We will gather for a Goddess breakfast specially prepared by the hotel Chef in a private Gazebo, whilst an accomplished pianist creates an enchanting atmosphere to compliment your culinary experience.

Following breakfast we will jet over to Singita Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands – renowned for it prolific wildlife. 2 nights’ accommodation on a FULLY INCLUSIVE basis at Singita Ebony Lodge, with private use vehicles Ebony Lodge languishes in a cool silence in the shade of Jackalberry trees on the bank of the Sand River, in the heart of the Sabi Sands Reserve. Ebony is man’s love affair with Africa, timeworn colonial furniture and ethnic craft merge with vibrant hand-woven fabrics and relics collected from the land – a tribute to nature’s eternal struggle. The suites at Ebony are places of quiet contemplation, where the silence and solitude is measured only by the harmony of the forest and plains beyond. Ebony is the epitome of the luxury safari experience, combining quality and simple refinement to define the wonder of the wild.

A light lunch will be served after check in procedures followed by a high tea and the first game drive in open landrovers into the heart of the African bush. Savour the sounds and the smells of the African bush as the specialised guide and tracker go in search of Africa’s elusive BIG FIVE – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. Sundowners will be served in the bush – a sunset to remember. Continue the game drive into the early evening before returning to the lodge for dinner.

 WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH

 Early morning wake up call followed by the first game drive of the day in the crisp morning air followed by a hearty breakfast back at the lodge. The remainder of the day will run as outlined above.

 THURSDAY 15 MARCH

Early morning game drive followed by breakfast and check out procedures at the Lodge. Transfer to the nearby airstrip for a return scheduled flight to Johannesburg (10h20/12h15).Arrival transfer to Pretoria, en route enjoy a gourmet boxed picnic lunch with sparkling wine. Check in at Capital Park Station this afternoon for your Rovos Rail journey to Cape Town.

 FRIDAY 16 MARCH

ROVOS RAILThe most luxurious train in the world’ is how Rovos Rail has been justifiably described. Guests aboard Rovos

Rail experience the extravagant elegance of rail travel and air safaris through the heart of Africa.

The train travels through some of the most magnificent scenery in Africa, and the journey evokes the glamour, elegance and excitement of the golden age of rail and air travel. From the moment that travellers arrive at the station, they are immediately aware that their Rovos Rail trip will be characterised by the utmost care and attention to detail – from the champagne and canapés pre-departure to the immaculately maintained distinctive green carriages. The trains – which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey -carry a maximum of 72 passengers who are accommodated in the most spacious and luxurious train suites in the world. The traditional furnishings and period décor ensure an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur in the dining,lounge and observation cars. The train arrives in Kimberley at 09h45. Passengers visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum.Depart Kimberley at 12h30 and proceed overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West to Matjiesfontein.

SATURDAY 17 MARCH

ROVOS RAIL – CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein at 08h15. The train departs at 10h30 and proceeds via Touws River and Worcester to Cape Town. Arrive at Cape Town Station’s Platform 24 at 18h00. On arrival at Cape Town Station, guests will be met off the train. A Giltedge Travel representative and top English speaking driver-guides will await them in the Arrivals Hall with porters who will take the luggage to the awaiting minivans. Water will be supplied on board for the clients’ comfort after their long flight. Transfer to the exclusive Cape Grace Hotel situated at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

3 nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis at the Cape Grace Hotel

(the hotel offers a range of room types to accommodate all special requests)Nestled on a private quay in Cape Town’s bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront between a working harbour and the international yacht marina, Cape Grace is a welcome and gracious sanctuary of tradition, sophistication and comfort. From the globally inspired offerings at Signal Restaurant and Bascule Whisky, Wine & Cocktail Bar and the African delights that surprise at The Spa at Cape Grace to the customized yacht charters on Spirit of the Cape the hotel is dedicated to surpassing expectations and making your stay the most memorable ever.Check in and freshen up, guests gather for a welcome drink and ice breaker, before heading out to a private home for dinner with carefully selected guests who will contextualise the big picture and fill them in with nuggets of local knowledge to prepare them for the days ahead. Enjoy a gourmet meal including local wines.

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

CAPE TOWN

A sumptuous breakfast will be served at the hotel. Departure from the hotel for a full day excurision.

