Celebrating the best of South Africa, this handcrafted safari is a mix of old favorites and new destinations. You will discover Table Mountain and Cape Town’s changing colors along with the wild and untouched West Coast. You explore changing trends in the Cape Winelands before flying to the Greater Kruger National Park for six days of incredible big game. Enjoy the complete safari experience here as you will combine a private Sabi Sands safari with an overland adventure.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Cape Town – Admiring Table Mountain
In 2018, Cape Town was voted the best city in the world by the Telegraph newspaper. That is the sixth year in a row it has taken the award. You will land in Cape Town and will be persuaded easily. Table Mountain stands high above the ocean, and a multicultural atmosphere plays out on the streets. There is an energetic but ultimately relaxed feel, perhaps because nature plays such a prominent role in the city. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to a hotel in Woodstock. This afternoon, your guide will lead you onto Table Mountain with an opportunity to explore the hiking trails around the summit. You will remain on the mountain until sunset before descending and trying out one of the excellent city restaurants.
What's Included:
Day 2
Cape Town – Changing Sides of the Mother City
Day 3
Cape Town – Discovering the Wild Western Coast
Day 4
Cape Winelands – Opulence in the Winelands
Day 5
Cape Winelands – Discovering Stellenbosch and Pinotage
Day 6
Sabi Sands – Magnificent Safari Encounters in the Greater Kruger
Day 7
Sabi Sands – A Walking Safari and Nighttime Game Drive
Day 8
Sabi Sands – Hot Air Ballooning and Exploring the Panorama Route
Day 9 - 11
Kruger National Park – An Overland Adventure Through the Kruger
Day 12
Nelspruit to Johannesburg – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend three days exploring the remote corners of Kruger National Park, a real adventure that will connect you to nature.
- Discover the secrets of Cape Town, including local neighborhoods that are undergoing a colorful, multicultural change
- Experience the indulgence of the Cape Winelands where over 400 vineyards await
- Indulge in a superb, big-five safari experience during three days in the Sabi Sands
- Soar in a Hot air balloon above the Kruger and watch how elephants roam below
- Explore the whitewashed streets of Stellenbosch and dine in one of the town’s exceptional restaurants
- Uncover the wild, western coast that is close to Cape Town on a private day tour that will include San bushmen, Darling wine, and deserted beaches
- Complement game drives with nighttime drives and game walks, along with bush picnics and stunning, nighttime dining
Detailed Description
South Africa has an uncanny ability to melt around your travel mood. There is something of everything here. When downtime is required, there will be vineyard vistas and quiet evenings around a campfire. To satisfy your need for adventure, you can stand on Table Mountain or walk close to zebras and buffalos. To feel a local connection, you can spend a morning with an indigenous San bushman or track lions and elephants around a vast savanna. There is escapism here, especially when you journey to the forgotten corners of Kruger National Park. Then, when you are feeling travel weary, South Africa also reveals itself to be a very easy country to visit. The locals are not fond of stress, and they will pass this atmosphere onto you.
This handcrafted safari celebrates the country’s multifaceted appeal, offering you a mix of perennial favorites with new, standout experiences and destinations. For example, start with three days in Cape Town. Table Mountain also has to be part of your experience. Rather than visiting the incredibly crowded and touristic Cape Peninsula, you will travel north where the West Coast provides views, vineyards, and empty beaches. Later on your trip, you make a classic safari stop in the Sabi Sands where you will enjoy three days of famous wildlife encounters. That old favorite is complemented by an overland journey across Kruger when you track wildlife through landscapes that are partially unchartered.
You will overnight in four different destinations during your 12-day vacation. Three nights in Cape Town are followed by two nights in the Cape Winelands with lots of wine tasting, indulgent food, and tranquil views. Enjoy a classic Big-Five safari in the Sabi Sands with a handful of experiential extras such as a hot air balloon above the Kruger, exploring the sublime Panorama Route, taking a walking safari, and a nighttime drive and picnic in the bushveld. This is a famous destination that mixes wildlife encounters with contemporary luxury. Then, over the final three nights, you cross large parts of the Greater Kruger National Park where you will stop in comfortable bush camps, which is an experience that culminates your rugged safari adventure. This is a beautiful connection to nature and helps connect you to your wild side. Don’t take just our word for it - consider reading some of our travelers’ reviews of Africa, and see how you can customize your own dream vacation.
Starting Price
$7,800 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.95 stars based on 1173 reviews.
The trip was the best we have ever had. Africa is a very special place. Zicasso's travel expert did a fantastic job of organizing the itinerary. The only disappointment was that we were not scheduled to see the mass migration across the river.
Reviewed By Andrew K.
Zicasso’s travel agent put together an amazing trip for our family. This travel agent was incredibly responsive.
Reviewed By David W.
We had an amazing trip, planned by Zicasso's travel partner. This is the first time I've ever used a travel agent and I'll admit, I was nervous. She took all of our feedback into consideration while planning. I highly recommend!
Reviewed By Kris C.
This was a well-planned trip that was personally rewarding and fulfilling.
This trip provided a great balance of the diverse locations from both countries (Namibia and South Africa).
I chose Zicasso as, at this stage of life, when taking well-deserved vacations, I just want to pay, pack, show up and have everything (accommodations, transportation, domestic and international flights, tours, attention to safety, and additional recommendations) accounted for. And that is exactly what the Zicasso's travel expert provided via her tour agency.
I was able to share my must-haves/nice-to-haves and she customized a vacation package that tended to every detail. It was a wonderful balance of rustic and luxury. It was also our July “birthdaycation” for my aunt and me, and we were surprised at multiple locations with surprise birthday acknowledgements. Birthdays are very special to me, so this was a major “icing” on the cake for me on this vacation.
Although there was a minor “hiccup” on the day of arrival, the travel specialist's “on-the-ground” (local) staff pivoted and quickly and professionally found another option for us for our airport pickup. This shows the mark of a company interested in ensuring the complete satisfaction of their clients.
For the destinations the travel expert specializes in, they will be my first point of contact when looking to make my next vacation destination.
Well done!
Reviewed By Andrea +.
The trip was carefully planned and we received optimal assistance throughout the trip and constant availability and monitoring during the journey. Our Zicasso travel agent was very professional and always available to respond to our requests and needs. The choice of hotels was excellent and reflected the expectations. The activities offered in the different locations were very well structured and the guides were of high quality, particularly those in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
Reviewed By Roberto B.
Our family had a blast in South Africa, thanks to Zicasso's travel designer. She was meticulous in the planning and gave some good suggestions that worked well for our group. From fast-track tickets up to Table Mountain to food recommendations, she curated an itinerary that made the trip a breeze.
The guide in Cape Town was a wellspring of knowledge. We learned so much about the country from her, from history to economics and culture.
The safari portion of the trip was most memorable. The resort in Hoedspruit was just what the family needed.
We will definitely look up this travel company for future trips.
Reviewed By Lauren L.