Perfect for travelers who want an even mixture of adventure and relaxation, this 10-day sample itinerary is designed to give you a better idea for what you could expect on an African safari vacation to the Serengeti and Garden Route.

10-Day Sample Itinerary for The Serengeti and The Garden Route:

Day 1: Your adventure begins.

Upon arrival to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro airport, you will be greeted by a Hills of Africa representative who will escort you to the Rivertrees Country Inn.

Situated between Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, Rivertrees Country Inn emits a comforting aura through its traditional African hospitality, layout, design, and staff that welcomes guests with open arms to enjoy the luxuries of nature and comfortable living.

As you settle into your charming suite at the Rivertrees Country Inn, experience a sense of balance and rejuvenation before enjoying a delectable meal in Rivertrees’ quaint, country-style restaurant.

Image taken from Rivertrees Country Inn Website (http://www.rivertrees.com/)

Day 2 – 5: Follow the Great Migration.

After a comforting stay at the Rivertrees Country Inn, you’ll be escorted to the Arusha airport where you will take a flight to the Western Serengeti. Upon arrival, a Hills of Africa representative will greet you and bring you to the Serengeti Safari Camp. During your four-night stay at the Serengeti Safari Camp, you will witness one of the most spectacular wonders of the world, the great East African wildebeest migration.

Designed as a semi-nomadic camp, the Serengeti Safari Camp does not move while you are visiting. However, as the migration moves throughout the year, the camp will follow. This ensures that the camp remains close to the migration at all times.

During your safari tours, you will be provided with your own 4WD vehicle, and a private safari guide who will accommodate your every need and preferences. Therefore, your safari guide will customize your adventures so that they always cater to your desires.

It’s important to note that the camps at the Serengeti Safari Camp are built for luxury and convenience. With all necessary modern amenities at your fingertips, your tent is spacious, and equipped with a lavish bed and en-suite bathroom that contains a toilet and traditional bucket showers with both hot and cold water whenever you desire.

Screengrab taken from Serengeti Safari Camp website (http://www.serengeti-safari-camp.com/camp/accommodation.html)

Day 6: Set aside adventure for relaxation.

After an adventurous 4-days in the Serengeti, you will be driven back to the Arusha airport where you will take your next flight to Dar es Salaam. Here, a Hills of Africa agent will greet you and escort you to your next destination, the Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel.

Overlooking the harbor, the Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel provides you with the ultimate in luxury. Designed with sophistication and elegance, this refined hotel is the perfect place to retreat to after safari adventure in the Serengeti.

Day 7 – 8: Pass through the picturesque Garden Route.

After a delectable breakfast at the Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel, you will be driven back to the Dar es Salaam airport for your next adventure. Your next flight will take you to Port Elizabeth in South Africa where you will then drive to Lairds Lodge Country Estate. This gorgeous, 24-acre estate is situated in the center of South Africa’s breathtaking Garden Route.

During your 2-day stay at this exclusive country estate, enjoy easy access to world-renowned golf courses, stunning beaches, scenic hiking trails, and wildlife-abundant reserves.

Image taken from Lairds Lodge Country Estate website (http://www.lairdslodge.co.za/livinggardenroute.html)

Day 9: Explore De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Today, you will spend an exciting day in the Garden Route’s most lively nature reserve, De Hoop. As you explore the rolling sand dunes, Potberg Mountains, towering fynbos, and sea birds, you’ll begin to realize why the Garden Route is arguably South Africa’s most astonishing destination.

While exploring this one-of-a-kind nature reserve, you’ll also witness Cape mountain zebra, the endangered Cape vulture, red hartebeest, ostrich, baboon, and other spectacular wildlife.

You may also choose to spend part of your day mountain biking the pristine slopes of the area, snorkeling, hiking, or lounging at the beach.

After a full day of adventure, retreat to your relaxing suite in De Hoop Cottage before enjoying a delectable dinner.

Screengrab taken from De Hoop website (http://www.dehoopcollection.co.za/luxury_self_catering/7/vlei_cottages)

Day 10: Seaside living at its finest.

