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12-day Cape Winelands, Sun City & Kruger National Park safari
Experience the spectacular beauty of the Cape Winelands with its world class wines, stay on a magnificent Wine Farm in a 5-star hotel & enjoy the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Combine this with the excitement of South Africa's premier entertainment resort, Sun City and complete your golfing holiday of a lifetime with a safari at The Kruger National Park, one of the top wildlife parks in the world and the flagship of Africa and South Africa's game reserves. All of this plus 8 rounds of golf. Your tour starts in Cape Town & ends in Johannesburg
- Option 1 - 5-star accommodation in the beautiful Cape Winelands, 5-star living in Sun City at the Palace of the Lost City & the magnificent Hans Merensky Estate bordering the Kruger National Park.
Tour reference number: PGT1600-5
Click here for a detailed quotation
- Option 2 - 4/5-star accommodation in the beautiful Cape Winelands, 4-star living in the Cascades or Sun City Hotel & the magnificent Hans Merensky Estate bordering the Kruger National Park.
Tour reference number: PGT1600-4
Click here for a detailed quotation
- Option 3 - 3/4-star accommodation in the beautiful Cape Winelands, 4-star living in Sun City at the Sun City Cabanas & the magnificent Hans Merensky Estate bordering the Kruger National Park.
Tour reference number: PGT1600-3
Click here for a detailed quotation
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 a magnificent Wine Estate Hotel (or Guest House for option 3) where you will be staying for the next 5 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 holiday
Secondly, 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. Optional, perhaps a short trip into Stellenbosch to explore this beautiful university town.
Day 2
Today you will play the magnificent Pearl Valley course. Spanning some 212 hectares of prime Cape Winelands real estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estates is a magnificent 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. His unique touch is evident at Pearl Valley Golf Estates. This golf legend sees the Pearl Valley course as the sum of his knowledge and his experience. This spectacular course provides one of the top golf experiences in South Africa - and one of the best in the world. Pearl Valley Golf Estates was recently rated the '5th Best Golf Course in South Africa,' by Golf Digest and received a '5 Star Golf Experience,' by Compleat Golfer. 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 Golf Estates 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 northwesterly and the summer southeasterly. All par 3s and par 5s play in different directions, ensuring that the same conditions are not experienced too many times in one round. The 4th is the 'Signature' hole and one of the most scenic of par 3s.
After your golf, why not visit one of the wine farms in the Paarl region, possibly the Nederburg Estate. We will gladly recommend the best options.
Day 3
Your golf today is at the De Zalze Club, co-designed & managed by Spier, so you only have a short drive to the club. Designed by Peter Matkovich, who has made the most of the stunning setting and created a course that places a premium on accuracy. The course has an excellent mix of parkland holes with its main defences coming from the water features on several of the holes as well as the oak tree lined Blaauwklippen River which winds its way through the golf estate and comes into play at various intervals. The golf course, open since 2000 with the brand new Cape styled thatch clubhouse [opened December 2003] is an exciting addition to the group of international standard championship golf courses recently built in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The De Zalze Golf Course has already hosted a number of championship events and will together with the Spier resort be the host venue for the 2006 World Amateur Team Championships, attracting teams from approximately 80 countries around the globe. This Golf Estate has proven to be one of the most sought after golf estate real estate investments in South Africa, having achieved record sales since 2002.
After golf, 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. 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. Why not stay for dinner at the town's 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. Booking is essential. Let us know if you want to experience this outstanding restaurant.
Day 4
Another leisurely breakfast followed by the beautiful scenic coastal drive to Hermanus. 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. We then take the short drive to the magnificent Arabella Golf Estate, to play your third round. 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 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. These and other top names have made a valuable contribution to Gary Player's initiative to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children's Foundation and the Player Foundation. There is no doubt that a round of golf here ranks with the best experiences anywhere in the world.
After the golf, relax in the luxury of the clubhouse or perhaps explore the fascinating harbour town of Hermanus.
Day 5
Today you experience your fourth 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.
Following golf, possibly relax on the beach at nearby Gordons Bay, or take a slow drive back to Stellenbosch, where tonight you could have 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 nomad 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 flavor 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 6
Today we say goodbye to beautiful Cape Town. Check out of your hotel (or Guest House) and take the short drive to Cape Town International Airport. Return your hire car. Your flight to O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) will take approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. You will be met at the airport and transported to the outstanding resort of Sun City, where you will be staying for the next 3 nights. Journey time will be approx 2½ hours.
Sun City, unique in the context of world resorts, with a combination of features unmatched anywhere, has dazzled the international community with its glamorous casinos, gourmet restaurants, extensive sports facilities & star-studded spectaculars. The full variety of entertainment on offer ranges from slots to safaris; the theatre extravaganza to a games arcade for children; horse riding to golf, the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves to The Lost City... whatever it is you're looking for, you'll find it at Sun City. The recreational facilities include 2 world class golf courses. Situated in the bushveld of South Africa's North West Province, is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg. The Resort has been awarded Gold classification from the Heritage Programme for its commitment to the principles of sustainable and responsible environmental practice. Sun City has something for everyone.
Why not take an evening Game Drive & enjoy a bush "braai" (barbeque) at the neighbouring, malaria-free Pilanesberg National Game Park which is home to South Africa's Big 5 - Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. Pilanesberg Game Reserve is set in the crater of a long extinct volcano, the Park ranks among the largest of the parks in South Africa (it is in fact the fourth largest park) and covers an area of 55 000 hectare. Pilanesberg National Park accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa.
