The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in Cape Town, South Africa

Family Safari: Malaria Free Private Villas in South Africa

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Waterberg area, Phinda, Cape Town

Suggested Duration

11 Days

This 11-day journey combines two of South Africa’s best family-friendly and malaria-free wildlife destinations with an exquisite beach villa in Cape Town.  Enjoy horse-riding safaris in the spectacular scenery of the Waterberg at Ant’s Nest Lodge before a Big Five adventure in Phinda Game Reserve, with a grand finale at the luxurious Villa Lara in the shadow of the iconic Table Mountain.

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All

Trip Highlights

  • Visit Cape Town and the iconic Table Mountain
  • Enjoy tours around the city to the wine country and Cape Point
  • Encounter the Big Five and cheetahs at Phinda Game Reserve
  • Stay in a selection of beautiful private villas
  • Enjoy horseback safaris in the Waterberg
  • Plentiful family-friendly activities
  • Walk with African penguins, an endangered species whose population has declined almost 100 fold in the last century
  • Visit the wine country for tastings and fine cuisine
  • Cruise False Bay to see dolphins, whales and great white sharks

Detailed Description

Begin your adventure at Ant’s Nest Lodge in the Waterberg, three hours by road from Johannesburg airport. Your hosts, Ant and Tessa, welcome you to the private lodge that is like a home away from home. For the next three days, enjoy game drives and safari walks as well as horse rides for all ages and levels of experience. With over 40 species of large mammals from the towering giraffe to the tiny bat-eared fox, your family will encounter a wildlife experience like no other in this uniquely biodiverse region. With the house and staff at your disposal, you are free to choose when and how mealtimes and activities take place, and a selection of educational toys and games for the children will keep them occupied while you enjoy the beautiful grounds and swimming pool.

Next, a private charter plane will fly you to Phinda Game Reserve, where you will be staying at the stylish and gorgeously Afro-chic Phinda Homestead. With a dedicated staff, private chef, guide and tracker team, you will be welcomed and made to feel immediately at home as they strive to meet your every desire and share this incredible wilderness area with you. Wake up to the sound of the birds and look out across this African paradise from the huge windows in the bedroom before heading out on an adventure that promises plentiful big game sightings, including buffalo, elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos. Another special species to encounter here are the graceful and swift cheetahs that thrive in this environment.

After a day’s adventure in the reserve, return to the home comforts of the homestead where the chef and staff are waiting to spoil you, or simply enjoy a workout in the gym, or a refreshing swim in the pool.

After all the African wildlife adventures of the previous days, it is time for a taste of city life, and Cape Town deservedly has the reputation of one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.  Ideally located just off Kloof St, referred to as the 'heart of Cape Town' by the locals, Rosemead House offers the comfort of a private home, complete with swimming pool, and the convenience of the hotel to which it is linked. With four days at your disposal, there are a host of wonderful things to see and do in Cape Town, from the picturesque wine country dotted with award-winning estates, to the iconic view from the top of Table Mountain. With day trips to go shark cage-diving, tours to the Cape Point Peninsula where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, sea kayaking, mountain biking and a variety of wonderful restaurants, bars and shops in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, there is something for everybody in the family to love about Cape Town.

Starting Price

$14,300 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.

Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe Vacation Review:...

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.

South Africa Travel Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Mala...

Zicasso’s travel agent put together an amazing trip for our family. This travel agent was incredibly responsive.

Reviewed By David W.

Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa Trip Review: Victoria Falls,...

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.

Namibia, South Africa Birthday Trip Review: 18 Nights

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 +.

Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa Vacation Review: Johannesburg,...

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.

South Africa Vacation Review: Cape Town, Table Mountain,...

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.

Your Dream Vacation

in 3 simple steps

  1. 1

    Describe your dream trip

  2. 2

    Get matched with top travel specialists

  3. 3

    Book the trip

Free service - no credit card required