Coastal Dunes St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park

21 April / 30 April 2009 Other Start Dates : 05 September 2009 To Be Arranged Price: ZAR 25629.00 ( Per Person    Sharing ) |Currency Converter Back to Group Tours

Tour Overview

Do you have the urge to break free from the humdrum of life? Or, the craving for a detour from the fast lane? Do you dream of sunshine, languid days on a sun soaked beach, adventure, tuning in to nature once again and just feeding your senses?

Escape to a country of indescribable, scenic beauty, where the warmth of its people is matched only by the glowing rays of the African sun. Escape to South Africa, with Mmilo Tours’ luxurious, four star break away.
We will take you to the fairest Cape in the world, a feast for the eyes, and on an extended wine experience - tasting the vintages and savouring the rare privilege of interacting with some of the country’s foremost winemakers. To pamper your taste buds further, we have lined up gourmet dining, with one of South Africa’s award winning chefs, accompanied by carefully selected wines from a premier wine estate.

There is blissful relaxation on the sweeping, white, sandy beach of Cape Vidal in the iSimangaliso (St Lucia) Wetland Park a World Heritage site and sub tropical paradise, with the radiant, African sun stroking your back, the pleasure of feasting on the splendorous ecosystems of wetlands, sand dunes, grasslands and coastal forests, and rising close to dolphins and whales cavorting in the always warm Indian Ocean. Experience some action and adventure too on a hippo and crocodile safari, a Big 5 game safari in the bushlands, kayaking and horse riding in the wetlands, or snorkeling in the azure Cape Vidal waters.

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Itinerary for This Tour

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Day 1   (Wed - 09-September-2009 )

We will collect you this morning from Cape Town Airport for your transfer to the Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, in the imposing mountains and fertile plunging valleys of the Cape Winelands region, or you can arrive at the hotel by your own arrangements for the tour start. It is truly a beautiful time to come here, a time of cherry, apple and plum blossom. All the wild flowers of spring and the newly verdant vines are set against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains. The hotel has an excellent spa for easing life's aches and pains and restoring your "joie de vie".The facilities include a range of massages and beauty treatments, flotation pool, hydration therapy room, sauna, steam room and steam shower. The Mmilo Tours guide will be on site to welcome you from early on, and at 1700hrs we will all gather in the hotel for a pretour briefing, and to meet your fellow travelers. Then, we will have dinner in one of the hotel's excellent restaurants. Breakfast and dinner included.

Optional Activities:

The Spa at Le Franschhoek (various treatments)

Day 2   (Thu - 10-September-2009 )

Today after breakfast we will (depending on the weather) ascend Table Mountain via Cable Car. If it is not possible, we will make every effort to adjust the program to make the attempt tomorrow. The thrilling ascent and view from the top of Table Mountain over the City is what makes returning visitors to Cape Town repeat this experience, again and again. While on top of the mountain, we will take a short stroll with a plant guide to look at some of the unique “fynbos” that makes up most of the amazing, colourful array of plants that constitutes this country’s World Heritage wonder, the Cape Floral Kingdom. It is the world’s smallest, but most diverse kingdom in terms of concentration. Now, springtime, is the best time of the year to see it. Here we can also offer you a more challenging option. Why not ascend the mountain on foot with a very experienced guide? You will leave a little earlier than your colleagues who are ascending by cable car, but  you will be filled with a sense of achievement when you reach the top. The guide will supply small backpacks and water for the trip and is intimately informed about the mountain, its history and wildlife. You will meet the rest of the group on top and descend with them in the cable car. You need to be reasonably fit, but the guides are understanding and won’t rush you. When we come down we will spend a little time exploring some historical spots in the centre of the city. Cape Town's history is fascinating. We will finish the day at Cape Town's world famous V&A Waterfront, where there are a selection of restaurants and many sights to see, finally returning to Franschoek late evening. Breakfast included.

Optional Activities:

Day 3   (Fri - 11-September-2009 )

Today you have to make a choice. Emulate Hollywood film stars, and engage in an optional activity of shark cage diving at Dyer Island, the oft frequented waters of the much feared, Great White Shark. Breakfast and lunch are included and there are showers on board the craft. The service supplier is an experienced Cape company with approved regulation craft and trained and experienced divers. It’s a whole day programme, and you get some great sight seeing on the way down the coast to Gansbaai, where the craft leaves from the fishing harbour. At sea you should see dolphins, whales and seals and definitely get lots of sea air. If you just want to view from the deck you will also see the sharks.

