This private, small-group itinerary was carefully crafted to capture the highlights of what makes South Africa such a truly epic destination.
Starting in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, explore the dramatic coastline of the Cape Peninsula as you kayak with African penguins and learn about the world-renowned Cape wine region with a local, expert wine guide. Journey to the verdant winemaking valley of Franschhoek outside of Cape Town, where you’ll enjoy wine tastings hosted by local vintners and locally sourced gourmet meals prepared by highly trained chefs. You’ll stay at one of the oldest and continuously operating wine farms in the Western Cape region.
Your adventure continues as you fly northeast to the greater Kruger National Park area for safari game drives and walking safaris in the exclusive Timbavati Private Reserve, one of the most wildlife-rich conservancies in South Africa. Expert naturalist guides and trackers lead the way and help interpret wildlife behavior as you amble through the bush by vehicle and on foot.
Your accommodations throughout this itinerary are comfortable, boutique guesthouses, and luxury safari camps that are perfectly located for city amenities and wildlife access.
This itinerary can serve as the foundation for a longer exploration of Southern Africa. Ask us about ideas on how to add more time like an extension to Victoria Falls or to the Okavango Delta of Botswana!
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 or even take the cable car to up Table Mountain.
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!
This evening you’ll join a master wine instructor at Caroline’s House of Fine Wines for an introduction to the wines of South Africa. Dinner will be at Bouchon Bistro.
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 boutiques and enjoy the antiques and collectibles along the main street here. 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. There will be an opportunity to sea kayak or SUP offshore, where the penguins often swim by. 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 wild picnic lunch on the dunes, a drive along the stunningly scenic and dramatic Chapman’s Peak Drive leads you back to town.
Following a leisurely breakfast this morning you will check out of your city hotel and head towards the winelands but not before stopping at Uthando to meet James Fernie, a passionate social entrepreneur and founder of Uthando (Love) South Africa. James recognized the enormous potential of the tourism industry to contribute in a meaningful, substantial way to the community, environmental development, and charitable causes. Uthando was thus born to create a vital bridge between these sectors. James will provide you with some insight on Uthando and its journey from birth to present day.
Thereafter continue to Mitre’s Edge Boutique Wine Estate for a wine and cheese pairing with owner and winemaker, Lola Nicholls, in her private wine cellar. A family-owned and managed boutique winery, Mitre’s Edge, is nestled at the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain, between Paarl and Stellenbosch. It is in this beautiful setting that winemaker Lola Nicholls, assisted by husband Bernard, focuses on producing relatively smaller quantities of high-quality, award-winning wines.
This morning you’ll explore the Franschhoek region. The French Huguenot town of Franschhoek is widely regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa, with its highly acclaimed outdoor cafes and bistros. Today you will have the opportunity to embark on a wine tasting and cellar tour at Chamonix Wine Estate, tour the original Manor House at L’Ormarins Wine Estate, and engage in a tutored wine tasting. Lunch to be enjoyed at Haute Cabriere restaurant or similar. Dinner to be enjoyed at The Restaurant at Grande Roche or similar. If time allows, explore the trails and gardens of Boschendal.
Depart the winelands this morning and fly from Cape Town to Hoedspruit airport. 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 day starts as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. After your early morning wake-up call, a tea/coffee tray will be delivered to your tent. Shortly after, you depart in your open Land Cruiser with your experienced rangers and trackers who will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season but typically start early morning. The guides at Tanda Tula bring decades of experience to your open vehicle game drives and walks, which means exciting, informative and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Do not miss out on the guided walking here, where a slower pace allows you to really appreciate the smaller things that make this place special.
This morning you will enjoy your final early morning safari at Tanda Tula before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Following breakfast, board the awaiting closed vehicle for your transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect for your onward flight home.
