Relais & Chateaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 58 countries. Your breathtaking journey begins in the beautiful and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town to discover its vineyards, white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and majestic mountains, and ends with safaris in the renowned Sabi Sand Game reserve in Kruger park. By choosing a tour with Relais & Châteaux properties, you immerse yourself in luxury and exclusivity. A tour designed for lovers of charming hotels and exquisite gastronomy !
South Africa in Relais et Chateaux
Map
Itinerary
- Day 1: Cape Town Airport - Cape Town
- Day 2: Cape Town
- Day 3: Cape Town
- Day 4: Cape Town - Franschhoek
- Day 5: Franschhoek - Cape Town Airport - Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Kruger National Park - Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
- Day 6: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
- Day 7: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
- Day 8: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve - Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport
TRAVEL BOOK
Day 1: Cape Town Airport - Cape Town
Meet and greet and assistance of our guide on your arrival.
You collect your rental car and drive to your hotel in Cape Town.
Day at leisure to explore Cape Town known to be one of the most beautiful city in the world!
Suggestions:
Take the cable car and ascend the top of Table Mountain (whether permitting). The floor of the cable car rotates through 360 degrees during the ascent or descent, giving passengers a panoramic view of the city. From the top of the mountain at 1000 meters above sea level, a bordwalk will enable you to get different view point of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
You can also visit the following sites depending on your area of interests:
- The National Museum of South Africa founded in 1825. This museum houses many diverse collections from fossils dating back millions of years to the clothing worn by our ancestors in the last century. All these collections have a common denominator to highlight the biological and cultural diversity of our planet,
- The Company 's Gardens founded in 1652 by the Dutch pioneers who plan to establish a Cape refueling station on the boat ride to India. Walk in Company 's Garden , which now houses the St Georges Cathedral, National Library, National Gallery, artworks and beautiful gardens,
- The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of the finest botanical gardens in the world, located at the foot of Table Mountain. Founded in 1913 to protect the diversity of South African flora, the garden is unique as only indigenous plants are cultivated. This is a rare opportunity to see the fynbos, endemic plants in the region of the Western Cape. More than 7000 species of plants are grown in Kirstenbosch, including many rare and endangered species,
- The colorful Bo-Kaap district . The museum located in the historic district showcases the culture of immigrants from Malaysia. A visit to the museum and the neighborhood, with its colorful houses, cobbled streets and calls to prayer of the muezzin, can soak up the cultural diversity of Cape Town,
- The African Craft Market of Green Market Square in the middle of the CBD.
- The Castle of Good Hope , one of the oldest buildings in the country, which houses a collection of antiques (furniture , paintings, objects) that tells a lot about the life of Dutch settlers.
- The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is hosting a craft market, the aquarium " Two Oceans " and many restaurants. It is from this waterfront that boats leave to Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, as well as to navigate in the beautiful bay of Cape Town.
Other activity suggestions during your stay in Cape Town (please consult us in advance for booking):
- A Township tours ( 1 half-day )
- A culinary tours of the city ( 1 half-day )
- A cycling tours of the city (between 3 hours and 1 day )
- Shark cage diving to encounter the greatwhite (1 day )
- An evening discovering the origins of the Cape Town jazz
- An helicopter flight above the city and the peninsula ( between 12 and 60 minutes)
- An abseil of 112m on the Table Mountain (1 half-day )
- A paragliding experience on the Atlantic coast,
- A sunset cruise on board of a catamaran including sparkling wine.
Overnight stay at Ellerman House.
Included : reception with english-speaking guide, car rental, room & breakfast, drinks, laundry
Day 2: Cape Town
Day at leisure to discover the Cape Peninsula and the legendary Cape of Good Hope.
