Day 1
Arrive in Johannesburg, where you will be greeted at the airport, escorted through customs, and guided to your onward flight to Victoria Falls. Enjoy a transfer to the luxurious Victoria Falls Hotel, located within sight of the falls. Spend the rest of the day planning tomorrow’s exciting adventures over a scrumptious dinner.
Victoria Falls Hotel
Day 2
Today, you’ll experience Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, from all angles! First, enjoy a private, 2-hour guided tour of Victoria Falls. Follow your guide through the rainforest and along a picturesque trail with sweeping views of the falls, while they share local insight into the area’s history, flora, and fauna. After seeing Victoria Falls on foot, you’ll have a chance to catch an even more awe-inspiring view from the air on a 30-minute scenic helicopter flight. You’ll also fly over Zambezi National Park, where you may see elephants and other wildlife down below!
There’s time to relax and enjoy dinner at the hotel before embarking on your evening excursion: a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Listen to the sounds of birds chirping and hippos calling as you take in the tranquil scenery. Enjoy canapés, wines, and spirits onboard.
Victoria Falls Hotel
Day 3
Enjoy a transfer to the airport this morning and catch a flight to Cape Town. Your home for the next 4 nights is the Cape Grace hotel. Situated on a private quay on the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Grace commands dynamic views over the working harbor, yacht marina, and iconic Table Mountain. Included in your stay is a wine tasting where you’ll receive an introduction to the world-renowned wines of the Cape, as well as private chauffer transfers around town.
Cape Grace
Day 4
Get a true feel for Cape Town on a private, full-day tour of the city’s highlights and hidden gems. First, head to the top of Table Mountain, the cable car spreading the city out before your eyes as you rise above the rest of the world. Back down on earth, sample some of Cape Town’s finest coffee varietals.
Hit the streets of the trendy East City Precinct, also known as the “design district.” This area is a treasure trove of fashion and jewelry boutiques, studios, quirky home décor, atmospheric pubs, craft beers, and concept stores. Meet a few of the captivating characters behind the roasteries, distilleries, and workshops—creative souls who reveal the more offbeat side of town. Meet the folks behind the uplifting urban art and craft township projects, responsible for enriching so many lives.
This afternoon, explore Woodstock’s street art, murals, and galleries. One of the oldest suburbs, this village is now the poster child for urban regeneration, polished to a level of trendy cool and hip inner-city living. Craft beer and gin tasting caps a well-rounded day.
Cape Grace
Day 5
Are you ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Today you’ll embark on a private cage diving excursion with Great White Sharks! Rise early in the morning for a transfer to Klein Bay. Board your vessel for the 5-mile voyage to Dyer Island. The island, together with Geyser Rock nearby, is home to 40,000 Cape Fur Seals, the Great White Shark’s favorite prey, and the channel which runs between them is known as Shark Alley. This is where the anchor is lowered. Watch them feeding at the surface alongside the boat. The cage is then lowered and you’ll witness these incredible hunters of the deep at eye level, protected by galvanized steel mesh!
A light lunch and refreshments are served on the boat. Return to land at approximately 3 pm for your transfer back to Cape Town.
Cape Grace
Day 6
Enjoy another private tour this afternoon, this time exploring the Cape Peninsula south of Cape Town. Begin at bohemian Kalk Bay and the history-rich Simon’s Town. Then, see adorable penguins away from the crowds on a secluded beach known only to locals. Your tour ends with a gentle hike in the Cape Peninsula Reserve, exploring secluded beaches, shipwrecks, and unique wildlife. Weave back to Cape Town via Noordhoek Farm Village, and perhaps stop for a little wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards, producer of some of South Africa’s finest sauvignon blanc.
Cape Grace
Day 7
After your adventures in Cape Town, it’s time for relaxation and indulgence in the nearby Cape Winelands. Enjoy a private transfer to Mont Rochelle, your home for the next 2 nights. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and a dramatic mountain backdrop, the lovely Mont Rochelle is a haven of elegance and tranquillity.
