Wildlife Lovers' Grand South Africa Tour 13D12N

Welcome to Mama Africa! Begin with a transfer from OR Tambo Airport to the historic suburb of Houghton, once home to iconic South African President, the late Nelson Mandela. You will be staying in a luxury Suite at the distinguished The Residence in Houghton, a stunning oasis in the heart of the bustling city. Stroll through the glorious gardens, play a game of tennis, work out in the gym or swim in one of this boutique hotel’s beautiful outdoor pools. If you prefer, enjoy a game of golf nearby at the Houghton Golf Club. Make it an early night to get rid of jetlag so that you’re ready for your adventure in the morning.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a private transfer to Johannesburg Airport. Fly to Hoedspruit (at your own expense) for a bucket list safari adventure of a lifetime. Transfer from the airport to Simbavati Trails Camp, a fabulous back-to-basics camp located in a secluded section of Timbavati Nature Reserve in the Kruger Park.

You will be one of only 8 guests to spend the next 2 nights in this exclusive camp staying in a Luxury Safari Tent. Life at Simbavati Trails is real bush living – there’s no electricity, meals are prepared over an open fire and your bucket showers are filled with warm water whenever you need it. Game viewing here is on foot, a unique immersive, authentic experience you will never forget. Of course, you’re still pampered with warm Simbavati hospitality, superb cuisine and every comfort in your Meru-style tent with its private al fresco bathroom.

Today, you are in for a treat! Simbavati Trails Camp offers a rare safari experience, an opportunity to live in luxury and in harmony with nature. Your day begins with a guided 4-hour walk with an expert armed guide through this unspoilt wilderness area. You will see, hear and smell more this morning than you ever imagined possible. This type of game viewing is unsurpassed and the leisurely pace at which life is enjoyed here is a privilege to experience. Your day is as relaxed or active as you wish. The camp borders on the Kruger Park without fences, so you’ll have access to 11,000 hectares in the famous park to enjoy. Aside from time to relax in your comfortable Meru-style tents at the camp, there’s dining under the stars to look forward to in a traditional Boma style affair.

Today you go from back to basics camping to ultimate luxury bush living. Transfer to another of Simbavati’s safari camps in the area, the luxury tented Hilltop Lodge, which offers a stunning vantage point. You don’t have to go far for wildlife encounters! Overlooking the open plains, Mbali Dam and the Nhlararlumi River, where elephants and other wild animals come to drink. Game viewing is exceptional here and you may even come up close to the Big Five on one of your twice daily game drives, especially leopard.

You’ve conquered your safari adventure, now it’s time to relax in style at this exceptional lodge with its opulent accommodation and superb cuisine. Spend the night here in one of its exclusive lodge’s boasting 8 spacious tented suites, each with a private bathroom and viewing deck. Your accommodation is connected to the main lodge via wooden walkways, so it’s very easy to get around.

Fly to Cape Town from Hoedspruit (at your own expense) and transfer to the magnificent Cape Grace Hotel on the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, your home for the next 2 nights. Unwind in your custom-designed Luxury Room where french doors open to reveal breathtaking views of the city’s working harbour and the sea.

The V&A Waterfront boasts excellent shops, restaurants and entertainment to enjoy within walking distance of your hotel. Take views from above on a ferris wheel that offers a unique glimpse of your surrounds including the mighty Table Mountains. You can explore the nearby City Bowl by chauffeur transfer, another paradise of shops, sights and cafes. Alternatively, relax at the hotel and unwind to its premium onsite facilities. If you like, you can venture to the Library between 6-10pm for an introduction to Wines of the Cape, Port and Sherry.

Escape to a seaside paradise! Discover the beauty of the Cape Peninsula boasting numerous panoramic photographic locations along your route. Drive along spectacular Chapman’s Peak with the ocean on one side and the mountain on the other and stop off at vantage points for awe-inspiring views.

Travel along the Peninsula to visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, a breathtaking area that is a World Heritage Site and protected nature reserve. Continue on to the southwestern tip of the African continent, Cape Point.

On your way back to Cape Town, you will stop off at beautiful Boulders Beach with its unique penguin colony, visit Simons Town with its naval base and enjoy lunch at the charming seaside village of Kalk Bay. Cap off the best of Cape Town immersing into nature at the spectacular Kirstenbosch Garden and discover its exceptional flora and fauna unique to the region.

This evening, create your own adventure and discover Cape Town’s night life at your own leisure.

