- Overview
- Tour
Join us in beautiful South Africa as our dedicated hosted tour travels from the stunning Stellenbosch winelands region to Kimberley, taking in the sights and of course the cricket along our way.
Soak up the warm atmosphere and culture of this fascinating host nation, with lots of opportunity for sporting insight and debate with our experts.
The Black Opal team have hand-picked our accommodation, venues and stadium areas and we can’t wait for you to join us on this hosted trip.
Our 3x ODI Tour :
It is an exciting time when the cricket fixtures fall in South Africa and we will ensure you have a fantastic time following the England team, as well as exploring more of the country.
Encompassing fascinating experiences, from the Valley of Desolation to a traditional South African Braai, we’ll also enjoy hosted welcome drinks and our popular ‘Stumps’ evening dinner with Q&A session.
Black Opal can tailor your trip, so just let us know if you have other plans for attending the ODI and we will curate a bespoke itinerary for you.
Inclusions :
- Flights in Economy Class - upgrades available at a supplement
- Private transfers on arrival
- Meet & Greet on arrival in Cape Town
- Shared road transfer between hotels
- 2 nights accommodation at Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, Bed & Breakfast
- 2 nights accommodation at Queens by Bon Hotels, Bed & Breakfast
- 2 nights accommodation at The Drostdy Hotel, Bed & Breakfast
- 1 night accommodation at Big Sky Ranch, Bed & Breakfast
- 4 nights accommodation at Southern Sun Bloemfontein, Bed & Breakfast
- 3 nights accommodation at Kalahari Lodge, Bed & Breakfast
- Welcome drinks Stellenbosch, Graaff-Reinet, Bloemfontein & Kimberley
- ‘Stumps’ hosted dinner in Kimberley
- Lunches in Swellendam & Willamore
- Sightseeing enroute with our guide, including a Franschhoek wine tour, Cango Caves, a visit to an Ostrich Farm, game drive afternoon, Norvalspont, Gariep Dam, guided tour of Kimberley
Prices are based on two people sharing a standard room. Flight supplements may apply. Alternative airlines / routes / classes can be offered. Single supplements available on request.
Our travel experts have tailored this itinerary to show you the best of the region during your trip, but of course we can tailor your requests to offer alternative flights and durations, as well as curating extended stays – just talk to a member of our team, to create your bucket-list holiday.
Join at your chosen airport for your overnight flight to Cape Town. If you wish to travel on a different date or to join us directly in Cape Town, just ask our team about the options available.
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On arrival in Cape Town, you’ll be met and taken by private transfer to our hotel, the beautiful Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in the Stellenbosch mountains and wine region, staying for two nights. Join our welcome drinks gathering this evening to meet our hosts and fellow travellers.
The Lanzerac is a characterful 5 star property, set in rolling vineyards and with a dramatic mountain backdrop – the perfect start to our stay in South Africa.
Today we’ll enjoy a tour of the surrounding Franschhoek winelands region, including a vineyard tour and tasting at family owned Haute Cabrière, home of Pierre Jourdan.
The traditionally French town of Franschhoek is known as the country’s food and wine capital, with 30 wine cellars here alone. The wider wine valley here boasts around 50 wine estates, where we will be able to enjoy a sample of the local produce.
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Heading westwards with our tour group this morning, we’ll stop for lunch in Swellendam at charming La Belle Alliance, set on the banks of the Koornlands River. Relax in the garden terrace and enjoy views over the botanical garden and river beneath.
Later this afternoon, we will arrive in Oudtshoorn, staying for two nights at the Queens by Bon Hotels. At the heart of the town, this is one of the oldest hotels in the country, blending an olde-worlde elegance with modern conveniences. On site the Colony Restaurant offers some favourite South African dishes, whilst the Café Brule has its own bakery with freshly made treats.
Discover two of Oudtshoorn’s attractions today, as firstly we visit the Cango Caves with a diverse array of underground formations, including impressive caverns and floor-to-ceiling stalagmites and stalactites.
This afternoon we’ll head over to Highgate Ostrich Farm, to enjoy lunch before gaining an insight into the farming which has taken place here for over 100 years. With the backdrop of the Klein Karoo Valley and Swartberg Mountains, visitors can learn more about these magnificent birds and their importance to this region.