Mont Rochelle
Day 8
Enjoy a private tour of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and the beautiful Cape wineries. You’ll explore some of the most picturesque places in South Africa, visiting fascinating towns and taking a look into off-the-beaten-track farms which revel in their old-world roots and influences. Today is about so much more than just sipping the wines. Depending on time and season, you’ll stroll through the vines, learning about farming methods and techniques. Take an intimate wine tasting and cellar tour, and possibly meet the driving force behind the estate. If you’re lucky, your private behind-the-scenes experience could include grape picking or barrel tastings. A delicious gourmet lunch with wine pairings is included in your tour.
Mont Rochelle
Day 9
Today, enjoy a transfer to Cape Town Station, where you’ll begin the next stage of your journey: a 2-night scenic rail tour from Cape Town to Pretoria aboard the luxurious Blue Train. Fine cuisine, complemented by the best South African wines, is served with the ever-changing scenery flashing past the windows. The welcoming Lounge Car has large windows and is near the relaxed Club Car, an ideal social meeting point for aperitifs or after-dinner coffees and cognacs. Enjoy high tea and a formal dinner onboard today.
Blue Train
Day 10
Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. In the afternoon, arrive in Kimberley for a special excursion. Explore the Open Mine Museum (complete with a welcome glass of sherry) and learn about Kimberley’s Victorian-era history during the diamond rush. Visit the Big Hole, where rock walls descend 215 meters to a deep blue pool. Return onboard for dinner as the train departs for Pretoria.
Blue Train
Day 11
Arrive at Pretoria Station this morning and enjoy a private transfer to your beautiful Johannesburg hotel. Intimate and welcoming, this luxury property offers a sophisticated oasis for the discerning traveler. Take a dip in one of the pools or relax with a treatment at the Sky Spa.
The Residence
Day 12
Enjoy a private transfer to the airport, where you’ll catch a flight to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Your home for the next 3 nights is Dulini River—one of the most exclusive and luxurious safari lodges in South Africa. Your spacious suite offers private views of the riverbed, where you may see some African wildlife without even leaving your room!
Dulini River
Day 13 – 14
Enjoy 2 full days on safari in the Sabi Sands, widely considered a top safari destination. The area shares an unfenced border with the famous Kruger National Park, so Big 5 game viewing is superb. The Sabi Sands is especially well known for its abundance of leopards, which are quite difficult to spot in other areas. Your safari vehicle will carry a maximum of 6 passengers, and your expert guides will share their wealth of knowledge to unravel the intricate nuances of the African bush.
Game drives take place in the early morning and in the evening, when the wildlife is at its most active. In between game drives, you’ll have plenty of time to relax at the gorgeous lodge, cool off in your private plunge pool, and indulge in delicious cuisine. Walking safaris are also available for a more intimate bush experience. In the evenings, enjoy one-of-a-kind dinners in truly special settings, including an iconic boma dinner.
Dulini River
Day 15
Your safari adventure continues with a flight to Madikwe Game Reserve via Johannesburg. Your home for the next 3 nights is Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge, which overlooks open plains extending toward distant towering peaks. Exquisitely luxurious, the property exudes a colonial elegance and provides an intimate safari experience paired with award-winning cuisine and superb game viewing. Embark on a game drive this afternoon, and return to the lodge to sip a sundowner cocktail on the expansive deck, keeping an eye out for the animals that roam free around the lodge.
Jamale Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge
Day 16 – 17
Spend the next 2 days on safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, where you’ll have the chance to see the Big 5, as well as the abundant African wild dogs that this park has become known for. In between game drives, enjoy an “armchair safari” back at the lodge, which overlooks an active waterhole. The rim-flow pool on your private deck provides a perfect place to cool off in the heat of the afternoon before you set off on another game drive. The evenings are spent enjoying gourmet cuisine in the formal dining area or under the stars.
Jamale Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge
Day 18
Your whirlwind South African adventure comes to a close today. Catch a scheduled flight back to Johannesburg to begin your journey back home.