6 Days Winelands and Wildlife Safari in South Africa
Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek, South Africa
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Delicious Safari South Africa
Come and join Mont Rochelle on this wildlife and wine holiday in South Africa. Enjoy a hike through hills, valleys, and vineyards surrounding the hotel, as well as in local reserves. The grounds at Mont Rochelle cover 39 hectares (about 100 acres) and you are welcome to go exploring. A favorite activity for many of the guests is picnicking on the estate. The kitchen can arrange a well-stocked picnic basket with a chilled bottle of wine. There are two restaurants, a cozy bar, a spa, a gym, and a heated outdoor pool. That is not forgetting the 37-hectare vineyard and wine cellar of course.
Highlights
- Safari walks and game drives
- Enjoy top quality wine list and fine champagne
- A private cellar tour and complimentary wine tasting
- Explore the grounds at Mont Rochelle that cover 39 hectares
- Walks to the traditional vineyard town, Franschhoek
- Access to a fully equipped gymnasium
- Daily tasty breakfast minibar
- 5 nights accommodation
Styles
6 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 26 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
This package includes a five-night stay in 2020 based on two people sharing an Elephant Room at Ulusaba and a Shiraz Room at Mont Rochelle. Please contact Mont Rochelle for rates for all other room types. You will be staying three nights in Ulusaba and two nights in Mont Rochelle.
Mont Rochelle
Mont Rochelle is open year-round for visitors, and the 26 rooms and suites can be booked for any length of stay. You could even hire Mont Rochelle exclusively if you are planning a party, a wedding, or just a special occasion. There are four Shiraz Rooms with king-size beds and all feature courtyard or valley views.
Ulusaba
Ulusaba is Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve in South Africa, sitting entirely within the Sabi Sand Reserve near Kruger National Park. Ulusaba has 20 rooms and suites spread over two lodges: Rock Lodge, including the beautiful Cliff Lodge, and Safari Lodge.
There are three spacious Elephant Rooms with en-suite bathrooms and large viewing decks offering stunning views over the bush. Elephants regularly use a migratory route that passes by these rooms which allow for excellent up-close-and-personal game viewing. The location of the three Elephant Rooms is ideal for friends traveling together or families with teens wishing to be close to their parents.
Program
Day 1
Arrive at Ulusaba and start your African safari with a delicious lunch served by our chef. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pools and spas and getting used to your surroundings.
Experience your first game drive and view the ‘Big 5’ in their natural habitat. Upon your return, enjoy an evening of traditional South African fare, paired with fine wines and an evening of chilled music.
Day 2
An early start to the day to see the local wildlife hunting their breakfast; your Ranger and Tracker will search for the animals in their natural environment while refreshments are provided during the drive.
Return to the lodge for breakfast followed by a guided safari walk where you'll point out various birds and animals that are often missed when you’re on the game vehicles. Or perhaps you'd prefer a competitive game of tennis?
Return to Ulusaba for afternoon tea and then head out for your evening game drive adventure, stopping by the Bush Observatory for some star gazing.
A South African Braai dinner barbeque around the campfire will be a great way to finish the day.
Day 3
Up early for a morning game drive before saying see you soon to your Ulusaba Family as you head off to the Western Cape to experience Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyard.
After breakfast and a morning game drive, fly from Ulusaba’s Airstrip to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Nelspruit, or Skukuza. Connect from there to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) before a scenic transfer to Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyard in Franschhoek (Western Cape).
Welcome drinks and canapés will be waiting for you on your arrival.
Spend the afternoon exploring your new home, perhaps stroll around the gardens, or take a dip in the outdoor pool.
Start the evening with a private cellar tour being whisked through the vineyard before you are seated at Country Kitchen for a delicious fresh and informal dinner perfectly paired with some fine wines from the Mont Rochelle vineyard.
Day 4
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely walk to the traditional vineyard town of Franschhoek and explore the area. Franschhoek is renowned for its many restaurants, boutique shops, museums, and local markets.
Return to Mont Rochelle for a cellar tour and wine tasting session before heading down to the nearby dam for a picnic lunch, taking in the picturesque views of the Klein Dassenberg Mountains.
Spend the evening in Franschhoek, choose from one of the many award-winning restaurants for a traditional gourmet experience, it is what Franschhoek is famous for after all.
Day 5
Enjoy breakfast at Miko Restaurant before a relaxing morning at Mont Rochelle. Treat yourself to a spa treatment or two or spend the morning relaxing around the outdoor heated swimming pool.
Why not enjoy a leisurely picnic by the river dam and soak in the stunning views. Retreat back to the main building at Mont Rochelle for an evening of great food and wine underneath the stars on Miko Restaurant’s terrace (if the weather permits).
Mont Rochelle suggests that you stay at Ulusaba first, however, the offer can be booked in order of your preference.
Location
This retreat will take place in Mont Rochelle and Ulusaba, South Africa.
Mont Rochelle
Mont Rochelle is 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town in South Africa and is within 35 minutes' drive of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Somerset West wine routes. Mont Rochelle can arrange transfers either from the city or from Cape Town International Airport (CPT), or if you are coming by car, it is an easy drive to the property.
Nearby places
- Mont Rochelle - 45 minutes
- Paarl - 35 minutes
- Somerset West wine routes - 35 minutes
- Stellenbosch - 35 minutes
Ulusaba
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Reserve. It is close to Kruger National Park which is in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
Nearby places
- Nelspruit - 30 minutes
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) - 1 hour 20 minutes
- Skukuza - 20 minutes
Food
There are two restaurants at Mont Rochelle, including the Country Kitchen which joins up to Mont Rochelle's wine cellar. It is an ideal place for a light lunch in the sunshine. The main restaurant, Miko, is the setting for some fantastic gourmet meals including for those special occasions. Start the evening off with a refreshing cocktail from their bar and find a comfy space on the terrace to watch the sunset.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Drinks
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Organic
- Seafood
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Biking
There are some wonderful routes that make it easy to explore the surrounding area on the bike. Mont Rochelle can arrange rentals with a local company, just let them know and they can book these for you.
