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14-day Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari
This one is very special. It's our personal favourite. Combine the outstanding beauty of Cape Town with its beautiful beaches, world class wine farms, the magnificent Cape Peninsula with breathtaking drives, the unmissable Table Mountain plus the ever vibrant Cape Town Waterfront. Add to this one of the country's true gems, the Garden Route where you will discover golf courses on clifftops that will leave you speechless. Experience the natural beauty of so many picturesque coastal towns. Stay on a 5 star Game Farm where you could see South Africa's Big 5, Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. With all this to see & experience, you will still play 8 rounds of golf at the top 6 courses in the Cape. This more gentle paced tour includes six days at leisure to explore your own little piece of paradise.
Suggested day-by-day itinerary.
Day 1
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will be met by a representative of Pinnacle Golf Tours. Collect your hire car and we will escort you to the Erinvale Golf estate, where you will spend the next two nights. The details of your tour will all be carefully explained to you. You will receive all vouchers, tee times, directions plus three very important items. Firstly you will receive a mobile sat-nav unit for use in your hire car. It will be provided, together with a comprehensive list of the GPS co-ordinates for each of the golf courses, hotels, places of interest etc that you will visit during your holidaySecondly, you will receive an in-car audio guide to make your visit even more enjoyable & informative. Places of interest will be pointed out and their fascinating history explained. Thirdly, you will receive a local cellphone with the number of Pinnacle Golf Tours already programmed in. Remember we are on call to help you 24 hours a day.
After an early lunch, possibly at the nearby famous wine estate of Vergelegen, you will experience your first round of golf at the famous Erinvale course. This beautiful Gary Player designed championship course, host of the 1996 World Cup of Golf & currently home of the SAA Open will enchant you. Situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains with magnificent mountain views & a panoramic vista over False Bay.
Day 2
Enjoy a delicious & leisurely breakfast at Erinvale, followed by a day exploring the famous Cape winelands. Perhaps visit the enchanting village of Franschhoek, founded in 1688 by French Huguenots. It is a scenic gem, renowned for its spectacular beauty, superb Cape Wines & world class restaurants, where you could enjoy lunch at the top eatery, Le Quartier Français. Tucked away in secluded gardens it offers a delightful haven of peace and tranquility. A total gastronomic experience can be enjoyed here. Bistro lunches on the terrace and award-winning cutting edge cuisine by Margot Janse and her team in the Tasting Room. Acknowledging its outstanding reputation, The Tasting Room has been voted "The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 2005, 2006, 2007 - Restaurant Magazine UK | Top 100 Hotels - Travel and Leisure 2007. The locals believe their special valley of Franschhoek is one of the most beautiful in South Africa, possibly even the world. We invite you to come and see and experience it for yourself.
The afternoon could be spent in Stellenbosch where you might visit the famous Spier Wine Estate. See their famous cheetah conservation programme in action. If you are brave enough, share a cage with these magnificent animals. Dinner could then be an incredible African experience at Moyo, in the grounds of the Spier Estate. Dining under the starlit African sky, Moyo is unlike any other restaurant. Bedouin tents and Gazebos are placed throughout the garden and create an almost nomadic African Village. Watching over this Moyo Village is a 300 year old Oak Tree, a testament to Africa's greatness. Growing from the earth, pulsating water features crafted from copper are living works of art and skillfully constructed tree houses raise from the ground and take to the tree tops - an unparalleled dining experience. The buffet span is an incredible 25 metres. The flavour of freshly cooked potjies, tagines and grilled meats fills the air with aromas of cumin, paprika and rosemary. African musicians complete the scene. A magical evening.
Day 3
Another leisurely breakfast at Erinvale followed by the beautiful scenic coastal drive to Hermanus where you can explore this fascinating harbour town. If you are holidaying from May to September, you may be lucky enough to see Hermanus' most famous visitors, the Southern Right Whale. These magnificent creatures come here to breed. Then take the short drive to the magnificent Arabella Golf Estate, where you will be staying tonight. Voted by Compleat Golfer magazine as the top golf course in the Cape Province, it is also featured in Golf Digest's USA's Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007. It is a classic parkland course having spectacular views across the Bot River lagoon and across the Kogelberg mountain range. Awarded Five-Star Golf Experience for the first time in 2002, the course is complemented by a luxurious clubhouse with bar and halfway house, as well as a fully stocked pro shop and excellent practice area. The Arabella Golf Club has been the annual home to the former Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament from 2003, hosting the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Samuel L Jackson, Ronan Keating, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Lee Westwood and Sam Torrance. There is no doubt that a round of golf here ranks with the best experiences anywhere in the world.
