Meet our local representative on arrival at Cape Town International Airport
Private transfer to Birkenhead House (approximately 2 hours)
Birkenhead House is perched high on the cliffs of Hermanus overlooking Walker Bay. The house accommodates guests in the utmost luxury and is the perfect destination for those seeking the pinnacle of seaside living. Enjoy the vista from the rolling lawns and pack a picnic basket with a beach bats and balls. The beach to the left of Birkenhead House's terrace, is Voëlklip, (translated from Afrikaans means bird rock). This beach lends itself to great bathing. The beach on the right is called Nanny's or Kamma Bay Beach. This beach has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Status. Grotto beach is the largest and longest in Hermanus. Nestled in a narrow coastal plain between the mountains and the ocean, Hermanus offers several options of walking trails, all of which feature spectacular views of the coastline or the beautiful fynbos-covered mountains. Fernkloof Nature Reserve boasts unrivalled birds eye views of Walker Bay. From May to December the Southern Right Whale graces Walker Bay with its massive presence. Several species of Whale can be found in the bay.
Private transfer from Birkenhead House to Ellerman House (approximately 2 hours)
Day 5 – Full day private Cape Peninsula tour
Day 6 – Full day private Winelands tour
Ellerman House is one of the most discreet hotels in Cape Town and it is little wonder celebrities such as Pavarotti have chosen to reside here in the past. Once home to shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman, this elegant Sir Herbert Baker style mansion has been restored to its 20th century splendour. It provides sumptuous accommodation combined with every modern convenience. It has 11 elegant rooms, including The Ellerman Suite and West Wing Suite, and are all luxuriously and individually decorated giving each room a distinct character of its own. Each room has been carefully crafted with the finest fabrics, furnishings and artwork available. Sleigh beds, cushions, mohair blankets and Egyptian cotton sheets will be the comforts that surround you. Most rooms have views of the Atlantic to Robben Island, and some have large patios from which to enjoy breakfast or sundowners. The rooms fall into 3 main categories according to their size and facilities. In the bar, raw Table Mountain granite blends with skilled stone masonry, leather and rich woods. The fully equipped gym and steam bath add to the comfort and convenience of Ellerman House. The stately library with a collection of old, rare and new volumes is there for you to browse at your own leisure. Dine in the Ellerman House's restaurant or enjoy your meal on one of the patios. Whichever option you choose, top-class, acclaimed international chefs will treat you to a selection from the a la carte menu that changes daily, or they will prepare something especially to your taste. Only residents have the honour of eating in the restaurant at Ellerman House, as it is not open to the public.
Private transfer from Ellerman House to Cape Town International Airport (approx 25 minutes)
Scheduled flight Cape Town – Kruger/Mpumalanga (cost not included in the tour price)
General Airways flight Kruger/Mpumalanga – Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge has been built on the banks of the Sabie River with magnificent views extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger National Park. Six ultra-luxurious suites each boast an en-suite bathroom, outdoor and indoor shower, full lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio and private plunge pool. The bedroom and bathroom areas are air-conditioned and overhead fans cool the lounges. The lounge is equipped with a full size refrigerator stocked with fresh fruits, yoghurts, chocolates and savory snacks, tea and coffee making facilities, a service hatch to enhance privacy, internet points and a large open wooden fireplace. Sliding doors open up onto a viewing deck, which has a spotting scope to assist with getting close to the abundance of game that drinks from the Sabie River in front of the suite. The Health Spa, appropriately named 'Lalamuka' - the Shangaan word for 'unwind' - offers facial therapies, aromatherapy, reflexology, massages and aqua treatments. The Lion Sands culinary experience is as diverse and interesting as the African bush itself. Janine Hobbs, executive chef, and her team use imagination, passion and natural flair to produce the most delicious meals served on the banks of the Sabie River, under starlit skies, out on the wooden decks under the shade of the Mahogany trees or in the bush under African Acacias. Guests are welcome to enjoy wine tastings in the cellar, which holds some of South Africa's most outstanding wines. Lion Sands is renowned for not only exceptional hospitality and game viewing, but also the great variety of ancillary activities it offers over and above the usual twice daily 4 x 4 game drives. Be it astronomy during the evening game drive, bush breakfasts on the open plains, bush dinners in dry riverbeds, bush walks or magical full moon walks, river tours to look for crocodiles and hippopotamus, safari lunches at a hide in winter and regular wildlife lectures covering a variety of subjects – “ never a dull moment” for sure.