Situated on the towering Hermanus cliffs lies one of the Garden Route’s most luxurious accommodations—the Birkenhead House and Villa. Here, you merely have to peer off your balcony to witness whales breaking the sea surface in Walker Bay.

Today, you will enjoy a day lounging in front of Walker Bay before retreating to the Birkenhead Spa for one of their signature treatments.

When the day has passed you may enjoy a delightful seaside dinner at one of the areas seafood bistros or cafes before retiring to your plush bed for a good night’s rest.

Image taken from Birkenhead House and Villa website (http://www.birkenheadhouse.com/)

Day 11: Goodbye (for now)

Today you must say farewell to Africa. But you’ll be returning soon enough!

It’s time to plan your annual family vacation, but this year, you’re looking to do something new and exciting. You want to visit a place that rewards your family with cultural enlightenment, historical insight, and precious family bonding time.

As a culturally and historically enriched region, Cape Town and its surrounding areas are prime destinations for those looking to broaden their horizons of worldly experiences and knowledge. Although the most popular tours and historic landmarks include Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and Dies Bo Kaap, every family’s itinerary differs depending on their personal preferences and needs. No two itineraries are alike.

Below is a 7-day sample itinerary that is designed to give you a better idea for what you and your family could expect on an African family vacation to the Cape Town region:

Day 1: The Mother City Tour: This tour celebrates the best of what Cape Town has to offer. After your first, peaceful night in Cape Town’s luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel, you will awake to a nourishing, traditional English breakfast in one of the hotel’s fine dining areas. After your meal, you will embark on a journey through historic Cape Town.

First, you will enjoy a tour up Table Mountain via rotating cable car, and then a tour of The Castle of Good Hope. Continuing on your exploration, you’ll visit gardens, the Green Point Light House, The Cape Town Stadium, V & A Waterfront, Die Bo Kaap, District Six, and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Once you arrive at the Gardens, you will enjoy a delightful lunch, where you can reminisce about the morning’s adventures.

Day 2: The Peninsula Tour: After a rejuvenating last night at the Mount Nelson Hotel, you will embark on your next journey to Hout Bay. Here, you will take a boat to the beautiful Seal Island where you can relax and enjoy the African ocean breeze. After a day in the sun, you will head over to your next accommodation, The Last Word Long Beach Guest House.

Once you have freshened up at the hotel, you’ll be escorted to Boulders Beach where you will visit an African penguin colony and observe the penguins in their natural environment. Cape of Good Hope will be your final destination for the day.

Day 3: Wine Tastings and Butterfly Sightings: Today, you will relish in some of the Cape’s most exceptional wines when you visit Ernie Els’ wine estate for delightful wine tastings and a cellar tour. And depending on your preference of wine (red or white), you will be escorted to another wine estate where you will enjoy additional wine tastings.

For lunch, you will be brought to the award-winning Overture restaurant where you will delight in the eclectic variety of Chef Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack’s contemporary, Mediterranean, and South African culinary fusions. And don’t forget to follow the Chefs’ wine pairing suggestions!

After a spectacular lunch, you’ll visit the Butterfly World, where you and the whole family can witness a variety of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and peculiar insects.

Day 4: Taking the Scenic Route: Today, you will begin your journey from the Long Beach Guest House to the renowned Birkenhead Villa in Hermanus. During your trip, you’ll stop at various points of interest along the way as you soak in your picturesque surroundings. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic on the way, visit the penguins at Stony Point, or browse some local shops, your trip to Hermanus will, no doubt, be a memorable one.

Once you arrive at the seaside Birkenhead House, you’ll be escorted to your villa where you can lounge by the pool or sit on your private balcony as you look for whales in Walker Bay.

Day 5: The Possibilities Are Endless: Whether your family is comprised of walkers and hikers, beach lovers, ocean enthusiasts, horse lovers, or a mix of all four, Hermanus has it all. Choose from a whale watching cruise, a hike through Hermanus’ Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a relaxing day on world-renowned Grotto Beach,  a Dyer Island cruise, deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach, or a rejuvenating day in the spa. Your every need and desire is met at Hermanus.

