Mountain near Stellenbosch in South African

Exploring the Wilderness & Winelands Tour of 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

Johannesburg, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch...

See all

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Lion-filled savannah meets sensual vineyards, ancient elephant herds mix with historic colonial towns, the wilderness and Winelands combine to showcase an exquisite flagship of South Africa. On this 11-day tour, you explore the two paradigms, discovering how an atmospheric narrative runs through both distinctive landscapes and that there's always a place to enjoy a glass while gazing over the wild. Culminating with a stay in Cape Town, the tour also features exceptional hotels.

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All

Trip Highlights

  • Lose yourself in the wilderness of South Africa with three days in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a fabled haven for many of the continent's most famous animals
  • Go on luxury big-game safari and create your own program of activities, all of which bring intimate angles on a wilderness that features much more than just the Big Five
  • Open your senses to the subtle tones of South African wine with three days in the Cape Winelands, where hundreds of vineyards can provide the tasting journey
  • Discover South Africa's oldest towns, colonial relics in the Winelands that are filled with gastronomic delights and a sense of grandeur
  • Explore Cape Town, starting with the summit of Table Mountain with expansive views of the region
  • Uncover a more rarely seen side of Cape Town with a visit to Khayelitsha and a community project that is big on smiles
  • Relax in some of South Africa's finest accommodations, from a boutique estate in the Winelands to a glitzy hotel in the city

Detailed Description

South Africa is a country of panoramas. There are few designated lookout points; instead, almost every angle has you reaching for the camera, seduced by the landscape's theater of enchantment. Vineyards flood rocky valleys; the green rows interrupted by jagged peaks and whitewashed farmhouses. Iconic sweeps of savannah are alive with lion roars and the giant mammals of Africa. There's always a view, as well as a glass of celebrated wine to sip on as you savor the scene. Whether it's uncorking the bubbly in the bush, surrounded by an elephant herd, or sampling Pinotage directly from the vineyard, wilderness and wine go hand in hand in South Africa.

On this luxury 11-day South Africa tour, you explore how two seemingly different paradigms effortlessly come together. Three days in the Sabi Sands provides an immersive safari experience, the wilderness extending beyond the horizon and the mammals gently roaming past the terrace. After picking from an exceptional cellar, you get to enjoy safari encounters while simply relaxing at the lodge. Just sit back and marvel at the procession. Exhilarating intimate encounters come during the game drives as the private reserve is a celebrated home of all the Big Five and much more. In particular, there are abundant sightings of usually elusive animals like leopards and rhinos. Wine can be brought on safaris, so you sip on a glass of Chenin Blanc or Pinotage in a clearing surrounded by mammals.

Spend the next few days in the Cape Winelands, the treasured home of the South African wine industry. The country's oldest towns are located here, colonial relics of whitewashed stone and gastronomic grandeur. Hundreds of vineyards can take you on a tasting journey, with an expert local guide providing access to exclusive estates and tasting sessions with the winemakers. While Pinotage provides an obvious focus, there's an eclectic mix of wines to explore here, from the crisp modern whites to Bordeaux blends doused in tradition.

Complete the South Africa tour in Cape Town, just an hour from the Winelands. Table Mountain is an unmistakable place to start, one of the world’s new seven wonders of the world that define the city and keeps everyone in a relaxed, genial mood. You'll also spend a day exploring an alternative side to this popular city, visiting a community project and local kitchen in Khayelitsha, as well as the vibrant slave houses of Bo-Kaap. Then return to the wilderness, a journey to the southwestern tip of Africa passing penguins and seals, dramatic mountain passes and roving ocean views.

Exceptional hotels are included throughout during this South Africa tour, further elevating the delights of combining wine and wilderness.

Starting Price

$5,715 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

4.94 stars based on 1030 reviews.

South Africa Luxury Birhtday Trip Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek,...
"Neil from the travel agency was amazing to work with!!"

Reviewed By Kathleen S.

Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa Luxury Vacation Review:...
"Our travel team planned the trip to perfection."

Reviewed By Brenda B.

South Africa, Zimbabwe Luxury Vacation Review: Cape Town,...
"It was great to use Zicasso and immediately be put in contact...

Reviewed By Debbie W.

South Africa & Namibia Travel Review: Cape Town, Kirstenbosch...
"...Richelle's excellent guidance and the warmth of the...

Reviewed By George L.

South Africa Luxury Vacation Review: Cape Town, Stellenbosch,...
"We don't like to travel in large groups, so having Zicasso...

Reviewed By Carol m.

South Africa Vacation Review: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari...
"Overall, I was extremely happy with our tour operators....

Reviewed By Lisa K.

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