Itinerary
The following itinerary is a sample. To customize this itinerary to your wishes and preferences, please contact one of our Adventure Specialists at 800-543-8917.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, gateway to South Africa’s safari country
Begin your journey in South Africa’s largest city
Discover the food, music and cultural mix of cosmopolitan “Joburg”
Arrive in Johannesburg, where you are greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Cosmopolitan Johannesburg is the jumping-off point for most South African safaris. The city of 3.6 million is a vibrant melange of colors and cultures. Food and music are central to life in "Joburg," and its clubs and pubs are an integral part of the social fabric.
Days 2 to 4: Track leopards and the Big Five in Sabi Sand
Explore a private 150,000-acre reserve bordering Kruger National Park
Search for elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, lions and leopards on wildlife drives
Toast the day with sundowner drinks in the bush
Fly north to famed Sabi Sand today, one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife locales. This private 150,000-acre reserve shares a border with Kruger National Park and is named for the two rivers that flow through it. Renowned for its excellent Big Five viewing—elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and abundant leopard, which were once favorite hunting targets—Sabi Sand has led the way in bringing them back. Enjoy twice-daily wildlife drives, which often linger into the twilight hours, accompanied by sundowner cocktails.
Days 5 to 7: Search for black-maned lions & desert-adapted rhinos in the green Kalahari
Look for meerkats, cheetahs, gemsbok, aardvarks and other desert wildlife
Set out on early-morning, late-afternoon and nighttime wildlife drives
Choose optional nature walks or horseback rides through semi-arid grasslands
Today you fly via Johannesburg to the southern reaches of the Kalahari. Situated in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, this region is often called the “green Kalahari” for its ability to support a broad diversity of plants and wildlife. This semi-arid grassland is home to rare resident species such as Kalahari black-maned lions, roan and sable antelope, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, a solid population of desert-adapted black rhino, cheetah, gemsbok, aardvark, aardwolf, and many other intriguing mammals. Friendly meerkats are a highlight. Early-morning, late-afternoon and nighttime wildlife drives are a standard offer, while interpretive nature walks and horseback riding provide additional options.
Days 8 to 10: Explore Cape Town and the wildlife-rich Cape Peninsula
Look for African penguins and Cape fur seals on a private peninsula tour
Watch for southern right whales and great white sharks from June through September
Sample Cape Town’s creative cuisine and local wines beneath Table Mountain
Fly directly to Cape Town today, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Located at the southern tip of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, Cape Town and the Western Cape are strikingly beautiful. Lying at the foot of Table Mountain, this city of 3 million is a charismatic blend of cultures, renowned for its scenic setting, creative cuisine and world-class local wines. Outside the city, enjoy a private, full-day Cape Peninsula tour showcasing the marine wildlife that is often overlooked in this area. See African penguins, Cape fur seals and seasonal Southern right whales and great white sharks (typically present from June to September). You may also observe ostrich, bontebok, baboon and Cape mountain zebra within the nature reserve.
Day 11: Depart Cape Town after the bush and coast
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight
Bid farewell to South Africa today as you are transferred to the airport for your departing flight.