Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Cape Town, Garden Route and Big 5 Safari

Example holiday

Cape Town, Garden Route and Big 5 Safari

We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.

The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.

Important travel information for visitors to South Africa is included at the back of this document.

All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.

All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.

Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Travel Butlers Team

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Cape Town, Garden Route and Big 5 Safari

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 31692

Example Cost

Holiday Title: Cape Town, Garden Route and Big 5 Safari

Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 12 nights

Passengers: 2 Adults

Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.

*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.

ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Section 6 of our booking conditions.

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About Us

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Summary Of The Itinerary

Printable Version

Holiday Title: Cape Town, Garden Route and Big 5 Safari

Passengers: 2 Adults

Day 1

Arrive into Cape Town Airport. Collect your luggage then make your way into the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will be met by your driver who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. You will then be transferred to the vibrant V&A Waterfront area, your 'home' for the next 4 nights.

Exclusive accommodation and personalised yet unobtrusive butler-style service at The Dock House will make your stay in the Mother City an unforgettable experience.


Day 3

Your hire car will be delivered at 09:00 this morning. With a hire car, you can explore slightly further afield - maybe taking a day trip down to the Cape Peninsula, stopping en-route there or back at Boulders Beach which is home to one of only 2 mainland nesting colonies of African penguins in South Africa.

11 Day Car Rental: Group F Standard Sedan - Toyota Corolla Quest Automatic or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)


Day 5

Drive to Franschhoek (about an hours drive). Franschhoek is nestled at the bottom of a valley surrounded by rolling mountains and is arguably one of the most prettiest villages in South Africa. There are over 20 wine estates in the region and staying in the area will give you the chance to either search out the labels you are familiar with from home or to go on a voyage of discovery and find new favourites. The main street in Franschhoek is home to many excellent restaurants, quite deservedly earning the town the reputation of being South Africa's 'Food and Wine Capital'.


Day 7

Drive to Knysna (approx 440 km / 4 h 30 mins). Situated right in the heart of the Garden Route and set on the shores of a beautiful lagoon, Knysna (pronounced 'Nysna') is a bustling little holiday town with a lively Waterfront area.


Day 10

Allow about 3.5 hours to drive to the Amakhala Game Reserve. Amakhala Bush Lodge is a picturesque 5* lodge and transports guests to another world. In addition to the lodge’s sumptuous lounge, bar and elevated outdoor boma, private plunge pools, on-site therapists and alfresco double showers set the tone for a focus on comfort. Experience a Big 5 safari adventure here on daily morning and evening game drives. Wildlife likely to be encountered during the game drives in the reserve are lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.

Amakhala Game Reserve

3 nights at Amakhala Bush Lodge


Day 13
After you return from your morning game drive you will have time to enjoy breakfast at the lodge before you need to depart for the drive back to Port Elizabeth Airport (approx 70 km / 50 mins), where you will return your hire car and check in for your flight home via Cape Town or Johannesburg - passengers are advised to check in for domestic flights approximately 90 minutes prior to the flight departure.
 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Dock House

Cape Town: 4 Nights

A stone’s throw from the alluring V&A Waterfront, the Dock House Boutique Hotel has been voted among the top 25 luxury hotels in South Africa.  It's prime V&A Waterfront location ensures that guests are within an easy walking distance to the vibrant harbour area, upmarket shopping malls, excellent restaurants, entertainment areas and ocean cruise facilities.

The hotel’s charming exterior gives way to an opulent world beyond its front door. Chandeliers and ornate ceiling cornices, among other fine touches, create a sense of Victorian charm and allude to the property’s historical roots, originally the Harbour Master’s private residence in the 1800s. Since then, the building has been transformed into a distinguished boutique hotel, and has been uniquely decorated with elaborate furnishings and bold artworks, maintaining a feeling of classic exquisiteness throughout the establishment.

A pristine swimming pool, surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, offers guests the opportunity to cool off on warm days, and a bar and a number of deck chairs alongside the pool invite guests to relax and absorb the views of Table Mountain. The hotel has an intimate dining room where breakfast is served, or guests can choose to enjoy their breakfast at one of the hotel's sister properties in the Waterfront if they want some variety.

