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


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Capturing the Passion of Africa

Example holiday

Capturing the Passion of Africa

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


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Capturing the Passion of Africa

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 22928

Example Cost

Holiday Title: Capturing the Passion of Africa

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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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: Capturing the Passion of Africa

Passengers: 2 Adults

Day 1

Upon arrival into Cape Town Airport, make your way into the Arrivals Hall once you have collected your luggage, where your driver will meet you. You will then be transferred to The Dock House.

The glamorous suite and each of the 5 chic rooms at Dock House Boutique Hotel have been individually decorated and imbued with a unique and understated Victorian elegance, juxtaposed with lush contemporary style and comfort. The suite has access to a private garden, while the other ground floor room opens onto a veranda overlooking the groomed garden and swimming pool area. Three of the 4 upstairs rooms have balconies overlooking the Waterfront’s scenic harbour and surroundings.


Day 4

Your hire car will be delivered at 09:00 this morning.

10 Day Car Rental: Group H: Mercedes C Class or Similar - Automatic Transmission (Super Cover)

Set off for the hours drive to Franschhoek. From personalised wine tasting to a picnic amongst the vineyards, wine enthusiasts will be in heaven at Mont Rochelle. If you're looking to get a bit more active why not take a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool. You could also work up an appetite in the gym or just sit back, relax and indulge yourself at the in-house spa.


Day 6

Drive to The Garden Route (approx 465 km / 4 h 30 mins). Tsala Treetop Lodge is set in stunning woodlands near Plettenberg Bay. The views are breathtaking, whether from the exotic dining room, intimate glassed-in lounge, or large open decks high above the forest floor. As well as stylish accommodation and excellent food, all of the attractions of the Garden Route are within easy reach.


Day 9

Drive to Shamwari Game Reserve (approx 300 km / 3 h 20 mins). During your time at the award-winning Shamwari Private Game Reserve, you'll set off on 2 thrilling game drives per day, one at sunrise and one at sunset, with your game ranger and fellow guests in an open game viewing vehicle, in search of the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, hippo, zebra and antelope.


Day 13
After your morning game drive, you will be able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you need to depart for the drive to Port Elizabeth Airport, where you will return your hire car and check in for your flight to either Johannesburg or back to Cape Town. Passengers are advised to check in at least 90 minutes prior to domestic flights.
 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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The Dock House

Cape Town: 3 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: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Standard Room - Stay 3 / Pay 2 Offer included (applicable to certain periods only)
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 

Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards

The Cape Winelands: 2 Nights

Nestled on the slopes of the majestic Klein Dassenberg mountain range, the 5* Mont Rochelle is a stunning 26 bedroom Cape-Dutch style hotel, just under an hours drive from Cape Town in the town of Franschhoek. Famously known as the French Corner of the cape, this traditional vineyard town is considered to be the' food and wine capital' of South Africa.

Occupying 39 hectares of vineyards and hills, the hotel produces wine on-site and guests can tour the cellars or wander the paths between vineyard plots. Mont Rochelle also offers daily activities including private wine tasting and cellar tours, as well as walking and mountain biking trails and horse-riding. Mountain bikes can be hired free of charge. A favourite activity for many guests here is having a picnic on the estate – the kitchen can arrange a well-stocked picnic basket with a chilled bottle of wine (or two!).

Mont Rochelle has two dining options - MIKO is their flagship restaurant boasting a prime location with impeccable 180 degree views of the Franschhoek valley and mountains. Adjacent to the winery is the more casual Country Kitchen, an ideal place for light lunch as well as wine tasting.

The main outdoor heated pool is surrounded by sun loungers and has fantastic views of the Franschhoek mountains. The spa has two dedicated treatment rooms and the hotel bar is perfect for pre or post meal drinks as well as light bites throughout the day.

Named after locally grown wines, the rooms and suites span over 3 separate wings. The smaller of the room types, the Shiraz Rooms feature courtyard and valley views. The Merlot Rooms are slightly larger, and also boast valley views. The Cabernet Rooms include a private terrace overlooking the valley, and the even more spacious Pinotage Suites feature a separate lounge and fantastic views. The Cap Classique suites are the largest rooms, and each suite has a separate lounge, private terrace and a heated private plunge pool. 

