Best of South Africa

11 Days

Best of South Africa

Explore the wonders of South Africa on this showcase itinerary, which expertly blends

culture, cuisine, and wildlife for an ultimate adventure. Hike up to Cape Town's

Table Mountain for epic vistas and explore the cobbled streets of vibrant Bo-Kaap

neighborhood. Journey along the Cape Peninsula spotting African penguins and hop on

a cycling tour across the beautiful Cape Winelands. Top it off with stays at two premier

game reserves, to spot the Big Five and over 350 bird species at Timbavati and see

prolific wildlife at Sabi Sands.

Arrive: Cape Town, South Africa

Depart: Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration: 11 Days

Group Size: 1-6 Guests

Minimum Age: 13 Years Old

Activity Level:

.

Details Testimonials

"The Best of South Africa exceeded my expectations.I loved everything about this trip, from sightseeingin Cape Town, to wine tasting in Franschhoek, tofantastic safaris in Nagaland and Sabi Sabi!”

Camille B.

"Best holiday my family has had in years.Something for everyone. No television, familyquality time as well as laughter that never ended."

Jencie F.

REASON #01

South Africa's private game

reserves offer a chance to spot the

incredible Big Five — lion, leopard,

elephant, rhino and buffalo.

REASON #02

Luxury camps in South Africa's

pristine wilderness provide prime

game-watching paired with all the

contemporary creature comforts.

REASON #03

The Best of South Africa journey

blends varied highlights —

from cultural and culinary

heritage and wine tasting

to spotting African wildlife.

ACTIVITIES

Hikes and cable car rides,

culinary and heritage tours,

cycling through winelands, and

enjoy thrilling game drives.

LODGING

Luxury thatched-roof camps

and lodges in the wilderness,

paired with boutique country

retreats and slick urban resorts.

CLIMATE

October to February is

characterized by hot, sunny

weather and an average

temperature of 69°F. Expect colder,

crisper weather from May to July.

Born in Johannesburg, Alan grew up playing as many sports

as possible including rugby, cricket, golf, and tennis. Alan

began his career in tourism managing a property in the greater

Kruger National Park area and eventually started guiding in

the Lowveld, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Alan has a deep passion for showcasing the new South Africa

to international visitors. A true outdoorsman, Alan’s interests

include camping with his family in the game reserves and

other beautiful areas of South Africa. He lists the Cedarberg

Mountains as his favorite. When he’s not leading trips, Alan

enjoys photography, spending time with his family, playing

sports and watching nature programs on television.

Alan Wright

Trevor has traveled quite extensively throughout South and

southern Africa, including a year in Namibia and gaining

invaluable first- hand knowledge of the African people and

their cultures. He loves hiking, exploring, leading groups on

foot through game reserves, into the Drakensberg Mountains

and along the paths that British and Zulu soldiers walked so

long ago, meandering through the streets of Cape Town,

boulder-hopping along Indian Ocean beaches, scrambling

up Table Mountain, and strolling through beautiful wine

farming country. Starting as a young boy obsessed with history,

exploration and the outdoors, he has grown into a consummate

professional known for his leadership, knowledge, and dry

sense of humor.

Trevor Boulle

                                                                ItineraryARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN

Meet an MT Sobek representative at the door of your aircraft who will assist with the immigration, baggage, and

customs process. Pair up with your guide and transfer to One

DAY 1

Meals: D

EXPLORE THE CAPE PENINSULA

Set off for a guided Cape Point and Peninsula tour starting at the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Join an

optional short cruise from Hout Bay to Seal Island to see the breeding colonies of Cape Fur seals. Drive to the

Cape of Good Hope National Reserve via Chapman's Peak and board a cable car to see where the Indian and

Atlantic Oceans meet. Head back to Cape Town in the afternoon and, time permitting, stop for a stroll at the

world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens.

DAY 2

Activity: Guided walking tours

Meals: B, L, D

HIKE TO TABLE MOUNTAIN & TOUR THE CITY

Take the aerial cableway to the top of Table Mountain, to set out for a two-hour guided walk. Start at the upper

cable station and traverse the entire front table to Maclears Beacon - its highest point at 3,558 feet. Descend the

mountain via different route, and drive through the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood to learn about Cape Malay

heritage. Stroll through the tree-lined Company's Garden, a large public park and botanical garden in the city's

heart, and continue to the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest building in South Africa.

