Best of South Africa: Cape Town, Kruger & Johannesburg

When you arrive at the airport today, you’ll pick up your rental car and drive to your home for the next four nights, an intimate spot not far from Broken Bath Beach. After your long flight, relax on the sunny terrace, cool off in the small pool and enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant.

Between the mighty waves of two oceans and the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. This youthful, cosmopolitan metropolis has emerged from its colonial past with a vibrant creativity, and it’s yours to explore today. The Cape of Good Hope lies almost at the southern tip of the African continent, a surfer’s paradise where two oceans collide. Then there are the city’s many districts, which are as varied as its history: the central and historic City Bowl, the colourful district of Bo-Kaap, and the V&A Waterfront with its museum of contemporary art. As you wander Cape Town’s streets, you’ll no doubt notice its characteristically eclectic architecture, from Art Deco to Colonial-style, and vibrant old houses to modern business buildings. Spend today at your leisure enjoying everything the city has to offer.

Today, you’ll explore historic Cape Town on foot with a private local guide, taking in the harmonious blend of Edwardian, Victorian and Cape Dutch architectural styles that lies between the city’s dazzling skyscrapers. You’ll also pay a visit to Company’s Garden, the oldest garden in the country which was created in the 17th century by the East India Company. Next up is District Six, whose legacy is inextricably linked to the cruelty of apartheid. The final stop on your tour is the multicultural Bo-Kaap, a formerly racially segregated area that was once known as the Malay Quarter. After soaking up all that history, you have the rest of the day to spend lounging by the pool and eating your way around South Africa’s culinary capital with the help of our knowledgeable local Concierge who’s on hand to give you recommendations and help you nab a table at the hottest restaurants in town.

On your final day in Cape Town, hike up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the Cape of Good Hope. Or, if you like, we can arrange for a guided hike to beautiful Chapman’s Peak, on the western side of the Cape Peninsula. Aside from appreciating the dazzling views that Cape Town has to offer, there are plenty of ways to fill your day today. Take a boat to Robben Island, home of the prison where Nelson Mandela spent nearly 20 years, or visit the Zeitz MOCAA, a contemporary art museum located in a former grain silo. If all you want to do is soak up some sunshine, head to one of the city’s chic seaside resorts such as Camps Bay, Clifton or Llandudno, or venture out to the wilder beach of Noordhoek.

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to Cape Town and hello to the bush. Your flight to Hoesdpruit will take around two-and-a-half hours, then you’ll pick up another rental car and drive for just over an hour until you reach Balule Private Game Reserve. You’ll spend the next two nights in a comfortable camp in the heart of the bush. Sleep in African-style tents nestled between the trees and spend your free time dipping in the pool, indulging in a pampering massage and relaxing on your terrace as you gaze out onto the mountains and the wilderness.

The Balule Nature Reserve is located in the Limpopo region west of Kruger National Park. This area is famous for being home to the ‘Big Five’, Africa’s five most iconic animals: lions, leopards, elephants, black rhinoceroses and African buffalo. Aside from this fantastic megafauna, the reserve is also full of other animals including birds, zebras, warthogs, giraffes, blue wildebeests, impalas, cheetahs and hyenas. Accordingly, your time here will be punctuated by two daily safaris, one in the morning and one in the early evening. This means you’ll not only avoid being out during the day’s hottest hours, but you’ll also have a better chance of spotting the animals, as this is when they’re at their most active. When you’re not cruising through the bush in search of your favourite creatures, relax at the lodge and cool off in the pool surrounded by the murmur of the bush. To break up your hours of relaxation, an indulgent high tea is served mid-afternoon. When darkness falls, it’s time to look up at the sky and dedicate some time to the sparkling stars.

Today, take the road south towards White River where you’ll spend one night in a bucolic guest house surrounded by hazelnut plantations. On the way, make sure to pay a visit to the beautiful Blyde River Canyon. This canyon is one of the largest on earth, and within it you can hike between rust-coloured rock formations to the majestic Three Rondavels or make your way up to God’s Window to take in the sweeping South African landscape. The geological marvel of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, with its pretty waterfalls, bridges and pools, is also well worth a visit.

Today, you’ll hop back in your car and journey on to Johannesburg, which takes around four hours. Your last night in South Africa will be spent in a haven of peace that once belonged to Mahatma Gandhi, whose principles and philosophy live on in this tranquil space. Carve out some time to visit the in-house museum that teaches visitors about this seminal figure through his possessions and artifacts before heading out to explore Johannesburg with a private guide. On the agenda is Constitution Hill, seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and former prison where both Gandhi and Mandela were held. You’ll also visit the historic Soweto district, an emblem of the fight against apartheid which you’ll learn all about during a visit to its important museum. Finish the tour in Maboneng and 70 Just Street, trendy areas of the city that truly encapsulate Johannesburg’s contemporary revival. When you return to your hotel, you have the option of indulging in a massage to help you achieve total relaxation before your flight back tomorrow.