Mariah & Theresa’s
South Africa Safari Adventure

8th - 21st September 2025
14 Days / 13 Nights

Cape Town ~ Pridelands ~ Sabi Sand ~ Franschhoek

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1     Monday, September 8th

Arrive Cape Town, Monday, September 8th, The Commodore Hotel, Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, Cape Town, Deluxe Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast (BB)

Day 2 Tuesday, September 9th

Depart Cape Town (CPT) for Hoedspruit (HDS),  Exclusive EcoTraining EcoQuest at Pridelands Conservancy, Leopoard’s Lair Bush Lodge, Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, Greater Kruger, Limpopo Province, Family Room, Full Board, Including Activities (FBI)

Days 3 – 6 Wednesday, September 10th - Saturday, September 13th

Full Days EcoTraining EcoQuest
Leopoard’s Lair Bush Lodge, Family Room, FBI

Day 7 Sunday, September 14th

Road Transfer to Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger, Luxury Suite, Full Board, Including Activities (FBI)

Days 8 – 9 Monday, September 15th - Tuesday, September 16th

Elephant Plains Activities, Luxury Suite, FBI

Day 10 Wednesday, September 17th

Flight back to Cape Town, The Commodore Hotel, Deluxe Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast (BB)

Day 11 Thursday, September 18th

Morning at Leisure at V&A Waterfront, Afternoon Transfer to Franschhoek
Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Luxury Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast (BB)

Days 12 – 13 Friday, September 19th - Saturday, September 20th

Full Day Wine Tours, with John Grant, Wine Espaces
Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Luxury Twin Room, BB

Day 14 Sunday, September 21st

Departure

Day 1

Welcome to South Africa! Your Private Driver will meet you at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and transfer you to your hotel, The Commodore at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront.

Enjoy relaxing at the Harbor, shop for any last minute Safari items*, go for a workout in the Hotel Gym, or a run/walk along the Sea Point Promenade. Dinner on own. The V&A Waterfront offers dining at fabulous, world-class restaurants.

*Please note: You may want to pick-up a Notebook/Journal for your EcoTraining EcoQuest Instructions, as well as for your Cape Town, Elephant Plains Safaris & Cape Winelands thoughts and experiences.

Located at the V&A Waterfront, The Commodore Hotel, is "Where Table Mountain meets the V&A Waterfront".

The Commodore provides sweeping views of Table Mountain, Cape Town Harbor, and Robben Island.

Day 2

Embark on your first full day of Safari Adventure! Start off with a delicious South African Breakfast. Your Driver will take you to Cape Town Airport (CPT) for your flight to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), Private Transfer. On Arrival, after Tea and Refreshments, set out for your exciting EcoQuest Afternoon Activity.

Leopoard’s Lair Bush Lodge, Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, Greater Kruger, Limpopo Province, Family Room, Full Board, Including Private, Exclusive EcoTraining EcoQuest Activities (FBI)

Your home for the next five nights will Leopard’s Lair Bush Lodge.

Nestled within the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, Leopard’s Lair offers easy access to Pridelands Conservancy, within the Greater Kruger area.

Leopard’s Lair Bush Lodge

Pridelands Conservancy partners with EcoTraining & Leopard’s Lair owner Anton Lategan for the ultimate unique Safari experience. You will enjoy the Family Unit at Leopard’s Lair. The 2-Bedroom Family Room comes with:

1 x King Size Bed in Main Bedroom
2 x Single Beds in Second Bedroom
Mini Fridge
Coffee & Tea Facilities
Air Conditioning
Bathroom Amenities

Your Exclusive Pridelands EcoTraining EcoQuest Experience will offer:

Private use of Game Drive Vehicle and Instructor

Presentations / Afternoon Discussions from the Instructor

Walking Trails, along with a Backup Rifle

2 Exclusive Activities per Day – One Walk and One Drive

A Private, Exclusive EcoTraining EcoQuest has been created for you, Mariah and Theresa. Your Pridelands Conservency EcoQuest will cover a wide range of subjects. Your introduction to African Wildlife Conservation encompasses:

• Symbiotic Relationships in Nature
  

• The Ecosystem
  

• Poaching Problems
  

• Interactions between all Elements of the Ecosystem
  

• The Role of Humans in Wildlife Conservation

Days 3 – 6

Happy Birthday Mariah!