Day 4
Enjoy your breakfast at Arabella and say goodbye as you take the 4 hour journey to a real African Safari experience. Situated in the malaria free Western Cape, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is blessed with a great diversity of habitat and wildlife. Visitors have an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with rhinoceros, lions, buffalo, giraffe, rare black impala and many more, in an exhilarating 3 hour guided game drive. This unique 4x4 game viewing drive in an open vehicle, is a stimulating mix of bush craft and exciting game viewing for the outdoor enthusiast. Your experience starts at the restaurant, where the well trained and knowledgeable guides will welcome you and introduce you to true South African hospitality. Your total safari experience is completed as you will be staying here tonight in luxurious tented suites with en-suite bathrooms, situated on a river bank in the midst of a bird sanctuary. Safari's at Botlierskop are a unique African experience. Guided by skilled, knowledgeable and well-trained guides, guests are sure, not only to embark on an adventure, but also to take a little bit of our rainbow culture back home with them. From fresh brewed coffee at the camp fire, to getting up close and personal with rhino's, lions, buffalos, giraffes, zebra's and many more …
Day 5
Following your breakfast and an early morning game drive at Botlierskop, you take the short drive into the fascinating coastal town of Mossel Bay. Explore the Diaz Museum Complex where the fascinating history of this town is shown. See the Post Office Tree Museum with its unique history & fascinating story. You will then drive to Pinnacle Point Golf Estate, where a very special treat awaits you. You will certainly not forget your round of golf here! The Pinnacle Point Golf Course is an immaculate eighteen-hole championship golf course, co-designed by renowned golf architect Peter Matkovich and professional golfer, Darren Clarke. The golf course stretches along four kilometers of spectacular coastline and boasts dramatic cliff-side holes and over 1000 acres of unspoiled beachfront. Pinnacle Point Golf Course is comparable with the best in the world and truly is a design masterpiece. At the opening in November 2006, Darren Clarke described the completed layout as the "best golf course on the planet". A professional golfer on both the PGA and European tours, this Northern Irishman has featured in the top 10 on the Official World Golf Rankings. Peter Matkovich, the golf architect responsible for many of South Africa's premier golf courses including Arabella, Leopard Rock and Steenburg, has described Pinnacle Point as "the most dramatic golf course site I've ever encountered anywhere in the world!" The emerald green fairways and tees provide the perfect surface for making shots and the bent grass greens will ensure a challenging and entertaining game. The views are awe inspiring, with dramatic coastal views of the ocean from all area's of the course. Some of the holes are situated along the cliff side. In addition to this, the natural beauty of the indigenous flora and fauna complete this unique golfing experience. Tonight you will stay on the Pinnacle Point Golf Estate in one of their luxury villas.
Day 6
From Mossel Bay you travel to George where you will stay, for the next two nights, either at the 5 star Fancourt Hotel or the 4 star Oubaai Golf Resort, an outstanding experience for both the golf & the sheer pleasure of being in such ideal surroundings. At Fancourt you will find a restful haven in a building with a history dating back to the beginning of the 19th century. In 1847 Henry Fancourt White established a workers' base at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains for the construction of the Montagu Pass. Now a National Monument, the Manor House with its 34 bedrooms is situated in a wooded parkland and is the perfect base for your leisure. This afternoon, you will either savour the very special experience that is Fancourt, or you will play Oubaai. If it's Fancourt, you play the Outeniqua course. The Outeniqua is one of two majestic 18-hole Parkland layouts at Fancourt. Designed by legendary Grand Slam golfer Gary Player, it is similar in character to its sibling The Montagu, and its challenging design and fine conditioning will ensure an excellent test for all levels of golfers. As with all courses at Fancourt, there are a variety of tees from which to choose to play, ensuring that golfers are unlikely to ever feel overpowered by the course. As with The Montagu, play is restricted to hotel residents, members and their guests, so you are unlikely to ever feel crowded on the course. The warm-up area, featuring a full-length range and a chipping and bunker practice area, is available to all golfers before play. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting, while knowledgeable caddies are available too. Please note that to improve your playing enjoyment and to ensure a steady pace-of-play, it is expected that there are at least two caddies for each fourball and they will already have been booked for you.
