15 day VIP luxury hassle-free Safari lodge
– Shark cage diving – Cape Town
On this 15 day Safari you will experience two of South Africa’s best Private Game Reserves – The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve and the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve – both bordering the Kruger National Park and both offering the thrill of an authentic Big Five Safari experience.
Both Safari Lodges offer eight suites which are secluded and private, with a maximum occupancy of 16 people at any time. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, scheduled safari activities (two game drives per day and an optional game walk), refreshments on game drives together with snacks, WiFi, laundry, and transfers to and from the lodge airstrip.
The Safari then takes you to beautiful Cape Town, taking in all the City has to offer – from Table Mountain and the Winelands, to the Waterfront and Shark-Cage Diving!
This itinerary is sure to appeal to travelers looking for a VIP, luxury Safari experience, complete with Five-Star accommodation, exclusive-use Safari Lodge, outstanding wildlife sightings, spa treatments, fine dining, award-winning wines and the excitement of Great White sharks at Seal Island, famous for the unique breaching of Great White shark hunting behavior.
Rates Toro River Lodges To The End Of 2023 – Full catering with Hosts Brad and Cindy Philipps
- New River Family Suite- 2 Units
- River Family Suite – 3 Units
- Bush Family Suite– 3 Units
Exclusive-Use Rates per night:
- Per Person Sharing US$ 960
- Per Person Single US$ 1050
Sleeper Couch Available for kids under 12 years old Room configuration – SHARING/SINGLE king size beds
Sleeper Couch Available for kids under 12 years old Room configuration – SHARING/SINGLE king size beds
The Coastal Experience
Birkenhead House is in the seaside town of Hermanus and is surrounded by sea, pristine beaches and towering mountains. Whether you’re in the mood for more gentle pursuits like a wine tasting on the main deck, or for a thrilling encounter with Great White Sharks, there is something for everyone at Birkenhead House.
Click here to learn more about our favourite Tours & Activities near Birkenhead House.
To give you an idea of what to expect while on safari at Arathusa, we have provided an outline of what a typical day entails at below:
[wptb id=3773]All bookings will be charged an additional Conservation & Community Levy of R150 nett per person, per day.
Please note that additional rates will be charged for triple rooms. Please contact your Reservations Consultant for more details if required.
Rates Are Inclusive Of:
- Accommodation
- All meals and snacks
- Full mini-bar
- WiFi
- Local beverages and house wines
- All coffee and speciality teas
- Laundry
- Complimentary in-house shuttle service into the town of Hermanus
New Year’s Eve Dinner Surcharge: R3,000 (Dec 2022) per person
Child Policy:
Unfortunately, no children under 10 years old can be accommodated at Birkenhead House unless the whole hotel is booked exclusively.
Traveling With Minors:
If travelling with minors, please ensure that you are familiar with the new South African Child Visa requirements. If you’re uncertain, we recommend you check with the Department of Home Affairs or contact your nearest embassy / consulate or seek legal advice before travelling.
All trips depart from Simon’s Town which is only 45 minutes from Cape Town and include dive gear (sizes S to 6XL), tea / coffee / biscuits upon arrival, light lunch, snacks, water, and refreshments on board.
The 1st trip
The 1st trip departs anytime from at 6:00 – 09:00 am. The trip is 3 – 4 hours long (shark activity and weather dependent).
The 2nd trip
The 2nd trip departs anytime from 10:00 to 13:00pm. The trip is 3 – 4 hours long (shark activity and weather dependent).
- The crew welcomes you to the Apex Shark Expeditions Centre in Simon’s Town a mere 45 minutes from Cape Town. Guests will receive a safety and sighting briefing aboard White Pointer II before departure.
- Depart for historical Seal Island which is a 25 to 35 minute boat ride based on sea and weather conditions. Should amazing Cape Point be the location for the trip, the boat ride is +- 50 minutes.
- Arrive at anchor destination
- Based on the weather, we will decide on the best spot to weigh anchor and begin attracting sharks to the vessel. The shark cage is then deployed, where it floats tied next to our vessel.
- The crew will brief the guests on shark cage safety and shark behaviour around the vessel.
- Once a shark approaches our boat, bait is kept in the water to keep the shark around long enough for identification, viewing and cage diving purposes.
- We practice modern non-invasive methods of monitoring, documenting and observing local shark populations, interspecies dynamics (social cooperatives) and interactions with pinnipeds (seals), cetaceans (dolphin and whales), fish and sea birds in a way that can be shared with scientists for the future conservation of sharks and marine wildlife.
- Safety precautions and operational procedures are then explained to any guest wishing to enter the shark cage.
- It is important to know the sharks come very close to the boat so it is not necessary to cage dive in order to see the sharks. Those not wishing to dive will have excellent views of the sharks from the boat’s viewing deck.
- White Pointer II will arrive back in Simon’s Town harbour.
- The total duration at sea is 3- 4 hours depending on the weather conditions and shark activity.
- Tea and coffee are available at our shark centre in Simon’s Town. Browse our unique range of shark-related merchandise and check out our wall of fame. There may be a familiar face or two.
- Offsite showers are available at an additional fee. Please request this upon booking.
Please note: Sharks are wild animals and as such sightings and behaviour cannot be guaranteed.
- Transfers are excluded from the daily rate but can be arranged at an additional cost. All transfer rates are subject to change.
- Transfers to and from the town of Hermanus are offered complimentary to in-house guests.
- Transfers to private tastings & tours to local vineyards or township tours can be arranged at an additional cost.
- Please contact our reservations team for any transfer queries.
Travel Insurance
Check-Out Time The guest is obliged to ensure that he/she has taken out adequate travel insurance to cover financial implications of The Royal Portfolio Cancellations Terms and Conditions. The guest will bear the sole and absolute responsibility.
Minimum Stay
Check-Out Time Please note that during peak season we operate a dynamic minimum night stay policy whereby we will seek to accommodate any length of stay provided that the booking does not create an unsellable night.
Rates Are Subject To Change Without Prior Notice.
- Minimum nights: 2
- Read Our Policies