South Africa Encompassed

A warm A&K welcome awaits on arrival, and you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

Transfer back to Johannesburg Airport for your flight to Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Located in one of the finest wilderness areas in southern Kruger, Dulini River will be your home for the next three nights. Set in a stunning location amongst an evergreen clearing on a river, Dulini features six spacious, luxury suites with private plunge pool and verandah offering panoramic views over the river that attracts abundant wildlife.

Dulini River Lodge | Meals: BLD

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, renowned for its exceptional opportunities for viewing Africa’s iconic species including lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, as well as cheetah, wild dog and hippo in addition to an abundance of general game and over 400 bird species. Spend two days enjoying a range of activities including early morning and late afternoon drives. Guided walks are also an option, as well as night safaris showcases the nocturnal species such as the loveable bushbaby.

Dulini River Lodge | Meals: BLD

A final game-drive before the safari finishes and a flight to Cape Town where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: B

This morning head off for an ascent by aerial cableway up Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain (weather permitting) for dazzling views of city and sea. Afterwards, enjoy a wandering exploration of some of Cape Town’s landmarks such as Greenmarket Square and the colourful, extremely photogenic Cape Malay neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap.

Stop for a lunch of gastronomic treats before heading to Sea Point Promenade to admire the edgy and provocative art installations. Wander the Watershed Market to pick up handmade souvenirs and finish the day like a local with a bonbon and cheeky gin cocktail at a local chocolate shop. Don’t forget to stop in at the secret gin bar tucked behind it. You earned it!

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: BL

Explore the Cape Peninsula your way, with plenty of flexibility to suit your tastes and fitness levels. Take a walk through the bohemian fishing community of Kalk Bay, famous for its art galleries, brightly painted fishing boats and resident seals. You may like to walk among the penguins with a conservationist at Simon’s Town or seek out a rogue splinter colony. Ride the “Flying Dutchman” funicular to the great pinnacle at blustery Cape Point, which presides over treacherous reefs and sandy beaches, or, if you’re feeling energetic, perhaps take a hike inside the Table Mountain National Park, keeping your eyes peeled for ostrich, baboon, mountain zebra, bontebok and tortoise.

This afternoon, savour tasty treats at Noordhoek Farm Village, a thriving food hub where you can tuck into freshly made ice cream, artisanal treats, and aromatic java. Grab a bite and soak up the atmosphere. Then follow the 144 curves of Cape Town’s most scenic road to a quiet spot where you can admire an extravagant African sunset.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: BL

The Cape Winelands brim with open cellar doors, which you will discover today. Begin the day with a guided tour of the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch where you can admire over 60 sculptures carefully nestled amongst indigenous flora. Then drop into a meticulously restored homestead – Oldenburg – to taste their distinctive, complex and sustainably produced small batch wines. Time permitting, visit a neighbouring farm.

In Franschhoek, delve into the French Huguenot origins of the town and the captivating backstory of wine production in the region. Browse quaint boutiques and art galleries before sitting down to a scrumptious lunch at one of Franschhoek’s many picturesque wineries. More wine tasting awaits this afternoon, on the comfortable veranda of Jacoline Haasbroek, owner of the award-winning My Wyn Wine Estate, with the option of a waterfall walk afterwards.

Wind down with a gentle stroll of the expansive gardens of Babylonstoren, a working Cape Dutch farm which dates back to 1692 before returning to Cape Town.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: BL

Depart your hotel and trace the Cape Whale Route all the way to the incomparable Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, which protects rare and highly endangered fynbos, endemic to this mountainous coastal region. Check-in to Grootbos Forest Lodge, a sophisticated, modern lodge flanked by the spectacular cliffs of Walker Bay with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Grootbos Forest Lodge | Meals: BLD

Tailor your time at Grootbos from the many included activities such as guided horseback tours for riders of all levels, nature walks, coastal drives and seasonal land-based whale watching (Jun-Sep).

Grootbos Forest Lodge | Meals: BLD

Transfer back to Cape Town for your flight to the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Your superb safari lodge sits upon 100,000 hectares of malaria-free desert wilderness sheltering over 70 species of mammal including lion, cheetah and black rhino.

Tswalu The Motse | Meals: BLD

Spend three glorious days unravelling the mysteries of the Kalahari Desert, home of the San, whose thought-provoking paintings and engravings can be seen at sites throughout this reserve. By vehicle, on foot or on horseback, track the iconic Kalahari species that inhabit this wilderness including meerkat, cheetah, brown hyena, aardvark and the highly endangered pangolin. On one of the evenings during your stay at Tswalu, enjoy an opportunity to dine at Klein Jan Restaurant. Here the culinary traditions, ingredients and regional produce of the Northern Cape are the shining stars on a seasonal menu rooted not only in the southern Kalahari’s remote and dramatic landscapes, but also in the resourceful, creative people of this remote, unexplored region.

Tswalu The Motse | Meals: BLD

Fly back to Johannesburg where your safari comes to an end.

Meals: B