Day 7
Another one of the Gary Player designed courses; the Lost City is a truly spectacular course and your golfing venue today. With the Royal Palace looming in the background, playing at the Lost City is a memorable experience. Gary Player designed the first nine in a desert style with a variety of cacti planted along the course. The back nine has a more indigenous African bushveld feel to it. Many of the holes have expansive views of the surrounding countryside. One of the features of the course is the 13th hole with its crocodile infested lakes. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to enjoy an after round sundowner at the Zimbabwe Ruins style clubhouse overlooking the 9th and 18th greens.
After golf you will be spoilt for choice when considering what to do next. How about an elephant back safari? Feeling lazy? What about relaxing at Lazy River whilst you take a gentle tube ride that flows endlessly round a kidney-shaped island at the Valley of Waves? Perhaps a top class variety show this evening, followed by a magnificent dinner.
Day 8
Today you play South Africa's famous Gary Player Country Club, South Africa's number 2 course. The Gary Player Country Club situated at Sun City is home to the prestigious $2 million Nedbank Golf Challenge. The clever design and multiple tees make the course equally enjoyable for both the keen novice and the skilled professional. Sun City's Country Club offers comprehensive facilities for golfer and non-golfer alike. Make use of the golf and pro shop, putting green, and health spa whenever you feel like it - the club is open seven days a week. A stay at the Sun City Resort and a round of golf at both golf courses is certainly a 'must do' for any golf addict planning to visit South Africa. Continue to enjoy the outstanding activities on offer today with perhaps a final trip to see "Lady Luck" in the casino!
Day 9
Today you bid farewell to Sun City. Before you go, why not spend the morning with a breathtaking hot-air balloon ride. Float silently over the Pilanesberg Game Farm, experience Africa from a different dimension. Toast to the spirit of Africa with a glass of champagne. Unforgettable !! A 2½ hour drive will take you back to Johannesburg and your flight to Phalaborwa. Your flight will take 1hr 10min. You will be met at Phalaborwa Airport & transported to the world renowned Hans Merensky Golf Resort. Here golf meets the African wildlife for one of the most adventurous experiences a golfer can imagine.
The famous Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves, stretches along the entire length of the Estate's eastern boundary. Hans Merensky offers its guests accommodation in luxurious, individually decorated chalets along the golf course, overlooking the 11th & 12th fairways. You will wake to the sounds of birds & watch herds of impala graze at your doorstep. You could also be accommodated in rooms in the main hotel, overlooking the swimming pool.
Day 10
Today you will have an early morning wake up call to drive into the Kruger Park for your first game drive. Kruger's climate is subtropical with hot rainy summers from October and March, followed by warm dry winters. In winter, the cooler temperatures and sparser vegetation makes game viewing and golf playing a lot easier. Following your game drive you will return to Hans Merensky for your first round of golf. Playing golf on the outskirts of the Kruger Park means you can combine your favourite sport with the bush and wildlife-viewing activities. With the possibility of Zebra and other wildlife visiting you during your challenging round of golf, you won't even need to venture beyond your golf course to view some of Africa's finest game! You will love the manicured fairways of this challenging 18 hole Championship course, where crocodile & hippo add spice to the normal golfing hazards. The Clubhouse is raised to overlook the 9th & 18th holes, offering unsurpassed views over the adjacent bush.
Following your round there is a host of other sporting activities on offer. Choose from an exhilarating game of tennis on one of the floodlit courts, or quicken the pace on one of the air conditioned squash courts. Cool off in one of the sparkling swimming pools, maybe even visit the gym, complete with sauna.
Dine in the elegant Leadwood Restaurant or have a BBQ in the adjacent Leadwood Lapa.
Day 11
Decide whether you would like an early morning game drive or an early tee off. Perhaps today you would prefer to play a second round in the morning & experience an afternoon game drive into the Kruger Park. The Championship course has hosted many high-profile professional and amateur tournaments, a measure of its widely acknowledged quality. The land on which the course is built once formed part of the Kruger Park and magnificent bushveld trees line the fairways and form backdrops to the holes, giving the impression that the course is far older than its 30 odd years. From the moment one enters the club grounds, one realises that this is a uniquely African experience - monkeys leap above the enormous trees near the clubhouse, which is said to have the biggest thatched roof in the country. Playing this course is a real golfing safari experience.
There is not a single weak hole on this course. Signature holes are difficult to single out, but the four par fives are all excellent, particularly the 16 th, where a pulled or hooked drive could well land in the Kruger Park. The par three 8th and 17th holes, both over water to well-bunkered greens, are also exceptional. Particularly during the drier winter months, elephants, several species of antelope, giraffe, warthogs and even the big cats occasionally can be seen in the surrounding bush. The course is truly a revelation. Finish this special day with a sunset boat safari on the Olifants River to complete a magical stay.
Day 12
This morning take your final early morning game drive into the Kruger National Park before checking out ready to be transported back to Phalaborwa Airport & onward to Johannesburg and home.
Thank you for booking with Pinnacle Golf Tours. We hope we exceeded your expectations & look forward to welcoming you again to beautiful South Africa. Bon Voyage!!
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