Cape Town and Kruger

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, the afternoon and evening are yours to explore nearby the hotel.

This morning begins at Kalk Bay, known for its fishing docks. With several arts and crafts stalls nearby you can do a bit of shopping in the fashion boutiques and enjoy the antiques and collectibles along the main street. With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll meet your own splinter penguin colony away from the crowded main breeding site on a quieter beach known only by locals. After wondering at these remarkable birds, you’ll head out to the Cape Peninsula and hike along the Atlantic shoreline. It’s a fascinating place of remote beaches, shipwrecks, and unique wildlife. After a picnic lunch, a drive along the stunningly scenic and dramatic Chapman’s Peak Drive leads you back to town.

Today you’ll escape the city to the verdant wine country of Stellenbosch. This historic wine-community will leave you with an array of choices for wine tasting. Next, it is on to Franschhoek, a charming town set in a beautiful valley. Exceptional wine and food co-mingle here, making it the perfect place for lunch at one of the many award-winning restaurants (lunch not included). This afternoon you’ll wrap up with a tasting at one of the exceptional wine estates of Paarl. Return to Cape Town as the sun sets on the western seaboard.

Today you’ll join a local on a foodie tour through Cape Town. Stopping at local, artisan food purveyors, you’ll learn about the history of Cape Town through its amazing food scene. Starting on Bree Street and continuing through to local food stalls at the train station, your private guide will show you the special places that only locals know about. Pro tip: Best to skip breakfast this morning!

Timbavati option: Fly from Cape Town to Hoedspruit airport this morning. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your driver-guide for the 45-minute drive to the lodge.

Tanda Tula is located in the private Timbavati Game Reserve, on the western edge of Kruger National Park. Since there is no border between the reserve and the park, wildlife moves freely. This is one of the most wildlife dense portions of the Kruger region, with massive buffalo herds, leopards, rhino, elephants, and even rare white lions. The wildlife viewing here is some of the best on the continent. With few nearby lodges, the Timbavati enjoys plenty of space not only for wildlife but for quite exclusive game viewing by guests.

The guides at Tanda Tula bring decades of experience to your open vehicle game drives which means exciting, informative, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Guided walking is possible, meaning a slower pace to really appreciate the smaller things that make this place special. Overnight for three nights at Tanda Tula. Ask about a wild sleepout under the stars!

Sabi Sands option: Fly from Cape Town to the Sabi Sands this morning, where you will be met and immediately head out on a game drive to the lodge. The Sabi Sands Reserve shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. This is the oldest private reserve in South Africa and the origin of sustainable wildlife tourism in southern Africa. Guests will marvel at the high densities of wildlife like lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino as well as cheetah, impala, and a large assortment of birds.

It is common to see the “Big Five” in a single game drive. Leopard sightings are plentiful. Days are filled with walks and drives with expert guides. Punctuate the day by sipping sundowner cocktails while toasting an epic sunset over this wild place. Overnights in a luxury room at Savanna Private Game Lodge.

Enjoy a final early morning game drive and breakfast before heading to the airport in time for your departure flights (not included). Consider extending your stay in Africa with a visit to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the thundering Victoria Falls, trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, or relaxing on a beach in South Africa or Mozambique.