2024 Luxury South African Golf Tour
5 star Accommodation Throughout
Includes 3 Nights Rovos Rail + 3 Nights Sun City
10 games of golf ( 2 are optional)
Optional Game Park Tour Extension
Victoria Falls/ Botswana/Kruger National Parks
18 days/17 nights – 2 to 19 March 2024
AUD 14,950 per person twin share
(AUD 29,900 per couple)
You are invited to join Trendsetter Travel Golf Tour’s luxury South African golf tour, showcasing several bucket list golf courses and staying at 5 star hotels throughout. Post completion of the tour, you are offered superlative wildlife experiences provided on a bespoke basis at the 5 star Jock Safari Lodge (refer below image) in Kruger National Park and/or a visit to Victoria Falls/Game Park Lodge(s) in Botswana (an additional charge applies for the game park extensions). Stay and play in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Sun City and George (including a drive along the Garden Route), all the while enjoying the exclusivity of this group experience, strictly limited up to a maximum of 30 guests plus your hosts David and Adrienne. However, the tour’s operation will not be limited to any minimum number of guests.
Anytime is a great time to visit South Africa but March is a particularly ideal time. You are assured the best chance of perfect weather for golf, and great sun-sets best enjoyed alongside some wonderful South African wines.
Itinerary
Saturday/Sunday 2/3 March 2024
Welcome to South Africa! Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer independently to your five star Fairlawns Hotel accommodation for a 3 night stay. Fairlawns will organise private car transfers on request. Your suite is large at 54 sqm with separate bath and walk in shower. We plan to offer an optional early afternoon golf game on Sunday 3 March 2023 (an extra charge will apply). This will be at the exclusive The River Club, probably the best conditioned course you have ever played (200 members and 33 green staff). Others may wish to use the Sunday to rest up after the journey or take one of the many day tours available around Johannesburg. Fairlawns is a special hotel which will not disappoint and, for many, this will rival one of the best hotels you have ever stayed at. In addition, as this is a Virtuoso booking, we are pleased to advise that each room will receive the following:
- Two complimentary 30-minute massages targeting back, neck, shoulder
- Dinner voucher of 1,000 ZAR, to be utilized during stay (no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Complimentary Pressing of 2 items on day of arrival
On Saturday night, you will meet your fellow tour companions over drinks and welcome tour dinner. (D)
Accommodation: Fairlawns Hotel (3 nights) with option to arrive earlier – 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Johannesburg, 2052
Monday 4 March 2024 – Johannesburg – Rand Park – Firethorn Course
Following a leisurely breakfast, we depart for a less than 30 minute drive to Rand Park Golf Club. Rand Park has 2 x 18 hole courses and we will play Firethorn Course. One of the leading golf courses in Johannesburg, Firethorn Course held the South African Golf Open in 2019 and 2020. The course should be in excellent condition in March and your shots may benefit from the thinner air of Johannesburg due to its high altitude above sea level (1,750 metres – 5,850 feet). (B)
Tuesday 5 March 2024 – Sun City – Game Drive
Late morning coach approximately 2 ½ hours to Sun City, the famous South African golf resort, located alongside Pilanesberg National Game Park and home to two wonderful golf courses. Enjoy luxury accommodation at the recently renovated Palace of the Lost City, the luxury 5 star hotel within this resort, and a sundowner game drive (in special 8 seater game drive vehicles- with everyone having a window seat- although no actual windows) during the late afternoon early evening. (B)
Accommodation (3 Nights) – Palace of the Lost City
Wednesday 6 March 2024 – Sun City - The Lost City Golf Course
Today we golf at The Lost City Golf Course. Built as a desert style golf course, the layout includes numerous water hazards, the most famous being the 13th hole which is home to 39 large crocodiles at last count. Hit them straight and long (as the hazard with the crocodiles sits between the tee and green) since golf ball recovery is not an option! The course is a pleasure to play with magnificent club rooms. (B)
Thursday 7 March 2024 – Sun City - Gary Player Golf Course
Golf today for most of us will be a 2nd round on the Lost City Course. For others, you have the option to play the Gary Player Golf Course, long regarded one of South Africa’s leading golf courses. Designed by Gary Player himself and built in 1979, this course is the venue for the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge, a favourite tournament of many of the world’s leading golfers. The course winds through the South African bush and is strictly a walking only course with your own caddy provided. However, the Gary Player Course is very demanding and after our experience with playing in February 2023, we recommend (as would all who played the course on our tour in Feb 2023) the course only be considered for single figure male golfers. The problem is that there are only 2 sets of men’s tees, championship and club (the club tees are over 6,000 metres with long carries to reach the fairways with demanding kikuyi grass and negligible run). (B)
Friday 8 March 2024 – Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa
After an early breakfast, we coach less than 2 hours to Pretoria to join Rovos Rail on its journey to Cape Town with a departure time of 11 am (check in time is between 9 and 11 am). The Pride of Africa offers luxury all the way and has been extended to nearly 72 hours including 3 nights on the train. For many this iconic rail journey could be the highlight of the tour. Onboard, you’ll enjoy accommodation in a Deluxe Suite with private bathroom, morning and afternoon tea daily and delicious meals with included beverages (excludes champagne).
