Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Christmas in the Cape

Example holiday

Christmas in the Cape

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


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Christmas in the Cape

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 14381

Example Cost

Holiday Title: Christmas in the Cape

Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 12 nights

Passengers: 2 Adults and 2 Children

Example Cost for 2 Adults and 2 Children: * per person sharing.

*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.

ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Section 6 of our booking conditions.

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Summary Of The Itinerary

Printable Version

Holiday Title: Christmas in the Cape

Passengers: 2 Adults and 2 Children

Day 1

Arrive into Cape Town Airport. Collect your luggage then make your way into the Arrivals Hall. Follow the Car Rental signs and find the Europcar Rental office. Complete the necessary paperwork - you will need to present your driving licence, passport and credit card. The keys to your hire car will then be handed over to you.

13 Day Car Rental: Group R Standard SUV - Toyota Rav or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)

Drive to The Cullinan Hotel, situated just on the edge of the vibrant V&A Waterfront, with postcard views of the harbour and Signal Hill.


Day 5

After breakfast you depart Cape Town and drive the scenic Route 62 to Oudtshoorn (approx 490 km / 5 h 0 mins), the ostrich capital of South Africa.


Day 7

Later today you will drive to Plettenberg Bay (approx 155 km / 1 h 50 mins), set in a curving bay with a backdrop of rugged mountains, and home to some of the best beaches along the Garden Route.


Day 10

This morning after breakfast you will continue along the N2 and drive to Amakhala Game Reserve (approx 280 km / 2 h 50 mins). The 7,200 hectare Amakhala Game Reserve is an ideal environment for an unforgettable safari in a varied landscape, including breathtaking views of the Bushman's River, and guests here can enjoy a range of morning and evening safaris and other activities.

Amakhala Game Reserve

2 nights at Woodbury Lodge


Day 12

After your early morning game drive and a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive to Port Elizabeth (approx 70 km / 50 mins), a popular holiday destination and renowned for its beautiful coastline and long sandy beaches.


Day 13
After breakfast drive to Port Elizabeth Airport, return your hire car, and check in for your flight home via Cape Town or Johannesburg. Passengers are advised to check in at least 90 minutes prior to the flight departure time.
 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Southern Sun The Cullinan

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.

Southern Sun The Cullinan is a stylish and grand hotel that offers travellers easy access to most of Cape Town's venues and is within walking distance to the world-renowned V&A Waterfront.

Complementing the rich, cultural heritage of Cape Town through timeless architecture, the opulent decor creates a mood that is a world-away-from-home, while service and attention to detail ensure your every need is taken care of.

The 410 elegant and spacious hotel rooms all boast spectacular views over the many aspects of Cape Town - enjoy either the view of Table Mountain, the bustling Table Bay Harbour and Waterfront or the city centre.

Rooms are lavishly decorated with rich finishes and furnishing, and all offer luxurious private bathrooms and in room amenities to enhance your stay and make it as comfortable as possible.

The outdoor pool is ideal for those who enjoy a fresh dip in cool waters and the fully equipped gym is accessible to all guests of the hotel.

Example Details For Southern Sun The Cullinan

Nights: 4 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 2
Room: 1 x Standard Room
Includes: Breakfast is included. Children under 18 are accommodated free of charge (Including breakfast) if sharing a room with two full paying adults, subject to availability of family rooms.

Location

Southern Sun The Cullinan Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Southern Sun The Cullinan

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

La Plume Guest House

The Klein Karoo: 2 Nights

La Plume is a boutique Guest House on a working ostrich, alfalfa and cattle farm with spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Olifants River Valley. A warm welcome awaits you at this charming 1902 Victorian homestead with its tranquil surroundings where old-world charm has been combined with modern comforts to ensure extraordinary service and personal attention.

Guests can join an informative tour of the farm (on request and additional cost - booking essential) to learn about the day to day activities in the life of a full-time farmer, as well as the giant birds and the trials and tribulations of farming with them from one of the few experts on the ostrich industry.

The English Breakfast buffet is the perfect start to a busy day with fresh fruit platters, a bread and cereal selection, cold meats and cheeses, as well as hot breakfast with special requests made to order. The restaurant also offers a daily lunch menu or picnic baskets for guests exploring the wonders of Klein Karoo. For dinner enjoy exceptional local wine and traditional home-cooked cuisine meticulously prepared by the chef and served in the spacious, candlelit dining room.

La Plume offers stylish luxury with a diverse range of accommodation. The 5 Superior Suites and the Luxury Rooms all have private entrances that open onto sunny verandas overlooking the gardens, and the 2 Honeymoon Suites embody a feeling of romance and cosiness. The Luxury Junior Suite is ideal for 3 adults travelling together or family with an older child wishing sleep in a separate room, as the suite consists of a queen master bedroom with full en-suite bathroom and lounge with single bed for the third person.

The Plume Cottage consists of 2 interconnecting suites each with its own bedroom, full bathroom and lounge sharing a kitchenette.  The Private Farm Villa has 2 bedrooms each with its own full en-suite bathroom, a large open plan living and dining room and a fully equipped kitchen. This typical South African farm house is off the main property nestled among alfalfa fields overlooking ostrich enclosures and a mere 100 meters from the main homestead.

Example Details For La Plume Guest House

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 2
Room: 1 x Superior Suite
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

La Plume Guest House Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

La Plume Guest House

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Robberg Beach Lodge

The Garden Route: 3 Nights

The Robberg Beach Lodge is nestled in the heart of the world-famous Garden Route at Plettenberg Bay - a destination of distinction for all holiday guests and travellers in South Africa. It is world-renowned for the splendour of its sky and seascapes and for the unspoilt beauty of its lagoon and beaches.