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If you have opted for the other choice, Oubaai is your course today. Oubaai is proud to be the first and only Ernie Els signature course in South Africa. The golf course design allows for a challenge to all levels of golfer and is a testimony to the talents of South Africa's favorite golfing son. Oubaai is situated some 10kms from George Airport on the coastline of The Garden Route at Herolds Bay. Oubaai Golf Club is a Championship Golf Course designed by 3 times Major Championship Winner Ernie Els. The Golf Course is a Links layout where veld grasses line the lush fairways and greens. The elements, predominantly the wind, play a role in the defenses of the course; the course being a coastal golf course. However you will find generous fairways off the tees but in the spirit of the course these are well bunkered to penalize any stray or ill considered drives. The greens are in excellent condition and roll smooth and true. Oubaai is a course that will reward the well executed shot and penalize any wayward shots in the true time honored tradition of a championship golf course. The course measures 6516 meters from the Pro tees. This is long for a coastal course, but the design and placement of tee boxes allow all levels of handicap golfer the opportunity to extract a respectable score given patience and good course management. The course has 5 Par 3's and 5 Par 5's. The par 5's are all genuine par 5 as shape of the hole and bunkering persuade golfers to lay up… or of course go for broke! The most photographed hole on the course is the Par 3 17th where the green is below you and framed by the ocean and, if you lucky you might sight a whale or a resident Fish Eagle in the Gorge. We are confident that Oubaai will become known as the benchmark of quality golf and excellent service. Oubaai is a memorable, challenging and enjoyable golfing adventure, we invite you all to come and experience it first hand.
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Day 7
Following a leisurely breakfast, you have a day at leisure. Why not travel to the ostrich capital of South Africa, Oudtshoorn. At the head of the picturesque Cango Valley, you could visit spectacular underground wonder of the Cango Caves, one of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland. The finest dripstone caverns with their vast halls and towering formations. Regular guided tours are conducted hourly, by experienced, knowledgeable & accredited cave guides. You could choose between a standard tour, lasting about 1 hour, or for the braver, more agile, the adventure tour, lasting about 1½ hours.
Perhaps you would then like to visit one of the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town and introduce yourself to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world. Another great place to visit is the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Valley of Ancients, an endangered species breeding facility extraordinaire. The oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide offering visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with our hand reared cheetahs and getting actively involved in saving this species and others from extinction. Perhaps pay them a visit and explore the facts and fiction surrounding crocodiles, view elegant cheetahs and giggle at the antics of our Bengal tiger cubs. For the adventurous they offer face to face encounters with wildlife in our Natural Encounters programme where you can touch a cheetah, enjoy the closeness of a tiger cub, wrap yourself in a python and even dive with Nile crocodiles. Without you, the visitor, facilities like the Cango Wildlife Ranch would not be possible and without facilities like theirs, wildlife will become yet another issue we wished we had paid more attention to when it was still possible.
Your day in Oudtshoorn would not be complete without visiting the famous Jemima's for lunch. You know what they all say! It is nice to receive all these Awards in recognition of our quality and service, but, in the end, at Jemima's we believe it is you, our dedicated customers and friends, who make this possible. By spreading the word. However, it is true that Jemima's is one of South Africa's Top 10 Restaurants for the last couple of years and it is also true that Jemima's has been featured in every food magazine of note as well as on all the relevant top winelists. Enjoy!!
