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An amorous whirlwind of luxury lodgings and unique landscapes that are overwhelming in their natural beauty.
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Guests will be met on arrival at O R Tambo International, from where the honeymoon makes its way east, traversing the towns of Witbank and Belfast en route to Dullstroom - the first destination on the 14 Day Romancing Africa Honeymoon. Before reaching Dullstroom, we visit the Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre a few minutes outside of town. The center is home to numerous indigenous raptor species and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy demonstrations and close encounters with these magnificent birds. The charming hamlet of Dullstroom dates back to the early 1880's. Today it is an artistic hub of quaint galleries, antique shops, chocolatiers and warm hospitality. The evening is spent at Walkersons Hotel & Spa, a cozy country estate with a scenic splash of lakes and an award-winning restaurant.
Your honeymoon proceeds along the breathtaking Panorama Route, which traverses Mpumalanga at a staggering 2 149m above sea level. Stops are made at God's Window with its sweeping views of the Lowveld region, as well as the triplet peaks of the Three Rondavels, one of the most scenic views along the Blyde River Canyon . The canyon is the third largest of all the world’s canyons. The safari then crosses and descends the eastern escarpment and makes its way into the heart of South Africa's Big Five country and the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park . A late afternoon game drive is conducted in open 4x4 vehicles accompanied by a local ranger and an experienced tracker.
The day is devoted to early morning and late afternoon 4x4 safaris in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The reserve lies in the southeastern region of the Kruger National Park and is where some of the continents' most exclusive and elegant lodges are located. The habitat ranges from riverine thickets along the Sabie and Sand rivers to open savanna grassland in other areas.
Guests are very likely to spot territorial leopard or lion on either the morning or evening open 4x4 game drives. Clans of spotted hyenas, who make their dens in collapsed termite mounds, may also be sighted on the drives. Impala are the most abundant antelope, with waterbuck and grey duiker also frequently seen. Greater kudu, bushbuck and nyala favor thickets and riverine forest, whilst buffalo herds graze in tall grassland. Waterholes attract elephant, white rhino, giraffe and warthog. Cape clawless otter and hippo take residence in the Sand River.
A last morning game drive in the Sabi Sand is followed by a late breakfast. Guests are transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for a flight to Cape Town. Guests are then met on arrival at Cape Town International and are transferred to the V&A Waterfront. The late afternoon is spent at leisure.
The morning is devoted to visiting Table Mountain . The main feature of this mountain is a level plateau of 3km bordered to the west by Lion's Head and to the east by Devil’s Peak. Table Mountain is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the world. The cable car ride, which lasts about 5 minutes, offers exceptional views over the city of Cape Town and Robben Island. Upon reaching the summit, we devote some time to visiting different viewpoints where spectacular views of the Cape Peninsula may be enjoyed.
The honeymoon tour then makes its way to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens . The gardens cover an area of 528 hectares, including 36 hectares of cultivated garden, and are a celebration of South African flora, showcasing only indigenous plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds. The gardens are home to a great diversity of birds, and incredible views may be enjoyed from the upper slopes. Following the Kirstenbosch visit, we make our way back to the hotel along the waterfront.
A stop is made in Hout Bay where we embark on a short boat ride to Seal Island. Upon our return, we follow the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive as we head south, enjoying exceptional views of the rugged Cape Peninsula as we travel. We visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where some fine examples of Cape fynbos may be seen. The fauna in the area includes the rare bontebok, an antelope which escaped extinction during the first part of the 19th century. The reserve is also home to herds of eland and zebra. On our way back to Cape Town, a stop is made at Boulders Beach where we observe a gradually expanding colony of vulnerable African penguins. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat, and there is also an information center on site. After visiting Boulders, we make our way back to Cape Town.
Guests make their way to the Cape winelands and the town of Stellenbosch , the second oldest town in South Africa and the heart of the South African wine industry. A brief tour of the town offers the opportunity to enjoy some of South Africa's finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture along the beautiful oak-lined streets. A visit is made to a well-known winery in the area. Guests will have the opportunity to sample some of the country's finest wines before visiting a cellar where the aging process is highlighted. A second vineyard is also visited in the Stellenbosch region before traveling on to the town of Somerset West, where a visit is made to the Vergelegen Estate.
Vergelegen is a well-known estate and is often visited by celebrities. Over the last two decades, the estate has been honored by visits from Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, and in March 1998 Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton, accompanied by their First Ladies, visited the estate. Upon conclusion of the visit to Vergelegen, the tour makes its way to the overnight destination.
Franschhoek is one of the most charming destinations in South Africa. Its unique mix of French and Cape Dutch influence sets it apart from other winelands towns and invites a fusion of flavors. Enjoy an exploration of the surrounding wine estates, which cultivate some of the finest wines in the region. A visit will typically include a tasting experience and the opportunity to learn more about the process of wine production. The Franschhoek Pass is then traversed via majestic mountain scenery en route to Grabouw. Grabouw and Elgin form the heart of the apple producing region in South Africa. We visit a working apple farm where the process of production, storage and shipment of fruit is explained. During the late afternoon, the tour makes its way back to the overnight destination.
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Cape Town International Airport for a flight to Walvisbay. Guests are met at Walvisbay Airport and are transferred to Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a quiet seaside town which was established in 1892 by German settlers. The late afternoon is spent relaxing after a day of traveling.
Our first stop today is at "Bird Rock", a guano island inhabited by approximately 200 000 birds and one of the first examples of man's efforts to utilize the rich natural resources in the area. The tour then makes its way to the lagoon at Walvis Bay and into the dune sea towards Sandwich Harbor. Both the lagoon at Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbor have been classified as "wetlands of international importance”. Traveling south along the towering, wind-sculpted dunes and beach, we reach Sandwich Harbor. Some 40 000 birds - 34 different species, including greater and lesser flamingos - have been recorded in this area during recent surveys. We take a leisurely walk around the lagoon (an official marine sanctuary) where you may see seals, dolphins and even whales. The tour then makes its way back to Swakopmund where we arrive during the late afternoon.
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Swakopmund Airport for a charter flight to Sossusvlei. Experience the haunting beauty of the Namib Desert at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, situated in the foothills of the private NamibRand Nature Reserve.
The Namib - known as "the Living Desert" - is a world of vast space, endless horizons, dramatic desertscapes and jagged mountain heights. Led by Sossusvlei's expert rangers and naturalists, the afternoon is devoted to exploring parts of the desert in open 4x4 vehicles.
The morning is devoted to an excursion into the heart of the famous red Sossusvlei sand dunes . The Sossusvlei dunes are situated on the great plain of the Tsauchab River, where the red dunes appear to be marching along like giant sentinels to the south and north as the seasons progress. Visits are made to Dune 45 and Dead Vlei, where guests will have the opportunity to walk into the desert for some first-hand exploration.
We then travel to Sesriem Canyon . The canyon begins as an almost imperceptible but nevertheless deep cleft in level, stony ground, and then widens until it finally flattens out onto the plain. Because it is so deep and sheltered, it often holds water well into the dry season - an invigorating sight in such a barren and stark environment. During the afternoon we return to the lodge and after some time for relaxation we embark on a unique African safari , exploring the area on quad bikes.
A morning desert experience is followed by breakfast, after which guests are transferred to a local airstrip for a flight to Windhoek and from there an onward flight to Johannesburg, where an unforgettable 14 Day Romancing Africa Honeymoon experience ends.
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