South Africa Luxury Safari: City, Wine & Wilderness Adventures - 14 Days

Highlights

• Hit the highlights around Cape Town, from Table Mountain to the waterfront
• Escape to a luxury retreat on the edge of the rugged Cederberg wilderness
• Taste South Africa's delicious vintages on a tour of dazzling Cape Winelands
• Embark on safari game drives in the Sabi Sands private nature reserve
• Walk in the footsteps of apartheid history in Johannesburg's Soweto township

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, Visit V&A Waterfront

Welcome to South Africa! The continent's southernmost nation features dozens of national parks and reserves, making it one of the world's top safari destinations. Over two weeks, you'll experience some of the best, but there will also be time for cultural excursions and to enjoy the coast. Speaking of which, this grand adventure kicks off in Cape Town. One of the nation's three (that's right, three) capitals, this seaside metropolis features some of South Africa's most famous cultural and scenic highlights.

Upon arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your 5-star accommodation at the beachside Tintswalo Atlantic. Settle into your glass-fronted suite, then venture out to get your first look at the city. A great place to start is the famous V&A Waterfront. This historic harbor is popular with both locals and visitors due to its wealth of restaurants, bars, shops, and cafés. It's a great place to relax and sip a cocktail or coffee amid epic waterfront views backed by the looming plateau of Table Mountain, the iconic monolith overlooking the city.

While here, you can also visit the Two Oceans Aquarium and marvel at incredible marine life or enjoy a harbor cruise as you watch the sunset. Other options include visiting the Diamond Museum, which explores the history of the diamond rush in South Africa. Or, take a helicopter flight and enjoy epic views of the city and Table Mountain from above.

Day 2: City Tour & Table Mountain, Dinner at Kloof Street House

Rise and shine! It's your first full day in South Africa, and you'll pack as much fun and excitement as possible into this morning and afternoon. Begin by meeting a private guide at your hotel and embarking on a combined Cape Town and Table Mountain tour. In the city, visit landmarks like the Company's Garden, the Houses of Parliament, the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope, and the Iziko Slave Lodge. For a bit of gravitas, you'll also tour the District Six Museum, which commemorates forced relocation during South Africa's infamous apartheid era.

Afterward, you'll head over to the base of Table Mountain. This sandstone monolith and UNESCO World Heritage Site stands 3,562 feet (1,086 m) over the city, and you'll ascend it via a dramatic five-minute cable car ride. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic, and the mountains of the Cape Peninsula. 

Spend a couple of hours relaxing at your hotel as the afternoon gives way to the evening. Then, head over to trendy Kloof Street, a bastion of cool restaurants, bars, bookstores, and boutiques. Dinner tonight is at one such funky eatery: Kloof Street House. At once bohemian and stately, this restaurant occupies a historic Victorian home and is bursting with character with its dangling chandeliers, red leather seats, and velvet curtains. The brasserie-style menu combines classic dishes utilizing locally sourced ingredients and grass-fed, free-range meat.

Day 3: Full-Day Cape Peninsula Tour

Set out this morning on the ultimate day trip from Cape Town. After picking you up at your hotel, you and your private guide will head south along the gorgeous Atlantic coast. As you go, you'll pass scenic coastal suburbs like Sea Point, Bantry Bay, and Clifton. There will be a stop for pictures at the impressive Twelve Apostles range, which forms the backbone of Table Mountain.

Afterward, travel past Blue Flag beaches like Bakoven and Llandudno, which are marked by shipwrecks, on your way to the charming fishing village of Hout Bay. Continue up the Cape Town Riviera coastal route to heights of 1,965 feet (600 m) as you round Chapman's Peak, one of the world's most spectacular mountain passes. From Jun-Nov, you might even spot southern right whales frolicking just offshore. Explore the rocky coastline with its fynbos shrubland vegetation, home to birds like oystercatchers and ostriches, as well as animals like baboons and the Cape mountain zebra.

Eventually, you'll arrive at Cape Point Nature Reserve, stopping at the Cape of Good Hope. Here, you can hike up to the iconic lighthouse and enjoy views over the headland to both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Before returning to the city, end the day with a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, one of the world's most exceptional botanical gardens. Set against the slopes of Table Mountain, this lush paradise houses thousands of native and exotic plants.

