16 Day Grand South African Luxury Tour

Guests are met upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and introduced to their private guide before setting out toward Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. Often called Jacaranda City, Pretoria is famous for the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets and avenues. The first major stop is the Union Buildings, the official seat of government and presidency. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, this architectural landmark offers sweeping panoramic views across the city and surrounding hills, making it an ideal introduction to the country’s political and historical landscape.

The tour then continues through the leafy suburbs of Pretoria, including brief stops near Waterkloof House Preparatory School and Pretoria Boys High School, where Elon Musk attended primary and secondary school. Alongside Nelson Mandela, Musk is one of the most internationally recognized South Africans. These short visits provide contextual insight rather than lengthy stops. Thereafter, the journey continues to your overnight accommodation, where check-in is followed by time to relax and recover from international travel.

The journey eastward begins with a scenic drive across the Highveld and into the rolling hills of Mpumalanga. Before reaching Dullstroom, a stop is made at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Center, home to a wide range of raptor species. During a guided visit, guests observe eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls up close, learning about their rehabilitation and conservation. A live flight demonstration showcases the birds’ agility and hunting techniques, offering a memorable and educational wildlife experience.

Arrival in Dullstroom allows time to explore the village’s charming main street before lunch. The afternoon includes a visit to Wild About Whisky, which houses one of the largest whisky collections in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 1,200 labels from around the world. Leaving town behind, the route winds through open countryside toward Walkersons Estate, an elegant retreat set among rolling grasslands and trout-filled streams, where the evening is spent in peaceful surroundings.

Today is devoted to enjoying the natural beauty and relaxed pace of the Walkersons Estate. Set on more than 1,500 hectares, the property offers a network of forest trails, river walks, and open grasslands that merge into a protected nature reserve. Guided or independent walks provide opportunities to observe indigenous wildlife, prolific birdlife, and seasonal wildflowers. For fly-fishing enthusiasts, the estate’s clear mountain streams are ideal for catching rainbow and golden trout in a tranquil setting.

Those preferring a slower pace may opt for a spa treatment or simply enjoy the scenery from the lodge. Time can also be spent exploring Dullstroom further, where galleries, antique stores, and artisanal chocolatiers reflect the village’s creative spirit. The day is intentionally flexible, allowing guests to tailor activities to their interests while enjoying the calm atmosphere of the Mpumalanga Highlands.

Departing Walkersons, the tour climbs toward the forested escarpment near Graskop, entering one of South Africa’s most dramatic scenic regions. A stop at God’s Window offers expansive views over the Lowveld far below, weather permitting. The journey continues along the renowned Panoramic Route, passing waterfalls and viewpoints before reaching the Three Rondavels lookout. From here, the immense scale of the Blyde River Canyon—one of the world’s largest—can be fully appreciated.

The road then descends from the escarpment into the Lowveld, where subtropical vegetation signals arrival in prime safari country. By mid-afternoon, the Timbavati Private Game Reserve is reached. Following check-in and a late lunch, there is time to unwind before embarking on your first open 4x4 game drive. This initial safari introduces the landscapes and wildlife of Greater Kruger, setting the tone for the immersive days ahead.

Early morning light bathes the bushveld as your ranger and tracker set out on the first game drive of the day. This is an excellent time to observe wildlife activity, as predators return from nighttime hunts and herbivores emerge cautiously to graze. With luck, sightings may include members of the famed Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—along with a wide array of plains game and birdlife.

Following a relaxed midday break at the lodge, the afternoon safari explores different areas of the reserve. As temperatures cool, animal movement increases, creating opportunities for close encounters and dramatic sightings. The day concludes back at camp, where a carefully prepared dinner is enjoyed, often accompanied by stories from the day’s sightings and the sounds of the African night.

The day begins with the sounds of the African bush coming to life as another guided game drive sets out shortly after sunrise. Tracking fresh spoor left overnight adds an element of excitement, particularly when predators are nearby. Returning to camp later in the morning, guests enjoy a leisurely breakfast and have the option to join a guided bush walk, offering a deeper understanding of smaller ecosystems, tracks, and plant uses.

Midday is spent at leisure, with time to relax, watch animals visiting the waterhole, or enjoy the lodge’s amenities. In the late afternoon, another open-vehicle safari explores different habitats within the reserve. Sunset drinks in the bush mark the transition from day to night before returning to camp for dinner and a final evening of safari ambiance.

A final morning game drive provides one last opportunity to absorb the sights and sounds of the Timbavati before departing the bush. After breakfast, guests are transferred to Hoedspruit Airport for the scheduled flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, a representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel, where check-in is followed by time to relax and settle into the city environment.

Later in the afternoon, the guide escorts you to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for a sunset cruise on Table Bay. As the sun sinks behind the Atlantic, Table Mountain is bathed in warm hues, creating a spectacular backdrop. Dolphins and Cape fur seals are frequently spotted, and the relaxed cruise offers a celebratory introduction to Cape Town.