Hiking
Enjoy a hike through hills, valleys, and vineyards surrounding the hotel, as well as in local reserves. The Mont Rochelle Reserve on the opposite side of the valley offers superb views of the wine valley and on a clear day, you can even see Table Mountain and the ocean. The walks vary in length from three to eight hours and are of moderate intensity. Required permits and maps are available from the tourism office in the center of town. You are welcome to take walks through the farm and the only request is that you stay on the walkways, thus preserving the fragile vines that produce the splendid wines.
Tennis courts
Mont Rochelle has an AstroTurf floodlit tennis court and a cabana complete with a kitchen and bathroom. Rackets and balls are supplied.
Retail therapy
Franschhoek village offers a variety of art and craft shops as well as galleries and antique stores, and Mont Rochelle can point you in the right direction.
Golf
South Africa is known for the high standard of its many golf courses with courses in Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Somerset West. The hotel can arrange tee-off times for you. Booking is vital during the summer season in order to avoid disappointment.
Other activities
From personalized wine tasting to a picnic amongst the vineyards, wine enthusiasts will be in heaven at Mont Rochelle. If you are looking to get a bit more active Mont Rochelle recommends a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool. You could also work up an appetite in the gym or just sit back, relax, and indulge yourself in the in-house spa.
What's included
- Game drives and safari walks
- 1 complimentary wine tasting per stay
- Daily breakfast minibar
- 14% VAT and South African tourism bed levy
- Complimentary wireless internet throughout the hotel
- 5 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Road transfers between Cape Town and Mont Rochelle
- Any additional shuttle service requests outside the allocated times
- Laundry service
- Beauty treatments at Mont Rochelle’s spa
- All flights including international ones
- Domestic connections between Cape Town or Johannesburg and Ulusaba’s private airstrip
- Road and air transfers between other airports and lodges
- Aroma Boma beauty treatments
How to get there
Recommended Airports
CPT
Cape Town International Airport
47 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions from Cape Town to Mont Rochelle
- Once you leave the city, look for the N1 highway and then head west from Cape Town towards Paarl or Worcester. Once you have joined the N1, follow it for roughly 40 kilometers.
- Take exit 47, which is signposted for Klapmuts, Stellenbosch, and Wellington.
- Turn right onto the R44 in the direction of Stellenbosch. Butterfly World will be on your left.
- Pass through a traffic light and then you will cross a bridge over the railway. After 300 meters, turn left onto the R45 which is signposted for Franschhoek.
- Follow this road for almost nine kilometers passing wine estates Glen Carlou, Rupert, and Rothschild and later Vrede and Lust.
- This road comes to a natural end at a T-junction just after you have crossed a disused railway. Turn right onto the R45 signposted to Franschhoek (two strands of the same road merge here).
- You will now drive towards Franschhoek for roughly 18 kilometers through an area called Simondium, passing L’Ormarins and later La Motte wine estates.
- As you reach the center of Franschhoek Village, turn right into Bordeaux Street (you will first pass Kruger and De Larey Streets on the right) and follow that road - from this point Mont Rochelle is signposted.
- At the bottom of Bordeaux Street carry on straight as the road veers to the left. This is a short section of Cabriere Street, and then turn right onto Daniel Hugo Street. Keep following the signs to Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyard. You have got just over a kilometer to go.
- You have now arrived at Mont Rochelle.
Driving directions from Johannesburg to Ulusaba
- Take the N4/N12 to Nelspruit. Follow the R40 from Nelspruit through White River to Hazyview. Hazyview is about 60 kilometers from Nelspruit.
- As you approach Hazyview, there is a T-Junction. Turn left at this junction.
- This road will take you to Hazyview Town. Carry on straight through the first set of traffic lights.
- At the intersection with the second set of traffic lights, there will be a signpost that reads Paul Kruger Gate.
- At this signpost, turn right. This road is the R536.
- After approximately 32 kilometers, there are signposts for Newington Gate on the left-hand side of the road.
- There will also be signs indicating "Huntington, Lilydale & Justicia".
- Turn left and follow the gravel road for nine kilometers until you come to a four-way stop.
- Turn right and follow the road for another three kilometers to Newington Gate which is where you will enter the Sabi Sand Reserve.
- From Newington Gate follow all signposts for 17 kilometers to Ulusaba.
Driving directions from Kruger National Park to Ulusaba
- Follow the R536 to Hazyview. After approximately eight kilometers, there will be a signpost for Newington Gate where you will need to turn right onto a gravel road.
- Follow the gravel road for nine kilometers until you come to a four-way stop. Turn right and follow the road for another three kilometers to Newington Gate which is where you will enter the Sabi Sand Reserve.
- From Newington Gate, follow all signposts for 17 kilometers to Ulusaba.
Arrival by airplane to Mont Rochelle
Please book your flight to arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Transfer from and to this airport is available upon request. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) serves destinations throughout South Africa and has direct connections to some of the key European and Middle East hubs, with flight times ranging from 10 to 12 hours. Flights from the US east coast take roughly 22 hours transiting via Johannesburg.
GPS of Mont Rochelle
- S 33.918258
- N 19.108861
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookCulinaryVacations.com. All major credit cards supported.
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