Spellbinding South African Safari
FALL 2023
Let South Africa touch your soul on this bucket-list luxury journey into some of the most astounding natural landscapes on earth.
A Luxury Safari Adventure
Go deep into South Africa’s most astounding landscapes on this incredible safari journey, hosted by Shayla. Game drives, foodie experiences, conservation efforts, and true cultural immersion await you on this trip of a lifetime—with an optional add on to Cape Town and the breathtaking Cape Winelands.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- 5-Star Accommodations: Experience an exquisite melding of nature and luxury at a variety of first-class boutique properties, including classic tented safari camps and ultra-chic city hotels
- Explore South Africa’s wilderness in Kruger National Park and the vast Kalahari Desert with expert guides, who will bring you closer to Africa’s astounding creatures than you ever thought possible
- Partake in wildlife conservation operations and research projects, working alongside researchers, vets, and/or anti poaching personnel
- Learn about the fascinating San bushmen people as you tour some of the oldest bushman rock engravings in Africa
- Optional Add-On Experience: Extend your journey to Cape Town and the Cape Winelands as you sip your way across the oldest wine trail in the world
Get a taste of this Luxury African Journey:
Day 1: Welcome to South Africa
Enjoy a warm South African welcome! You will be greeted on arrival and assisted with customs & immigration before meeting your driver and transferring to your hotel.
Check in to the Peech Boutique Hotel, a chic and breezy property in cosmopolitan Johannesburg. It’s the perfect place for a day spent at your leisure. Rest after your long journey as you stroll through the hotel’s lush gardens and take a dip into the inviting swimming pool.
Enjoy dinner on your own at the Hotel’s upscale, award-winning restaurant Basalt, offering contemporary dining with a global influence.
Day 2: Journey into the Bush
Today, your South African safari adventure truly begins. Our morning starts with a private transfer from the Peech Hotel to the Federal Air private lounge, where you will fly to the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. You will be met on arrival at the bush airstrip and drive in an open-game viewer to your first safari stay: the Tanda Tula Safari Camp.
This luxurious safari camp embodies grounded African elegance and the romance of the wild. Overlooking the Nlharalumi riverbed, the camp offers immersion within the rhythms of the African wilderness, with a warm and welcoming staff eager to share their beloved Africa with you.
Enjoy lunch on arrival, then settle into your luxury tented suite before heading out on your first afternoon game drive.
**Note: The safari portion of your journey is fully inclusive and includes all meals, drinks, internal domestic flights in South Africa, and safari activities.
Day 3, 4, & 5: Timbavati Safari Adventures
Get to know every corner and creature in this breathtaking region of South Africa over the next three days. Each day, you’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives—or, if you want to explore on foot, a guided bush walk as you learn the art of wildlife tracking.
On one of these mornings, join a wildlife conservation operation and assist dedicated professionals in protecting the fragile ecosystem. Your outing may be one of three possibilities: Joining researchers in the field to monitor wild dogs, elephants, or ground hornbills; visiting an anti-poaching base to learn about the K9 tracking units and assist in a snare sweep; or collaring an endangered species for research.
Dive into the vibrant culture of the region with visits to a local community and school, as well as an excursion to an art gallery for a VIP cocktail event to meet local artists.
Day 6: Onto the Kalahari
Enjoy a last morning drive at Tanda Tula and breakfast in the bush before packing up and preparing to travel onward to your next destination: the vast Kalahari Desert.
Fly from Tanda Tula’s shared airstrip to Tswalu Kalahari Preserve, via Johannesburg, in time for late afternoon tea at your next stay: The Motse. This luxury camp is tucked deep into the desert preserve and boasts spacious suites and plenty of amenities that celebrate the great outdoors—including two refreshing pools, fire pits, and viewing platforms to take in the breathtaking desert landscape.
Tswalu’s remote location in the southern Kalahari offers the ultimate off-the-beaten-track escape. On a Tswalu safari, time and space are the true luxuries. Besides day and night game drives, complimentary optional activities include nature walks, animal tracking, horse riding, stargazing, dune breakfasts, sleeping out under the stars, and spending time with habituated meerkats.
Day 7 & 8: Desert Surprises
Enjoy two full days spent exploring this remote wilderness area, including twice daily safaris with a dedicated guide and tracker, as well as walking safaris introducing you to traditional plant use. You can also meet Tswalu’s wildlife researchers and monitor Meerkats with them, and view some of the oldest bushman rock engravings in Africa.
All that adventuring will surely work up your appetite! At The Motse, you’ll learn how delicious desert dining can be: Meet chef Marnus and enjoy a hands-on cooking class with him, dine at the award-winning Klein JAN restaurant, and indulge in a variety of culinary experiences, from boma dinners to dune picnics.
Day 9: End Your Journey—Or Optional Add-On
Today marks the end of your 8-night safari adventure. Enjoy a final morning game drive and breakfast at Tswalu before flying back to Johannesburg.
