Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Cape Town

  Welcome

  Touch down in Cape Town, South Africa! Once through customs and immigration you'll receive a warm welcome from your Born Free Safaris VIP host. Most international flights arrive in the evening, so you may want to get some rest after you are escorted directly to your hotel and assisted with check-in. Ask your host or hotel concierge if you are interested in dining recommendations.
  
  Cape Town is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is diverse and vibrant, from its beautiful natural scenery to its colorful Cape Malay arts district. It is surrounded by verdant valleys, magnificent coastlines and stunning granite mountains.
  
  The city is abundantly endowed with rich historical "Old World" ambiance, cobble-stoned squares, colorful buildings of Cape Malay Quarter which stand in stark contrast to extremely modern new architecture. Those who are interested in learning more about the heart wrenching time of apartheid can visit Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned and now a museum.
  
  À la carte Touring - With the assistance of your Born Free consultant, all Cape Town activities will be planned around the group's dynamics and interests. This itinerary shows the top sites.
• Day

  02

  Cape Town

  Table Mountain

  After breakfast in the hotel, you're off on your introductory tour of the Cape region with your guide. Head to the top of Table Mountain on a slowly rotating cable car. Here you can see unsurpassed views of both sides of the city, as well as Robben Island and the surrounding mountains (weather permitting).
  
  Continue on to the Cape Malay Bo Kaap arts district to visit several artisan houses, including the world-famous Streetwire where animal figures are made from colorful beads. Next, it's off with your guide to City Hall, Greenmarket Square, and the House of Parliament.
  
  A fun evening awaits with great food, traditional dance performance and festivities.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Cape Peninsula

  Penguin Beach, Cape Point

  Spend a full day touring and discovering the Cape Point region. The drive is one of the most spectacular in South Africa! Stop to walk out to the Cape of Good Hope. You also have the option to take the funicular to the Point for spectacular views of the ocean and coastline.
  
  Next stop is Foxy and Boulder Beach home of the African Jackass Penguins. This is considered by many to be the highlight of the day. After witnessing the adorable penguins in their coastal habitat, journey on through the scenic fishing villages and spectacular Hout Bay.
  
  Lunch is included today at one of the fresh seaside restaurants. Depending on the season, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with many of the endemic flora and fauna such as the striking Proteas and Fynbos.
  
  After a full day excursion, you are driven back to your hotel.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  04

  Cape Town

  À la carte Touring

  Spend today on your choice of "À la carte" touring. You'll select from a range of excursions that are already included in the price of the trip. Discuss your interests with a Born Free Safaris Specialist who will then create your personalized private tour.
  
  Ideas for Ala Carte Touring:
  
  1) Full Day Historic Stellenbosch & Franschhoek featuring the wine country. Spend the day with your professional guide roaming through the regal granite peaks, small towns and wine estates. The area is dotted with Cape Dutch architecture. Stops will be made as you please at art galleries, for wine or brandy tastings, and if you wish, time to stroll through the historic towns.
  
  2) Half Day ferry trip and touring of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Excellent educational visit and explanation of Apartheid.
  
  3) Visit the philanthropic Uthando Community Project, an amazing collection of innovative, inspiring and fun community development projects and charitable organizations across a broad spectrum of sectors (pictured).
  
  4) New Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African art. It exhibits cutting-edge 21st century art from featured artists from all of Africa.

  Breakfast

  Special Activities:
  Shark Cage Diving
  Get safely and exhilaratingly up close to these beautiful creatures of the sea. Cost from $245 per person.
  
  Wine Enthusiast Tour
  featuring a sommelier guide. Cost from $175 per person.
• Day

  05

  Madikwe Game Reserve

  On Safari - Location #1

  Your safari begins today! Board an early flight to Madikwe, where you are met by the camp vehicle and escorted to your lodge. As you make your way to the lodge, watch out for wildlife enroute.
  
  Most suggested properties have a waterhole in front of camp - elephant can sometimes be seen drinking in the lagoons or even the camp swimming pool! Game activities focus on game drives and walking safaris.
  
  For families with young children, special programs can include tracking game and beading. At dinner time, cooking classes are sometimes offered. There is always a 'nanny' available if parents would like some time on safari without the little ones.
  
  The Madikwe Game Reserve borders Botswana and is close to the Kalahari Desert. It's made up of stunning sandveld, open grasslands, woodlands and rocky outcroppings. Madikwe has a wide variety of wildlife including all of the Big Five. It has an especially large elephant population.
  
  The land where Madikwe now stands was previously farming land, but with weather patterns changing and poor soil the farms were not succeeding. The South African government decided that it would best be used as a national park to help economically uplift the area. In 1991 the area was declared a reserve and 10,000 mammals were relocated from other National Parks. Madikwe is totally malaria-free and is the most natural and rewarding of the malaria-free safari areas in the country.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Madikwe Game Reserve

  Wake up early to the sounds of the bush, grab your camera and you are off for this morning's game drive. Mornings are generally the best time to see the bush in action. Your driver will look for your favorite species- perhaps a lioness and her cubs or the long necked giraffe.
  
  Return midday to the lodge for lunch, a swim or a lecture on how the wildlife is tracked. Then embark on a late afternoon game drive. Sit down to dinner in front of a fire in an open traditional boma, perhaps chatting with other safari-goers about the day's sightings.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Madikwe Game Reserve

  On Safari - Location #2

  Transverse the park to your second safari location. The second lodge will be a contrast to the first with its own unique look. Age-appropriate lodges will be selected.
  
  Embark on game drives in your open safari vehicles. This region is one of the finest in Africa to see the rare wild dogs. As you explore with the professional guides, learn about the flora and fauna as well as basic bushlore. Activities may include game drives, walks and night viewing.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Madikwe Game Reserve

  This morning you may opt to take an early morning nature walk in search of the smaller creatures of the bush and hopes of viewing the fabulous bird life at close range.
  
  An afternoon game drive takes you in search of that one species that may have eluded you. The professional safari guides will do the utmost to please.
  
  Tonight, have a farewell dinner in camp.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  09

  Onward Journey

  Bid farewell to the Africa bush as you fly to Johannesburg for your flight home taking with you the memories of an unforgettable African experience.

  Breakfast