The Ultimate Luxury Safari in South Africa (11 days)
11
daysThe Ultimate Luxury Safari in South Africa (11 days)
Combine Cape Town chic with Africa's most luxurious train and an elegant Big Five safari for a stylish South African holidayStart your journey with four days in upmarket Cape Town, enjoying the view of the Atlantic Ocean from the floor to ceiling glass windows of your boutique hotel. Explore some of the city’s historical sites, and drive around the Cape Peninsula, stopping at Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Boulder’s Beach to see the African penguin colony. Enjoy a whole day sipping and tasting in the beautiful Cape Winelands.
Then wave goodbye to Table Mountain as you board the luxurious Rovos Rail train to Pretoria, stopping at Matjiesfontein and Kimberley and enjoying fine food and wine along the way.
The final part of your journey is a Big Five safari in the Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where guides will take you out in open safari vehicles to search for memorable sightings and photographic opportunities.
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Costing tip: When comparing with other companies, remember most of them only show the low season rate. How pricing works >
What to Expect on This Safari
This popular itinerary can be customised to match your budget and travel dates by adding/removing a few days or selecting different lodges
day
1
The mother of all African cities
You'll be met at Cape Town International Airport. Depending on your arrival time, you'll go on a half-day city tour on the way to your hotel to get some insight into the history of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Overnight at Cape Grace Hotel, with your breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Included
day
2
Where two oceans meet
You’ll be collected for a full-day tour of Cape Point, including stops at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony. The tour will also show you Clifton and Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles, Llandudno and Hout Bay (where you can pay extra to go on a boat trip to see Cape fur seals at Duiker Island) and the little towns of Simon's Town and Muizenberg on the False Bay coast. Overnight at Cape Grace Hotel, with breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Included
day
3
Wine and dine
Today you'll go on a full day tour to the Cape Winelands, with their many award-winning estates. Wine tasting is a popular activity and you'll enjoy three tastings at different estates, a cheese tasting and a cellar tour. Some of the estates have world-renowned restaurants so you might want to spoil yourself with lunch (for your own account). Overnight at Cape Grace Hotel, with breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Included
day
4
Hop On Hop Off
Take a go-as-you-please Red Bus tour, which will take as long as you want it to and allow time for shopping – the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is only 15 minutes away – and sight-seeing at your leisure. The tour starts at a bus stop a few minutes' walk from your hotel. Featured stops on this tour include the Table Mountain Cable Way, the District Six Museum and the Castle of Good Hope. Overnight at Cape Grace Hotel, with breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Included
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day
5
Unsurpassed elegance
You'll be taken to Cape Town station this morning to board the luxurious Rovos Rail for your two-day journey to Pretoria 1,600 kilometres away. Leave Table Mountain behind as you head through the Winelands and rugged mountains towards the open skies of the Karoo. The train will stop at Matjiesfontein so you can visit this Victorian village and its museum, where time seems to have stood still. Overnight on Rovos Rail, with all meals and drinks included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks
Transport: Included
day
6
Roughing it by luxury rail
Another day on the train, stopping at Kimberley after lunch. You'll board a bus for a tour of the town, the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole, which is the world's largest man-made excavation. Then you'll reboard the train and watch the grasslands slide past your window until it's time for drinks in the observation car and dinner in the dining car, with its crisp linen, silverware, crystal and monogrammed china. Go to sleep lulled by the motion of this luxury train. Overnight on Rovos Rail, with all meals and drinks included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transport: Included
day
7
City of Gold
You'll arrive in Pretoria just before lunch time and transfer to the hotel for an overnight.
Once you've checked into the hotel, the rest of the day will be at your leisure. The hotel has a very unique spa where you can spend some time in the afternoon (spa treatments not included).
Overnight at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa on a bed and breakfast basis
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Included
day
8
Phinda Private Game Reserve
This morning you will be transferred to Johannesburg International Airport where you will connect with a scheduled flight to Richard's Bay, where you'll be picked up and driven to the Phinda Private Game Reserve in subtropical northern KwaZulu-Natal. Overnight at either Phinda Mountain or Forest Lodge with meals and drinks included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks
Transport: Flight included and price subject to change at time of booking
day
9
Unique ecosystem safari
Enjoy your time at the lodge by going on an early morning and late afternoon game drive. Phinda is rich in wildlife, from the Big Five to cheetah, as well as 415 bird species. Your guide will tell you more about the seven unique ecosystems that make up the reserve and the animals that live there. Overnight at either Phinda Mountain or Forest Lodge with your meals, drinks and game activities included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks
Transport: Included
day
10
African sundowners
Another day of game viewing and bird watching in the reserve. Get out on an early morning drive to seek out any animals you may have missed on your previous game drives, then return to the lodge to relax in the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, head out for your last game drive and enjoy sundowners in a beautiful natural setting before returning to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at Phinda Mountain or Forest Lodge with your meals, drinks and game activities included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks
Transport: Included
day
11
Enjoyed it, didn't you?
After breakfast, you'll be driven back to Richard's Bay (flight included and price subject to change at time of booking) for your flight back to Johannesburg and your connecting flight home.
Note: Flight prices are based on estimates and won't be accurate. Your flights from Johannesburg to Richard's Bay and back again will be included but will have an impact on the published price for this journey.
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