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Wonder why we call this the “ultimate”? This 20-day trek brings you all the way to the top of Kala Patar for sensational views of the world’s highest mountain (the best you’ll get without climbing it), as well as an ocean of other ice-clad peaks. Included: an optional hike to Everest Base Camp!
Adventuring in South Africa
Cape Town, Coastal Mountain Hikes, Phenomenal Gameviewing at Sabi Sands
![Adventuring in South Africa route-map](javascript:routeMap("/images/trips/africa/south-africa/southafr-map.jpg");)
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $6195 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 13 days |
| Arrive: | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Depart: | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Lodging: | 12 nights luxurious hotels and deluxe lodges describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 2 lunches and 2 dinners |
| Activity: | Safaris, Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
Easy to moderate hiking, 4WD gameviewing
explain
|
Highlights
- Hike South Africa’s most spectacular landscapes, from the coast to the mountains
- Up-close gameviewing, including thrilling leopard viewing in Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
- Deluxe accommodations, including The Cape Grace, The Fernery, and Londolozi
The best trip we have ever taken.Jeffrey N. & Bonnie S.—Newton, MA
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
Email Area Manager
References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
*Special Offer!
Special Discount of $1000 off per person (limit 2 people) on the Dec 14-28, 2010 departure!
*New sign-ups only.
Stunning seascapes along the azure Indian Ocean, wine country dotted with Cape Dutch homesteads, prime savannas teeming with big game—our hiking adventure in South Africa has it all! Our journey is a deluxe one, with exquisite accommodations that get us close to the natural wonders we’ve come to see. We explore “the fairest Cape,” savor wine country at its best at Franschoek, and hike the Tsitsikamma Coast and craggy Drakensberg Mountains. Our grand finale is phenomenal gameviewing at a luxurious game lodge in Sabi Sands Private Reserve, one of Africa’s premier game sanctuaries. Sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands has one of the greatest wildlife diversities in Africa.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-3
Cape Town / Cape Peninsula
Cape Town is set in a spectacular meeting of mountains and sea. With accommodations at the deluxe Cape Grace Hotel, we hike on Table Mountain, ferry out to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and visit the Cape of Good Hope.
Day 4
Cape Winelands / Franschoek
We savor South Africa’s famous wine country, carpeted in vineyards, lavender fields, and olive groves. Overnight at the luxurious Franschoek Country House.
Days 5-9
The Garden Route / Drakensberg Mountains
Forested mountains plunge to the Indian Ocean coast on the Garden Route, where we hike spectacular trails in Tsitsikamma National Park, with overnights at The Fernery, a gorgeous hideaway of secluded chalets. In the craggy Drakensbergs, an extraordinary fantasia of cliffs and buttresses, we hike to a stunning natural amphitheater from our mountain inn in Zulu country.
Days 10-13
Gameviewing at Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
No fences lie between Sabi Sands and renowned Kruger National Park, and the combined ecosystem offers one of the highest wildlife populations in Africa. We savor phenomenal gameviewing at Londolozi, an award-winning lodge where the leopard tracking is out of this world. Depart on Day 13, or join our Shumbalala Game Lodge Extension.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Optional Extensions
If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:
- Victoria Falls Extension (3 days)
- Rovos Rail Extension: Pretoria to Cape Town (3 days)
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 2+, moderate to strenuous. This is a luxury hotel-and-lodge-based adventure tour with several days of walking and hiking. Some of the hikes could be considered a bit strenuous, but there are easier walking options available. Although this is not a particularly
rigorous trip, we still recommend that each participant undertake a preparatory program of physical conditioning. Daily walking or regular hiking, jogging, stair-climbing, and so forth are excellent preparatory exercises.
Departures & Leaders
Sep 7-21, 2010 Lanz Von Horsten
Oct 5-19, 2010 Lanz Von Horsten
Dec 14-28, 2010 Lanz Von Horsten
Jan 11-23, 2011 Lanz Von Horsten
Feb 1-13, 2011 Lanz Von Horsten
Mar 8-20, 2011 Lanz Von Horsten
Apr 5-17, 2011 Lanz Von Horsten
Aug 2-14, 2011
Sep 6-18, 2011
Oct 11-23, 2011
Dec 2-14, 2011
2011 dates are 13 days, call for details
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2011
$6195 (7-8 members)
$6695 (5-6 members)
Single supplement: $2495
Internal airfare: $1200 (subject to change)
Shumbalala extension: from $2195
Extension Costs
Victoria Falls Extension
from: $695
Rovos Rail Extension: Pretoria to Cape Town
from: $1590
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- accommodations based on double occupancy
- welcome and farewell dinners
- meals and beverages as indicated in the Full Trip Brochure
- park fees and land transportation
- airport transfers, baggage handling, and sightseeing as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, cost of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (laundry, alcoholic beverages, etc.). Optional side trips and excursions are also at your own expense.