The glamorous suite and each of the 5 chic rooms at the Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa have been individually decorated and imbued with a unique and understated Victorian elegance, juxtaposed with lush contemporary style and comfort.  Attention to detail is the order of the day, and each room is also equipped with an en-suite designer bathroom.

The suite has access to a private courtyard garden, while the other ground floor room opens onto a veranda overlooking the groomed garden and swimming pool area. Three of the upstairs rooms have balconies overlooking the Waterfront’s scenic harbour and surroundings, and 2 of the upstairs rooms have an optional interconnecting facility.

Example Details For The Dock House

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

The Dock House Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Dock House

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Last Word Franschhoek

The Cape Winelands: 2 Nights

The Last Word Franschhoek is an exclusive 5* historic residence situated right in the heart of the gourmet village of Franschhoek. It is private and peaceful, yet only a minutes walk from the many award-winning restaurants and numerous character-filled boutique shops and galleries.

Beautifully restored in the Cape Huguenot tradition, this boutique hotel has been designed with sumptuous home comforts, creating an elegant, sophisticated interior with a handsome mixture of classic and contemporary furnishings. A wooden balcony affords spectacular views across the mountains, the perfect spot for a sundowner or just to relax around the private pool.

The picturesque village of Franschhoek offers world-class wine estates, tastings and cellar tours.

The surrounding valley is also the idyllic setting for walking trails, hiking, cycling, bird watching, horse-riding and fly-fishing.

Golfing enthusiasts are well catered for with several championship golf courses close by.

Six luxurious double rooms, each with their own traditional Cape charm, open onto private patios and small, shaded gardens.

All have marbled en-suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning and satellite TV.

Included in the rates are lavish breakfasts, free drinks, bespoke wines, premium spirits and an in-house chauffeur service is also available to guests.

Example Details For The Last Word Franschhoek

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Superior Double Room
Includes: Breakfast; beverages (including selected wines and premium spirits); Wi-Fi, mini bar and bicycle use are included.

Location

The Last Word Franschhoek Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Last Word Franschhoek

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

St James of Knysna

Knysna: 3 Nights

Situated right in the heart of the Garden Route and set on the shores of a beautiful lagoon, Knysna (pronounced 'Nysna') is a bustling little holiday town with a lively Waterfront area.

The excellent selection of accommodation and restaurants, coupled with the many activities on offer, makes this a superb holiday destination and a perfect base from which to explore the many attractions of the Garden Route. The annual Knysna Oyster Festival takes place mid-year in Knysna and is one of the area’s annual highlights, boasting amazing food, great music and friendly people.

The Knysna Lagoon is sheltered from the ocean by a coral reef and the Knysna Heads - 2 large cliff formations which form a natural narrow opening into the ocean. Several operators offer relaxing catamaran trips and sunset champagne cruises out to the Heads and into the open sea, which is a great way to escape the busy streets for a while.

The surrounding forests and nature reserves provide ample opportunity for leisurely walks or picnics, short hikes or more strenuous day walks, plus a number of biking trails. Nearby Brenton-on-Sea beach is a magnificent 7 km stretch of uninterrupted white sands around a half heart-shaped bay.

On the shores of the tranquil lagoon on the Garden Route is The St James of Knysna, owner run Country House Hotel. The luxuriously appointed suites and rooms offer spectacular views across the peaceful lagoon to the dramatic Knysna Heads or over the magnificent 3 acre gardens.

At the Manor House you’ll find the luxurious George Rex and Lady Anne Suites, both situated on the first floor boasting large lagoon facing balconies. Along with these you’ll find 2 garden facing Deluxe Suites and a smaller double Room.

The Courtyard, which is adjacent to the Manor House, consists of 4 Superior Suites, 3 of which are Lagoon facing, all with balconies are located on the upper floor and 3 Deluxe Lagoon facing Suites and two Junior Suites nestle around the Mediterranean courtyard with a private swimming pool.

Light refreshments can be ordered from reception throughout the day, and can be served in the dining room, in the garden, at the swimming pool, or in your room or suite.

