SOUTH AFRICA GRADUATION
CELEBRATION
South Africa
June 2025
DESIGNED BY YOUR PARADISE VACATION
AT A GLANCE...
DAYS 1 TO 4
Tuesday 17th - Friday 20th June 2025
Arrival into Cape Town International Airport under own arrangements
Private road transfer to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
The Commodore Twin Standard Room 4 nights INCLUSIONS
Breakfast JOURNEY
In 1652, Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay on the north Cape Peninsula and laid the foundations of South Africa’s oldest settlement, Cape Town. Three hundred and fifty years of history have been preserved in much of Cape Town’s architecture, which combines attractively with the more functional demands of the 21st century.
The Houses of Parliament, National Gallery, Museum and Planetarium are all within ambling distance of
elegant shopping malls and colourful markets, which entice shoppers to browse and buy everything from souvenirs to African art, gems and antiques. In the last ten years, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront dockland area evokes images of 19th century seafaring activities and provides a superb setting for an array of cafes, restaurants and bars. From here, you can take boat trips round the harbour and out across Table Bay.
Dominating the city’s skyline and flanked by Devils Peak is the looming mass of Table Mountain, and visitors should not miss the opportunity to ascend Table Mountain by cable car. The view of the city and the South Atlantic from the summit is quite magnificent.
There is a wide range of excursions and activities in and around Cape Town including visits to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner and
visits to Townships where you can enjoy lunch and exposure to Africa’s vibrant urban culture. To the south lies the scenic Peninsula with its attractive sandy bays and pretty little towns. There are remote penguin colonies which can be visited by boat and canoe, and from July to November you can set off further afield in search of southern right whales. The more adventurous can even go looking for sharks in special “caged diving” facilities.
An hour’s drive to the east of Cape Town lie the Cape Winelands where you find beautiful undulating scenery covered in ancient vineyards and fruit orchards. There are literally dozens of ancient wineries, many of which are open for tastings and lunch and which have magnificent estate houses. For the golfer there are several beautifully maintained championship golf courses, and the attractive little towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are each worth a visit.
Located at the highest point on Cape Town’s historic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, The Commodore has spectacular views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Granger Bay, Table Bay and Robben Island. The hotel offers excellent service and good cuisine in a secure and friendly environment. With its close proximity to the Waterfront, guests are able to enjoy meals at any one of the forty or so restaurants and coffee shops.
The 198 rooms, ten suites and the Imperial Suite are all elegantly furnished and have breath-taking views. All rooms enjoy air-conditioning, DSTV, tea/ coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom and direct dial telephones. The Clipper Restaurant offers fine dining in a relaxed setting and the Admiralty Bar and Lounge offers light meals and very wicked high teas. Also available is a transit lounge for early arrivals or late departures, a gymnasium and swimming pool.
On Day 2, enjoy a hike up Table Mountain.The Kasteelspoort Hiking Trail has easy access to the mountain, and is suitable for all fitness levels. There are several paths leading to different points – such as the old Cableway Station and the two reservoirs – making each trek a different adventure. Not to mention the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, Twelve Apostles, and Camps Bay.
Total hike duration will be around 4-5 hours. While the path is shady in places, it’s best to get started in
the early morning, and to bring a hat and plenty of water. There is a short section at the foot of Kasteels buttress that requires a certain level of scrambling over rocks, and Kasteelspoort Ravine can be quite slippery (especially after rain), so bring good, gripping shoes and be cautious.
Enjoy the breath-taking views over the city and an endless sea, keep watch for rare plants and wildlife including the Dassies (rock hyrax) that can often be spotted skittering over the rocks.
Return to the city via the cable-car and continue into the city with your guide, exploring the likes of the Cape Malay Quarter, Company Gardens, the SA Museum, Cultural History Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St George’s Cathedral. Stroll through the city to Greenmarket Square to browse African mementos at its bustling market stalls.
