2015 South Africa Golf & Safari

Each year my wife and I have the pleasure of escorting a group of travelers to my home country of South Africa for an amazing twelve day luxury experience that includes golf, safari, premier wineries and sightseeing. If Africa is on your bucket list you may want to 'Keep Calm and Carry On' reading....

Main Lodge at Makanyane

Our group departs the USA on January 4th bound for Johannesburg and on to the majestic city of Cape Town.  Here we will stay at the luxurious Cape Grace Hotel located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront.  Rooms all have a view of the harbor and stunning Table Mountain. While in the Cape we will play three rounds of golf at: Arabella Golf Club, Steenberg Golf Club and Pearl Valley. Following golf each day, we will tour and taste at some of South Africa's top wineries: Fairview, Hamilton Russell, Ernie Els and Boekenhoutskloof are all on our list. We will also spend a glorious morning touring Table Mountain, where you will get a panoramic view of one of the world's most beautiful cities. 

Cape Grace Hotel

Following our stay in Cape Town we depart for the bush and what has always been the most popular portion of the trip. The upcoming adventure will take you to the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, where you will spend five luxurious nights at the world renowned Makanyane Safari Lodge. Previous travellers have experienced up close and personal encounters with lions on the doorstep of their suite and elephants grazing in the camp! Don't worry though, you are completely safe. Our guests have often had the honor of seeing the complete "Big Five" - Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Rhino. We have even, on a few occasions, seen the "Magnificent Seven" which also includes African Wild Dog and Cheetah.

The setting, local cuisine and attention to detail from the staff are as epic as the game viewing.

Dominant Linyala Male

This is certain to be the trip of a lifetime - so much so that we have had numerous couples come on two trips with us and we have even had a couple return for a third visit.

Ernie Els Winery

If you would like to experience all that luxurious Africa has to offer without multiple location changes then this is the trip not to miss. From stunning Cape Town to the awe inspiring drama of the African bush - you will do it all while only sleeping in two beds. And we have always felt that the downside to travel is the travel itself.

White Rhino and Calf

The cost for the trip is $9950 per person for golfers and the dates are January 4-17, which include travel days.  We currently have space available for 3 additional couples and are open to customized itineraries for your group to South Africa. Please feel free to visit our website for more details syncexcursions.com.

Here is a video collage from our 2014 trip:

Fabulous memories from our trip to South Africa in 2014!

Should you have any questions please contact Andrew at andrew@andrewricegolf.com or Terri at terri@syncevents.com 

South Africa's Golf and Winelands

South Africa has so much to offer, but for the golf fanatic and wine connoisseur there is no better, or more scenic, place in the world!  Our destination is Cape Town with stunning Table Mountain, it's mix of classic and modern styled golf courses and the beauty of the surrounding vineyards.

The grand course to play in the Cape Town area is Pearl Valley  in the tiny wine village of Franschoek (French corner in Dutch). Designed by Jack Nicklaus as one of his signature courses in 2003 it has all the modern amenities one might expect at a top-class facilty.  The course is known for it's world-class conditioning.  This December it will host it's third consecutive South African Open!

After your round a visit to Boekenhoutskloof winery to taste through a line up of what arguably may be South Africa's great red wines is a must. Try pronouncing that name after tasting through their wines!  Should you be hungry try Reubens Restaurant which was voted the top restaurant in South Africa in 2005.

 The primary wine growing region in the Cape is Stellenbosch, home to DeZalze Wine and Golf Estate. This course winds through vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields and was designed by my friend Peter Matkovich.  It hosted the World Amateur Team Championship in  2006.  Matkovich has quickly become the top course designer in Africa and has perhaps designed the most scenic course ever built in Pinnacle Point, a little further up the coast.  Peter was recently interviewed by Golf Club Atlas.

After a very enjoyable round of golf at DeZalze (great caddies!) a visit to the Ernie Els winery and Guardian Peak Restaurant is a must!  The restaurant is sensational and the view just cannot be beat.  This actually might be my favorite place to have lunch in the world.

If you are up to the challenge stop in at Fairview winery.  The makers of the popular Spice Route and Goats Do Roam wines have an excellent tasting room and restaurant in the Goatshed.

When in the Cape Town area I would also recommend playing at another Matkovich design, Clovelly Golf Club and Trevor Immelman's boyhood course Erinvale Golf Club.  For a links flavor with incredible scenery of Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town give Milnerton Golf Club a try, but watch out for the 'Cape Doctor' a fierce wind that will challenge the best ball strikers.

In summary this is what to expect:

• Golf: good to very good, good blend of old and modern style
• Caddies: great experience and personality, request class A caddie, a worthwhile upgrade
• Red wines: very good to excellent, try Pinotage, South Africa's indigenous grape
• White wines: excellent, sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc are as good as anywhere
• Food: spectacular, steak and seafood is truly world class
• Value: excellent, the Dollar is currently about R10-$1, a great dinner with wine for four will run about $25 per person! Green fees will never be more than $100!

For your next exotic golf trip consider South Africa.  It has great golf and so much more available! To read more on traveling the South African winelands click the link.