Cape Grace Hotel
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights), Cape Town, South Africa
The Cape Grace has understated elegance and a unique location on its own private quay on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Not surprisingly, it ...
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Franschhoek Country House
Day 4 (1 night), Franschhoek, South Africa
Just a mile outside the village of Franschhoek and near the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, this fine country inn sits amid lavender gardens and ...
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The Fernery at Forest Ferns
Days 5 to 7 (3 nights), Tsitsikamma Coast, South Africa
This remote retreat surrounded by forests and farms has individual chalets overlooking the gorge of the Storms River. The beautifully furnished ...
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Montusi Mountain Lodge
Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Drakensburg Mountains, South Africa
With one of the most splendid settings in the Drakensberg Mountains, this family-run lodge has uninterrupted views of the Drakensberg, including its ...
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Londolozi Varty Camp
Days 10 to 12 (3 nights), Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Londolozi, meaning “protector of all living things” in Zulu, was the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & ...
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Extension Accommodations
If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:
- Victoria Falls Extension (3 days)
- Rovos Rail Extension: Pretoria to Cape Town (3 days)
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Lanz Von Horsten
Lanz von Horsten is a highly accomplished safari guide who has explored virtually every corner of South Africa and Namibia on safari. He is also one of South Africa's best known photographers, whose work encompassing southern Africa's flora, fauna, landscapes, and diverse cultures has been published internationally. A descendent of German settlers to South Africa, he grew up on his family's farm in the Transkei area, where he gained his love for nature and the outdoors, and later attended the University of Stellenbosch. Before becoming a nearly full-time Trip Leader for WT, Lanz taught Afrikans history, language, and literature for 18 years at both secondary and university level. He is an enthusiastic traveling companion, a natural teacher, and a caring and knowledgeable guide who truly loves his work and has a passion for South Africa.
Upcoming Trips:
Adventuring in South Africa, September 7-21, 2010
Adventuring in South Africa, October 5-19, 2010
Adventuring in South Africa, December 14-28, 2010
Adventuring in South Africa, January 11-23, 2011
Adventuring in South Africa, February 1-13, 2011
Adventuring in South Africa, March 8-20, 2011
Adventuring in South Africa, April 5-17, 2011
Client Testimonials:
Lanz made the whole trip run smoothly. Every detail was thought out, so all we did was relax, enjoy, and appreciate where we were—the wonders of South Africa!C. O’Brien, Harvard MA
Lanz is a most enthusiastic leader, passionate about the many facets of the South African environment, from social, political, cultural, and geographic to wildlife!Bette Peterson, Bryn Mawr PA
Adventuring in South Africa
Full of variety! I felt I saw a lot of South African and not just the usual tourist spots. You have a real treasure in Trip Leader Lanz Von Horsten.Heidi Schuessler, Seattle WA
Adventuring in South Africa
Lanz is an excellent representative of the high caliber WT guides we’ve traveled with over many years.Paul and Mary Ann Kinser, Celebration FL
Adventuring in South Africa
Lanz is a fabulous guide, full of history, current events, geography, as well as very knowledgeable about birds, plants, and animals. He is a delight—funny, happy, and very patient. He is a gem!Sue Armstrong, Concord MA
Adventuring in South Africa
Lanz is a very professional yet fun-loving guide. He was very conscientious of our comfort and safety.Kyle and Steve Miller, Orlando FL
Adventuring in South Africa
Client Comments
The best trip we have ever taken.Jeffrey N. & Bonnie S., Newton, MA
We loved this entire trip. This was one of the most varied, well organized and fascinating trips we have taken. South Africa is a beautiful, spectacular country.Jean D., Tuscon, AZ
This was our first trip with WT and our first to Africa. It was an extraordinary experience.Steven B., Annapolis, MD
The lodges were all spectacular. This was a wonderfully varied itinerary with lots of content—five trips in one.Elizabeth S., Boston, MA
Everything about this trip was special—the hotels, the Trip Leader, the wildlife, the food, the staff, the variety. A terrific mix of activities, sights, and sounds.Jennifer A., Palo Alto, CA
Could not have had a better experience.John and Pam T., Whittier, CA
The interaction with wildlife was exceptional. It truly is a privilege to have shared their habitat for 13 days.Judy and Don P., Fountain Hills, AZ
Another great WT trip—I’ll be back!Sue J., Columbus, GA
So much better than we could have imagined!Peter S., Barrington, RI