South Africa: A Family Safari Adventure

On arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa’s safari gateway, you are met and transferred privately to your boutique home away from home located in a leafy suburb of the city. Settle in with the rest of the day at leisure.

Athol Place House & Villa | Meals: D

This morning you are met by A&K and transferred to the airport for your flight west to Tswalu Kalahari. On arrival at the airstrip, you are met and transferred to Tswalu's Tarkuni which is magically situated overlooking the vast grasslands of the Kalahari. This former private home has been converted into a stunning exclusive-use luxury holiday home which will provide the most exclusive, and fully inclusive, private safari experience for your family. After a warm welcome and time to freshen up, your personal field guide and tracker will lead you on your first game activity into this extraordinary private desert reserve. Keep a look out for some of the rare wildlife which is found here.

Tswalu – Tarkuni | Meals: BLD

Your bespoke safari experience continues to unfold over the coming two days with morning and afternoon game viewing activities. Tswalu Kalahari Private Desert Reserve covers a vast 100,000 hectares on the edge of the mysterious desert wilderness that is the Kalahari. A malaria-free reserve, some 70 species of mammal are found here including lion, cheetah and desert black rhino, and more than 200 species of bird. The reserve is also the historical home of the San, whose storytelling and dream imagery can be seen at the many archaeological sites dotted around the reserve.

Tswalu – Tarkuni | Meals: BLD

Farewell Tswalu and prepare for your next wilderness adventure. Fly south to Cape Town and then enjoy the scenic drive east in your private vehicle to the Grootbos Nature Reserve. Overlooking Walker Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Grootbos falls within the Cape Floristic Kingdom - one of the world's natural wonders - and you’ll soon understand why. Nestled between mountain and sea, it’s an eco-paradise at the southern tip of Africa overflowing with incredible flora and marine life.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve | Meals: BLD

Today is an opportunity to revel in nature with a full menu of activities to choose from. There’s horse riding through the reserve, for experienced riders and novices alike; guided walks through thousand-year-old Milkwood forests to learn about the area’s rich botanical diversity and native fynbos vegetation; a variety of nature, marine and coastal drives including the Walker Bay Nature Reserve; whale watching in season (June -December); shark cage diving and bird-watching.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve | Meals: BLD

After breakfast return to Cape Town and the exclusive neighbourhood of Bantry Bay where your base is the glamorous ocean-facing Villa One at Ellerman House, the ultimate in privacy and personalised service with your own chef and team on hand to take care of your family’s every need. During your stay be sure to admire the impressive art collection during a guided appreciation and step into the spa for a treatment, or two.

Ellerman House | Meals: B

Spend the next three days exploring Cape Town in all its guises from its grand colonial architecture and vibrant Cape Malay heritage, to its breathtaking land and seascapes visible from almost every vantage point, its cool urban edge and world class museums to its famous wine country. Choose how you experience this exciting city.

Take the cable car up Table Mountain for unparalleled views of the city and Atlantic Ocean or hike up if you’re feeling energetic. Spend a full day exploring the winelands with a specialist guide with exclusive access to family-run wine farms and intimate tastings with the people behind the wine. Choose a cycling experience through the vineyards or on the beautiful and dramatic Cape Peninsula. Grab a board, pack a picnic and hit one of Cape Town’s legendary surf breaks.

To see more of Cape Town’s vibrant culture, visit Zeitz MOCAA and join a curator on a tour of its contemporary African art collection. Or venture out to Robben Island for a moving insight to Nelson Mandela’s 18 years of incarceration.

Cape Town has a huge range of rich experiences to choose from, and these can be easily tailored to your families interests. Our guides will help you to immerse yourself in the best of the Cape including its food, wine, wildlife, people, history and culture.

Ellerman House | Meals: BL

This morning you will be met by A&K and transferred to Cape Town Airport for your flight to Hoedspruit. Here you will be met and transferred a short distance to Africa House at Royal Malewane, a slice of bush paradise for your exclusive use on safari. Located in the 12,000 hectare Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western side of Kruger National Park, Africa House is spacious and elegant with vibrantly eclectic furnishings. Every room also has its own private deck and outdoor shower with spectacular views of the bush and your stay is completely flexible with everything included and tailored specifically to your family’s needs.

Africa House at Royal Malewane | Meals: BLD

The next two days are filled with exhilarating safari activities. Game viewing here gives you the best opportunities for seeing the natural abundance of wildlife on this private reserve which is home to Africa’s iconic species - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Bush walks, game drives and specialist safaris such as birding or photographic outings will provide an intimate and personalised connection with the bush and its inhabitants.

Several of the ranger team at Royal Malewane live with their families on the reserve and are perfectly suited to guiding safari-going families. And younger travellers will enjoy the specially designed children’s activities including animal and plant identification, tracking tips and an introduction to local languages.

Africa House at Royal Malewane | Meals: BLD

After a final morning in the bush, you are transferred to Hoedspruit airport for your flight back to Johannesburg and onward connections.

Meals: B