Is a African family vacation in the future for you? Let us know in our comments section.

Photo from The Saxon website

With so many accommodations to choose from in Johannesburg, South Africa, it can be difficult to find the perfect one for you. From less expensive to high-end, Johannesburg offers every type of accommodation across the spectrum. But, if you’re looking for a personalized, highly luxurious experience, and an escape from day-to-day life, than The Saxon in Johannesburg’s Sandhurst suburb is for you.

Situated on six-acres of manicured grounds, The Saxon provides you with a magnificent ambiance inside and out, and for this reason was rewarded several international awards. Arguably South Africa’s most exclusive, boutique hotel, The Saxon has been receiving much attention thanks to its exceptional South African hospitality, eclectic design, superior services, convenient amenities, elegant suites, and stunning landscape.

Elegant Suites:

Each of The Saxon’s diverse-style suites is comprised of inviting earth tones, rich textures, and elegant touches of African artwork and sculptures. Of the 24 suites, you can choose from three types including The Saxon’s classic Egoli Suites, three Presidential Suites, or the prestigious Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

With an open layout, fine linens, inviting tones, and elegant details, the classic Egoli Suites are nothing short of exceptional. These suites also have convenient features including an open lounge area, in-room dining area, and large workspace with wireless Internet at your finger tips.

The three Presidential Suites are a bit larger than the Egoli Suites and feature a private balcony overlooking the lush gardens or pool area. Each suite also has its own entrance hall, lounge area, guest bathroom, dining area, and butler’s kitchen.

If you’re looking for a highly-exclusive experience, the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite has everything you’ll need, including an expansive dining room and lounge area, an open bedroom, Jacuzzi, steam room, and exceptional entertainment system. This distinguished suite is located on the first floor with private passages into each entrance. Guests who have stayed in this one-of-a-kind suite include royalty, heads of state, and world-famous celebrities.  

In addition to its wide spectrum of deluxe services, Saxon’s Spa is raising the bar across the world for spa services. Featuring outdoor Sensational Showers, a color-enhanced steam room, and a wet treatment room, this state-of-the-art spa facility is unlike any other.  

Photo from The Saxon website

Restaurant and Bar:

 

The sheer elegance, minimalist design, and inviting tones are enough to pull you inside the restaurant at The Saxon for every meal. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’re guaranteed to have a fine-dining experience throughout your entire day.

Only using the freshest, local ingredients, the restaurants exquisite, five-star chefs pride themselves on their impeccable culinary creations. Dishes at the restaurant change seasonally and are comprised of African game meat and fresh seafood.

Emerging as a key influencer in sustainable tourism efforts, South Africa is taking great strides to promote a sustainable economy and community through eco-tourism companies. When the proceeds from eco-tourism companies are given to employees—who are locals—the money then goes directly back into the local economy. This means that schools can be rebuilt, education programs restored, homes built, families fed, and locals employed. When you participate in eco-tourism companies, you are not only helping to sustain the local economy, you are also bringing joy to a community that has been struck by the devastating effects of poverty, and giving the environment the chance to thrive and live on.

With an array of accommodations and touring companies that pride themselves on sustainable tourism efforts, you can choose to take part in this incredible movement to bring happiness, education, and jobs back into local communities, while experiencing a luxurious and adventurous South African family vacation or honeymoon.

The official certification for eco-tourism companies is the Fair Trade in Tourism (FTTSA) certificate. Several accommodations throughout South Africa that bear this prestigious certificate include:

Cape Grace in Cape Town, South Africa: Radiating elegance from every intricate detail, Cape Grace is nothing short of exceptional. Its location in Cape Town’s famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront make it a close walk to some of Cape Town’s most celebrated shopping hubs, restaurants, and hot-spots.

