Go in search of the BIG 5 on the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, take part in and gain a greater understanding of their various conservation projects and then spend time at Spier Hotel and Wine Farm – one of the oldest and most awarded wine farms in South Africa.
DAY 1 – January 2, 2023
Enjoy breakfast onboard your vessel before disembarking and meeting your tour escort. Depart on a 3.5 -hour scenic drive from Durban into the heart of Zululand to the Manyoni Private Game Reserve located in the heart of Zululand.
This area is world renowned for its spectacular game viewing and rich cultural traditions. Manyoni has become one of the premier big five safari destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal with a strong focus on endangered species conservation, including the reintroduction of cheetah and wild dogs.
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed at Mavela Game Lodge. The luxury safari style tents are complete with en- suite bathroom facilities and a private deck with beautiful views over the surrounding bushveld. With comfortable deck chairs and a birdbath in front of each tent, birding enthusiasts can enjoy the birdlife from the comfort of their rooms.
The dining and living areas are designed with a thatched roof depicting a diving raptor in flight and the upstairs bar opens out onto an expansive deck offering panoramic views over the southwest of the reserve. Outside, the swimming pool with its comfortable loungers offers respite on a warm Zululand day while the shaded deck is the ideal place to sit and relax between activities. In the evenings, guests can trade stories from the day’s sightings while enjoying the campfire under a clear African sky.
Following afternoon tea, set out on your afternoon game drive in one of South Africa’s most renowned wildlife regions. This first afternoon will surely evoke many emotions as you discover amazing wildlife interactions and search for the BIG 5 in the cooling afternoon and into the darkness of the night.
Returning the lodge, choose to freshen up before dinner or grab a drink at the camps bar and relax in the lounge. There is also a large boma area complete with a bush oven for guests to enjoy fireside dining beneath the stars.
After dinner, gather around the fire-pit to share stories with your guides.
DAY 2 – January 3, 2023
After an early morning wake-up call, enjoy coffee, tea and snacks before embarking on a morning safari game drive during the cool early light while wildlife is most active.
On this morning game drive, your guide will use local knowledge of the area taking you to the spots best for game viewing at this time of the day. Using this knowledge, their tracking abilities and of course natures luck, you will find the wildlife you most would like to see.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and enjoy some leisure time relaxing in your suite, at the camp’s lounge or bar deck and watch the myriad of bird life.
In the afternoon, one of these activities will be included during your stay: Wildlife Tracking, wildlife release, Elephant darting, Lion darting, Rhino dehorning, Pangolin Tracking, Rhino orphanage visit.
Please note that due to the nature of these activities in the wild, last-minute changes might be necessary. These changes occur unexpectedly and can even happen on route to the activity. Also note that your game drive and this activity could operate in reverse.
Enjoy a late lunch and time at leisure before you set out on your evening game drive.
Returning the lodge, choose to freshen up before dinner or grab a drink at the bar and relax in the lounge or on the deck overlooking the entirety of the reserve below. Weather permitting, sit by the large boma area and enjoy fireside dining beneath the stars.
After dinner, gather around the fire-pit to share stories.
DAY 3 – January 4, 2023
After an early morning wake-up call, enjoy coffee, tea and snacks before embarking on your final morning safari game drive. What you see this morning will depend entirely on what nature delivers, but rest assure you will leave wanting to return to this piece of paradise.
After returning to the lodge, you will enjoy breakfast overlooking the bushveld before being transferred to Durban where you will board a flight to Cape Town.
Upon arrival in Cape Town, transfer to Spier Wine Estate to check in. The Spier Hotel, with a recorded history dating back to 1692, is situated on the historic Spier wine farm in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands.
This estate is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary South African art and its wines are among the most awarded in the country. During your visit enjoy them paired with wholesome food made with ingredients grown either on the farm or by trusted, nearby farmers.
This evening is at your leisure and meals are on your own.
DAY 3 – January 4, 2023
Enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore the historic estate which was featured on CNN’s Inside Africa.
Spier has been recognized by a number external organizations for its commitment to sustainability and ethical business. Its various projects such as “Tree-preneurs” for social upliftment through green fingers and “Growing for Good” which are learning initiatives that empower communities to make positive social and environmental change, along with some fantastic wine tasting and farm to table meals are what make this a farm like no other.
Visit the tasting room which is located on the banks of the Spier dam and has beautiful views of the Helderberg Mountains. Here you will sample Spier's award-winning wines paired with tasty snacks.
Note: As this is a working farm, schedules and activities could change due to the nature of the farming activities and needs.
After touring the farm you will have some free time to browse its shops, walk through the gardens or perhaps visit it’s Eagle Encounters where you can enjoy up-close-and-personal interactions with eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, kites, buzzards, snakes and lizards.
Before long it will be time to return to the ship in Cape Town.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
9:30am Disembark the ship in Durban to meet your tour escort.