Day 8
Following the usual leisurely breakfast, you will enjoy your fifth round of golf, either at the magnificent Fancourt Montagu course, or at the George Golf Club. The Montagu is a much celebrated parkland course and has been ranked as the number-one golf course in South Africa in the past. It has recently undergone major renovations with several holes being redesigned and has two completely new holes - the 1st and the 9th. The new-look course, which has now grown in superbly, has been restored to its former glory where it will once again hold its head high amongst the best in the world. The warm-up area, featuring a full-length range and a chipping and bunker practice area, is available to all golfers before play. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting, while knowledgeable caddies are available too. Please note that to improve your playing enjoyment and to ensure a steady pace-of-play, it is expected that there are at least two caddies for each fourball.
If your option is the George Golf course, it is among the oldest courses in South Africa, is situated in the heart of the Garden Route. Lying against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountain Range, beautiful views of this spectacular mountain range can be seen from almost any aspect of the golf course. The rolling parkland layout with its high quality fairways, tough roughs and strategically placed bunkers provides for a variety of challenging shots. The course is 6105 meters long with the 17th hole as one of the best par 3's in South Africa. This 183 meters long par 3 requires a long iron into an exaggerated oval shaped green that is fairly shallow from front to back. Situated in a region that has abundant rain the course stays green throughout the year. With its wooded tees and well-established trees and shrubs surrounding the fairways this course provides challenging golf in beautiful surroundings.
In the afternoon, travel the short distance to the beautiful town of Knysna, voted Most Popular Town in South Africa. Knysna is one of the Garden Route´s best known travel destinations - situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful estuary. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. The 21 hectare estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth". The lagoon is home to the unique Knysna seahorse, the exquisite Pansy shell and at least 200 species of fish. Humpback and Southern Right whales frolic along these coastal waters from May to September, whilst dolphins are year-round residents. Knysna is also home to the only forest elephant in South Africa. In and around Knysna you will find a selection of fine restaurants, seafood taverns, pubs, coffee shops and eateries, to match your mood.
You will be spending the next 3 nights either in a 5 star hotel or a 4 star Guest House. If you chose the 5 star option you will be staying at the outstanding Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, which opened in February 2005. This exclusive hotel offers remarkable levels of luxury and privacy with 78 sumptuous suites, a gourmet restaurant, world-class spa and gym. It is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World and was recently named one of the Top 20 Overseas Leisure Hotels - Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, by the 2006 Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Readers' Travel Awards.
Day 9
A glorious day at leisure in this idyllic paradise. After your breakfast, you could commence with a cruise across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Featherbed is a privately-owned, registered Nature Reserve and a South African Heritage site. It is a pristine piece of paradise situated on the Western Head of Knysna and is accessible by ferry only. This spectacular four-hour eco-experience includes a return ferry trip, nature drive and guided walk, ending with a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Food Forest Restaurant. In 1999, the Featherbed Nature Reserve was the only recreational outing chosen in South Africa by the Commonwealth Heads of State, and was a finalist in the Premier's "Tourist Attraction of the Year Award 2000". In the afternoon you could explore the fascinating town of Knysna before maybe embarking on a sunset cruise across the beautiful lagoon. Perhaps dinner tonight could be under the African stars at the Knysna Oyster Factory & Restaurant. Experience these delicious home-grown delicacies with a glass of champagne.
Day 10
After breakfast, what a fantastic experience awaits you as round number 6 will be at the Pezula Championship Course. Pezula is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. The breathtaking, award-winning 18-hole course which was designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan USA, rates amongst the best and the most scenic golf courses in the world. In 2001, just a few months after it opened, the Course was awarded Best New Golf Course in South Africa. In February 2005 Compleat Golfer rated it a Five Star Golf Experience.
It was also awarded:
Best South African Golf Development - Homes Overseas Awards London 2006
Most Outstanding Golf Resort Worldwide - 2006 VIP International Traveller Reader's Travel Award
Best South African Golf Development - Bentley International Property Awards London 2005
The Clubhouse facilities are in keeping with the overall five-star experience and include a terrace, restaurant, bar, golf shop, short game practice area and putting green. Golf carts are obligatory and the resort's carts are fully equipped with GPS systems, computerised scoring and the facility to pre-order lunch. After golf you could stay exploring Knysna or take a short drive to Plettenberg Bay. Perhaps you would like to relax on miles of golden beach or explore the vibrant town. Fully relaxed, you will return to Knysna.
