The Spirit of South Africa
New Dates TBA 2024 & 2025
South Africa's City, Safari, Culinary, and Culture
If you've never been to South Africa, it is a place made of magic. Dive deep into this country as there is plenty to do and several directions to head in.
You can experience the city (Jo'Burg and Cape Town), surf (Durban), and safari (Kruger and KZN). You will have the best pour possible in the Winelands, not to mention great plates throughout the country.
The biggest draw to South Africa is the people. They have the best smiles and are so welcoming! They have a great sense of humor, and they are incredible storytellers.
I regularly find myself brought to my knees by a story told in passing. I have been to South Africa several times, yet I haven't even begun to sate my appetite for this country.
The Spirit of South Africa
New Dates TBA 2024 & 2025
$USD - TBA
Group size: 10-16
If interested, email ASAP to get on the WAIT LIST and inquire about dates, pricing, and the detailed itinerary.
Adventure Details
About the Trip
The Seduction of South Africa trip has a great mix of things. We kick off things in Johannesburg, which I adore more and more each time I go back. It is a very hip city, rich in history.
We will start in style at The Fairlawns Hotel with a lovely intro dinner and a few local women of influence. It's a relaxing start to the trip after the long journey into South Africa.
We will walk in Mandela's footsteps, see the city of Soweto, and dip into Maboneng, the Brooklyn of Jo'Burg. Throughout your visit, local women, history, fashion, food, and new friendships will be made.
Then we are off to stay in one of the top safari lodges. We will again be privy to local women alongside the wildlife. There will also be downtime so you can soak in that safari silence.
We will cap off the trip to Cape Town. There will be hikes to Table Mountain, winery tours, tastings, and lunch at iconic vineyards. You will have waterfront and beachfront meals in the area. It's the best that South Africa has to offer. Sign up before it's too late!
Trip Basics
Dates - New Dates TBA for 2024 & 2025
Days - 9 Days/8 Nights
Size - Minimum 10, Maximum 16
Style - Urban, Adventure, Culture, Community, Women, and Wine
Needs - 20% deposit ASAP to hold your spot.
A first-come basis. Spots will fill up.
Treats - Meet prominent women of influence and those defying the odds in South Africa and beyond.
Host - Karen Loftus, "Lofty"
WAT's Adventuress in Chief
Fees - $USD - TBA. Single occupancy is available upon request and at an extra cost.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Johannesburg
A VIP Airside Welcome by the Airport team at OR Tambo International Airport. A private transfer by luxury vehicle from OR Tambo International Airport to the hotel, with assistance from an English-speaking guide.
Express check-in at the Fairlawns Hotel with fresh fruit and a welcome cocktail.
A private vehicle transfer to the Fairlawns Hotel or similar for two nights. Express check-in at the Fairlawns Hotel with fresh fruit and a welcome cocktail. You then have time to unpack, relax, and freshen up.
The day is free to relax, visit the spa, and enjoy the poolside or beautiful gardens of the hotel. Enjoy an elegant yet informal dinner at Amuse Bouche Restaurant in the hotel tonight.
It is a three-course set menu dinner or a la carte, to be paid directly on the day. Alternatively, enjoy a private food journey at Into the Woods, the hotel's private venue.
A special guest, a local woman of influence from the area, will join us for dinner to speak and share stories and insight on the city and the women and organizations that are making a difference. Overnight at The Fairlawn Hotel.
Day 2 | Johannesburg
Explore Johannesburg, including a coach, a guide, and entrances to the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, and the Hector Peterson Museum. The Potato Factory: three-course set menu lunch with gratuity included.
The eatery's design has an industrial feel, combining raw historical features and refined contemporary elements. It also celebrates the icons of Newtown and the Market Theatre district around Miriam Makeba Street and Mary Fitzgerald Square.
With its craft brewery, open-plan kitchen, and indoor and outdoor dining areas, this space has an informal marketplace feel that harks back to history.