You may prefer to stay with the schedule and take the “Peninsula Tour”. This is a trip via the fishing village of Hout Bay and the scenic ocean side cliff route of Chapman’s Peak, which has been described as one of the most spectacular stretches of road on earth. This route takes you to “the meeting of the oceans” at Cape Point. At Cape Point Nature Reserve, we will take the funicular rail carriage (or you can walk for the exercise) to the lighthouse at the summit of the last finger of land jutting southwards, to view the warm Indian Ocean to the east, the colder, mighty Atlantic to the west and the Peninsula Mountains stretching back along the False Bay coast. These are views to make the spirit lift and soar! On our way back along the eastern side of the peninsula we will pass through the naval port of Simonstown and stop at Boulders Beach, home to a colony of amiable, African (Jackass) Penguins, for a stroll with them in their picturesque habitat. Finally, after passing through the quaint seaside towns of Fishoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenburg we will return to Franschhoek where you will have the evening at leisure. We will stop variously for lunch and coffee along the way. (For your own account). Breakfast included.

Optional Activities:

Day 4   (Sat - 12-September-2009 )

Today we will drive to the historic town of Stellenbosch, the second town to be founded by the Dutch at the Cape in the 18th century, for our first wine tasting of the day. The celebrated Neethlingshof estate is associated with winemaking for more than three centuries. Then, on from there over “Helshoogte” mountain pass to Boschendal, one of the oldest New World wine estates whose heritage extends back to 1685, for more tastings and a tour of their cellars. The aesthetically proportioned Boschendal Manor House typifies Cape Dutch architecture of the early nineteenth century.

Thereafter, we go to the more “avant-garde” Boekenhoutskloof winery for more tastings, conducted by the Boekenhoutskloof winemaker, himself. We have planned a perfect ending to this blissful day, with a gourmet dinner by an award winning chef, with Boekenhoutskloof wines, specially selected by a wine expert, to accompany the fine dining experience. This repast will take place in the “gourmet capital” of South Africa, the village of Franschhoek. Breakfast, Dinner, and Selected Wines at Dinner included.

Optional Activities:

Day 5   (Sun - 13-September-2009 )

First stop this morning is Rhebokskloof, a wine farm set in a small nature reserve. Here, besides wine tasting, we have the opportunity to engage in their excellent outdoor activities. These activities are optional and include horse riding, mountain biking and hiking in the reserve. The horse riding in particular, which is for all levels, is conducted by a very experienced horse trailist. You can also just relax in the beautiful surroundings of the farm or take a leisurely ride around it on a tractor and trailer assigned by the farm to do this. At lunchtime we will have some more wine tastings and lunchtime snacks. To round off our Winelands Tour, we visit Vrede en Lust for a private, conducted tour of the vineyards by the estate’s viticulturist, a tasting session, and if there is time a cellar visit. Then, we go back to the Le Franschhoek to be at leisure until tomorrow, or perhaps to luxuriate at the on site Spa. Breakfast and Lunch snacks included.

Optional Activities:

Day 6   (Mon - 14-September-2009 )

This morning, we fly to Durban and journey on, by luxury, air conditioned coach, to the northern part of subtropical, KwaZulu-Natal, the land of the Zulus. KZN as it is referred to, has a very warm, humid climate, but at this time of the year is tempered somewhat, just right for those from cooler climes. We will arrive at the Seasands Lodge, in the small village of St Lucia at the heart of the Greater St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park in the late afternoon.

The Greater St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetland Park is a World Heritage Site because of the unique combination of plant and wildlife habitats afforded by the wetlands and surrounds. Here is the largest concentration of Hippos and crocodiles in Southern Africa. The lodge nestles harmoniously into the surrounding subtropical terrain, with scenic views of the sea and the dunes. Our hosts will entertain us with a South African “braai” (barbecue) outside, under the canopy of trees and starry skies. You will be watched over by the tiny, shy, saucer eyed bush babies, who inhabit the bush all around us, and who are visible at this time as they are nocturnal. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 7   (Tue - 15-September-2009 )

The braver souls among us will start the day by helping to launch a craft through the breakers in which they will be viewing, from fairly close quarters, the mighty Southern Right Whales during their mating season. This is a memorable and awesome experience and it is not just for the guys! The rest of us can enjoy a sedate, but equally memorable, morning cruise on the placid lagoon to spot hippos and crocodiles and other wonderful wildlife. Both of these activities are optional so please indicate your interest. We shall have “brunch” later rather than an early breakfast.