Just 5 minutes by car from the bustling restaurants, galleries, coffee shops and bars of Plettenberg Bay's Main street, The Robberg is a tranquil boutique beachside haven and is ideally situated just a 2 minute walk from Robberg Beach - a beautiful snow white sandy Blue Flag beach which is popular for shore based dolphin and whale watching and which stretches for kilometres between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island.

The nearby Robberg Nature Reserve offers great walking and hiking trails and is another excellent view site for cliff based whale and dophin sightings. There are 3 circular walks of various lengths, caves and extensive information about Robberg's geology, archaeology and exciting marine life. 

Plettenberg Bay is also home to 2 superb golf courses, both less than a 15 minute drive from the lodge.

The Robberg Beach Lodge consists of 4 separate villas - Robberg House, Beachy Head Villa, Cottage Pie and Cordovan Villa - each offering a selection of different room types, depending on your budget and requirements. Across the 4 villas, there are 30 rooms and suites in total.

The View Suites have wonderful views and spacious floor plans, with french doors opening onto a private balcony. The first floor View Rooms have large bay windows with mesmerising sea views. The second-floor View Rooms have french doors opening onto a private balcony with great sea views. 

The child friendly Luxury Suites each have a queensize sofa bed that can comfortably accommodate 2 children under 12 years plus a private balcony overlooking gardens.

The Luxury Rooms all have garden views, and the Cottage Suites have a relaxed cottage-style decor. The Standard Garden Rooms overlook either a garden courtyard or onto the private pool area here.

The self catering stylish Family Room is perfect for families travelling with children and couples who enjoy lots of space. This has a private entrance, spacious patio area, an open-plan living area with a sofa bed, and a kitchenette with oven, stove, microwave, kettle, toaster and small fridge.

Example Details For Robberg Beach Lodge

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 2
Room: 1 x Suite
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

Robberg Beach Lodge Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Robberg Beach Lodge

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Woodbury Lodge

Amakhala Game Reserve: 2 Nights

Woodbury Lodge is located in heart of the Amakhala Game Reserve, a 8,500 hectare Big 5 malaria-free game reserve in the Eastern Cape and less than an hours drive from Port Elizabeth. Nestled discreetly against a cliff in lush riverine bush, the lodge offers spectacular views of the Bushman's River valley. 

Enjoy morning and evening game drives in an open Land Rover, conducted by an experienced ranger in search of wildlife including lion, rhino, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra, and over 16 antelope species. After dark, the elusive nocturnal animals are searched out with the help of a spotlight as you drive through the reserve.

As part of one game drive during your stay, you can also enjoy a relaxing river cruise down the Bushmans River (subject to river levels). Guided bush walks, night drives and horse trails are additional activities that can also be arranged during your stay here.

The dining area and lounge are perfectly positioned with expansive decks overlooking the plains, taking centre stage for unforgettable sunrises or evening drinks around the fire under the African stars.

In-between game drives relax at the lounge bar or around the swimming pool.

Designed with great care to blend in with the natural surroundings, the 5 stone-and-thatch chalets are comfortably appointed, with en-suite bathrooms, and each boasts a unique and breathtaking view from their wooden decks. The seclusion of each chalet, along with the design of the bathrooms and individual outdoor relaxation areas, enable guests to enjoy the unique setting and breath-taking views at leisure. 

In addition, the 2 spacious family chalets sleep up to 4 guests allowing families to enjoy the African bush together. The rooms are separated by a wall partition to provide privacy

Spa treatments can be enjoyed at the nearby Bush Lodge, and guests can be transferred here on request.

Example Details For Woodbury Lodge

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 2
Room: 1 x Family Room
Includes: All meals; all locals beverages (excluding premium drinks); the Amakhala Conservation/Community Levy; and 2 shared game drives per day are included. Guided walks on request.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Woodbury Lodge Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Woodbury Lodge

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Beach Hotel

Port Elizabeth: 1 Night

The Beach Hotel is situated on Port Elizabeth's magnificent beachfront, directly opposite Hobie Beach and next to the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex. For history lovers, it is believed that the original Beach Hotel and surrounding area belonged to Piet Retief and his family. His home, a tennis court and servants quarters stood on this ground.

There are 3 onsite restaurants to suit everyone's palate. Enjoy a relaxing environment, sipping a cocktail white overlooking the ocean at The Verandah restaurant, or indulge in a buffet meal at The Crest.  Real foodies will love the fine dining cuisine at Ginger, voted one of the best restaurants in Port Elizabeth - it is definitely a must.

There is an outdoor swimming pool, and the hotel also offers complimentary high speed Wi-Fi.

The Beach Hotel offers homely comfort in its 58 spacious, en-suite bedrooms, some with stunning sea-views and others opening onto the tranquil courtyard.

The Non Sea-Facing Rooms are quiet, and overlook the tranquil surrounds of the courtyard. The Side Sea-Facing Rooms offer spectacular side views of the Indian Ocean whilst in the comfort of your stylish room, decorated in soft Mediterranean tones, and the Front Sea-Facing Rooms offer, as you would expect, front facing views of the ocean.

The Executive Rooms are spacious with large comfortable beds that invite guests to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the ocean. The suites offer generous, well appointed lounge areas as well as stylish bathrooms with separate showers. Finally, the well appointed, stylish Suite consists of a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom equipped with a freestanding bathtub.

Example Details For The Beach Hotel

Nights: 1 Night
Adults: 2 Children: 2
Room: 1 x Executive Room
Includes: Breakfast is included.

Location

The Beach Hotel Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

The Beach Hotel

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:

UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

 

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


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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:

The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:

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.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.

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:

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. 

You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.