9:45am Drive to Manyoni. The drive is approximately 3. 5 hours
A comfort stop is scheduled
1:30pm Arrive at Manyoni Private Game Reserve
2:00pm Check in
2:45pm Afternoon tea
4:00pm Safari game drive approximately 3 hours
7:00pm Return to lodge
7:30pm Dinner and campfire
Overnight at Mavela Safari Lodge
Day 2
5:00am Wake-up call
5:30am Coffee, tea and snacks served
6:00am Morning safari game drive approximately 3 hours
9:00am Breakfast at camp
10:00am Conservation activity
12:30pm Lunch
3:00pm Afternoon Tea and snacks
4:00pm Evening safari game drive – approximately 3 hours
8:00pm Dinner and campfire
Overnight at the Mavela safari lodge
Day 3
5:00am Wake-up call
5:30am Coffee, tea and snacks served
6:00am Morning safari game drive
8:00am Breakfast at camp
9:00am Depart Manyoni Game Reserve for Durban for your flight to Cape Town
2:00pm Flight to Cape Town (flight details TBA and subject to change)
4:00pm Transfer to Spier Wine Farm and Hotel
5:30pm Check in
6:00pm Dinner on your own and explore the estate at your leisure
Overnight at the Spier Hotel lodge
Day 4
8:00am Wake-up call and breakfast
9:30am Tree-preneurs
10:30am Guided tour of the working farm with farm management
12:30pm Lunch and wine pairing
1:30pm Leisure time
3:30pm Transfer to the Cape Town harbor to rejoin the ship
4:30pm Approximate arrival at the ship
PLEASE NOTE
•This is a malaria risk area. Make sure that the necessary medication has been taken. Guests should seek their physicians’ advice regarding malaria precautions and other recommended immunizations. You must begin taking malaria precautions prior to your departure date.
•The contents and order of the activities in this program are subject to change by the lodge management without prior notice, due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife on the reserve.
•The roads in the game reserve are gravel. There are also inclines, and certain parts of the game drive can be bumpy. This program is not recommended for guests with back problems.
•This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties due to visits to remote regions of Africa where climbing in and out of safari vehicles is required and sometimes walking on uneven surfaces will be required. This program will also involve extended periods (3+ hours) in a vehicle on rugged terrain.
•Bring warm clothing, as the evenings and early mornings can be chilly.
Expected Weather:
Zululand: 64 – 94 F (18 – 33 C) with a chance of rain.
Stellenbosch: 64 – 88 F (18 – 28 C) with a chance of rain.
What to Bring:
Light cotton tops and cotton trousers and shorts in summer. Safari trousers and warm fleece tops for evenings and cooler winter days. Also, bring swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, rain jacket/wind breaker, camera, SD cards, film and batteries, binoculars, medications, personal toiletries and anti-malaria prophylaxis.
Local Currency:
The monetary unit of South Africa is the Rand. All major credit cards are accepted at most establishments, although Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards.
Credit cards:
Most international hotels accept most standard credit cards as a payment for your “extras” account.
As a general rule, we would suggest that you allow sufficient local currency to cover the cost of any additional service at hotels, as many of the small lodges and game lodges do not have credit card facilities. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted, with more limited use placed on American Express and Diners Card.
Electricity:
South Africa’s electrical systems are 220/230 volts A/C 50 cycles. Most hotels have hair dryers and plug adaptors in the bedrooms. It’s always best if you bring electric appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
Be aware, however, that overnight recharging may not be possible where generator use restricts the availability of electricity.
Luggage Information:
•Baggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage is restricted to 20kg (44 lbs) per person
(hand luggage cannot exceed 7kg / 15.4 lbs)
•Only soft sided bags allowed
•No frames or rigid structures can be transported as they take up valuable space in aircraft and vehicles
•Please pack all valuables in hand luggage
•Please pack accordingly and bring any necessary cruise documents, passports, medications and valuables with you.
•Guests who have excess or overweight luggage will be responsible for any fees charged by the airline upon check in at the airport
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations) and carriage of such equipment may not be possible on the light aircraft flight.
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at OCI at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s) and obtain permission or not for this equipment to travel to the lodge.
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Oceania Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after travel and must have 2 blank pages upon entry into South Africa. No Visa is needed for citizens of the USA in order to enter South Africa. Other nationalities should please consult their local embassies for any requirements.
Aircraft type (subject to change):
Embraer jets or similar
Hotel addresses:
Mavela Safari Lodge
Manyoni Private game reserve, Zululand, South Africa
Spier Hotel & Wine Farm
R310 Lynedoch Road, Stellenbosch
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotels listed in this program will be used
Program Includes:
•2 nights at Mavela Safari Lodge in a luxury safari style tent and includes all meals and drinks
•1 night at Spier Hotel in a Riverside Room
•Conservation levies and fees
•Wine pairings
•All air (economy class) and ground transportation from Durban until embarkation of the ship in Cape town
•Mentioned daily activities
•Bottled water on all road transfers
•Tour escort that will accompany you throughout the program
Program Excludes:
•Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program
•Premium brand drinks at Mavela Safari Lodge
•Activities not mentioned in program
•Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Visa fees if required
•Gratuities for tour leaders, drivers, guides and lodge/hotel staff
•Excess or overweight luggage fees on the flights
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