(Please note that mineral water is included in the vehicles each day for the clients’ comfort)

Begin with an eagle’s eye view of the city ascending Table Mountain by cable car. This landmark has shaped the city geographically and historically, and holds a wealth of botanical and mythological riches. Guests will then be taken along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive where sheer cliffs plunge into the Atlantic. Our lunch stop is a charming Cape Cod-style beach house, with 180-degree views of the ocean from which its living space celebrates the ‘Art of Table d’hôte’, an opportunity to dine with this leading South African culinary creative, Bruce Robertson. The Boat House is a peaceful retreat, immersed in natural beauty and infused with an unusual sense of remoteness, bordered by the sea and rugged, rocky hillsides.

Tantalising the palate of the traveler this is the ultimate ‘chef’s table’ – a lazy lunch on the deck, overlooking the shimmer of the silver sea, lulled by the constant lapping of waves. 5 course menus, including wine pairing with each course.

Continue south this afternoon to Cape Point renowned for its wild, untamed beauty.On the return drive (time permitting), take in the view over Kalk Bay (a colourful working harbour) from the windows of Cheryl Rumbuk’s gallery while hearing about the artists whom she has nurtured and the uplifting projects she’s developed as a local craft doyenne. In the evening guests will enjoy a curatorial tour of the Gold of Africa Museum which houses the Barbier- Mueller collection of gold artefacts from ancient civilizations. This will be followed by a Pan African banquet including local wines at Gold Restaurant, along with invited guests. Example of guests to be invited: Emeritus profesor Francis Wilson – author of ” Dinosaurs, Diamonds and Democracy – A Short,Short History of South Africa”

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

CAPE TOWN

An hour’s drive northeast of Cape Town is an expanse of the most beautiful countryside in South Africa, with jagged mountain peaks and lush valleys lined with vineyards. Historic towns, quaint villages and gracious Cape Dutch homesteads are to be found in the Cape Winelands. Begin the morning with a wine tasting at the world renowned Ernie Els Estate on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, just outside Stellenbosch. A chance to see Ernie’s private cellar and trophy room and taste a variety of his superb wines. Meet the winemaker and taste all 6 of Ernie’s brilliant wines.Travel through the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch, a university town set in the heart of the Winelands,continuing up via the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Delaire Graff Estate – first up is a tour of the estate with its contemporary indoor and outdoor collection by art afficionado Laurence Graff, who has ’assembled a collection of local works that many a global institutions would give their eye teeth for’, guided

by Tanja Mackay-Davidson.

 Prior to lunch meet the Estate’s GM, Johan Loubser who will conduct a talk on the viniculture of the region, in the Vinoteque. Enjoy an unforgettable gourmet lunch on the terrace with a canopy of pin oak trees above you whilst sipping on a glass of superb Delaire Sauvignon Blanc.Our next stop is the charming village of Franschhoek, the settlement of the French Huguenots three centuries ago. Its striking scenery seduces all who visit, while lovers of superior food and wine are spoilt for choice in the ‘gourmet capital’ of South Africa, with its plethora of wine estates, award-winning restaurants and intimate bistros. This afternoon explore the Main Street on foot, home to art galleries, botique stores and pavement cafes.This afternoon a final wine tasting at L’Ormarins, beneath the jagged peaks of the Groot Drakenstein mountains in Franschhoek, Anthonij Rupert Wines has cast its net wide, across the length and breadth of the Cape winelands, in search of what it takes to make the finest wines this corner of the winemaking world hasto offer. You will be welcomed by a classical duo on the lawns before moving to the master tasting room for a “meet the winemaker” and tasting Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

DINNER including wine AT THE ROUNDHOUSE RESTAURANT – CAMPS BAY

The former hunting lodge of a Cape governor, set in the woods and overlooking the Atlantic.

Now a National Monument, The Roundhouse offers inventive food and wine paired menus in a tranquil setting, a mere fifteen minutes from the Waterfront.

Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel

CAPE TOWN

Today guests explore the heart of the city, visiting Streetwires: a working studio and social entrepreneurial organization. They have the opportunity to chat to the wire artists and hearing how their lives have been helped by the project. This will be followed by a visit to Monkeybiz which shares its location with the renowned Carrol Boyes. Guests meet beaders whose products have transmuted the curio craft culture and whose lives have been transformed by this woman’s health empowerment initiative. At Africa Nova in the fashionable Cape Quarter, get together with Margie Murgatroyd in her sophisticated gallery that stocks meticulously curated handmade products. A visit to the nearby Long Street will offer guests the chance to shop on the hop at a salon that sources contemporary African designs . Continue to Woodstock – an emerging precinct with cutting edge galleries. At The Old Biscuit Mill they will meet ceramacists Clementina van der Walt and Andile Dyalvane in their studios before proceeding to lunch at The Test Kitchen, including wine (the owner/chef‘s previous restaurant was rated 12th Best in the World !)