A Private, Exclusive EcoTraining EcoQuest Day:

Morning Activity

Breakfast

Early Afternoon Presentation / Discussion

 Lunch

 Afternoon Activity

Dinner

Teas, Coffees, and Cordials included

Day 7

After Breakfast, you will have one more exciting EcoTraining EcoQuest Morning Activity.
Following, depart for Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger.
Luxury Suite, Full Board, Including Activities (FBI). Transfer time is approximately 2.5 hours, depending on road conditions.

Adjacent to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is renowned for its Big Cats. Sabi Sand has one of the highest elusive Leopard densities in the World. Elephant Plains Rangers and Trackers pride themselves for their Big Five Sightings: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Rhino.

Sabi Sand also boasts Cheetah, Hyena, Wildebeests, Zebras, Giraffes, and, if you are lucky, the rare African Wild Dogs, as well as over 300 bird species. The unfenced 50 kilometer border with Kruger National Park allows free animal movement.

You will have one of Elephant Plains 6 Luxury Glass-Fronted, Open-Plan Suites.

Each Suite offers:

Air Conditioning
Overhead Fans
Mosquito Nets
En-suite Bath
Cash Mini Bar
Safe
Hair Dryer
Lounge Areas
Tea / Coffee Making Facilities
Private Viewing Deck

Please note: The African Spa is currently not open at Elephant Plains.

Arrival Day

12h00 - 13h00     Welcome Check-in & Orientation

14h00     Lunch, Dining Room

15h30 - 16h00     Afternoon / Evening Game Drive Departs
At sunset you will stop for Sundowner. Duration is approximately  three (3) hours.

19h30 Dinner will be announced by African Drumbeat and served each Evening in the open air Boma, around a Log Fire.

Please note Boma Dining is weather permitting.

Days 8 & 9

05h00 A wake-up knock on your door. Tea, Coffee, and Rusks are served on the Main Deck, followed by the Moring Game Drive, departing 05h30. Duration is approximately 3 hours.

Return to Lodge for Breakfast. Plan for one of your days a Bush Walk following Breakfast.

Between Game Drives, Relax by the Pool, Go to the Gym, Enjoy the Library & Games Room, View Wildlife from the Viewing Deck overlooking the Manyeleti River.

Day 10

Departure Day

05h00 One more wake-up knock on your door. Tea, Coffee, and Rusks on the Main Deck. See which new animal friends come to say good-bye on your final Morning Game Drive, departing 05h30. Duration is approximately 3 hours.

08h30 A hearty, South African Breakfast. Relax and prepare for your Departure.

11h00 Check out and Transfer to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) for Flight Back to Cape Town (CPT)

Your Private Driver will meet you at Cape Town Airport. Evening and Dinner on own.
The Commodore Hotel, Deluxe Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

Day 11

Start with Breakfast at The Commodore Hotel. Head out to Boulders Beach via Chapman’s Peak drive. Chapman’s Peak, known as one of the most spectacular Scenic Drives in the World, will offer you stunning views of the South African Peninsula.

Enjoy your time with the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony. These delightful African Penguins are on the Endangered status list. Their beauty and antics will keep you entertained!

Following your time with the African Penguins, enjoy Lunch on own in the South African Navy Village of Simon’s Town. Stop by Just Nuisance AB statue - the only dog ever Enlisted in the Royal Navy!

After Lunch in Simon’s Town, continue your Private Transfer to your Hotel in Franschhoek.

Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Luxury Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast (BB). Lunches and Dinners on own.

Franschhoek Wine Valley, also known as the “Valley of Dreams”, is situated in the southeast corner of Paarl. Founded by exiled Huguenots in the late 1600’s, Franschhoek retains much of its French viticultural roots. The terroir is ideally suited to the production of heavy, robust red wines.