Days 4: Transfer to Cederberg, Free Afternoon

You're in for a treat as you embark on an epic road trip with your own private driver. Your destination is Cederberg, a mountainous area about 124 miles (200 km) north of Cape Town. Known for its otherworldly sandstone rock formations, rugged cliffs, and exceptional biodiversity, there's much to see and do here. When you arrive in town, check into Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, a luxurious farmhouse-style property overlooking the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve.

After settling in, the afternoon is yours to indulge in your choice of farm-to-table meals, bespoke local excursions, and spa treatments. Take a dip in the solar-heated infinity pool, or go for a stroll around the lodge's citrus groves and vineyards.

Days 5-6: Cederburg Activities: Nature Farms, Tea Trails & Mountain Biking

Over the next two days here, you'll have your choice of different activities. One popular option is a guided hike through the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve. The nature trails here pass along scenic mountain ridges, and the area is home to wildlife like baboons and raptors. Get lucky, and you might even spot the elusive Cape leopard.

Other highlights include visiting local tea farms, mountain biking excursions, and trips to view ancient rock art. At the end of the day, feel free to hit the nearby coast for a sunset boat tour. Also, this region's night skies are crystal-clear, so try to get some stargazing in before heading to bed.

Day 7: Transfer to Franschhoek, Cape Winelands Tour

You've enjoyed some rugged outdoor adventures in Cederberg; now it's time for a more refined (and tasty) adventure. Leave in the morning on a two-hour drive back toward Cape Town and the famous Cape Winelands region. This scenic area is home to more than 500 wineries, and you'll visit a few of the best for a tasting. Throughout the day, you'll travel between colorful Winelands valleys like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and the traditionally French town of Franschhoek (where you'll overnight at the elegant Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard).

As you go, you'll visit estates producing top wines and enjoy private tasting tours. Options include Babylonstoren, which enjoys an idyllic location at the foot of Simonsberg Mountain; Boschendal, known for its exceptional food & wine (best enjoyed on a garden picnic); Waterford Estate, a classic in the beautiful Blaauwklippen Valley that offers chocolate and wine pairings; and Maratie, one of the oldest wine estate in the country. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel, where the on-site spa and renowned farm-to-table restaurant beckon for the evening.

Day 8: Cape Winelands Horseback Ride & Wine Tasting

After breakfast, transfer just outside Franschhoek for another private wine tour—this time on horseback. Once at the stables, you'll meet your horse, saddle up, and travel to the first winery, riding amid vineyards and passing traditional farms that are beautiful examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Upon arrival at the first estate, you'll sample award-winning wines, and if any catch your fancy, you can pick up a bottle or two to take back home. After a break for lunch, you'll visit the second winery for another tasting and then transfer back to your hotel in the afternoon.

After some free time, you'll participate in a "winemaker for a day" workshop. Over two hours, under the guidance of an expert winemaker, learn about different grape varieties and how they're blended to create wines that become more than the sum of their parts. It's not just theory, either. You'll create your own blend to take home—or enjoy the bottle with dinner tonight at the chic Café Franschhoek bistro.

Day 9: Fly to Sabi Sands Game Reserve via Johannesburg

Say goodbye to coastal Cape Town and hello to the vast savanna because this morning, you're off to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Covering 494 square miles (1,283 sq km) in northeastern South Africa adjacent to Kruger National Park, the region is famous for its exceptional wildlife-viewing opportunities.

It's a two-hour flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, where you'll connect on a charter flight to the reserve. Your friendly hosts will meet you on the airstrip and transfer you to the Dulini luxury lodge for your all-inclusive stay. Set on riverfront property within the park, besides the many safari activities on offer, Dulini features first-class amenities like infinity pools, wellness centers, and a gourmet restaurant. 

Day 10: Sabi Sands Activities: Game Drives, Bush Walks & Photo Safaris

This is it—in the morning, you'll embark on your first full day of safari adventures in South Africa. And your luxury lodge offers many such activities. The most popular are game drives. Each of these safaris lasts half a day and involves driving around the park in a 4WD vehicle with an expert guide searching for exotic wildlife.