Along the way, enjoy scenic views of the South African countryside from the privacy of your suite or the elegant saloon cars, which feature comfy seating and open air spaces perfect for those special photographs.
For more details please refer to the following link for information on your room: https://rovos.com/journeys/cape-town/ (BLD)
Saturday 9 March 2024 – The Pride of Africa
Our journey from Pretoria to Cape Town features a stop at Kimberley with an included tour of the city, Diamond Mine Museum and the not to be missed “Big Hole”. (BLD)
Sunday 10 March 2024 – The Pride of Africa – Cape Town
This morning enjoy another stop along the way at the historic township of Matjiesfontein, before lunch and a relaxed afternoon on-board as we continue our journey to Cape Town. (BLD)
Monday 11 March 2024 – Cape Town – Optional Golf at Royal Cape Golf Club or a Free afternoon in Cape Town
We are scheduled to arrive at Cape Town at 10 am and will be picked up by our coach for transfer to our hotel for the next 4 nights. We have changed our itinerary to include an optional golf game (but cost included in the tour price) at Royal Cape Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Cape Town (founded in 1885), with its magnificent views of Table Mountain. Royal Cape has been the venue for the South African Golf Open on 10 previous occasions and is currently the venue for the Cape Town Open, part of the Sunshine professional golf tour.
We are staying for 4 nights at the luxury 5 star Taj Hotel. Our accommodation is the Luxury Tower king bedded rooms which have floor to ceiling glass façades and private walkout balconies from where you can enjoy splendid views of Table Mountain. All rooms have spacious en-suite bathrooms with separate, deep oversized bathtubs and dual-headed walk-in showers. The hotel is located down-town with many excellent restaurants within a short walk. The hotel is famous for its Bombay Brasserie and it’s a la carte dining – a great opportunity to use your USD 100 food and beverage credit. The hotel will rival the best hotels you may have stayed at throughout the world.
In addition, as this is a Virtuoso booking, we are pleased to advise that each room will receive the following:
• Complimentary drink on arrival
• Food and Beverage credit of USD 100 able to be used for a 3 course dinner (excluding beverages) at Bombay Brasserie
Accommodation: Taj Hotel – 1 Wale St, Corner St Georges Mall – (4 nights) (B)
Tuesday 12 March 2024 - Cape Town – De Zalze Golf Club
Today we play De Zalze Golf Club, located on the edge of the famous Stallenbosch wine region and is ranked in the top 35 South African golf courses. After a 45 minute coach transfer from our hotel, there will be time to practice before our two tee hit off. (B)
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Today is devoted to a guided tour of the key sites in and around Cape Town including Robben Island and Table Mountain. The tour will include lunch. Cape Town is a city which never fails to impress. (BL)
Thursday 14 March 2024 – Pearl Valley Golf Club
Today we venture through the famous scenic Stellenbosch wine growing region to play at the Jack Nicklaus designed Pearl Valley Golf Club, a scenic 50 minute drive. Opened in 2003 and venue for 3 South African Opens, this course is consistently ranked among the top 10 golf courses in South Africa and is renowned for its magnificent conditioning. (B)
Friday 15 March 2024 – Drive The Garden Route to George
This morning bid farewell to Cape Town as we drive the famous Garden Route to George – and the 5 star Fancourt Golf and Spa Resort. The resort includes 3 x 18 hole links style championship golf courses, all designed by Gary Player. We are all booked in the upgraded Luxury Rooms (40 sqm) with views either overlooking the Outeniqua Mountains, gardens or golf warm up areas. All rooms include a separate shower and large bath.
