Cape Town & Kruger – beaches to Big 5

We offer a range of prices to suit your budget and aspirations – from opulent to no-frills. Our tailor-made itineraries will help make your dreams come true – from wine-tasting tours and whale watching to ‘star beds’ and walking safaris in Big 5 country. The duration of your safari could be anything from less than a week to a couple of weeks in paradise - depending on your requirements.

Your accommodation in Cape Town will be at guest houses or hotels that are conveniently located near the major nighttime hub of the city centre and the V&A Waterfront. Your days will be spent exploring the popular landmarks of the Cape Peninsula - including Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, the most iconic landmark in South Africa, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Boulders Beach for penguins that waddle along golden beaches amongst holidaymakers, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the famous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were imprisoned during the apartheid years and Cape Point. Crazy people might attempt to cram all of these iconic experiences into one day, but we recommend at least two to three days to ensure you get the most out of each experience.

And why not enjoy Cape Town from above, with a spectacular helicopter flip over the Mother City?

For the outdoor, sporty types, Cape Town is awash with mountain bike routes and hiking trails, abseiling and paragliding sites, diving, kayaking and surfing spots and boat-based activities such as shark, whale and dolphin spotting. After each thoroughly enjoyable day, you could retire to a quiet dinner at your hotel or at one of Cape Town’s famous restaurants.

The Cape Winelands - historic wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia - are a 30 to 90-minute drive from Cape Town city centre. You could go out for the day on a guided tour or a self-drive in your rented vehicle. For serious wine tasters, staying overnight in a boutique Winelands hotel or farm manor house is also an option.

The famous Kruger National Park and neighbouring Greater Kruger (your destination) are a little more than 2 hours away from Cape Town by air. From the moment you arrive in this Big 5 paradise, you will be overwhelmed by the raw energy of the bushveld and the luxury lodgings on offer. Your day will be taken up by morning and evening game drives in search of the incredible variety of species that thrive in Kruger and the daily drama as the wildlife battles it out for survival in this raw, primal ecosystem.

Expect to see not only the Big 5 (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes) but also plenty more – from plum-coloured starlings flashing iridescence to massive regal martial eagles and busy banded mongooses. Get close to the ground to watch dung beetles roll their prizes away, and learn from your guide and tracker as they interpret alarm calls and other bush signals to make your safari a thoroughly absorbing experience.

In between game drives, you can choose to go for a bush walk, simply relax at the lodge pool, or catch up on some sleep in your room after a massage at the spa. Meals are exquisite, and your lodge chef is likely to surprise you with a variety of delectable offerings. Expect cakes and pastries for mid-afternoon tea, and don’t forget to save space for the snacks and drinks on the game drives and early morning coffee with rusks.

For the more adventurous traveller, try a star bed for the night. Sleep in your own private bedroom under the Milky Way - elevated on a wooden platform or tree-house and safe from things that go bump in the night. It will be just you and yours, a mosquito net, five-star bed, and million-star sky.

Whether you are a safari newbie or an experienced bush fan, this safari will recharge your batteries and provide lots of inspiration and ideas for your next adventure in Africa.