In the afternoon, we will explore Maboneng. This hip little section of the city is known as the Brooklyn of Johannesburg. From rooftop bars to boutique hotels, an abundance of galleries, and well-known street graffiti, this part of the city is edgy, interesting, and vibrant.
There is an opportunity to shop, explore, and grab some great photos of the area.
A three-course set menu dinner follows with return dinner transfers. Overnight at The Fairlawn Hotel.
Day 3 | Johannesburg - Safari
Early morning breakfast. Check out of the Fairlawn Hotel. Transfer by luxury vehicle from the hotel to the OR Tambo International Airport.
Three-night shared accommodation at the Lion Sands River Lodge in a double/twin Suite, with full breakfast, lunch, dinner, two game drives, return transfers from Skukuza, optional safari walk, and all local beverages daily. Fully inclusive program on safari.
There is time to relax on this evocative luxury property before our first game drive and dinner that follows. Wooden walkways lead off to a spa, gym, and pool and back to the main lodge, where the deck’s connected water features give the impression of floating on the river.
It’s a great place ot get social with other guests and or go solo in a state of solitude on the property as you watch the animals wander.
The enclaves and options are endless, from your suite to the bar, restaurant, Gallery, or firepit lounge.
Day 4 | Safari
Life on safari usually consists of a very early morning rise and game drive. We want to be out before the heat is on, and the animals are off. Our drive's exact time and details will be TBD once on the property. Breakfast back on property follows, as does downtime.
Before our late afternoon drive, we will head to Ezweni School for a visit to meet the local community and kids. Ezweni is the only privately funded school in the Lilydale area, receiving no government subsidy.
It is run by three amazing women who have achieved incredible results with students who have gone through their school, often at great sacrifice to themselves.
Game drive, dinner, drinks, and talks by the fire follow into the night.
Day 5 | Safari
Early morning rise today to get the most out of your safari experience. Bring your best lens and binos if you have them as you don’t want to miss a thing. Coffee in the bush and breakfast back on deck will follow.
There is a window of downtime before our afternoon drive. This property has endless enclaves and options, from your suite to the bar, to the restaurant, Gallery, or the firepit lounge. Remember to bring a book, and your journal, as downtime, is delicious on safari.
The final game drive and a special farewell dinner follow.
Day 6 | Safari - Cape Town
After early breakfast at the lodge and a final safari, you will go to Skukuza Airport via private transfer. On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, there will be warm welcomes and assistance with boarding the luxury touring vehicle for the transfer to the Table Bay Hotel.
Enjoy a short City Orientation tour en route to the hotel.
You will be staying in shared accommodations at The Table Bay Hotel for three nights in a luxury double/twin sea-facing room with breakfast daily. Private rooms are available for an additional fee.
If time allows, we can wander around the iconic Victoria and Albert waterfront in Cape Town. It’s a great place for shopping, waterfront wine, and capturing the spirit of the city.
Late in the afternoon, guests transfer to the cableway station for a cable car ride to the summit of the iconic Table Mountain, one of the city’s greatest landmarks.
The excursion includes a coach, a guide, and a return cable car ticket. A three-course dinner at Life Grand Café on the waterfront will follow.
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
Day 7 | Cape Town
We start our first full day in Cape Town with an early morning hike up Lions Head. The Lions Head Peak forms part of a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town and is part of the Table Mountain National Park.
The hike to the top rewards hikers with 360-degree views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Atlantic, Camps Bay, and the city. There is no better way to wake up in Cape Town!
After breakfast at the hotel, we head out to the Winelands to Tokara Wine and Olive Estate. We meet with Coralize Coetzee, the Executive Chef who innovates terroir-focused contemporary cuisine paired with the estate’s award-winning wines.
Tokara, an exceptional vineyard in the Stellenbosch Mountains, is a feast, be it the plates, pours, and the abundance of the art onsite. A private transfer back to Table Bay Hotel provides a window of downtime on the property between the decadence of the day and the evening activities.
Before heading back, we take in Stellenbosch on foot, exploring the shops and galleries that make the quaint town so notable.