The next few hours are at leisure to explore the village of St Lucia. There is a crocodile and reptile park and a fine beach for a stroll and curio and craft shops. In the afternoon, we are off again for a sunset game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve. It is at dawn and sunset that the animals are at their most active. This is a “Big Five” reserve with Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo as well as Giraffe, Zebra and many antelope species, Warthog and teeming bird life. You will be with a professional, armed game ranger in open game viewing vehicles. Breakfast (Brunch) and Dinner included.

Optional Activities:

Day 8   (Wed - 16-September-2009 )

This morning we start the day kayaking on the lagoon with a nature guide; a kind of water borne safari. This is by far the best way to see the lagoon and the earlier the better! After a late breakfast, we set off for Cape Vidal for an afternoon of snorkeling and swimming and just soaking up the sun on the beach; all of this with an experienced, local beach guide, who will provide insight into important aspects of the ecosystem of the shoreline. Lunch will be a beach picnic provided. We drive through the St Lucia Wetland Reserve to get there and back, so more game spotting on the way! Breakfast and Picnic Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 9   (Thu - 17-September-2009 )

We start the day (if you don't want a lie in and late breakfast) with more game viewing with a qualified game ranger, again in the Hluhluwe/iMfolozi as on the evening of our first day here. You can also go for a guided game walk instead, with an armed game ranger. Both of these activities are optional ,so please indicate your interest to go  when booking the tour. Once more breakfast will be a mite late for those going on these outings . But, we will have snacks and hot and cold drinks along with us provided by Mmilo on the drive and walk.  Again, the midday period will be at leisure. In the early afternoon, we will depart for the village of Dumazulu to experience the culture of the Zulus, with song and dance and other aspects of their way of life.  Finally, after our farewell dinner tonight, some of you may want to go on a night drive with a qualified game ranger in the St Lucia Wetland Park, which can be quite remarkable not just from the point of view of what you see but what you can hear! Please note this is also optional and you must book beforehand through Mmilotours. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Optional Activities:

Day 10   (Fri - 18-September-2009 )

After breakfast  this morning we say farewell to the wetlands and depart south to Durban Airport where the tour ends. You may want to continue your visit to South Africa (if so please look at our Tailormade Tour pages) or you may want to catch a flight back to Johannesburg to fly home. Most long haul flights to Europe, North America and elsewhere depart after 6.30 pm from Jo’burg so we will have you at Durban Airport by 2.00pm latest ( traffic permitting) for the less than one hour flight to  Oliver Tambo (Johannesburg)  Internationa. If we can help you in any way, such as booking your flight or planning an ongoing destination, please let us know. Breakfast included.

Tour Notes

Note on Accommodation: All the hotels and lodges are as reflected in this itinerary, but if for reasons beyond the control of Mmilo Tours this is not possible, they will be replaced with establishments of the same star grading.

Important: Please read the itinerary carefully noting any optional activities you or some members in your group may want to take part in. You do not have to take part in any of the optional activities if you do not wish to do so. It helps us in our planning  to let us know if you are interested and number of participants. These additional optional activities are not costed into this scheduled tour, and if you choose them, you pay the extra amount involved either directly to Mmilo Tours in advance, or on arrival at the venue of the activity.  You will be informed accordingly by Mmilo Tours, and the costs are extra to the basic cost of the tour.

Accommodation for this Tour

	Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa   Region: Western Cape - The Winelands
Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa offers four star accommodation in the lap of Bacchus, accompanied by culinary excellence in a working fruit orchard and amiable service.
Full Hotel Details

	Seasands Lodge   Region: KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) - Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Region
Seasands Lodge and Conference Centre is a four star establishment in St Lucia, gateway to the Greater St Lucia Wetland World Heritage Site.
Full Hotel Details