At a Glance
Indulge in the best that Southern Africa has to offer on this sky-high itinerary traversing Kalahari, Kruger, Johannesburg and Cape Town. This curated 10-day ultimate luxury safari incorporates the very best high-end lodges in the country, including Tswalu Kalahari and Royal Malewane, paired with incredible game drives on privately-owned game reserves. From the desert to the bush, from Kalahari to Kruger, enjoy the light-filled haven of tranquility, and explore the wonders of the wide-open African plains. This is a journey making memories to cherish for a lifetime!
Start your adventure in Cape Town where your scenery is as delicious as your wine tasting menu! Discover the Franschhoek Valley on a curated wine tram experience and dine on gourmet fare throughout – yes, even under the African skies! Indulge in well-deserved luxury ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 9 nights accommodation on a twin share basis in luxury 5 star hotels and safari lodges
- Fully inclusive basis at Royal Malawane including 2 daily game drives and bush walks with private guide and tracker
- All return hotel transfers to specified airports as per itinerary
- Curated Wine Experience in Franschooek including wine lecture in vineyard and cellar, three course lunch, premium wine tasting and pairing and 15 minutes tram journey
- Fully inclusive basis at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve including private guide, vehicle and tracker, walking safaris and horse back safaris
- Sightseeing and activities with included hotel transfers as per itinerary
- Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
- Professional tour guides throughout
Itinerary
Begin your ultimate luxury African adventure in the picturesque city of Cape Town with the imposing Table Mountain as your backdrop; recently been named one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Be transferred to the enchanting Ellerman House situated in the heart of Bantry Bay, one of the most exclusive suburbs in Cape Town. Your Superior House Room in this Cape Edwardian mansion overlooking the Atlantic Ocean features en suite facilities and a complimentary mini bar. Be pampered at the hotel spa or enjoy the heated outdoor pool and fitness centre. View Ellerman House’s impressive private art collection before indulging on complimentary sunset cocktails, canapés and a magnificent South African craft gin trolley. The location is on the middle terrace, a prime location to watch the sunset over the horizon and ease the jetlag. |
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This evening, journey to the spectacular Hout Bay to enjoy a contemporary four-course dinner at the famous restaurant at Tintswalo Atlantic, Chefs Warehouse. |
Today, tantalise your tastebuds on a curated wine experience celebrating the best of South Africa’s most delectable wines. A real treat for the senses, this is one for the true wine lovers and foodies! Hop on board the double-decker Franschhoek Tram railway and discover the beauty of the Franschhoek Valley on one of the most unique ways to explore the spectacular Cape Winelands. Amble along and learn about the history of South African wine-making. You’ll stop at a selection of local wine estates for premium wine tasting and pairings. Explore the wine cellar and vineyard at your first wine estate before indulging in a specially curated gourmet three-course lunch. Your day will be filled with ample opportunities to sample the subtle tastes of terroir and gain insight to the local grape varieties and cultivars unique to Southern Africa. In the afternoon, visit another two wine estates including La Bri to delight your taste-buds with a premium wine pairing. Explore the picturesque Franschhoek village before returning to Ellerman House. |
This morning enters a wildlife paradise! Transfer to the airport to fly to the Kalahari for your first safari adventure. Your base for the next three nights is the exclusive Tswalu Kalahari lodge, located in the country’s largest private game reserve which is famous for its diversity of wild animals. Fill your days with game drives in four-by-four vehicles, bush walks and safaris on horseback, all led by an experienced safari guide and trackers. Or unwind and cocoon in pure relaxation in your spacious thatched Motse Suite, complete with outdoor shower, private sun deck, open fireplace and ensuite facilities. After a day filled with adventures, tonight delight your taste-buds with exquisite seasonal menus that tell the culinary story of the spectacular Southern Kalahari and Northern Cape. With dining experiences including private dining on your veranda and a barbecue in the Boma, dining at Tswalu will embrace the superb climate and endless views. |
Rise as the sun peers above the Korannaberg mountains this morning and experience a breathtaking scene of endless African bushland. Today is another day to create your own adventures, so let them unfold at your own pace. Embrace the wild and relaxed atmosphere at exclusive Tswalu Kalahari. Spend your days game viewing, enjoying superb meals and relaxing in this magical African setting. Unlike most private reserves in South Africa, there are no other lodges on the property and the land is not shared with guests from other concessions or properties. This means that there are no areas of the reserve that are off-limits to you. With this comes the freedom and flexibility to choose where to go and what to see on the reserve. Soak in the exclusivity and escape into the ultimate African safari with expert guide and tracker guaranteed. Nothing is dictated, your interests are fulfilled and the only schedule is your own. Scenic helicopter flights, nature walks, rock art excursions, sleeping outside under the stars, a morning with habituated meerkats, time in the field with one of the scientists from Dedeben Research Centre, and a session in the photographic studio, editing and printing your best wildlife images, are just a few of the specialised activities on offer (some activities are at an additional cost). The adventures are endless! A day’s filled with adventures, indulge in delectable cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list amidst the serenity of the African wilderness. |