Today you head for the luxurious wellness retreat of Bushman’s Kloof, 270km from Cape Town, a natural paradise that offers a unique wilderness escape. This will be your home for the next 3 nights. Bushman’s Kloof is the perfect base from which to explore the exquisite surroundings – 7 500 hectares of private reserve which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it’s home to unique flora and fauna as well as 130 fascinating Bushman rock art sites.

This is a place to step outside and breathe deep, to inhale the freshest air and feel your pulse slow to the rhythm of the bush. Your days at this sumptuous retreat will be filled with nature drives and trips to see Rock art, some of which dates back 10,000 years. Find your bush escapade with an array of inclusive adventures from hiking, swimming, fly fishing, canoeing, archery to bird watching… the list is endless. The landscape is richly biodiverse and malaria-free, offering everything from hiking and biking through a carpet of wildflowers, to swimming and canoeing on clear rock pools. Wilderness experiences, led by intuitive guides that live and breathe the bush, are gentle and unique, allowing glimpses of rare gemsbok, black wildebeest, Cape zebra and leopards - some of the Cape's most rare species that we pride ourselves on protecting. Sundowners and picnics are ever-popular, served at scenic spots throughout the drive.

Set in the midst of these tranquil surrounds is the retreat’s famous healing spa, where you can refresh and rejuvenate mind and body with a selection of indulgent wellness and beauty treatments. You can also visit the enthralling Heritage Centre on the property and discover the organic herb and vegetable garden that supplies the kitchen.

Indulge in authentic Cape cuisine - indigenous fynbos adding a distinctly 'Cape' dimension to a fusion of innovative and traditional fare, all sourced from the reserve's organic garden. From the incredible breakfast served in the cosy Homestead, to showstopper, star-lit dinners in the natural splendour of Embers, sculpted into a rock amphitheatre, enjoy unforgettable dining experiences.

Today you head off on a new adventure, 260km away, to the outskirts of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, where you will stay at the exclusive Lanzerac Hotel. This historic 3-century-old wine estate in the Jonkershoek Valley is renowned for its superlative hospitality and surroundings, award-winning wines and exceptional cuisine served in a selection of fabulous restaurants.

You’ll find an excellent spa here too, where you can enjoy a selection of health, beauty and wellness treatments. Savour a complimentary premium wine-tasting of Lanzerac’s famous wines paired with a cellar tour, complimentary use of the hydro facilities at the stunning spa and transfers to explore the nearby historic town of Stellenbosch.

It’s time to head to the seaside today, to the popular Western Cape resort town of Hermanus, situated just an hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town. You’ll be spending the next 2 nights here in a suite at Birkenhead House & Villa, a modern boutique hotel with a superb clifftop vantage point overlooking Walker Bay.

People from all over the world come to Hermanus not only because it’s such a stunning seaside retreat, but also to whale watch. Life is tranquil and leisurely here and the breathtaking views from your balcony are reason enough to never want to leave. But make sure to take the hotel shuttle to discover charming Hermanus, with its quirky shops and cafes. You won’t be disappointed. When you’re not lazing on the beach, exploring the town or heading off on a whale watching excursion, spend some time at Birkenhead House. There’s plenty to do at this chic, contemporary beach hotel from horse-riding on the beach to surfing and mussel picking.

Today, be spoilt for choice with two marine life adventures in search of the Marine Big 5 (dolphins, penguins, seals, sharks and whales).

Dive into sea and get your adrenalin rush with some Great White Shark Diving. You’ll board the custom-designed luxury Slashfin boat with experts and researchers on hand to teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sharks. Enjoy a boat trip before diving with the sharks and see some of the Cape’s magnificent Big 5 Marine life, too. Everything is included, from wetsuits and towels to meals.

If you prefer a more leisurely marine excitement, don a life jacket and take the Dyer Island Cruise for a fine whale watching experience and the chance to see the Marine Big 5. Your boat, Dreamcatcher, not only offers a unique experience; it’s also luxurious and extremely comfortable.

Unwind back at your oceanfront haven. Tonight, tantalise your tastebuds at Birkenhead House’s world class cuisine inspired by fresh local produce served in a spectacular setting.

Today soak in a delicious breakfast amongst a seadside affair, a perfect time to reflect an unmatched adventure. Leave Hermanus feeling inspired and rejuvenated as you journey to Cape Town International Airport for your onward journey

NOTE:This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.