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Leaving Oudtshoorn behind, we make our way onwards to Graaff-Reinet, stopping for a light homemade lunch in Willowmore at the colourful Sophie’s Choice. There’s also a vast collection of memorabilia at the antique shop here, which makes an interesting spot to browse.
On arrival at our hotel, the magnificent Drostdy Hotel, we enjoy a welcome drink as our hotel host tells us the fascinating story of the property and it’s history. We’ll stay here for two nights, so you can relax in the sumptuous guestrooms and enjoy facilities such as the outdoor pool and spa.
An interesting, guided town tour starts our day, learning more about Graaff-Reinet, which is known as ‘The Gem of the Karoo’, boasting more heritage sites than any other town in South Africa.
Driving outside of the town, we’ll venture into the Camdeboo National Park, seeing the breathtaking Valley of Desolation, which has a unique landscape and ecosystem of diverse flora and fauna. Admire the impressive vertical cliffs and columns that have been formed over millions of years.
Back at our hotel, we’ll have an informal wine tasting with our hosts, before a relaxing evening at leisure.
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Now turning northwards, we rejoin our tour coach to head to our next hotel, Big Sky Ranch, a unique and luxurious property, based on the site of a working thoroughbred stud farm. After refreshing, we head out this afternoon on a game drive of the tranquil surrounding area.
This evening is chance to catch up with our fellow travellers, as we relax and enjoy a traditional South African braai barbeque at Chargo.
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Today our journey takes us towards Bloemfontein, making a stop en route at Norvalspont, where our guide tells us about the significance of this strategic point on the Orange River. The first bridge was built here in 1889, which allowed British soldiers and their horses to cross, in the campaign in the Anglo-Boer War.
This site was also home of an Anglo-Boer war concentration camp, initially housing Afrikaners women and children, with hundreds of people dying in the deteriorated camp conditions. In the local cemetery is a memorial in honour of those known to have died here.
Continuing on, we pass the Gariep Dan, before arriving at the Southern Sun Hotel, a welcoming property with an olde-worlde charm. Located on a charming tree-lined street, connected to the Mimosa Mall, you can enjoy the warm hospitality here during our four night stay.
Our 1st ODI takes place today at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and return stadium transfers are included for this Day/Night match. We look forward to seeing England take on South Africa!
Please note:
Black Opal have secured superb suite hospitality at the Mangaung Oval Stadium, in the Long Off, located almost behind the bowler’s arm. Our facility will include air-conditioning, private toilets and TV screen, as well as an exclusive area of additional seating in front of the suite. Ticket costs are not included in the package and will be added on at cost price when final details are confirmed.
Relax and enjoy time at your leisure today, whether you wish to simply soak up the sunshine, head for some shopping at the local mall or venture further afield. Facilities at our hotel also include the Garden Grill Restaurant, Memories Bar, as well as a fitness centre and outdoor pool.
The 2nd ODI takes place today at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and return stadium transfers are included for this Day match. This evening is at your leisure.
Our journey continues now to Kimberley, where we stay for three nights at Kalahari Lodge. We’ll have chance to relax and discover the town, as well as being conveniently located for attending the 3rd ODI.
Today we learn all about our host town on an informative city tour. Known as one of the world’s ‘diamond capitals’, Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape province, with a significant diamond mining past. With mining operations closed down in 1914, the open pit or ‘Big Hole’ became an attraction for visitors, collating old buildings and memorabilia, which was later transformed into a museum.
This evening, we gather together at the hotel for our ‘Stumps’ dinner, to enjoy dinner and drinks with our cricket tour hosts, contemplating the state of play so far, in anticipation of the final match tomorrow.
The 3rd ODI takes place today at Kimberley’s De Beers Diamond Oval with return stadium transfers included for this Day/Night match.
Please note:
Black Opal have secured superb suite hospitality at the Kimberley Oval Stadium, in the unique train carriages of ‘The Boundary Express’. Our facility will include air-conditioning and private toilets, as well as an exclusive lawned area in front of the carriages. Ticket costs are not included in the package and will be added on at cost price when final details are confirmed.
Today we transfer to Kimberley airport for our flight to Johannesburg, where we make our connecting flight home to the UK. We look forward to welcoming you again on another Black Opal holiday soon.
