2023 Luxury South African Golf Tour 12 February to 3 March 2023 (20 days)
Luxury 5 star accommodation, 3 Nights Jock Safari Lodge, 3 Nights Rovos Rail journey, 8 Games of Golf
Tour Cost AUD $16,750 per person twin share, AUD 33,500 per couple
You are invited to join Trendsetter Travel Golf Tour’s South African luxury golf tour, showcasing several bucket list golf courses alongside superlative wildlife experiences at the boutique Jock Safari Lodge, and a journey on the iconic and luxury Rovos Rail. Stay and play in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Sun City and along the Garden Route, all the while enjoying the exclusivity of this small group experience, strictly limited to just 28 guests plus your hosts David and Adrienne.
Anytime is a great time to visit South Africa but February 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.
This tour has been rescheduled from February 2022 due to Covid 19 travel restrictions. The tour is full and waitlist only.
Itinerary
Sunday 12 February 2023– Johannesburg
Welcome to South Africa! Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer independently to your five star Fairlawns Hotel accommodation for a 2 night stay. Your suite is large at 54 sqm with separate bath and walk in shower. We have booked all rooms for an extra 2 nights pre tour as we assume most will arrive earlier than 12 February 2023 to get over jet lag. We plan to offer an optional morning golf game on Sunday 12 February 2023 at one of the leading golf courses in Johannesburg. We have negotiated a contract where the extra 2 nights pre tour can be cancelled without penalty up until 90 days from arrival. We believe this is a special hotel which will not disappoint. 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
Tonight meet your fellow tour companions over drinks and dinner. (D)
Accommodation: Fairlawns Hotel (2 nights with option to extend to 4 nights) – 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Johannesburg, 2052.
Monday 13 February 2023 – Johannesburg – Rand Park – Firethorn Course
Following a leisurely breakfast, we depart at 10 am for a less than 30 minute drive to Rand Park Golf Club. Rand Park has 2 x 18 hole courses and we are booked to play Firethorn Course with a 2 tee start from 11.22 am. 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 February 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 14 February 2023– 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 your first sundowner game drive during the late afternoon early evening. (B)
Accommodation (3 Nights) – Palace of the Lost City
Wednesday 15 February 2023 – Sun City - The Lost City Golf Course
Today we golf at The Lost City Golf Course (with tee times from 10 am). 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! (B)
Thursday 16 February 2023 – Sun City - Gary Player Golf Course
We golf today (with tee off times from 10 am) at 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 (for those unable or unwilling to walk, a 2nd round at The Lost City Golf Course has been arranged with a 10 am start also). (B)
Friday 17 February 2023 – Rovos Rail’ The Pride of Africa
After an early start to the day, 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 are between 9 and 10 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 click here and refer to the following link for information on your room: https://rovos.com/journeys/cape-town/ (BLD)
Saturday 18 February 2023 – 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 19 February 2023 – 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 20 February 2023 – Cape Town – City Tour
We are scheduled to arrive at Cape Town at 10 am and will be picked up by our coach for 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.
Late afternoon we check into 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.
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 – (3 nights) (BL)
Tuesday 21 February 2023 - Cape Town - 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. 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. We will depart from our hotel at 9 am for the scenic 50 minute transfer to the course. We have reserved tee times from 11 am. (B)
Wednesday 22 February 2023 – Erinvale Golf Club
Today we play the highly rated Gary Player designed Erinvale Golf Club (laid out in 1995). Since then it has hosted the World Cup of Golf and is currently ranked 21st among South African golf courses. We have tee off times reserved from 11.30 am. It is an approximate 50 minute drive from our hotel. (B)
Thursday 23 February 2023 – 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 Oubaai Golf and Spa Resort. The resort includes an 18 hole links style championship golf course designed by Ernie Els. We have secured a combination of the best rooms in the hotel starting with the 45 sqm Executive Room and a combination of Junior and Executive suites. All rooms include a separate shower and large bath. The Fancourt Resort and golf courses were not available for us to book due to the running of their annual European PGA tour event which takes over the entire resort. (B)
Accommodation (4 nights) – George – Oubaai Golf Resort
Friday 24 February 2023 - Oubaai Resort – Ernie Els Championship Course
Today we play morning golf (tee off from 8.30 am) at the at the resort’s Ernie Els Championship Course to allow a free afternoon to enjoy the pleasures of this luxury resort. (B)
