9 Days / 8  Nights – Cape Town * Franschhoek * Thornybush Game Lodge

We take femmes afar and leave the hommes at home. Our unique Woman’s View Tour of South Africa is designed to show Africa through a woman’s eyes.

It’s no secret that there’s Mars and there’s Venus, and the two don’t travel in the same orbit. Women can share the same experiences with men but see them completely differently–and those differences extend to travel. That’s why we’ve created our A Woman’s View tours, to enable women to see the world in a way that only those with a double X chromosome can appreciate.

A Woman’s View tours are for singles. They’re for married women. They’re for bff’s. They’re for mothers and grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters, aunts and nieces. They’re for young women, middle-aged women, elderly women. Only one kind of traveler isn’t invited: men.

So grab your globetrotting gal pals and join us on our amazing adventures.

Tour Includes

• Flights within South Africa (Cape Town/Hoedspruit/Johannesburg)
• Comprehensive Sightseeing per Itinerary
• 9 Nights Deluxe Hotels/Game Reserve
• 18 Meals:
• 8 Buffet Breakfasts
• 4 Lunches
• 6 Dinners
• Services of English-speaking Tour Escort and/or Local Guides
• Transfers upon Arrival and Departure
• Service Charges and Taxes 

Tour Highlights

• Welcome Evening at the scenic Victoria and Albert Waterfront in Cape Town
• Cruise to Duiker Island to see the Seal Colony
• Ascend to the top of Table Mountain by Cable Car
• Attend a choice Cultural Performance in Cape Town
• Philanthropic Cultural Tour focuses on Women’s Projects in the Townships
• High Tea at the world-famous Mt. Nelson Hotel.
• At the Cape of Good Hope, see the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.
• Fantastic Day of Wine, Charcuterie and Chocolate in the winelands of Franschhoek
• Private Wine Tastings at select WineryCooking Lessons with Chef Neil Jewell
• Three days of Safari in the African bushveld

Accommodations

Tour Itinerary

Contact a Protea Travel expert on 1-888-927-5255 

Day 1
Cape Town. Arrive in magnificent Cape Town; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel.   Time to rest, relax and enjoy your deluxe hotel with its spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Sea. Tonight, a Welcome Dinner on the scenic Victoria and Albert waterfront celebrates your arrival.   [D]

Day 2
Cape Town. Today,  discover magnificent Cape Point.  Travel via the 12 Apostles Mountains and Hout Bay, as well as Chapman’s Peak– one of the region’s most dramatic mountain drives offering amazing panoramic views.  At Hout Bay, cruise to Duiker Island, the Seal Colony beneath the well-known Sentinel Mountain; view thousands of Cape Fur Seals in their natural environment.  Then, time to shop at the wonderful local craft stalls at the harbor. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, established in 1939 to protect indigenous flora and fauna. The reserve comes to an end at majestic Cape Point. Situated at the junction of two of earth’s most contrasting water masses – the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.  Ascend by funicular to the vantage point to witness the “meeting of the two oceans”.   On to the fabulous Black Marlin Restaurant for a fabulous seafood lunch, followed by a visit to Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony.  Travel through the historic naval base of Simon’s Town to see a colony of African Jackass Penguins in their natural environment.   Dinner tonight at Pigalle, one of Cape Town’s chic  restaurants.  [B L D]

Day 3
Cape Town. Morning at leisure to discover Cape Town on your own or optional tour to Robben Island where Mandela was jailed.  Another alternative is a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world.  In the afternoon, tour to Bo-Kaap, in District Six, ending at Table Mountain.   Then, ascend by cable car to the top of the mountain for the most breathtaking views of the city at sunset.   (Snacks and Bubbly will be served atop the mountain).   Evening: Attend a Cultural performance in Cape Town (venue to be advised).   [B]

Day 4
Cape Town. Morning philanthropic cultural tour with James Fernie – founder of the Uthando Foundation; he will share his insightful knowledge of the Townships and local people of South Africa. We will meet the people and visit some of the women’s projects that have gone a long way in changing and uplifting the lives of our local women.  You’ll hear some of the remarkable stories that make life in South Africa so interesting, dynamic and  inspiring.  (You are welcome to bring items for donation). Then, a highlight of our trip to Cape Town – arrive at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel for High Tea, one of the oldest traditions in Cape Town. Famous foodies and travel writers the world over describe it as one of the best Afternoon Tea experiences in the world. Graceful notes from the Grande Piano add to the ambiance, and a selection of over thirty of the finest teas completes the indulgence. Tonight is at leisure.   [B]

Day 5
The Winelands – Franschhoek. Morning scenic drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek – a fantastic day of Wine, Charcuterie and Chocolate.  Drive to the GlenWood Wine Farm; you’ll be welcomed by the winemaker, a born and bred “Franschhoeker.;  enjoy a private tasting of his wines from both the barrel and the bottle.  Onward down the Valley to Môreson the family winery, home to award-winning wines.   The affable Neil Jewell will lead guests through a journey of wine and cured meats expertly paired with stories from Neil’s well-stocked pantry.  Then, relax and dine on a scrumptious risotto (and some cooking tips) served with a side of Neil’s Jewells (Neil’s excellent cookbook).  Following lunch, return to the village for dessert. At Huguenot Chocolates, indulge in the world of chocolate – taste  and enjoy the different types available.  Overnight in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley at the Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa.   Dinner this evening is a gourmet three-course dinner in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.   [B D]

Day 6
Franschhoek/Hoedspruit – Thornybush Game Lodge. Morning flight from Franschhoek to Hoedspruit; meeting and transfer to the Thornybush Main Lodge in the Thornybush Game Reserve.   Here, unrivalled big game viewing is complemented by elegant accommodation and sublime cuisine.  Accommodations provide sweeping vistas over the savannah and views of the active water holes.   Superb attention to detail and highly personalized service create the most memorable stay.  All meals are provided at the Lodge.   [B L D]

Days 7 & 8
Thornybush. The day begins as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. After your early morning wakeup call, coffee, tea and rusks are served on the main deck overlooking the riverbed. Shortly after, depart in your open Land Rover with your experienced Rangers and Trackers who will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season but typically start early morning.  You may be invited out of the vehicle to see tracks, examine certain plants and follow spoor. After an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see what the animals have been up to during the night, and tracking down whatever you find, stop in the bush for a break of coffee and tea. A sumptuous Breakfast is then served either back at the camp or in the riverbed or bush. Many activities are offered for the rest of the day.   A delicious lunch and high tea is served before the afternoon game drive.   In the evening, view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight.  Return to the Lodge for a superb gourmet dinner – sit around the campfire or in the comfortable lounge and just relax and share stories after your fabulous adventure. [B L D]

Day 9
Johannesburg. After the early morning game drive and breakfast, transfer back to Hoedspruit and on to Johannesburg for your international flight back to the U.S.  [B]

Land Pricing Per Person

Contact a Protea Travel expert on 1-888-927-5255