you are welcomed by the friendly staff who assist you to your private Manor in the Game Reserve. You have time to settle into your private lodge before embarking on your afternoon game drive. Accommodation: Mills Manor Days 03 to 06 f Lalibela Game Reserve (3 nights) Lalibela is a conservation project in the heart of Eastern Cape game country that currently consists of 10,500 hectares and is home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal & lynx. Unique to our area of South Africa, we are blessed with vast areas Savannah Grassland, the biome that has by far the highest carrying capacity – this means that we are able to sustain truly vast herds of plains game like zebra, impala, wildebeest, red hartebeest, blesbuck and eland. This, in turn, allows us to sustain a remarkable density of free-roaming lions. Included Activities | Daily Safari Programme at Lalibela Game Reserve Upon arrival at Lalibela Game Reserve you are transferred from reception to your lodge, where you are given a welcome drink and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before lunch followed by your first game drive. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner. The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. Then there is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird- watching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private veranda. You set off on another evening game drive, returning in time for dinner. On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive before leaving. Day 06 f Lalibela Game Reserve to Fancourt The day starts as dawn breaks, enjoy your final morning game drive and a grand brunch prior to your departure. You are transferred to reception where you collect your vehicle and depart Lalibela. You head back along the N2 bypassing Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna before reaching Fancourt In George. You check in for your overnight stay. There may be time for a round of golf this afternoon. Accommodation: Fancourt Hotel Day 06-07f Fancourt (1 night) Nestled between mountains and forests in the heart of the Garden Route, Fancourt offers a luxurious, contemporary and relaxed environment, perfectly blending the charms of its family origins and rich heritage with modern convenience. With award-winning golf courses, fine dining, wellness and family-friendly facilities, all Fancourt guests, from the youngest to the oldest, are assured that they will feel at home. Day 07 f Fancourt & Departure Your Journey ends here, after breakfast you depart for the final stretch home. We hope you enjoyed your adventure! END OF TOUR TOUR SUMMARY & QUOTATION* TOUR PRICE Price per person sharing R16 372 * Rates are based on minimum of 6 people and a maximum of 10 people travelling * Children may travel, please enquire about children rates * Room upgrades in Plettenberg Bay and Fancourt are available * Travel dates up to and including the 15th December 2020 TOUR INCLUSIONS: PLETTENBERG BAY - 2 nights in Plettenberg Bay: The Plettenberg Hotel in a standard double room on a Bed & Breakfast Basis - Value Add Offer: Complimentary 3-course dinner during your stay (Excludes beverages) LALIBELA GAME RESERVE - 3 nights on Safari in the Lalibela Game Reserve: Mark’s Camp in a Family Chalet on a Full Board & Activities Basis (Includes three meals per day, tea and coffee, and twice daily game drives / excludes all beverages.) FANCOURT - 1 night in George: Fancourt Hotel 5-Star in a classic room on a bed & breakfast basis TOUR EXCLUSIONS: - All meals not specified above - Optional/Suggested Activities - Personal items, tipping, personal refreshments and extras BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES +27 41 581 8170 [email protected] .