Day 11
Yet another spectacular treat this morning as you play your seventh round at Simola. Keeping your head down at Simola can be a challenge; simply because the views around the course are awe-inspiring, and with this, it is clear to see why Simola takes its place as one of South Africa's premier golfing destinations. It's also the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course on the Garden Route, reflecting the maestro's philosophy of attuning the layout and design to the natural lie of the land. The course offers challenging and rewarding golf amidst spectacular scenery. Fairways flow with the natural undulating contours of the terrain and the unusual configuration of five par 5's and five par 3's adds a new dimension to the game. It's par for the course that every hole boasts exceptional views; either out across the Knysna Lagoon all the way to the Heads or over the picturesque Knysna River as it twists and turns through the valley below.
Following our round, you will drive the short distance back to George Airport where you will board the 50 minute flight back to the Mother City, Cape Town. You will be met at the airport by a representative from one of the Waterfront Hotels & driven back to enjoy either 5 or 4 star luxury for the next three nights. Your hire car will be delivered to your hotel.
Day 12
Start your day relaxing at the breakfast table overlooking Cape Town's famous Waterfront with the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain. Depending on the weather, you should make your first stop Table Mountain. The best views of Cape Town are seen from the top of Table Mountain. The Cableway takes you to the summit in five minutes and the cable car's rotating floor ensures that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view of the city. Carefully laid out paths & walking routes enable you to experience the thrill of Cape Town. Following this, why not take a drive to Cape Point and see where the Atlantic & Indian Oceans are alleged to meet. Stop at Boulders Beach on the way to see the penguin colony that has made this beach home.
Day 13
Today you should make an earlier start as you are playing our eighth and final round of golf at the magnificent Pearl Valley course. Spanning some 212 hectares of prime Cape Winelands real estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estates is an exclusive 500-home residential development surrounding a magnificent 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. This spectacular course provides one of the top golf experiences in South Africa - and one of the best in the world. Previous South African Open Champion and current world number 18, Trevor Immelman, a South African by birth, is proud to call Pearl Valley home. It was recently rated the '5th Best Golf Course in South Africa,' by Golf Digest and received a '5 Star Golf Experience,' by Compleat Golfer. Jack Nicklaus' unique touch is evident at Pearl Valley. This golf legend sees the Pearl Valley course as the sum of his knowledge and his experience.
Officially opened at the beginning of November, 2003 by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Pearl Valley was named 'best new golf course of the year' by Golf Digest magazine in 2005. To meet the 'Golden Bear's' uncompromising standards of golf course design and aesthetic beauty, a combination of the intense colours of the greens and fairways, together with the brilliant white river sand lining the bunkers was carefully planned, to make Pearl Valley the most visually spectacular golf course in the country. Bunkers on Nicklaus' signature courses are renowned for being shallow, long and relatively undaunting. Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the bunkers and fast greens. The course has been designed with the area's prevailing winds in mind; the winter north-westerly and the summer south-easterly. All par 3s and par 5s play in different directions, ensuring that the same conditions are not experienced too many times in one round. Following your round, you could drive back to Cape Town to continue your tour of the Peninsula or you could stay in the winelands & maybe visit another wine farm. Remember, you are staying in the vibrant Waterfront, where there is always so much to see and do.
Day 14
Your last day!! After a slow & relaxing breakfast, you might want to do a little souvenir shopping in the Waterfront. Perhaps you would like to visit Robben Island to discover where Mr. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and gain an insight into our fascinating Rainbow Nation. The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides, departing from the Waterfront.
The Robben Island Tour includes:
A return boat trip across Table Bay
A visit to the infamous Maximum Security Prison
Interaction with an ex-political prisoner
A 45-minute bus ride with a guide providing commentary
The opportunity to explore the Murray's Bay Harbour precinct attractions, such as the Muslim shrine, or kramat, and the Museum Shop.
You might prefer to drive to Camps Bay for lunch and gaze out at the beautiful palm-fringed beach or maybe take a drive along one of the most scenic roads in the world, Chapmans Peak Drive. Return your hire car to Cape Town International Airport ready for your flight home. Thank you for visiting our fabulous country, we really do hope you will give Pinnacle Golf Tours the chance to plan another trip for you in the near future. Bon Voyage !!
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