After a day in the Winelands, we head to Camps Bay Strip for dinner. Our three-course Mediterranean menu at Bilboa is a sophisticated slice of local South African life.
Bilboa’s beachfront view and ocean breeze are tough to top.
Day 8 | Cape Town
After an early rise and breakfast at Table Bay, we head out for a full-day Cape Peninsula Tour. We depart by coach along the spectacular scenic route to the glamorous area of Camps Bay, to Hout Bay, with a visit to the famous market in the harbor. We drive along the spectacular Chapmans Peak Drive, one of the most scenic roads in the world.
On arrival at Cape Point, enjoy a stroll up to the lighthouse for the spectacular view of the meeting of the two oceans, then have lunch overlooking the ocean.
On the coach, guests will be transferred to the unique Boulders Beach African Penguin Colony. Aside from the tour, a Private Kayaking excursion is available at Boulders Beach for an additional fee.
There is time back in town by the waterfront or on the property before the evening’s outing. In the early evening, stroll down to the quayside and board the 40-foot power catamaran for an exclusive cruise out into the famous Table Bay, with magnificent views of Table Mountain, the city nestled below, and Robben Island.
Elegant substantial canapes and wine will be served on board throughout the cruise.
Day 9 | Cape Town - Departure
After breakfast today, depart for a visit to the amazing Khayelitsha Cookie Company. We will meet with founder Adri Williams. This unique company employs over 900 women who hand-make cookies.
Enjoy a tour of the factory, meet and interact with the bakers, and hear their compelling stories.
We have a visit set to the township of Kayalisha, which includes a transfer, a local guide, and a tour.
A scenic helicopter ride and a Robben Island visit are also available at an additional charge. (Inquire if interested; both require pre-bookings.)
After breakfast, we check out of Table Bay Hotel. A coach transfer from the hotel to Cape Town International with assistance follows.
At this time, we sadly say goodbye to South Africa and each other until we travel together again.
Accommodations
Fairlawns
There are several bells and whistles attached to this opulent property.
Set in a portion of what once was a ten-acre estate complete with rolling hills, stables, and horses, The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa still provides that same secluded and stately ambiance.
It is a go-to for the business savvy and the jet-set alike, situated in the sophisticated enclave of Sandton’s Morningside Manor suburb.
It is quite the respite after a long journey into Jo’Burg. Be sure to take advantage of the spa. Rejuvenate, relax, and restore in the exquisite bamboo forest gardens of the Balinese-style Spa at Fairlawns.
With a range of therapies and signature Asian-inspired treatments, a team of skilled therapists is able to bring you back to a state of calm and natural well-being after the long journey.
You can have tea in the woods or simply slip into the Perrier-Jouët champagne room.
The adjoining Courtyard is the perfect place for late afternoon sundowners. You can listen to the birdsong of the garden while experiencing an African sunset.
You’re sure to have a deep and restful sleep in one of the chic suites, the Euro-inspired courtyard, or the premier; the latter reflects a different part of South Africa’s history.
Lion Sands River Lodge
This award-winning luxury resort is located on the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
The property offers a chic interpretation of the traditional safari lodge, with water features that give the illusion of floating on the river.
When not out on safari, guests can enjoy the resort's spa, pool, gym, and gallery. Nights are best spent relaxing at the fire pit lounge or socializing at the bar.
Breathtaking views, luxurious amenities, and top-notch cuisine make the Lion Sands River Lodge the perfect place to stay during our safari adventure.
Table Bay Hotel
Superbly located in a prime position along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this magnificent world-class hotel of contemporary Victorian design embodies the traditions of a bygone era while encompassing the indulgence of today's sophisticated, modern age.
Guests will be able to choose from 330 bedrooms, half of which will face Victoria and Alfred’s working harbor and the other half to the world-renowned Robben Island, where President Nelson Mandela spent most of his prison days.
