10 Day Best of South Africa Tour

Guests are met on arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and assisted with onward travel arrangements to the Kruger region. You connect to a flight bound for Skukuza, followed by a short road transfer into the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, a premier private reserve adjoining the Greater Kruger area and known for exceptional Big Five viewing. After arrival at the lodge, you are welcomed, assisted with check-in, and have time to settle in before lunch and a relaxed introduction to the camp’s facilities.

Later, embark on your first afternoon safari drive in open 4x4 vehicles, led by an experienced ranger and assisted by a skilled tracker. Drives are designed to be both thrilling and informative, with insights into animal behavior, tracking techniques, and the reserve’s ecology. As the light softens toward sunset, you may encounter elephant, buffalo, lion, or leopard, and you’ll also begin appreciating the area’s rich birdlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and your first night in the wilderness.

The next two days are spent fully immersed in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, following a classic safari rhythm designed to maximize wildlife encounters. Each day begins with an early-morning game drive, when predators are often most active and the bush reveals fresh tracks and signs from the night before. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, guests can relax at camp, enjoy the deck overlooking the bush, or take part in optional guided bush walks where offered, learning about tracking, plants, insects, and smaller details of the ecosystem.

Late-afternoon game drives continue into the early evening, offering excellent opportunities to observe animals as they move toward waterholes and feeding areas. The reserve’s rivers, waterholes, and varied habitats support an extraordinary density of wildlife, including frequent sightings of Africa’s Big Five. Birdlife is also prolific, with hundreds of species recorded. Between drives, guests enjoy attentive lodge service, excellent meals, and time to absorb the sounds and atmosphere of the African bush, returning to the lodge each evening for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Your final morning in the Sabi Sand offers a last opportunity to search for wildlife before enjoying breakfast at the lodge. Afterward, guests are transferred back to Skukuza Airport for a scheduled flight to Cape Town. On arrival, you are met by your private African Sky guide, who will accompany you through the next stage of the journey. During the transfer, your guide outlines the Cape Town itinerary and provides helpful orientation for the days ahead.

You are escorted to Ellerman House, beautifully positioned above the Atlantic Ocean in Bantry Bay. The remainder of the afternoon is spent at leisure, allowing time to settle into your elegant surroundings, enjoy coastal views, or simply relax after travel. Dinner is included this evening, providing a refined introduction to Cape Town hospitality and a comfortable transition from safari wilderness to coastal luxury.

Today is dedicated to exploring the Cape Peninsula and its dramatic coastal scenery. Travel along some of South Africa’s most scenic routes, with time for photo stops, before reaching Cape Point. A highlight here is the Flying Dutchman Funicular, which travels along a 585-meter track to the upper lighthouse area, providing easy access while showcasing the surrounding fynbos landscapes. From the top, guests can enjoy sweeping ocean views and explore the historic lighthouse area.

After lunch, continue through the Cape of Good Hope section of the reserve, keeping an eye out for local wildlife such as baboons, antelope, and ostrich. On the return journey, visit Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town to observe the endangered African penguin colony from elevated boardwalks that protect nesting areas. The day concludes with a relaxed drive back to Ellerman House for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for an ascent to one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks. The rotating cable car offers panoramic views over the city bowl, Table Bay, Robben Island, and the Cape Peninsula. At the summit, guests enjoy time exploring well-marked walking paths and viewpoints, with views of Lion's Head, Signal Hill, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The pace is unhurried and adjusted according to weather conditions.

Following lunch, continue to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Explore themed garden sections, including the protea garden and conservatory, before walking the Boomslang canopy walkway for elevated views across the gardens and mountain backdrop. The afternoon concludes with a return to Ellerman House, leaving time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s art collection and coastal setting.

Guests are met early for the journey from Cape Town to the Garden Route. While this is a longer driving day, it offers an opportunity to experience changing landscapes and small towns of the southern Cape. The route crosses Sir Lowry’s Pass into the Elgin and Overberg regions, passing through areas known for agriculture and mountain scenery. Regular comfort stops are made to ensure a relaxed journey.

Continuing via Caledon and Swellendam, the drive reaches Mossel Bay, often regarded as the gateway to the Garden Route. After lunch, travel onward to Wilderness, where stops are made at viewpoints such as the Map of Africa, offering panoramic views of forested hills, rivers, lakes, and long beaches. The day ends with arrival at Tsala Treetop Lodge, nestled in indigenous forest between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Today focuses on Knysna and its beautiful lagoon setting. In the morning, cross the lagoon by ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve, a private reserve known for its conservation-driven tourism. Upon arrival, a guided 4x4 excursion climbs to scenic viewpoints on the headland, with stops to appreciate sweeping views of the lagoon and ocean. A guided walk of just over two kilometers introduces the area’s flora, fauna, and history.

Lunch is enjoyed beneath milkwood trees before returning by ferry to the waterfront. The afternoon allows time to explore additional Knysna highlights, including viewpoints at the Eastern Head and surrounding lagoon areas. Guests return to Tsala Treetop Lodge later in the day for another peaceful evening in the forested surroundings.

After breakfast, travel to Plettenberg Bay to explore Robberg Nature Reserve, a rugged coastal peninsula offering cliffs, dunes, sandy beaches, and excellent hiking. Several trail options are available, ranging from shorter walks to longer, more demanding routes. Along the way, guests may spot seals, dolphins, and whales in season (June – November), as well as a wide variety of seabirds and coastal species.

Following lunch in town, continue to the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve for a peaceful river experience. A gentle boat ride upriver reveals forested banks, calm waterways, and abundant birdlife, with fish eagles often heard calling overhead. A brief stop allows time to enjoy the riverbank setting before returning to the lodge in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, guests depart for George Airport for a scheduled flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, assistance is provided for onward travel arrangements, whether transferring to a hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria or connecting to an international departure. The timing of the day is kept flexible to accommodate flight schedules and ensure a smooth conclusion to the journey.

For those continuing internationally, support with check-in and airport navigation is available to ensure a stress-free departure. This final day brings the journey to a close after combining safari, city, and coastal highlights into one comprehensive South African experience, leaving guests with lasting memories of the country’s most celebrated regions.