Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
South Africa – Cape Town – Timbavati – Johannesburg
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine, your South African adventure starts today. Pack your khakis, head to the airport and whizz through security. Flights to Cape Town take roughly 11 and a half hours, giving you plenty of time to sit back, relax and start mentally mapping your snaps of the Big Five.
Touch down at Cape Town International Airport the following morning, where you’ll collect your hire car and drive to your home away from home for the next four nights. After the long flight, spend the rest of the day basking in the sun, cooling off with a refreshing cocktail (you’re on holiday now, after all) and feasting on some delicious food.
Exploration is the name of the game today. Having emerged from a tumultuous past, Cape Town now thrives as a vibrant, creative and incredibly interesting city. Even better: it boasts a beautiful setting, thanks to being wedged between two oceans and the majestic slopes of Table Mountain.
We’d recommend driving down to the Cape of Good Hope, perched at the southern tip of the African continent, to admire the epic views. If you’re travelling with a surfer, stop off at one of the top surf beaches to catch a few waves (Muizenburg is particularly good for beginners, while Kommetjie is one for more experienced surfers). Back inland, discover the city’s many (and we do mean many) districts, all as varied as its history. The icon here is, of course, the City Bowl, but there’s also the V&A Waterfront, home to a magnificent museum of contemporary art.
As you wander the city’s streets, keep your eyes peeled (and your cameras poised) for the eclectic mix of architecture that thrives here, from Art Deco and Colonial styles to vibrant old houses and modern metropolitan towers.
Having explored the city on your own terms yesterday, now’s the time to delve into the rich history echoing through these storied streets. After a hearty breakfast this morning, meet your friendly local guide for a tour of Cape Town’s past.
To begin, take in the beautiful blend of Edwardian, Victorian and Cape Dutch architectural styles nestled between the city’s dazzling skyscrapers. Then, pay a visit to Company’s Garden, the oldest public park in the country, created in the 17th century by the East India Company. Next up? District Six, whose legacy is inextricably linked to the cruelty of apartheid. Your final stop is the multicultural Bo-Kaap district, a formerly racially segregated area that used to be known as the Malay Quarter.
After soaking up all that history, you’ll have the rest of the day to bathe under the sun, peruse the shops and eat your way around South Africa’s culinary capital, guided by recommendations from our trusty Concierge. Food comas pending...
To make the most of your final day in Cape Town, you’re levelling up (literally). Fuel up on an ample breakfast this morning before scaling Table Mountain to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Cape of Good Hope.
Aside from appreciating the lush landscape, there are plenty of ways to fill your remaining time in Cape Town. Those interested in learning more about the city’s history can take a boat to Robben Island, home to the prison where Nelson Mandela spent nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, art lovers should set their sights on the Zeitz MOCAA, a contemporary art museum located in a former grain silo.
If you’re keen for a more relaxed day, grab some SPF (and a funky beach towel) and head to one of the city’s chic seaside suburbs, such as Camps Bay, Clifton or Llandudno. You could even venture out further to the wilder beach of Noordhoek, popular with walkers and – curiously enough – horse riders.
Bid Cape Town a fond farewell this morning as you prepare to venture into the bush. After dropping your hire car at the airport, hop aboard the two-and-a-half-hour flight to Hoesdpruit, where you’ll be picked up by a private driver (lucky you) for the one-and-a-half-hour drive to the Timbavati Nature Reserve.
When you arrive, check in, freshen up and tuck into a delicious dinner, which you can enjoy under a canopy of mopane and tamboti trees while listening to the sounds of the bush. Talk about a feast for the senses.
Binoculars at the ready, it’s time to spot the Big Five (that’s lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos for anyone wondering). Your lodge offers twice-daily game drives, giving you plenty of chances to catch a glimpse of these majestic mammals.
While you’re here, you’ll also be able to enjoy immersive bush walks, a rhino conservation experience and (if you fancy something super personal) a private safari tailored entirely to your interests. For avid birdwatchers, there’s even a natural riverine woodland – the perfect opportunity to tick a few local legends off your bucket list.
Trade wildlife wonders for historical heirlooms today with a return to Hoedspruit for the speedy hour-long flight to Johannesburg.
After checking into The Satyagraha House, your home for the night and the one-time home of Mahatma Gandhi, visit the in-house museum, which is full of Gandhi’s possessions and artefacts. Then, head out to explore Johannesburg with a private guide. Start at Constitution Hill, the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and a former prison, having held both Gandhi and Mandela. Once you’ve soaked up these storied sites, delve deeper by visiting the historic Soweto district, an emblem of the fight against apartheid. Here, you can visit the Hector Pieterson Museum and the Mandela House Museum. Round out your jaunt in Johannesburg by heading to Maboneng and 70 Fox Street, two trendy areas that truly encapsulate the city’s contemporary revival.
When you return to your hotel, unwind ahead of tomorrow’s journey home by sipping on an expertly crafted cocktail, filling up on some fantastic food and sinking into your pillow – pure bliss.
Sadly, your South African adventure comes to an end today. Spend the morning tucking into some local cuisine and soaking up the sun, before being privately transferred to the airport for your 11-hour flight back to the UK. You’ll spend the night on board and arrive home the following morning, armed with enough wildlife photos to fill a small gallery.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
