CPL12C: Cape Town + Mauritius

Day 1

Arrive Cape Town Airport and meet your Cape Town holiday host, who will transfer you to your luxury hotel conveniently situated near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Check in and relax in your magnificent surroundings.

Day 2

Today is free for independent sightseeing in Cape Town.

You will be given a day pass for the convenient red Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all Cape Town’s key sights and beaches. Start by ascending Table Mountain by cable car to enjoy one of the world’s most famous views. Continue to Camps Bay beach, then explore the shops and many other attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is also the centre of Cape Town’s nightlife.

Alternatively choose one of the many local excursions available such as a visit to Robben Island, the infamous prison home of Nelson Mandela. Or simply relax on golden Camp’s Bay beach – the choice is yours!

Day 3

This morning your host will collect you for a full day tour to the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

We start with a short boat trip from Hout Bay to view Cape Fur seals at Seal Island. We continue via spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point where we hope to see ostrich, baboons and perhaps even dolphins. On the return journey we pass through naval Simons Town, and stop to see its resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

We also make a short stop at the Living Hope HIV/AIDs craft centre, your opportunity to support this self-help scheme by purchasing some of their hand-made products, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 4

Another day of leisure in Cape Town.

Choose one of the many local excursions available such as a visit to Robben Island, the infamous prison home of Nelson Mandela. Explore the many sights of Cape Town, shop at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or simply relax on golden Camp’s Bay beach – the choice is yours!

Day 5

Enjoy a full day tour to the Stellenbosch Winelands today, travelling through the scenic Franschhoek Valley where a handful of French Huguenot refugees started South Africa’s now famous wine industry.

Visit the historic town of Stellenbosch and several different Wine Estates of your choice – sampling as you go!  Enjoy a picnic lunch at a wine estate, before visiting a cheetah breeding project and another Wine Estate on the way home.

Day 6

Transfer to Cape Town Airport for your connecting flight to Johannesburg and on to Mauritius.

You will be met at Mauritius Airport and transferred to your luxury resort, a drive of just over 1-hour.

Check in, settle in and relax in your beautiful Indian Ocean Island, surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs. Later dine in style at your resort restaurant.

Days 7 and 8

Relax and unwind on the white sandy beaches of Mauritius, as you treat yourself to fine food and wonderful entertainment!

Enjoy lazy days swimming and snorkelling in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Or relax on the beach or beside the swimming pool, whilst enjoying the many facilities of your luxury resort hotel.

Activities at or near your resort are plentiful and include:

• Canoeing

• Water skiing

• Wind surfing

• Sailing

• Beach volley ball

• Floodlit tennis courts

• Football

• Table tennis

• Water polo

• Gym

• Spa

Full day Catamaran cruises are very popular, as well as Dolphin-watching boat trips and Glass-bottom boats to view tropical fish and coral reefs.

Mauritius offers wonderful Scuba Diving, with fully equipped dive centres offering a variety of PADI courses. If have never tried before, these clear calm waters offer an ideal location in which to learn to scuba.

Deep Sea Fishing for giant marlin or Reef Fishing for giant trevally offer thrilling activities!   Golf and Horse Riding are nearby, as well as the opportunity to Hire a Bicycle to explore the island at your own pace.

With its warm tropical weather all year-round, magnificent hotels and wonderful hospitality, Mauritius offers a vibrant Indian Ocean Island experience.

Day 9

Today you will be collected from your hotel around 09h00 for a private tour of the highlights of North and West Mauritius.

Start the day in the bustling capital town of Port-Louis, with the opportunity for duty free shopping at Miraj which offers hand woven oriental silk rugs and carpets, fashion accessories and jewellery, rare marble and bronze gifts, liquor and perfume. Alternatively shop at the Caudan Waterfront craft market that offers cheap designer clothing, spices, souvenirs and basketry – and glimpse a fascinating cross-section of Mauritian life at the Central Market. Also visit Blue Penny Museum for an appreciation of the local history and art of Mauritius.

Around midday continue to the bustling town of Grand Baie, where you will be escorted on an Undersea Walk offering the unique opportunity of viewing tropical fish and coral whilst walking in an aerated divers helmet on the seabed amongst the sea life of the reef. Your accompanied walk lasts 20-minutes some 3-metres below the surface – with no swimming skills required. You may wear your glasses or contact lenses, as your head will not get wet. Alternatively for a supplement you may dive 30 metres in the air-conditioned Blue Safari submarine to view the wreck of the “Star Hope” and the sea creatures it harbours, as well as the multi-coloured fish of the reef.

End your day relaxing amongst the beautiful water lilies, palms and exotic spices of Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens before returning to your hotel around 17h00.

Days 10 and 11

At leisure to relax and enjoy the many facilities your luxury Mauritius beach resort.

Day 12

This morning you will be collected from your hotel around 09h00 for a private tour of the highlights of South and East Mauritius.

From the centre of Curepipe drive up to the rim of Trou-aux-Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater whose floor is now heavily wooded, and enjoy magnificent views over the whole island.

Continue to the southeast of the island and visit the traditional village of Mahebourg, before enjoying the short sea crossing to Ile-aux-Aigrettes Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the rare pink pigeon and other rare species of bird, as well as many endemic coastal plants that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

On your return to the mainland explore Domaine du Chasseur, a magnificent park occupying over 2,000 acres and the habitat for a variety of wildlife including deer, monkeys, wild boar and much more - all set against lush vegetation of ebony, eucalyptus, palm trees and wild orchid, before returning to your hotel at around 17h00.

Day 13

Return transfer to Mauritius Airport for your flight home.