Extraordinary Journeys: 8 Nights of Art and Adventure in South Africa

In support of The Watermill Center's 23rd Annual Summer Benefit and Auction, Extraordinary Journeys has generously donated an 8-night art and safari trip in South Africa. Established by the mother-daughter duo Marcia and Elizabeth Gordon, Extraordinary Journeys was recently hailed as one of the world's top five best safari outfitters of 2016 by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Don't miss out on the chance to explore Cape Town's art scene, attend wine tastings, tour the African wilderness, and more.

Highlights:

• Private art guide (vehicle and driver supplied).

• Tailor-made art tours that will take you to the very best art offered in and around Cape Town including behind-the scenes at renowned local galleries such as Everard Read, Whatiftheworld and Brundyn+.
• Lunch with a Capetonian artist.
• Guided tour of one of the most important collections of South African art at Ellerman House, as well as access to the Contemporary Art Gallery where works by young emerging South African artists such as Angus Taylor, Phillemon Hlugwani and Louis Maqhubela can be seen.
• Dinner at Ellerman House (excluding drinks) where you will be joined by a local artist.
• Tasting menu at one of the best restaurants in Cape Town (excluding drinks).
• Customized visits to top art galleries in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek along with visits to farms such as La Motte, Delaire Graff Estate and Tokara.
• Visit of Dylan Lewis's sculpture garden in Stellenbosch with a private guide, meet & greet with the artist (subject to his availability).
• Wine tastings at some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world in the Cape Winelands.
• Magnificent three days at a luxury safari lodge in the exclusive Timbavati area adjoining Kruger National Park (including all meals and beverages, two daily game drives and other daily activities taking place in the lodge area: bush walks, fishing, picnics, stargazing).
• Game drives and walking safaris in an area known for its density of leopard and rhino in addition to elephant, giraffe, buffalo and more

Day 1

Welcome to Africa! Your Extraordinary Journeys representative will give you a quick introduction to Cape Town en route to Ellerman House, your base for your first three nights in Africa. Formerly an elegant Cape Edwardian mansion, this luxury hotel sits perched on the slopes of Lion’s Head in the prestigious Bantry Bay residential area in Cape Town with one of the most beautiful ocean views. The main house holds an impressive collection of traditional art while a new underground gallery holds one of, if not THE, single most important private collections of modern South African art. 

Meet with Talita Swarts, your private art guide, who is highly regarded as THE expert on South African art. Her expansive knowledge of art production and contemporary art provides unique insights into the contrast between the collection featured in the main house and the Contemporary Art Gallery at Ellerman House. You are invited to take a guided tour with Talita of the art collection onsite. The privately owned collection of almost 1,000 works represent the big cultural shift that South Africa art has made from the mid-18th century to the present. The collection traces the pioneering work done in the 18th century by artists such as Thomas Bowler, famous for his watercolors of Cape Town and the surrounding areas to artists such as Pierneef, Maggie Laubser and Irma Stern who were known as the New Group. In contrast to the master collection in the main house, you also have access to the Contemporary Art Gallery where works by young emerging South African artists such as Angus Taylor, Phillemon Hlugwani and Louis Maqhubela can be seen. These are artists pushing the boundaries of the ordinary in order to create work that explores relevant issues in post-modern South African society. The contemporary collection rotates throughout the year with a mix of new talent and well-respected, established South African contemporary artists. 

Brimming with trendy bars and renowned for fine dining, Cape Town has a buzzing culinary scene. Your Extraordinary Journeys staff in South Africa will discuss places where you may want to eat the first night and set it up for you.  

Day 2

A trip to Cape Town is not complete without going up Table Mountain, the single most welcoming icon of South Africa.

Then, Talita will take you on a behind-the-scenes tour in Cape Town, visiting what are considered the best local galleries such as Everard Read, Whatiftheworld and Brundyn+. Be sure to let Talita know of any particular artist’s studios or areas of interest before you arrive, thus ensuring the experience is tailored to your taste. Lunch with a Capetonian artist.

This evening you will dine at Ellerman House (excluding drinks) where you will be joined by a prominent artist.  

Day 3

Explore the beautiful winelands nestled at the base of the stunning Boland Mountains. Talita will create a custom-made tour for you, showcasing the very best art galleries in the winelands and including visits to estates such as La Motte, Delaire Graff, and Tokara. You will also visit Dylan Lewis's sculpture garden in Stellenbosch where you will meet with the artist. Taste family wines at some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world enroute. (Lunch can be arranged at an additional cost; restaurant confirmed on the day.) 

In the evening, enjoy the tasting menu at the internationally renowned La Colombe, (excluding drinks).  

Day 4-7

No trip to Africa is complete without a safari experience! After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cape Town Airport in time for your flight to Hoedspruit, just outside of Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest and oldest wildlife refuge. A scenic road transfer will take you to the spectacular Makanyi Safari Lodge in the private Timbavati Reserve, adjoining Kruger, where you will spend three incredible nights. Embark on two daily shared game drives and walking safaris, while settling into life on safari in this game-rich reserve. This area is well known for its density of leopard and rhino in addition to elephant, giraffe, buffalo and more. 

Day 8

Bid farewell to Africa today. After your final morning game drive, a transfer will return you to Hoedspruit for your flight to Johannesburg arriving in time to connect with your international departure. 

Until next time! 

*Note: All arrangements based on availability at time of booking. 

**Itinerary is valid from July 2016 thru July 2017 (excluding December 19th 2016 thru February 28th 2017).