From here, you can connect with onward international flights home—or continue on with our optional extension to Cape Town & the Cape Winelands, flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town on this day.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON:
After a final morning safari at Tswalu, you will fly by charter from Tswalu’s airstrip to Cape Town International. You will be met on arrival at the airport by your driver and transferred to The Clarendon, in Cape Town’s exclusive Bantry Bay.
Shielded from the wind and within minutes to the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, the cosmopolitan city center, and Soho-inspired shops and Restaurants, The Clarendon represents how chic Cape Town can be.
Enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner set up on the balcony overlooking the stupendous sunset (additional cost), or allow the concierge to assist with your dinner reservations as well as transport to and from your chosen restaurant—there is a superb list of restaurants to visit nearby!
OPTIONAL Day 10: Exploring Cape Town
Enjoy a full day exploring in this beautiful city with a special tour that takes you to the “must see” sites: majestic Table Mountain, the adorable penguins at Boulders Beach, and the sprawling Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Cape Town is well known for its exceptional foodie offerings, so be sure to enjoy all the culinary delights! Shayla highly recommends Chef’s Warehouse, Potluck Club, or Test Kitchen for dinner this night.
OPTIONAL Day 11: Winelands Escape
Make the most of your final morning in Cape Town with a special “Taste the Mother City” tour. You’ll visit a local Cape Malay legend serving up both sweet and savory traditional recipes, get treated to a coffee and roastery experience, meet a Masterchef top 8 chef with a specific talent for bread baking, and visit a rum distillery in the heart of the old city.
Afterwards, head inland via private transfer and check in at the gorgeous La Petite Ferme hotel, located on a working vineyard with breathtaking views of the mountains. This intimate boutique property in the middle of the Cape Winelands is located in Franschhoek, known as the gourmet capital of the country. The city boasts captivating Dutch Colonial architecture, an elite wine route, and wine tasting tours with its famous Franschhoek Wine Tram.
The Cape Winelands offer a diverse range of award-winning vineyards along world-famous wine routes for you to explore. The first vineyards were established in the Cape of Good Hope in 1685, and since then six key regions have developed.
OPTIONAL Day 12: Exclusive Tasting Tour
Today you have a full-day wine tasting tour in Stellenbosch, visiting three different wineries. The Stellenbosch wine route serves up incredible scenery and historical cellars; this special tour is a celebration of smaller vineyards driven by passion, quality, and remarkable winemakers.
Your first stop is at the picturesque Keermont Vineyards, tucked away in the most northern corner of Paradyskloof (Paradise Valley). Continue on to Oldenburg Mountain Vineyards, where the breathtaking views set the tone for an unforgettable experience that allows you to gain a sense of place and truly connect with the wines.
Enjoy lunch on your own—we recommend Boschendal or Babylonstoren—before your final tasting at Mitres Edge Vineyards. The winemaker, Lola, hosts the tasting in her manor house or underground cellar. This is red wine terroir, par excellence, and special care is taken in the vineyards through meticulously cultivating, pruning, and harvesting by hand. Her remarkable wines are paired with a selection of local and delicious cheeses to make for a memorable experience at the end of your day.
OPTIONAL Day 13: A Final Goodbye
Today marks the end of your 4-night Cape Town add-on tour. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the Winelands before transferring by road back to Cape Town International Airport, where you will hop onto a flight to Johannesburg International Airport. From here, you can connect with onward international flights home.
- All regional flights and transfers in South Africa, starting and ending in Johannesburg (note: International Airfare not included)
- 8 nights of accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
- Specific inclusions at The Peech Hotel: Dinner & Breakfast, WiFi
- A Wild Wonderful World Private Guide for 8 nights, inclusive of daily guiding fee & travel costs
- Services of the camps, lodge guides and staff
- All park conservation fees, entrance fees & bed levies
- All taxes, fees, and government levies
COST: $19,900 per person
(based on double occupancy)
There is an additional charge for single occupancy.
What’s Included—Optional Cape Town & Winelands Add-On:
- All regional flights and transfers, starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg
- 4-night accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
- Specific inclusions at The Clarendon: Full English Breakfast, Afternoon Teas/Coffee and cakes
- Specific inclusions at La Petite Ferme: Breakfast Minibar, in-room coffee station, fruit bowl, Complimentary amenity bag, Vine orientation, Wine tasting
- Boulders Bay Penguins & Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour, Stellenbosch Wine Tour
COST: $4,750 per person
(based on double occupancy)
There is an additional charge for single occupancy.
Shayla Copas Travel is an independent affiliate of Gifted Travel Network – a Virtuoso Member. Gifted Travel Network, Inc. is registered with the following licenses: California – Seller of Travel Registration no. 2113317-40, Washington – Seller of Travel Unified Business ID (UBI) # 603 308 394, Florida – Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39093.
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