Nowhere else in the world treats you to the level of scenic beauty that’s on offer in the Cape Peninsula. On Day 3, experience it all on this spectacular day tour that introduces you to rugged coastline while en-route to renowned Cape Point. Pass the city’s famed beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, before heading to Chapman’s Peak Drive. This impressive 15km route cuts into the jagged mountains surrounding Hout Bay harbour, offering unspoiled views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Once you arrive at Cape Point Nature Reserve (entrance fees included), you’ve entered the famed South-westernmost point of the African continent. It’s here that famous shipwrecks throughout history have left their skeletons. Choose to hike to the lighthouse at the top, or ride the funicular to the peak. Or stretch your legs on one of the many walks on offer, all of which treat you to the local fynbos blooms.
Next up you’ll experience another natural wonder, the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. A haven for this endangered species, you get so close to these charming creatures, you can even swim with them! Heading back takes you along the False Bay coast, where you can visit the charming seaside villages of Simon’s Town and Kalk Bay. Perfect for dining on a seafood feast to end the day’s activities (meals and drinks at your own expense).
DAYS 5 TO 7
Saturday 21st - Monday 23rd June
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Cape TownInternational Airport
Domestic flight to Johannesburg International Airport
Private road transfer to lodge
ACCOMMODATION
Motswiri Private Game Lodge
Twin Luxury Bush Villa 3 nights
INCLUSIONS
Meals, welcome drinks, coffees, teas and fruit juices at meal times, and twice daily game drives (with selected sundowner beverages)
Covering an area of 75,000 hectares Madikwe is the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa and the largest and best malaria free reserve in the entire continent. It is situated about four hours north west of Johannesburg, bordering Botswana and occupies an interesting transition between the Lowveld and
Kalahari thornveld. The setting is one of open grassy plains and rivers with riverine forest, other woodland and hill country. Within the reserve, massive granite inselbergs give Madikwe it unique scenic character while to the south are the spectacular ranges of the Dwarsberg Mountains.
Owing to its location on the transition zone, Madikwe has a particularly wide range of wildlife including sixty six mammal species and the second largest population of elephant in South Africa. All the ‘Big five’ are present – buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros – both black and white rhinoceros, a wide variety of plains game, including antelope, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe as well as the endangered wild dog, which are seen by an estimated half of all visitors.
There are also many fascinating smaller creatures such as families of baboon, warthog, jackal and, as you go further north and the scenery becomes drier some desert adapted species are also present such as bat eared fox. Madikwe is also excellent for birding and around 350 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve.
Motswiri is an exclusive lodge which accommodates a maximum of sixteen people in five spacious bush villas and one family villa, ensuring a very personal atmosphere. The lodge’s location offers some of the best views in Madikwe as well as a feeling of complete remoteness and tranquillity under the mature leadwood canopies of the surrounding trees. Motswiri has an intimate homely setting which combined with professional guiding and warm hosting ensure an unforgettable safari experience.
Each of Motswiri’s bush villas has air-conditioning, ceiling fans, gas fireplaces, a beautifully appointed en-suite bathroom, outdoor rock showers and private wrap around wooden decks. The villas have been designed with retractable doors and windows, ensuring that the interiors blend perfectly with their natural surroundings. The luxury family villa has three bedrooms, each with is own en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower. There is a private lounge leading out onto a decking area and plunge pool.
The exquisitely appointed main lodge at Motswiri overlooks a waterhole frequented by elephant families and other big game that provides entertainment throughout the day as they come to the water to drink. There is a lounge with roaring
fireplace, separate bar area and outside a rimflow swimming pool for relaxing in between safari activities. Exquisite meals are served either in the large dining room or around the fire in the outdoor boma.
Game drives at Motswiri offer thrilling encounters with Madikwe’s diverse wildlife, including the Big Five. Guided by experienced rangers, explore the reserve in open safari vehicles, gaining insights into animal behaviour, local ecology, and conservation efforts. The lodge’s waterhole attracts animals for prime viewing right from the lodge.
DAYS 8 AND 9
Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th June
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Sun City
ACCOMMODATION
The Palace of the Lost City
Twin Luxury Room
2 nights
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
Sun City is in the heart of the former independent homeland of Bophuthatswana and offers 24-hour entertainment. Numerous sports and recreational facilities including tennis courts, watersports and
swimming pools are available to entertain guests, as well as the Valley of Waves waterpark and two world-class golf courses, one designed by Gary Player.
