South Africa
Tour Length: 13 days
Cape Town | Winelands | North Kruger Park | South Kruger Park | Victoria Falls optional extension
13 Days – South Africa
Beauty and the Beasts South Africa Safari: Wildlife, Winelands and Waterfront. An extended exploration of Southern Africa, including the romance of Cape Town, the wine tastings in Stellenbosch, the Big 5 in Makalali Game Reserve, game in the shadows of the Malelane Mountain range in Mthethomusha, with an option to extend your trip to the rushing waters of Victoria Falls.
From $3,995 per person
Our first glimpse of South Africa’s grandeur starts in Cape Town; Four nights at the colorful and bustling waterfront. A full schedule of sightseeing in the city and environs showcases the incomparable beauty of the area. An overnight in the Winelands allows you sample award-winning vintages and stroll through the quaint village of Franschhoek.
Then it is off on safari – winging to South Africa’s prime game viewing regions. Makalali Private Reserve is your first lodge, located near the border of famed Kruger Park. Morning and afternoon game drives, in open safari vehicles, reveal an astonishing wealth of wildlife: lions, giraffe, leopard, hyena, hippo, rhino and elephant – to name just a few.
Your second lodge is located to the south, within the stunning rock-strewn Malelane Mountain range. In addition to the daily game drives available, Bongani Mountain Lodge boasts access to San Bushmen rock art – the greatest concentration of ancient rock art found anywhere on earth!
Beauty and the Beasts South Africa Safari Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Depart USA
Relax on an overnight flight to South Africa.
Day 2-5. Cape Town (4 nights)
On arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met by your Great Safaris Guide who will assist you to the vehicle for your private transfer to your elegant waterfront hotel.
One of the world’s most picturesque tourist destinations and most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is situated amidst majestic mountains and is surrounded by pristine white beaches. Often called the ‘cosmopolitan hub of Africa’, Cape Town is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage, vibrant restaurants and nightlife and a multitude of activities, from extreme sports to leisurely scenic cruises and world-class shopping.
Enjoy a morning tour of the city center, Table Mountain, the Malay Quarter and the Cape Castle. A full day excursion of the Cape Peninsula, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Hout Bay and Simonstown is also included.
Day 6. Stellenbosch Cape Winelands (1 night)
South Africa’s prime wine-growing region, founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is the oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town. Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands, it is the food and wine heartland of the country. Learn the history of the “French Quarter” and enjoy a wine tasting Museum visit.
Explore Stellenbosch for a vineyard tour and tasting at Spier, undoubtedly the most unique development in the wine world, and Eagle Encounters, a bird of prey rehabilitation, education, conservation and ecotourism center.
Day 7. Makalali Private Game Reserve (Greater Kruger Park) (3 nights)
Wing from Cape Town to Kruger Park. Among the leading pioneers in Ecotourism in South Africa, Makalali Private Game Reserve represents a conservation mission to expand South Africa’s green frontier by re-establishing the ancient wildlife migration routes that linked the famous Kruger National Park in the east to the lush Drakensberg Mountains in the west. In the process lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, and rhino have all been reintroduced to the wild, making Makalali home to over one thousand wild animals including four of Africa’s “Big Five”.
Depart this afternoon for the first game drive in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. Enjoy sundowners in the bush, as you witness the multi-hued African sunset.
Day 8-9. Makalali Private Game Reserve
Augment your morning and late afternoon game drives with exciting walking safaris. Escorted by a professional guide, venture out into the bush on foot to find the smaller denizens of nature. You may also learn how to identify spoor and track the wily predators! During your stay at Makalali, there will also be the opportunity for night drives and star gazing.
Nestled on 54,000 acres of conservancy, Makalali has four exclusive camps, consisting of six spacious suites adjacent to a stilted Sala set amongst Jackalberry trees, each features all the modern conveniences you could wish for. Amenities on offer at each camp include a uniquely designed swimming pool, boma, air-conditioning, and an enclosed dining and lounge area.
Day 10-11. Mthetomusha Game Reserve (Greater Kruger Park) (2 nights)
After your early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, depart for an overland drive to the Mthethomusha Game Reserve.
The Bongani Mountain Lodge is beautifully located in the shadows of the Malelane Mountain range in 20,000 acres of the Mthetomusha Game Reserve, on the south western border of the Kruger National Park. Its altitude allows guests the unique opportunity to experience the Big Five. Walk the ancient paths once used by the San Bushman people of over 250 San rock art sites estimated to be 1,500 years old. This San bushman art site is, to date, the greatest concentration of rock art per square yard on earth.
Experienced rangers and Swazi trackers lead interpretive game-drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles.
Day 12. Departure
After a final game drive followed by breakfast, transfer to Kruger MQP Airport for your departure flight to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, where you will connect to your outward flight and bid “farewell” to Africa.
Day 13. Arrive USA
Back home with fond memories and photos of Beauty and the Beasts South Africa Safari to last a lifetime!
OPTIONAL Excursion to the Victoria Falls and Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi – 4 days.
LAND RATE: $895 per person Supplement for Single: $225
- Day 11. Johannesburg Airport City Lodge at the OR Tambo Airport Hotel
- Day 12. Fly to Victoria Falls for two nights at the Ilala Lodge with breakfasts.
- Day 13. Guided sightseeing tour of the Falls & afternoon Zambezi River cruise.
- Day 14. Return to Johannesburg by air