Example Details For St James of Knysna

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Deluxe Lake Facing Suite 5
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

St James of Knysna Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

St James of Knysna

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Amakhala Bush Lodge

Amakhala Game Reserve: 3 Nights

Bush Lodge is situated in the 8,500 hectare Big 5 Amakhala Game Reserve. This beautifully designed lodge offers an intimate safari experience, situated right in the heart of the reserve at the top end of an open valley.

Guests can go on morning and evening game drives in an open Land Rover in search of wildlife including lion, rhino, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra and over 16 antelope species. The scenery is truly spectacular and guests are invited to enjoy the landscape from every possible angle - including sundowner canoe safaris and a cheese and wine boat cruise (subject to river levels).

In addition, the Amakhala Horse Trails offers a unique perspective of the bush. Elevated on horseback, riders can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding landscape while riding quietly across terrain often inaccessible by vehicle. The unobtrusive nature of a horseback safari also allows for incredible animal sightings, as riders can get as close as 10 to 15 metres from wildlife such as eland, wildebeest, zebra, hartebeest and giraffe.

The main lodge has a splendid lounge area and an expansive viewing deck with magnificent views of game-filled plains. Evenings are spent around the outdoor fireplace admiring the unspoilt African star-scape.

There is also a main swimming pool area with sun loungers.

The lodge has just 8 tented suites. Each suite has a thatched roof and tented canvas sides, wooden floors and a fireplace. The spacious en-suite bathrooms offer a large oval bath and outdoor shower, and all the rooms are air-conditioned. Each suite also has its own secluded private viewing deck with an intimate plunge pool, making this a truly wonderful and luxurious bush retreat. Two of the suites are designed for families.

Bush Lodge also has a spa offering a wide range of beauty treatments by a qualified beauty therapist.

Example Details For Amakhala Bush Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Tented Suite with Plunge Pool (Stay 3/Pay 2 offer applied)
Includes: All meals; all local beverages (excluding premium drinks); the Amakhala Conservation/Community Levy; and 2 shared game drives per day are included.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Amakhala Bush Lodge Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Amakhala Bush Lodge

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For South Africa

Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements

Latest Travel Updates

For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:

UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

 

Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days: United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain, Switzerland.

If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local South Africa High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries (including New Zealand) are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.

Children under 18 years of age who require a visa to enter South Africa may be required to provide additional information when applying for the visa including an unabridged birth certificate and affidavit if travelling with only one parent.  There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors and/or South African children - details available on request or via the SA Department of Home Affairs at http://www.dha.gov.za.

Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa should have a valid return ticket and a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. However, some immigration officials still request that a passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to South Africa so to avoid problems on arrival, we advise that your passport meets this requirement instead. The passport must also have sufficient pages for entry/exit stamps - AT LEAST 2 BLANK PAGES.

South Africa has implemented biometric capturing at all ports of entry. This may result in some delays at land borders so you should allow additional time for border crossings.

PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.

Medical

You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to South Africa.

To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.

Tap water is purified and safe to drink in major cities and towns, however, we do advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as the camps in the National Parks - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk, as bottled water is widely available.

Whatever you do, do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water. Always take water with you when you go on a hike, and have a bottle in the car on a long journey to avoid dehydration.

There is a risk of malaria in and around the Kruger National Park/Mpumalanga Province, the Limpopo (Northern) Province, and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.

There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is South Africa. However, in accordance with International Health Reguations, South Africa requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For South Africa

Continued

Languages And Culture

The 11 official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. Whilst many visitors will hear at least a couple of the tribal languages during the course of their stay, it is possible to travel extensively and comfortably with just English as a language.

The South African society is quite liberal, as gay marriage was legalised in 2006 nationwide and everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution. In some more rural areas, however, the local people may not be quite as liberal thinking, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship if travelling to a rural/remote area.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Book With Confidence

Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world.  In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.

Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel

Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:

The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:

We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.

If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.

You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19  to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.

Support whilst you are away

We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.

If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need.  You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.  Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.

Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday

All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19

You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:

Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance. 

You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.