By night, Sun City becomes a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. As well as the casinos, the Entertainment Centre has a revue theatre, cinemas, restaurants, bars and shops. In the middle of the Centre is the Superbowl, where capacity audiences are entertained by the world’s greatest stars.
The Palace has three restaurants. The Villa del Palazzo restaurant serves fine Italian cuisine six evenings a week, while the Crystal Court specialises in Californian style cuisine and is open each day for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. The Pool restaurant serves light lunches daily. There are two elegant lounge bars as well as the Pool cocktail bar.
Numerous sports and recreational facilities including pools, golf courses and entertainment centres are available to entertain guests, including the Valley of Waves and the fabulous Lost City golf course. The Lost City is an extravagantly spectacular complex of features, which include waterfalls, streams and even a salt-water pool with a coral reef.
The Palace is the jewel in the Lost City’s crown. The hotel entrance features colonnades of bamboo and palm fronds, resting on elephant feet. The mosaic floor shows animals stalking the plains of Africa. Fabled to be the royal residence of an ancient king, the 338 roomed Palace of the Lost City glories in its uniqueness. Its ceilings are frescoed in the tradition of the great Renaissance masters, intricate mosaics have turned floors into canvases of the African bushveld, works of art have been crafted in bronze and porcelain, and the finest woods have been hand-carved into furniture, fit for a king.
All standard rooms are air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms, lounge and seating areas. A carved armoire contains a colour television, safe, and refrigerator and there is also a direct-dial telephone, radio and 24 hour room service.
DAY 10
Thursday 26th June
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Johannesburg International Airport
Continue with onward travel arrangements
The price of this itinerary (subject to availability) on the basis that you book directly with us, departing in June 2025 travelling as a party of two adults is: US$9,590in total
Please note, a surcharge will apply for any payments made by debit or credit card.
Inclusions:
• Regional flight from Cape Town to Johannebsurg (Economy)
• Private road transfers
• Accommodation as detailed
Exclusions:
• International flights
• Any items not detailed in the travel itinerary
Notes:
• Meals and drinks as listed
• Tours and activites as listed
• Game viewing activities as listed
• Pre-payable park/concession fees
• Tips
Inclusions are subject to change at the discretion of the property.
All the photos contained in this itinerary are illustrative of the lodges, transport and sights you will see on your holiday. Please note however that we cannot guarantee that you will see all the animals and birds shown as these are wild creatures and not under our control. Equally where specific food or drink, or furniture/furnishings are shown, these may not be identical to those you will experience.
If flights have been included within your booking then unless provisionally held for you, these are subject to change and any increases in fares at the time of booking will be passed on. Similarly, if booking a trip inclusive of flights more than 11 months in advance we will try to give as accurate an indicative cost as possible, but exact flight costs will need to be obtained once flight fares become available and as such, any variance will be reflected in your final balance.
The nature of our holidays means that they may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. If you have reduced mobility or any specific medical requirements, please ensure that you discuss these with your travel designer prior to booking your holiday.
VISAS, PASSPORT & VACCINATION INFORMATION
VISA INFORMATION
COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED
SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONALITY AMERICAN VISA REQUIRED NO
VISA COST (PER PERSON) N/A
Whilst we endeavour to keep up with the latest information regarding visas and entry requirements for each country, we recommend that clients contact the relevant Embassy or High Commission to obtain further information and up to date fees.
PASSPORT INFORMATION
COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED
SOUTH AFRICA REQUIRED VALIDITY
6 MONTHS NO. OF BLANK PAGES PER ENTRY
2
The passports required validity period is from the date of your departure from that country (note: regulations on this vary so please double-check with us if you have less than specified duration on your passport). Please ensure you have sufficient blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) available in your passport for the countries to be visited.
VACCINATION INFORMATION
COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED
SOUTH AFRICA MALARIA PROPHYLACTICS ADVISED NO
YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION ADVISED NO
YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE REQUIRED YES**
** This country requires you to have a yellow fever vaccination (or exemption certificate) only if you have recently visited a place where yellow fever is endemic.