For complete privacy, the Manor House is located a short walk from the main hotel and can be booked on an exclusive basis. This beautifully appointed 4 bedroom villa comfortably sleeps 8 adults and boasts a cosy bunkroom that can sleep up to 6 children. Throughout your stay you can enjoy the stunning views, spacious common areas, kitchen, outdoor heated swimming pool and gym, not to mention the services of a chef who can prepare meals from the villa’s dedicated kitchen.

Example Details For Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards

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

Location

Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards

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


Page 

Tsala Treetop Lodge

The Garden Route: 3 Nights

Part of the Relais & Chateaux group of exclusive properties, Tsala Treetop Lodge is a beautiful blend of stone, wood, glass and water high above the floor of the magnificent indigenous forests of the Garden Route, only 10 km west from Plettenberg Bay and 24 km east from the busy holiday town of Knysna. From dolphin spotting to coastal forests, and from adrenalin sports to relaxing on vast white-sand beaches or sunset catamaran cruises, there are endless options to fill your days here.

The magical allure of Tsala is irresistable to those who appreciate exclusivity and fine fare and who also want some romance. The afro-baroque décor with its earthy colours, rich textures and handcrafted fittings draws inspiration from the diverse cultures of Africa, yet remains integrated with the sophistication of the Western world.

The main lodge has a magnificent foyer featuring polished blackwood columns and a glass fronted lounge with views of the forest and valley.

Large open suspended decks are ideal for dining and sunset viewing, and the library features reference books on the area.

Superb and imaginative cuisine, reflecting the diversity of South African cultures, is a dining highlight and the wine cellar is stocked with the best South African Estate wines.

Elevated boardwalks high in the forest canopy allow easy access between the main lodge and the 10 exclusive and very private suites and the 6 luxury villas.

Each suite, rising to heights exceeding 6 metres, is a harmonious combination of the craftsmanship of ancient times and the indulgent luxury of every modern convenience. All have a private deck with sun loungers and infinity pool, a sitting room with a wood fire, and a spacious bathroom with inside and outside showers.

The villas are ideal for families or couples travelling together. Each villa has 2 bedrooms, so they are ideal for groups up to 4 people, as well as a private deck with an infinity pool overlooking the forest below.

Example Details For Tsala Treetop Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Suite - Stay 3 / Pay 2 Offer including (applicable to certain periods only)
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

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


Page 

Tsala Treetop Lodge

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


Page 

Bayethe Tented Lodge

Shamwari Game Reserve: 4 Nights

The Shamwari Private Game Reserve is 25,000 hectares of malaria-free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape and has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve.

Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life. Steeped in Settler history and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the reserve boasts 5 eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life, including the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species.

Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle over the rolling hills and valleys in search of the wildlife. The experienced rangers are all in 2-way communication with each other at all times, so on any day they know where the game is and how to find the elusive animals such as the rare black rhino.

In addition to spectacular game drives, Shamwari Private Game Reserve also offers professionally guided walking tours, where you can gain a true perspective of the flora and fauna indigenous to the region. Your guide will point out animal tracks, dung, hiding spots and rare birds, as well as telling you all about the area and its history.

Pronounced 'By-ye-ti', Bayethe Tented Lodge offers guests the opportunity to immerse yourself in utter tranquility with spectacular views of the African bush, surrounded by rich vegetation that provides a feeling of seclusion.

Each of the 12 air-conditioned Superior Tents are camouflaged under trees allowing ample privacy and have an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower, as well as a viewing deck with a private plunge pool. The tents also have a romantic indoor fireplace.

Example Details For Bayethe Tented Lodge

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Superior Tent - Stay 4 / Pay 3 Offer included (Applicable for certain periods only)
Includes: All meals; drinks (excluding French champagne and premium products); afternoon tea; twice-daily shared game drives; guided walks; tea/coffee; water; game drive beverages; a Born Free and Animal Rehab visit; and the Conservation Levy are included.

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor prior to arrival confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. More details available on request.

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

Location

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


Page 

Bayethe Tented 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.