Designed with elegant, comfortable, and sophisticated décor, each of Cape Grace’s 121 rooms is individually designed with subtle reflections of Cape Town’s bright spirit and accents of authentic Cape culture.

In addition to its luxurious décor and prime location, Cape Grace prides itself on its personalized and exclusive services and amenities, including its private yacht charters and the Spa at Cape Grace.  

Djuma Vuyatela in Kruger, South Africa: With privacy, intimacy, and eclectic style as the main characteristics of this lodge, you’re sure to find complete relaxation in Djuma Vuyatela. Located on the private Djuma Reserve, the Djuma Vuyatela offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and its magnificent wildlife. Each of the lodge’s eight chalets feature king sized beds, and a private plunge pool and teak deck that overlooks the sprawling Savannah.

Adding to its luxurious appeal and African spirit, Djuma Vuyatela features an exceptional dining and socializing experience as well as a deck equipped with a fireplace to sip a cocktail as you peer over the African bush.

Buffalo Ridge in Madikwe, South Africa: For the ultimate wilderness retreat, Buffalo Ridge is the place to go. Sitting atop the Tweedepoort Ridge, Buffalo Ridge overlooks the vast plains of Madikwe Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most wildlife-abundant reserves. With a variety of safari tours to choose from, Buffalo Ridge’s experienced guides take you deep within Madikwe Game Reserve to observe some of Africa’s most mesmerizing wildlife, including the black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, cheetah, lion, and more.  

Aside from its exceptional safari tours and magnificent views overlooking the Madikwe, Buffalo Ridge features eight thatched suites decorated with earth tones and materials that inspire complete relaxation. Inside each of the lodge’s suites you’ll find your very own outdoor patio, luxurious interior décor, and the finest bed linens.

In addition to South Africa’s many FTTSA certified accommodations, the country is also home to a handful of FTTSA certified touring companies. Sustainable touring companies in Cape Town include AWOL, Uthando, Marine Dynamics, and Anduela. AWOL is primarily famous for its bicycle tours throughout local townships, Marina Dynamics is renowned for its shark diving tours, and Anduela is known for its cooking tours in Cape Malay.   

To learn more about the FTTSA certification, visit their website at www.fairtourism.org.za.

For many people, bringing the whole family on vacation can sometimes mean fewer destination choices and conflicting desires on where to travel. Since there are so many family-oriented accommodations to choose from, it almost seems less stressful to choose a popular family vacation destination than to have to research unique places to take your family that are both safe and exciting.

Perhaps you stress about the safety and convenience factors of traveling internationally. Maybe you only feel safe going to trusted places you have heard about from friends or family. All of these reasons that lead to your stress are justifiable concerns. But what if there were a place you could bring the entire family that would introduce them to . . .

• An exotic world of adventure.
• Inspirational cultures.
• Unspoiled wildernesses.
• A safe traveling experience.
• Exceptional cuisine.
• Highly-acclaimed accommodations with superior service, and comfortable ambiances.
• A place less frequented by tourists, allowing you to get a real taste for the culture of the particular destination without having an overly westernized experience.

If all the above reasons provide solutions and ease to your concerns, then an African family safari is the perfect trip for you and your family.

As one of the very few places in the world where you can experience unspoiled wilderness as it was from the beginning, Africa is an eye-opening continent that educates, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression on you and your family for the rest of your life.

An African safari vacation isn’t just for couples or retirees who are looking to travel the world. A trip to Africa can be a very unique and rewarding family experience.

As a native of Zimbabwe, I have traveled throughout Africa as well as a wide spectrum of destinations around the world, and nothing compares to Africa’s unique and friendly spirit. Visiting and researching dozens upon dozens of accommodations across the southern countries of Africa, my team and I provide clients with only the best accommodations in Africa.

Now a resident of the United States, I frequently travel to Africa with my family and believe that the next best thing to living in Africa is sharing it with your family.

Experience the magic of Africa with your family. Let Hills of Africa Travel create a detailed itinerary, tailored around your every individual preference. Contact us today at 1.800.940.9344. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .

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