Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
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Example holiday
Cape Town and Shamwari Safari
We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to South Africa is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 7 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
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Cape Town and Shamwari Safari.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Arrive into Cape Town Airport. Collect your luggage then make your way into the Arrivals Hall where your driver will meet you. You will then be transferred to your Cape Town hotel.
History and modern luxury merge to create ageless beauty at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, which was built in 1904 as the North Quay Warehouse. This iconic establishment was named after Queen Victoria and her son Prince Alfred, who played an intrinsic role in the establishment of the Breakwater Basin - now the V&A Waterfront. The hotel is located in the very heart of this internationally acclaimed destination and is a sophisticated retreat amid the buzz. It offers some of the most enviable views of Cape Town Harbour, Table Mountain and the slick city that stretches out at the foot of this Natural Wonder.
Your hire car will be delivered at 09:00 this morning. With a hire car you can explore slightly further afield - maybe taking a day trip down to the Cape Peninsula, stopping en-route there or back at Boulders Beach which is home to one of only 2 mainland nesting colonies of African penguins in South Africa. Or head into the Winelands and stop and enjoy lunch at one of the many fine restaurants here which offer superb home-cooked food in stunning settings.
3 Day Car Rental: Group F Standard Sedan - Toyota Corolla Quest Automatic or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)
Day 5
Drive to the airport this morning, return your hire car and check in for your domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. Passengers are advised to check in 90 minutes prior to the flight departure time.
SafAir FA130 (Economy Class): Fly from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) departing at 12:35 to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), arriving at 13:55
Collect your luggage and make your way into the Arrivals Hall where your driver will meet you. You will then be transferred to the award-winning malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve.
During your time here, you'll set off on 2 thrilling game drives per day, one at sunrise and one at sunset, with your game ranger and fellow guests in an open game viewing vehicle in search of the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, hippo, zebra and antelope.
After you return from your morning game drive you will have time to enjoy breakfast at the lodge before you are collected and transferred back to the airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight home via either Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Cape Town: 4 Nights
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit and it is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers.
One of the main tourist attractions is the tastefully restored V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants. There is also an aquarium and one of the largest craft markets in Southern Africa. Boats offer tours of the harbour from the quayside and the whole place is always buzzing with life and activity. The City Bowl is home to many museums and historical buildings which can all be viewed from a 'topless' hop on/hop off tourist bus, complete with interesting commentary as you ride around the city.
The adventurous can climb up (or abseil down) Table Mountain, windsurf or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand Beach, dive in shark tanks, or do any one of a dozen more adrenalin pumping activities. For a more relaxed pace of life, there are miles of sandy beaches for soaking up the African sun, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Set in the heart of the beautifully restored Waterfront and framed by the ocean and Table Mountain, the elegance and luxury of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel is rivalled only by its relaxed atmosphere and warm personal service. The hotel is renowned for the highest international standards.
All the bedrooms of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel enjoy unrivalled views of Table Mountain and the working harbour or the vibrant V&A Waterfront.
The luxurious interiors of all spacious bedrooms are complemented by elegant decor, along with all the modern essentials to make guests feel comfortably at home. Each has a separate shower, fully stocked private bar and air-conditioning.
Dining at the hotel's award winning restaurant, the Waterfront Cafe, overlooking the cobbled quayside and the harbour is reminiscent of a meal in a Southern European coastal village. As the sun begins to set, enjoy cocktails are served on the terrace while overlooking the bustling harbour.
Guests can also use the swimming pool and spa at the V&A's sister hotel - the Dock House - which is situated just across the road from the V&A.
Example Details For Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Nights:
4 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Mountain-Facing Room (Stay 3/Pay 2 offer applied)
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Bayethe Tented Lodge
Shamwari Game Reserve: 3 Nights
The Shamwari Private Game Reserve is 25,000 hectares of malaria-free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape and has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve.
Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life. Steeped in Settler history and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the reserve boasts 5 eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life, including the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species.
Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle over the rolling hills and valleys in search of the wildlife. The experienced rangers are all in 2-way communication with each other at all times, so on any day they know where the game is and how to find the elusive animals such as the rare black rhino.
In addition to spectacular game drives, Shamwari Private Game Reserve also offers professionally guided walking tours, where you can gain a true perspective of the flora and fauna indigenous to the region. Your guide will point out animal tracks, dung, hiding spots and rare birds, as well as telling you all about the area and its history.
Pronounced 'By-ye-ti', Bayethe Tented Lodge offers guests the opportunity to immerse yourself in utter tranquility with spectacular views of the African bush, surrounded by rich vegetation that provides a feeling of seclusion.
Each of the 12 air-conditioned Superior Tents are camouflaged under trees allowing ample privacy and have an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower, as well as a viewing deck with a private plunge pool. The tents also have a romantic indoor fireplace.
Example Details For Bayethe Tented Lodge
Nights:
3 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Superior Tent
Includes:
All meals; drinks (excluding French champagne and premium products); afternoon tea; twice-daily shared game drives; guided walks; tea/coffee; water; game drive beverages; a Born Free and Animal Rehab visit; and the Conservation Levy are included.
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor prior to arrival confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. More details available on request.
Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Bayethe Tented Lodge
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For South Africa
Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements
Latest Travel Updates
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days: United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain, Switzerland.
If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local South Africa High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries (including New Zealand) are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.
Children under 18 years of age who require a visa to enter South Africa may be required to provide additional information when applying for the visa including an unabridged birth certificate and affidavit if travelling with only one parent. There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors and/or South African children - details available on request or via the SA Department of Home Affairs at http://www.dha.gov.za.
Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa should have a valid return ticket and a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. However, some immigration officials still request that a passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to South Africa so to avoid problems on arrival, we advise that your passport meets this requirement instead. The passport must also have sufficient pages for entry/exit stamps - AT LEAST 2 BLANK PAGES.
South Africa has implemented biometric capturing at all ports of entry. This may result in some delays at land borders so you should allow additional time for border crossings.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
Medical
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to South Africa.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
Tap water is purified and safe to drink in major cities and towns, however, we do advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as the camps in the National Parks - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk, as bottled water is widely available.
Whatever you do, do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water. Always take water with you when you go on a hike, and have a bottle in the car on a long journey to avoid dehydration.
There is a risk of malaria in and around the Kruger National Park/Mpumalanga Province, the Limpopo (Northern) Province, and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is South Africa. However, in accordance with International Health Reguations, South Africa requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For South Africa
Continued
Languages And Culture
The 11 official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. Whilst many visitors will hear at least a couple of the tribal languages during the course of their stay, it is possible to travel extensively and comfortably with just English as a language.
The South African society is quite liberal, as gay marriage was legalised in 2006 nationwide and everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution. In some more rural areas, however, the local people may not be quite as liberal thinking, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship if travelling to a rural/remote area.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Book With Confidence
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
Postponing to a later date
Switching to another destination
Receiving a full refund of all monies paid to Travel Butlers for the trip, providing the balance due has been paid in full
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel or your booked country is placed on the red list
The government in your country of residence (non-UK residents) restricts all but essential travel
The destination you are travelling to has entry restrictions in place that prohibit you travelling, such as closed borders or extended quarantine requirements
International flights are cancelled without alternative routing available for you to use to reach the destinations in the itinerary
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
Support whilst you are away
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
cancellation if you or anyone covered by the policy gets a positive coronavirus test in the two weeks before you travel
medical costs if you get coronavirus while you are away
additional transport and/or accommodation expenses if you fall ill with coronavirus while you are away
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.