Settle into your home for the next three nights, Franschhoek Boutique Hotel. Your hotel is in the heart of Franschhoek. This convenient location is removed from the hustle and bustle of town, while still offering unparalleled access to an abundance of nearby Cafes and Restaurants. With only 12 rooms, Franschhoek Boutique Hotel offers a calm space to relax after a day of wine-tastings in Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl.

Your Room Features:

- Free WiFi
- Air Conditioning (heating and cooling)
- A Telephone
- Flat-screen TV with select DSTV channels
- Fully Stocked Cash Mini Bar (items are customizable upon request)
- In Bathroom Heated Towel Rack
- Electric Kettle, with a Tea and Coffee station
- Wood Burning Fireplace
- In the Closet: a Digital Safe, Laundry Bag, and Hairdryer

Please note: Franschhoek Wine Region is known as “The Culinary Capital of South Africa”. Many Restaurants in Franschhoek require reservations, in some cases months in advance. If you have your heart set on a particular Restaurant, please consult the list here for most sought after options and here for a full list of Franschhoek Restaurants. We are happy to make advance Reservations for you.

Days 12 & 13

Full Days Wine Tours with John Grant of Wine Escapes.

After Breakfast at your Hotel, John will meet you to begin your Wine Tastings. Each day you will visit three Wineries and have full tastings, guided by John.

Focusing on your preferred Wines, Wine Escapes prides itself in offering interactive, informative, and enjoyable days in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, as you learn about South Africa’s spectacular Wine Regions.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest Wine Route in South Africa. Approximately 30 miles from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is home to over 200 Wine and Grape Producers.

John will help you pick the best places for your Lunches, on own, during your full days of Wine Tasting.

Day 14

Enjoy one last delicious South African Breakfast before your Private Transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

Safe Travels Mariah & Theresa!
We look forward to your Next
African Safari Adventure!

Price Per Person, Sharing: $7,100 USD

Day 11: Penguins at Boulders Beach, via Peninsula Chapman’s Peak Drive, followed by lunch in Simon’s Town, on own, with visit to Just Nuisance AB Statue, with private Driver/Guide, Gift from Mariah to her Mother (billed Separately)

Includes:

Accommodations as above

Tourism Levies

BB: Breakfast Daily

FBI: All Meals and EcoTraining EcoQuest Activities at Leopard’s Lair Bush Lodge

FBI: All Meals & Twice Daily Safari Game Drives & Conservation Levies at Elephant Plains Game Lodge, including one Bush Walk

Private Transfers ,where mentioned, in the above Itinerary

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Experience, via Chapman’ Peak Drive, including Simon’s Town Just Nuisance AB Statue Visit

2x Full Day Touring with John Grant from Wine Escapes, includes Transport, Guide & Wine Tastings

Includes return Internal Domestic Flights between Cape Town & Hoedspruit Airports – Economy Class

Excludes:

International Flights

Additional Meals and all Drinks, as per Itinerary

Premium Alcohol

Tips and Gratuities

Laundry

Personal Items

Travel Insurance*

Optional/Additional Activities/Excursions/Entrance Fees not Listed as Included

Anything not mentioned as included – please ask if anything is unclear

*Please note, proof of Travel Insurance is required 14 Business Days prior to Arrival.*

Visas, South Africa:
United States of America Citizens will get a No-Cost Visa Upon Arrival. Please have two (2) free, Consecutive Pages in your Passport.

Booking & Payment:

To secure the Booking, Written Confirmation by Monday, May 26th 2025.

35% Booking Confirmation, 25% Non-Refundable, by Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.

We can discuss further payments, with Payment in Full Due by Tuesday, July 8th, 2025.

Cancellation Policy:

Less the 25% Non-Refundable Deposit, Full Refund up to 90 Days before Arrival.

60 Days prior to Arrival, 50% Refund upon Cancellation.

Cancellation less than 30 Calendar Days prior to Arrival, Full Forfeiture.