Standard features of the bedrooms are bathrooms en suite, color television, radio, direct dial, voice mail, two incoming telephone lines, and individually controlled air conditioning. With in-room dining available 24 hours a day, guests need not leave the room at all, should they please.
Images are courtesy of Karen Loftus, except if otherwise stated.
Accommodations, Rates, Availability
New Dates TBA for 2024 & 2025
SHARED ACCOMMODATION: $ USD - TBA
Single Accommodations are available for an extra fee upon request
Booking deadline: 20% deposit due ASAP to secure your spot.
Two other payments (50% and 30% follow in the coming months) exist.
Full payment is due six months in advance of the trip due to limited inventory.
Please note: A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Availability - Our exclusive program welcomes a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 16 guests.
Email us ASAP to Secure Your Spot! Space is extremely limited.
Inclusions
Airport Transfers
Hotel and lodge accomodations
Entrance fees to museums and parks
Porterage at the lodge and airport
Full safari program with guides and jeep
Coach and local event manager throughout trip
Meals on property and off-site where stated
Flights within South Africa to safari, Cape Town, and back to Johannesburg
Exclusions
Round-trip international flights to Johannesburg
Spa or additional services on property not covered in itinerary
Any pre or post-travel arrangements as well as extra adventures or activities not covered in the itinerary
Travel Insurance (required)
Passports & visa fees
Your Host
Karen Loftus is a well-known and respected luxury travel and lifestyle writer and photographer with a sense of humor, a wicked sense of adventure, and an insatiable appetite for off-the-beaten-path endeavors.
She hit her international stride twenty-plus years ago as an award-winning feminist playwright. She was also a groundbreaking international comedian in the US, Europe, Asia, and The Middle East.
She also ran her nonprofit, Body Comedy, where she used humor to heal. She worked with thousands of survivors of physical and sexual violence, women, and children in many facilities, juvenile halls, prisons, and shelters.
Ten years later, Karen ended up on Hollywood's red carpet, interviewing the celeb set and writing about travel, fashion, beauty, food and wine, and the Hollywood lifestyle. Since then, she has traveled to seven continents and 70+ countries while working as a writer and photographer.
Her compelling and entertaining stories have appeared in Vogue, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Robb Report, American Way, Hemispheres Magazine, The NY Daily News, The Globe & Mail, South China Morning Post, The Gulf News, Huffington Post, and Men's Journal among many others.
This serial entrepreneur has produced comedy tours and theatrical events worldwide through her production company, Goddess Productions, and lifestyle and fashion-driven events through her event company, The Lofty Style Lounge.
Lofty loves hitting the road, sharing her wild stories and entrepreneurial endeavors with other women. She speaks at college campuses, conferences, and corporate events.
In addition to WAT, she arranges well-curated travel for individuals and groups under her travel advisor umbrella, Lofty Traveler. Lofty Traveler is a part of Cloud 10 Travel - An Independent Affiliate of Cadence Travel, a Virtuoso Agency.
Your Tour Operator
We are in the best hands possible while in South Africa. We have partnered with a South African-owned and operated tour operator. They are from the area and have been running tours and coordinating travel in the region for decades.
Throughout almost 40 years as a family-owned and managed company, their business has built an enviable reputation based on trust and delivering exceptional service to their clients. The company is fortunate to have a committed, enthusiastic, and loyal team, many of whom have been with the company for more than ten years.
Final Notes
I cannot say enough great things about South Africa. If I had to pick one place on the planet that was my all-time favorite, this may be it. It really does have it all! You are hard-pressed to have the local and cultural experience, the wildlife, the chic city scene, the historical together with a surf scene and a breathtaking wine region.
We worked hard with the local tour operator to pack everything at a reasonable price. You are hard-pressed to do a safari trip for less than $10k. This is an upmarket trip, but we worked hard to maintain the style, amenities, and ambiance at a reasonable price.
My only complaint about South Africa is that I only wish I had planned to stay longer every time I leave. If you have the time and the interest, let us know so we can extend your stay in South Africa and or in the neighboring countries.
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
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