Suggested itinerary:
You can commence this discovery with a little stop in the small fishing village of Hout Bay. This fishing village is a cosy little hamlet surrounded by mountains to the North, East and West and the Ocean to the South. Home to bustling craft markets, antique shops, a beautiful beach and a thriving fishing community. The harbour is also where many boat cruise departs from to Duiker Island. This small island is home to thousands of Cape Fur Seals and local birdlife. The boat ride lets you see the Cape Peninsula from a new perspective.
You can thereafter proceed and enjoy the twists and turns around the famous Chapman’s Peak scenic drive. Chapman’s Peak Drive is renowned for its spectacular 180° views of the Cape Peninsula as well as its 114 twists and turns. Viewpoints and picnic spots are scattered throughout its 9km length and its dramatic views have made it a favoured spot for photographers.
You enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve to reach the tip of the Cape Peninsula where you enjoy a dramatic view point located in a 17 750 hectare nature reserve. Looking out over the shining sea from the Cape Point Lighthouse truly makes you feel like you are standing at the edge of the world. The rich diversity of the nature reserve, part of the Table Mountain National Park, makes it home to a stunning array of animal and plant species.
After leaving Cape Point Nature Reserve you travel up the other side of the Cape Peninsula on the way to Simon’s Town and Boulder’s beach. Simon’s Town has been an important naval base and harbour for over two centuries and you can still see some historic naval vessels anchored just off-shore. Boulder’s beach is home of a colony of African Jackass penguins since 1985. These small citizens have been charming residents and tourists ever since.
A seafood lunch is highly recommended in this area but you can also have lunch in the Cape Peninsula Nature reserve’s restaurant.
As you head back towards Cape Town along the False Bay coastal road; you travel through Fish Hoek a little town with a long history. From Fish Hoek you drive past Muizenberg, another seaside town. The warm waters and long stretch of beach make this a popular spot for holidaymakers and there are a wide variety of activities, like kite boarding and surfing, for the adventurous.
Overnight stay at Ellerman House.
Included : car rental, room & breakfast, drinks, laundry
Day 3: Cape Town
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination, attracting millions of visitors every year – and for good reason. Whether you are looking to go shopping, dine at top restaurants, party at local nightspots, visit tourist attractions and museums or investigate the city’s historic harbour, you can find it all here. The construction for the harbor began as early as 1860, when Prince Alfred tipped the first stones for the breakwater, hence the attraction’s name: Victoria & Alfred after Queen Victoria of England and her youngest son Alfred.
Our suggestions for the day are:
Visit the Two Ocean’s Aquarium: with more than 3000 marine creatures on view, including sharks, turtles and penguins, enjoy a sensory experience with kelp, shells and anemones at the Touch Pool. The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the finest aquariums in the world. The aquarium showcases the unique marine life of the Atlantic and Indian oceans which lie on either side of the Cape of Good Hope.
A Robben Island tour is a must when you are visiting Cape Town. It is a fascinating half-day trip to the former penal colony where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many leading members of South African political parties like the PAC and ANC were incarcerated alongside him. The tour guides are likely be ex-political prisoners. This gives you the opportunity to hear a first-hand account of prison life on Robben Island that makes it a truly priceless experience.
Helicopter flight from the Waterfront in Cape Town, over Cape Town city center, the Green Point Stadium built for the 2010 World Soccer Cup, the four Clifton beaches and the Camps Bay white sand beach. You fly towards the Cape Point Nature reserve where you fly over the cliffs at the tip of the peninsula. You fly back over the villages of False Bay where you might spot some whales!
Flight duration: 45 to 60 minutes.
Sunset cruise in Table Bay on a catamaran. With a glass of sparkling wine on hand, you will admire the sunset on the Atlantic Ocean, the Table Mountain, the Green Point stadium and the V&A Waterfront.
Duration: 1h30.
Overnight stay at Ellerman House.
Included : car rental, excursion (shared), cruise, room & breakfast, drinks, laundry
Day 4: Cape Town - Franschhoek
Day at leisure to explore the Cape Winelands.