DAY 3

Activity: 2 hours/1-2 miles hiking

Meals: B, L, D

DISCOVER THE LEGENDARY CAPE WINELANDSDAY 4Head to Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town located in the legendary Winelands region. Follow

the culinary guide through its historic heart, sample traditional Cape food (like biltong and bobotie) and local

wine. Enjoy a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in the country, then visit the oldest shop in town. Head

to the picturesque village of Franschhoek for a tasting at the 300-year-old Grande Provence Heritage Wine

Estate. Enjoy dinner tonight at the award-winning Monneaux Restaurant, which serves a contemporary take on

Mediterranean classics with Cape Malay touch.

Meals: B, L, D

CYCLE THE CAPE WINELANDS

Cycle through the beautiful Cape Winelands, with their pastoral landscapes of fertile farmland. Stop at two

different wineries for tastings and end the tour with a delicious lunch at a country restaurant. Travel to Paarl at

the foot of a cluster of granite domes, then head back to Franschhoek for a relaxed evening.

DAY 5

Activity: 3–4 hours/10 miles cycling (flat terrain)

Meals: B, L

FLY TO TIMBAVATI GAME RESERVE

Transfer to Cape Town airport for a departing flight to Johannesburg. Connect to a Federal Air shuttle flight and

take a four-wheeler to the safari lodging. Spot game en route and freshen up before the first afternoon game

drive, followed by dinner. Home to all of the Big Five, Ngala Private Game Reserve — within the Timbavati Game

Reserve — offers a rare opportunity to spot highly endangered African wild dogs; fewer than 3,000 remain today.

DAY 6

Activity: Game driving in open 4X4 safari vehicle

Meals: B, L, D

SAFARI GAME DRIVES IN NGALA OR MOTSWARI

Rise and shine for another full day of wildlife and game drives in Ngala or Motswari Private Game Reserve. Look

out for blue wildebeest with low hindquarters and handlebar horns. Known as the "clowns of the bushveld,"

these animals often engage in head-butting contests. In contrast, delight in the graceful sight of the African kudu

with spectacular spiral horns and amazing jumping ability.

DAY 7

Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game driving & interpretive walk

Meals: B, L, D

DRIVE TO SABI SANDS GAME RESERVEDAY 8Depart for Sabi Sands Game Reserve via Panorama Route for a scenic 6-hour drive. The high escarpment offers

stunning views of the Lowveld such as God's Window, a vista onto lush indigenous forests, and Lisbon Falls, the

highest waterfalls in Mpumalanga. Upon arrival at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge or MalaMala Main Camp, enjoy high tea

and get ready for an afternoon game drive.

Activity: Afternoon game driving in open 4X4 safari vehicle

Meals: B, L, D

SOAK UP THE SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE

Explore the 65,000 hectares of this reserve pioneered by the landowners in the 1950s, when a shared

environmental program was put into place. Today, many of these third and fourth generation of landowner

families have as their legacy the successful conservation of the highest density of big game in South Africa.

Continue a day of game drives for close encounters and prolific sightings, particularly of the elusive leopard.

DAY 9

Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game drives & interpretive walks

Meals: B, L, D

EXPLORE SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE

The Sabi and the Sand Rivers run through the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adding a further dimension to the

biodiversity of the area. Hop on morning and afternoon game drives or take a mid-morning walk. Come evening,

unwind in the luxury of your lodge or camp, enjoying these last moments in the wilderness.

DAY 10

Activity: Early morning & late afternoon game drives & interpretive walks

Meals: B, L, D

FLY TO JOHANNESBURG & DEPART

After the last game drive and breakfast, make your way to the Sabi Sabi airstrip for departure by Federal Air

shuttle to Johannesburg, where you will transfer to the international terminal and connect to your flight home

(schedule departing flights after 4pm).

DAY 11

Activity: Early morning game driving in open 4X4 vehicle

Meals: B

Aug 18 - 28, 2019

Sep 15 - 25, 2019

2019

$ 8,995 per person

Additional Cost

$ 3,500 Single Supplement 

PRICE INCLUDESExpert leadership from experienced adventureguides

Accommodations as noted in the itinerary

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary

Potable water and snacks throughout

1 glass of wine or beer at dinner

All tips and gratuities for support staff with theexception of your lead adventure guide(s)All group entrance fees, activities, and groundtransportation

Arrival and departure day airport transfers

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEInternational airfare, any airport taxes, or excessbaggage charges

Dinner on Day 5

Optional tips to your lead adventure guides

Personal expenses such as medical immunizations,phone calls, laundry, or souvenirsAirport transfers if arriving and departing outside ofDay 1 and Day 11

Optional travel protection