Besides the Big Five, there are plenty of other majestic specimens to see, including cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and various birds, including waterbirds and raptors. You can divide the day into two game drives: a morning safari, when the animals are at their most active, and an afternoon drive to seek out the animals until the sun sets over the savanna. 

But game drives aren't the only activities. Guided bush walks are also a memorable experience. As you hike alongside your ranger guide, learn to track various animals by their prints as you connect with the surrounding nature on an intimate level. There are also dedicated photographic safaris led by experts skilled at capturing the perfect wildlife shot. These safaris cater to amateur and professional photographers, providing insights into composition, lighting, and wildlife behavior to enhance your photography game.

Day 11: More Sabi Sands Big Five Safaris

Rise early and embark on a dawn game drive to see the Big Five denizens of Sabi Sands when they're fresh and energetic, before the afternoon malaise sets in. There's at least one safari on the itinerary today, and you can opt for a second game drive later in the afternoon. Or head out on a bush walk for a hike across the bushveld (subtropical woodland) landscapes.

In between the safari activities, you'll have time to relax by the pool and enjoy delicious meals prepared by the friendly staff. You'll also want to avail yourself of the spa facilities to enjoy a massage or wellness treatment to rejuvenate body and mind. These treatments are often outdoors, allowing you to relax amid the natural splendor of Sabi Sands. 

Day 12: Transfer to White River via Panorama Route Tour & Graskop Gorge

Make the most of your last full day in the African bush with a chauffeured road trip adventure around some of the region's most awe-inspiring natural landmarks. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the day's ride along the Panorama Route. This 99-mile (160 km) stretch of road in Mpumalanga Province features some of the most incredible scenery in eastern South Africa.

First, you'll stop at Blyde River Canyon. At 66,585 acres (26,946 ha), this is the third-largest canyon in the world. Its soaring cliffs rise as high as 2,625 feet (800 m), much of it blanketed in lush, subtropical foliage. You'll also visit Berlin Falls, which plunge 260 feet (80 m) from a green valley over ocher cliffs down into a dark lagoon. Then, continue to God's Window, an incredible viewpoint overlooking a 2,952-foot (900 m) ravine. You'll also see the natural rock pools known as Bourke's Luck Potholes. 

A real highlight of this road trip is the Three Rondavels—huge rock formations that resemble ancient stone beehive huts. Here, you'll enjoy spectacular views over Blyde Canyon. The road trip ends nearby at Graskop, a vast gorge carved by the Motitsi River. The area is famous for its unspoiled mountain landscapes, and there's even a lift that will take you 167 feet (51 m) up to enjoy the grand vistas of northeastern South Africa laid out below. After snapping plenty of photos around Graskop, you'll transfer to nearby White River and Oliver's Lodge, a luxe boutique property set amid gardens and an 18-hole golf course.

Day 13: Fly to Johannesburg, Marabi Jazz & Dinner Club

After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airstrip in Kruger National Park and board a one-hour charter flight back to Johannesburg. South Africa's largest city, known as "Joburg" or "Jozi," may not be filled with exotic wildlife, but it does have history and culture to spare. You'll experience the best of it later tonight—for now, a driver will transfer you to the Peech Boutique Hotel. Settle into this tranquil oasis among the bustling city and spend the rest of the day relaxing in its pool and gardens or exploring the city on a self-guided tour.

Day 14: Soweto & Apartheid Tour, Depart Johannesburg

Though it's your last day in South Africa, the fun isn't over yet. After breakfast, meet your driver and transfer to Soweto for one last cultural tour. This township (district) in the city's southwest end has quite a history. It was founded in the 1930s by the white government of South Africa as a segregated residence for the Black population of Johannesburg.

This is a full-day excursion during which you'll travel around the township, meeting residents and sampling more local cuisine (try the bunny chow). You'll also visit major landmarks and museums, like the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Mandela House (a former residence of Nelson Mandela), and the Apartheid Museum. Part of the tour even includes stops to marvel at colorful street art. Later in the day, you'll transfer to the international airport in time to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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