Departure for Stellenbosch, a university town in the beautiful wine region of the Western Cape. The oldest city in South Africa with Cape Town is beautifully maintained with typical Cape-Dutch style buildings (the name given to the Cape architecture inspired by the Dutch). You can visit the wineries and taste wines including the Pinotage, a typical South African grape, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.
Visit of the village of Franschhoek, the South African gourmet capital located in one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.
Overnight stay at Le Quartier Français in an Auberge room.
Included : car rental, room & breakfast
Day 5: Franschhoek - Cape Town Airport - Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Kruger National Park - Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Departure for the Cape Town airport. Estimated travel time: 1 hour.
Domestic flight between Cape Town and Nelspruit (flight time and number to be confirmed).
Flight time: 2h35.
Air transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to your lodge.
Full board stay and safaris at Singita Boulders Lodge in a suite with private pool.
Singita Boulders has a concession of 18,500 hectares in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. This is the most famous private reserve in South Africa. It is fully open to the Kruger Park. Safaris are exceptional throughout the year. During your stay you can see the famous "Big Five" (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and a lot more african wildlife.
Included : car rental, domestic flight, room & breakfast, drinks, lunch, dinner, game drive, laundry
Day 6: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Full board stay and safaris at Singita Boulders Lodge in a suite with private pool.
Singita Boulders has a concession of 18,500 hectares in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. This is the most famous private reserve in South Africa. It is fully open to the Kruger Park. Safaris are exceptional throughout the year. During your stay you can see the famous "Big Five" (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and a lot more african wildlife.
Included : room & breakfast, drinks, lunch, dinner, game drive, laundry
Day 7: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Full board stay and safaris at Singita Boulders Lodge in a suite with private pool.
Singita Boulders has a concession of 18,500 hectares in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. This is the most famous private reserve in South Africa. It is fully open to the Kruger Park. Safaris are exceptional throughout the year. During your stay you can see the famous "Big Five" (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and a lot more african wildlife.
Included : room & breakfast, drinks, lunch, dinner, game drive, laundry
Day 8: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve - Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport
Domestic flight between Singita and Johannesburg airport.
Included : domestic flight
Ellerman House Cape Town
Level : 5* sup
Included :
room & breakfast, drinks, laundry
Ellerman House is the most prestigious address in Cape Town. Built in 1912, Ellerman is a member of the prestigious collection Relais & Châteaux. The house has only 11 rooms and two modern villas. Refined English decor, spacious rooms, very nice bathrooms with bath and separate shower... all the rooms are different and tastefully decorated. The villas, each with a private pool overlooking the ocean, have a more contemporary decor. They are simply sublime and ideal for those seeking privacy. A large garden overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is home to a large heated pool. Ellerman is famous for its art gallery that highlights the best South African artists. The house has a wine cellar with over 7,500 South African wines and a large collection of brandies. You can also enjoy the spa with high quality treatments. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included at Ellerman.
Le Quartier Français Franschhoek
Level : 4* sup
Included :
room & breakfast
Le Quartier Français is an exclusive hotel in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley and surrounded by vineyards. This Relais & Châteaux property is hidden in a romantic private garden, a haven for a quiet stay. The rooms are luxuriously comfortable, colorful, spacious and every little detail is thought to ensure maximum rest. The hotel features an outdoor pool and offers activities such as mountain biking, fishing, hiking, golf or horse riding. The chef Margot Janse offers you an innovative gastronomic experience in one of the best restaurants of the country: The Tasting Room.
Singita Boulders Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Level : 5* sup
Included :
room & breakfast, drinks, lunch, dinner, game drive, laundry
Singita Boulders Lodge is a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection. It is located in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve and is one of the most beautiful lodges in South Africa. The 12 suites have a private pool. You will be delighted by the rich fauna and flora of the reserve that offers the best safaris in the country. The food prepared at the lodge is excellent. Day or night, you can go on safari to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinoceros. After the safari, you can relax in the spa that offers treatments with African inspirations.