Saturday 25 February 2023– Oubaai Resort – Pinnacle Point Golf Course
After a 45 minute drive west of Oubaai Resort, we play Pinnacle Point Golf Course. The course 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. We have reserved tee off times from 10.30 am. (B)
Sunday 26 February 2023 – Oubaai Resort – Golf Pezula Course
Today we play the Pezula Course, a scenic 70 minute drive east along the Garden Route. The course is rated as one of the best and most scenic courses in South Africa. We have reserved tee off times from 11 am. (B)
Monday 27 February 2023– George to Johannesburg
Relax this morning – or perhaps enjoy an extra game of golf (optional, not included in tour price) before your 12.30 pm 15 minute coach transfer to catch our 1.45 pm afternoon flight from George to Johannesburg (scheduled arrival at 3.30 pm). We will overnight at the luxury 5 star hotel InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel,.Your tour will organise storage of your golf clubs for 4 days as they will not accompany you to the Game Park at Kruger National Park. As our hotel adjoins the airport terminal, it will be possible to both walk to check into our hotel and return on foot the following morning to catch our flight to Kruger National Park. (B)
Accommodation – 1 night: InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel
Tuesday 28 February 2023 – Jock Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park Concession
After breakfast we walk back to the terminal and check in for our 10 am (60 minutes) flight to Skukuza Airport located just inside Kruger National Park. We will be met on arrival and transferred the 38 km (about 1 hour) to Jock Safari Lodge which will be exclusive to our Trendsetter Travel Golf Group for the duration of our stay.
The very intimate Jock Safari Lodge reopened in July 2018 after an extensive refurbishment and now offers just 15 individually screened lodge suites, each with both indoor and outdoor bathrooms.
Here we will enjoy the benefits of 6000 hectares of exclusive traversing rights in an area famous for its Big Five game viewing. Rise early each day for a morning game drive before returning to Jock for a late breakfast, lunch and a siesta. Then late afternoon re-join your guide and driver to return to the wilds for sunset viewing.
We’ll be back in time for pre-dinner drinks at 8 pm, followed by a gourmet dinner lovingly prepared and served by the excellent Jock’s lodge team. (BLD)
Refer the following link for more on Jock Safari’s Lodge https://www.jocksafarilodge.com/
Wednesday 1 March and Thursday 2 March 2023- Jock Safari Lodge
Life at the Lodge works to a predictable rhythm. Each morning we’ll be woken pre- dawn for a brief cuppa before heading out to track the wildlife as the Park comes alive.
Then it’s back to camp for a hearty late breakfast and time to relax until the late afternoon drive, usually around 4.00 followed by drinks and dinner. If a siesta, a dip in the pool, or a relaxing massage is not your thing, you might like to walk out with a ranger guide, gun at the ready, for a more in-depth look at animal tracks and bush ecology.
The guides take different safari routes on each drive to maximise our chances of seeing the Big Five, and to ensure a comprehensive view of the varied wildlife and birdlife. At the end of each day, you’ll find there is much to talk about as we compare notes and view photographs of what we’ve seen. (BLD)
Friday 3 March 2023 – Jock Safari Lodge - Johannesburg
Today, we enjoy one last dawn safari trip into the bush before returning to the Lodge for breakfast, and a late morning checkout with our flight back to Johannesburg scheduled to leave at 1.35 pm. After sad goodbyes – it’s always hard to leave Jock’s we transfer back to the Skukuza Airport and onto Johannesburg in ime for connecting flights to Australia or further African travel. (B)
Farewell new found fellow friends and golfers! Farewell South Africa!
The Finer Details...
1. Inclusions
• Meals as specified to include breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 7 dinners. Apart from the welcome night, while on-board Rovos and at Jock Safari Lodge, 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 airports;
2. The full cost of the tour is AUD 16,750 per person on a twin share basis (AUD 33,500 per couple). We will offer a hotel suite upgrade option prior to the final tour payments. A pricing adjustment will be provided for non-golfers.
3. A non-refundable deposit of AUD 5,000 per person is required at time of booking.
4. The non-refundable balance of payment will be due in full by 12 October 2022.
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 11.80 (rate as at 25 July 2020). If the midpoint AUD/ZAR should move outside of the range 11.30 to 12.30 on the date the final payment is calculated (around 30 September 2022), there will be a pricing adjustment up or down as applicable. For instance, if the exchange rate is 12.5, the tour cost will be reduced by circa 6% to AUD 31,500/couple and if the exchange rate is 11.1, the final payment will be increased by circa 6% to circa AUD 35,500/couple.
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 Luxury accommodation has been booked for all 19 nights of the tour.
9. Tee times have been booked for all 8 of our golf courses. 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.
