From 4 to 15 May 2026, Ascot Tours welcomed a select group of travel trade partners on a 12-day educational tour across Southern Africa. While ongoing uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East kept the group smaller than usual, it turned out to be a case of less being more.
The compact group size opened the door to meaningful supplier connections, detailed site inspections, and plenty of time to get to know each destination beyond the brochure.
From South Africa to Botswana and Zimbabwe, the journey rolled through the Garden Route, Cape Winelands, Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park, with every stop bringing a new perspective and a few memorable moments along the way.
Garden Route
The educational tour kicked-off in the Garden Route, where the group checked in at Fancourt and got straight down to the business of golf. Rounds were played on the Fancourt Montagu Golf Course and The Links at Fancourt, a course that has earned its place among South Africa’s top-ranked layouts.
Built on what was once a dairy farm, The Links has been transformed into a carefully engineered links-style course where every fairway, bunker, and breeze seems to have a plan of its own. It remains one of the standout golfing experiences on the Garden Route and a course that keeps golfers talking long after the final putt drops.
Cape Winelands
The itinerary then rolled into the Cape Winelands, where golf made room for grapes and good conversation. Visits to Hazendal Wine Estate, Ernie Els Wines, and Lanzerac Hotel gave the group the opportunity to combine product familiarisation with structured wine tastings, proving that research can sometimes come with a swirl and a sip. Based at Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in Stellenbosch, the group spent time exploring some of the region’s well-known wine and hospitality offerings while getting a closer look at what makes the Winelands such a popular addition to Southern African itineraries.
The group enjoyed two very different golfing experiences in the Cape Winelands. At the Hazendal Par-3 Golf Course, the focus was on fun, fast-paced golf, with a relaxed round that can usually be wrapped up in under two hours. It proved that a shorter course can still deliver plenty of memorable shots. The pace then shifted at Stellenbosch Golf Club, host venue of the 2026 Investec SA Open and one of South Africa’s oldest golf clubs. With its classic parkland layout and rich history, it offered a reminder that some golf courses have been getting it right for generations.
A site inspection and lunch at De Zalze Golf Club added additional perspective on Winelands golf infrastructure. The setting offered a clear picture of how golf and wine comfortably share the same fairways in this part of South Africa. One of the standout moments was a visit to the Ernie Els Trophy Room, where decades of golfing achievements are proudly on display. It was a stop that paired wine estate appeal with golfing history, giving the group plenty to talk about both on and off the course.
Cape Town
The group then headed to Cape Town, where they enjoyed a full day exploring some of the city’s best-known attractions. From meeting the penguins at Boulders Beach to riding the Cape Point Funicular, winding along Chapman’s Peak Drive, and taking in the views from the top of Table Mountain, the day delivered one highlight after another. The sightseeing was followed by a round of golf at Erinvale Golf Course in Somerset West, where mountains, vineyards, and fairways all compete for attention. Throughout their time in Cape Town, the group was based at The Vineyard Hotel, and every activity ran smoothly, keeping the itinerary firmly on course.
The Cape Town segment added important city-based product context to the broader itinerary, linking coastal touring with urban and leisure offerings.
Kruger National Park
The itinerary then shifted from city to the bush as the group travelled to Kruger National Park and checked in at Lukimbi Safari Lodge. Daily game drives offered the chance to explore this well-known wildlife region, although rainfall in the weeks leading up to the visit made animal sightings more challenging than usual. Even so, the group enjoyed encounters with elephants and a lion, proving that in the bush, quality often counts more than quantity. While overall game viewing was more limited than expected, the experience still provided valuable insight into one of Southern Africa’s leading safari destinations.
A round of golf was played at Leopard Creek Country Club, located on the edge of Kruger National Park and known for its integration with the surrounding bush environment, where wildlife can be observed from the course. This remains one of the most distinctive golf environments in Southern Africa.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Then the group flew to Zimbabwe where they stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel and experienced a guided walking tour of the waterfall. Major highlights included the Zambezi River sunset dinner cruise and the Livingstone Express, a vintage train dinner journey combining heritage rail travel with a formal dining experience. The helicopter flight over Victoria Falls was well received by the group and offered a strong aerial perspective of the area.
Golf in Victoria Falls included a round at Elephant Hills Golf Course, where the game extends beyond the scorecard. Set within a riverine environment near the Zambezi River, the course is known for its natural surroundings and occasional wildlife visitors, adding an extra layer of interest to the experience. It is a reminder that in this part of Africa, the fairways sometimes share the spotlight with the local residents.
Our site inspection at Palm River Lodge ended with excitement. During the return from Palm River Lodge, elephant movement along the access path temporarily blocked the route back to the lodge. The group waited safely before continuing to the airport, a clear example of wildlife interaction within lodge operations.
Chobe National Park – Day Trip(Botswana)
A full-day excursion into Chobe National Park in Botswana proved to be one of the standout wildlife experiences of the itinerary. The day combined a game drive with a boat cruise along the Chobe River, delivering excellent wildlife viewing from start to finish.
Sightings were plentiful on both land and water, while an unusual hunting scene involving an iguana and an elephant shrew, accompanied by a flurry of bird activity, provided a memorable moment that had everyone watching closely.
The experience highlighted why Chobe remains one of the most popular and rewarding cross-border extensions from Victoria Falls, offering exceptional wildlife viewing within easy reach.
Dining & Product development
A visit to the newly opened Dirty Streets restaurant in Zimbabwe introduced the group to a fresh take on traditional local cuisine. Combining familiar flavors with a modern approach, the restaurant offered a different perspective on the region’s food scene and stood out as an interesting dining option for future itineraries. It was a reminder that destination experiences are not only found on safari or the golf course, but also around the dinner table.
Summary and forward planning
Despite reduced game viewing in Kruger National Park, the educational tour achieved its core objectives. The itinerary successfully demonstrated a multi-country routing combining South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe within a 12-day framework.
Key operational learnings included seasonal planning considerations, cross-border routing efficiency, and supplier consistency across regions.
Join the Next Educational Tour
The next Ascot Tours Southern Africa educational is planned for April/May 2027, with a maximum group size of 8 agents to maintain a focused supplier engagement format and improved logistical flexibility.
Book your spot on the next Southern Africa Educational tour.
Bookings:
scott@ascottours.co.za