Savour one last safari breakfast in the extraordinary Kalahari Desert, a perfect time to soak in the incredible adventure so far. Fly from Tswalu to Johannesburg and transfer to The Residence in the city’s leafy suburb of Houghton. Your exclusive retreat offers plenty to do – take a dip in one of the outdoor pools, break a sweat in the workout area or enjoy a round of golf nearby. Alternatively, settle onto the spacious balcony off your opulent Suite and enjoy unrivalled garden views. |
Get ready for round two of your wildlife adventure! Fly or drive from Johannesburg (at your own expense) to luxurious Royal Malewane in the Thornybush Game Reserve, part of the Kruger Park. Your home for the next three nights, the opulent and boutique Royal Malewane is situated right on the western border of the Kruger Park. It offers an exceptional African safari experience including the chance to view the famous Big Five. Absorb the thrill with spectacular wildlife sightings right at your doorstep! The Royal Malewane boasts its own private waterhole where giraffes, elephants and more come to drink. Settle into your Luxury Suite, complete with its own private pool, limestone bathroom, mahogany four-poster beds, outdoor gazebo and indoor and outdoor showers with huge windows of wraparound wilderness views that’ll make you feel you’re on a 24-hour safari. Boasting the most experienced guides and master trackers of Africa, the guiding here is second-to-none. With 350 years of experience collectively, get up close moments to big cats, elephants and rhinos. Tonight, enjoy an exquisite feast under the African stars as a team of chefs qualified as Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Blazon, bring you to an ultimate bush dining affair. |
Be pampered in the heart of Africa and embrace all the trappings of bush luxury. Enjoy daily game drives and the chance to view the Big Five. When you’re not busy searching for wildlife, indulge yourself into tranquility at the Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa offering a sensual selection of beauty and wellness treatments. Rejuvenate in the 25 metre outdoor pool, whisk away in the library filled with glossy wildlife books, spoil yourself with some retail therapy at the onsite boutique shop or simply take it easy and let nature envelop you. Your bucket-list safari adventure includes plenty of game viewing, superlative meals and personalised service. Let the creative chefs delight you with nightly feasts under the African stars and prepare you for the following day’s adventures. Spend your days relaxing and being pampered at one of the most stylish and luxurious game lodges in the area. |
All good things come to an end. Savour one last breakfast amidst the African bush. It’s time to return to Johannesburg, either flying into OR Tambo or driving back to Johannesburg in your rental car, for your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Departure daily on request. Please contact us for group bookings or private departures. Peak/festival season surcharge applies.
More Info
- The departure point is Cape Town
- The finish point is Johannesburg
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town’s Dry and Wet seasons are opposite to those in Kruger. Therefore, the best time for visiting Cape Town and surrounds is during the dry summer months of November to March. The daily temperatures average between 17°C (63°F) and 28°c (82°F), although it can reach as high as 40°C (104°F). Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it gets its rainfall in the winter months Late April to early June has crisp and clear days, perfect for a hiking trip. The best time for a whale watching is from July to September when migratory whales arrive along the coastline.
Tswalu
May and October (winter and spring) are the most ideal period as the days are cooler and sightings of smaller, rarer animals increase. It provides exceptional sightings as bush is sparse and dry with animals congregating around watering holes. During the summer (November to March), the days are warmer with the occasional thunderstorm and many of the animals calve, while the arrival of many migrant birds makes this a great time for birdwatching. Autumn (April to May) is the greenest time of year in the Kalahari with mild days and cool evenings. It is also rutting time for many of the antelope species.
Johannesburg
Summer lasts from December to February and is characterised by hot days, frequent afternoon thunderstorms and plenty of rain. Winter (June to August) sees mild, dry days with abundant sunshine and chilly nights. Johannesburg and Pretoria lie on the highveld plateau and have a near-perfect climate.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A single supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.