Accommodation (4 nights) – George – Fancourt Golf & Spa Resort (B)
Saturday 16 March 2024 – Fancourt Resort – Outeniqua Course
Today we play morning golf (tee times booked from 9 am) at the at the resort’s Outeniqua Course (ranked # 20th in South Africa) to allow a free later afternoon to enjoy the pleasures of this luxury resort – perhaps to book a Spa. (B)
Sunday 17 March 2024 – Fancourt Resort - Montagu course
Today we play morning golf (tee times booked from 9 am) at the at the resort’s Montagu Course (ranked # 12th in South Africa) to allow a free later afternoon (B)
Monday 18 March 2024 – Fancourt Resort – Pinnacle Point Golf Course
After a 45 minute drive west of Fancourt Resort, we play the course which regularly competes for the number 1 ranked golf course in South Africa. Its special claim to fame is the series of 7 majestic holes that line the Indian Ocean rock cliffs, four of which are played over ocean and cliff. With tough competition, this was rated the best course by our 2023 tour party. You will struggle to find a better course anywhere in the world. (B)
Tuesday 19 March 2024 – George to Johannesburg
This morning we will fly direct from George to Johannesburg. For some, it will be to connect with your afternoon flight back to Sydney. For most, you will either travel by air to the luxurious Jock Safari Camp in Kruger National Park or an extension including both the Victoria Falls and a stay at a game park (or parks) in Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park. The game park extensions come with an additional charge.(B)
The Finer Details...
1. Inclusions:
• Meals as specified to include breakfast daily and selected lunches and dinners. Apart from the welcome night and, while on-board Rovos, we have left you free to enjoy dinner as you please. South Africa offers plentiful and inexpensive dining experiences for you to enjoy;
• Golf as specified with green fees and carts (except for the Gary Player Course at Sun City where caddies are included);
• Coach transfers as a group to and from golf courses and George airports;
• 1 days of touring in Cape Town including visits to Table Mountain and Robben Island with lunch provided at a restaurant on the waterfront.
2. The full cost of the tour is AUD 14,950 per person on a twin share basis (AUD 29,900 per couple/pair). A pricing adjustment will be provided for any non-golfers.
3. A non-refundable deposit of AUD 5,000 per person (AUD 10,000 per couple/pair) is required at time of booking. If for whatever reason you need to cancel from the tour, we will refund 85% of your deposit payment subject to a replacement guest being found for the tour to take your place.
4. The non-refundable balance of payment will be due in full by 31 October 2023.
5. Payment may be made as follows:
By bank transfer to Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre Pty Ltd, BSB 012 003, ACC NO. 8334 12763
By credit card with a surcharges of 1% VISA/MC and 2% AMEX.
6. The tour is sold in AUD and based upon an AUD/ZAR exchange rate of 11.50 (rate as at 30 December 2022). If the midpoint AUD/ZAR should move outside of the range 11.00 to 12.00 on the date the final payment is calculated (just prior to the end of October 2023), there will be a pricing adjustment up or down as applicable. For instance, if the exchange rate is 12.0, the tour cost will be reduced by circa 4% to AUD 28,600/couple/pair and if the exchange rate is 11.0, the final payment will be increased by circa 4% to circa AUD 31,300/couple/pair.
7. Comprehensive insurance is mandatory – and is recommended at the time of deposit to fully protect your payments in the unfortunate event of cancellation. Please ensure you are covered for any pre-existing illnesses.
8. 5 Star accommodation has been booked for all 17 nights of the tour.
9. Tee times have been booked for all 10 of our golf courses ( 2 are optional with an extra charge if you play The River Club on 3 March 2024). In the unlikely event we are unable to play a particular course, we expect to book a replacement course of a similar standard.
10. Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to enter South Africa.
For further information, please contact either David Cooper by email david@trendsettertravel.com.au or on mobile 0413 010 638 or Adrienne Witteman by email adrienne@trendsettertravel.com.au or 0413 010
639.