Weather permitting, the morning is devoted to a visit to Table Mountain via the rotating cable car. From the summit, panoramic views stretch across Cape Town, Robben Island, and the surrounding coastline. Well-marked pathways allow for gentle exploration of the plateau, where unique fynbos vegetation thrives within the Table Mountain National Park.

The afternoon continues at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest botanical gardens. Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch showcases South Africa’s remarkable plant diversity, including proteas and cycads. Meandering paths, streams, and lawns invite unhurried exploration before returning to the hotel for the evening.

Today is dedicated to exploring the Cape Winelands, beginning with a drive toward Paarl. A visit to Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve highlights the region’s striking granite formations before continuing to Fairview Estate for a wine and cheese tasting. The route then leads to Franschhoek, nestled in the Drakenstein Valley, where the Huguenot Memorial provides insight into the area’s French heritage.

After time to stroll through Franschhoek and enjoy lunch, the journey continues via the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch. Here, a walk along historic Dorp Street reveals well-preserved Cape Dutch architecture. The day concludes with a visit to Bergkelder, an underground cellar beneath the Papegaaiberg, where award-winning wines are sampled before returning to Cape Town.

The scenic drive to Cape Point unfolds along some of the world’s most dramatic coastal roads, including sheer cliffs plunging into the Atlantic Ocean. Within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, part of Table Mountain National Park, diverse flora and fauna thrive alongside rugged coastline. The Flying Dutchman Funicular transports guests to the historic lighthouse viewpoint, offering sweeping ocean vistas.

The journey then continues to Boulders Beach, home to a protected colony of African penguins. Elevated boardwalks allow close viewing while preserving the sensitive nesting areas among granite boulders. After time with the penguins, the return to Cape Town completes a day rich in natural beauty and iconic landmarks.

Leaving Cape Town behind, the route travels through Somerset West and over Sir Lowry’s Pass toward Swellendam, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. A visit to the Drostdy Museum introduces the region’s early history, followed by a relaxed walk through the historic center, where lunch can be enjoyed at a local café.

The afternoon drive leads into the De Hoop Nature Reserve, a protected coastal area renowned for its biodiversity. Part of the Cape Floral Region, De Hoop encompasses dunes, wetlands, and pristine coastline. After check-in, guests may enjoy a gentle nature drive or simply relax while taking in views over De Hoop Vlei, particularly beautiful in the late afternoon light.

The morning is devoted to guided walking in De Hoop Nature Reserve, with route options tailored to fitness and interest levels. Walking through this diverse landscape offers close encounters with antelope species such as bontebok, eland, and red hartebeest, as well as the rare Cape mountain zebra. The experience highlights the reserve’s ecological richness and varied habitats.

Following lunch, the afternoon features a guided eco-boat cruise on De Hoop Vlei, a Ramsar-listed wetland. This peaceful excursion provides excellent birdwatching opportunities, with pelicans, flamingos, and raptors frequently sighted. The calm waters and open scenery offer a different perspective on the reserve before returning to your accommodation.

The journey along the N2 highway continues east toward Mossel Bay, marking entry into the Garden Route region. A visit to the Bartolomeu Dias Museum explores the history of early maritime exploration, including a replica of the vessel used during his 15th-century voyage. The site also features the historic Milkwood Tree once used by passing sailors.

Continuing through George, the tour pauses in Wilderness for lunch amid lakes, forests, and long sandy beaches. A stop at the Map of Africa viewpoint offers a final scenic highlight before arriving in Knysna via Sedgefield. Check-in at your accommodation is followed by a relaxed evening in this picturesque coastal town.

A ferry crossing of the Knysna Lagoon marks the start of the day, leading to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. This privately managed reserve occupies the Western Head of Knysna and offers sweeping views of the lagoon, ocean, and dramatic sandstone cliffs. A guided 4x4 drive ascends to the top, followed by a short walk through fynbos and forest vegetation.

After lunch beneath ancient Milkwood trees, the afternoon is spent in Plettenberg Bay, known for some of the Garden Route’s finest beaches. Time is available to relax, walk along the shoreline, or simply enjoy the coastal scenery before returning to Knysna later in the day.

The route inland crosses the Outeniqua Pass into the Little Karoo, a semi-arid valley framed by mountain ranges. Arrival in Oudtshoorn introduces the world’s ostrich capital, where the morning visit to the Cango Caves reveals an extensive limestone system adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

After lunch, an ostrich farm visit offers insight into the breeding, behavior, and commercial history of these remarkable birds. Modern farming focuses on meat and leather production, both prized internationally. The drive back to Knysna in the afternoon concludes a day of geological and cultural discovery.

The final morning allows time to prepare for departure as arrangements are made for transfer to George Airport. From here, guests fly to Johannesburg, where assistance is provided for onward international connections. The smooth logistics ensure a relaxed conclusion to the journey.

As the tour comes to an end, there is time to reflect on a diverse South African experience encompassing wildlife safaris, dramatic coastlines, historic towns, and refined culinary and wine encounters. The itinerary concludes with lasting memories of a carefully curated private journey.