Best of South Africa

Arrive 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&Only Cape Town at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This cluster of shops, restaurants and bars, historic buildings, world-class hotels and luxury apartments by the marina is one of South Africa's most visited destinations. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

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.

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.

Discover the Legendary Cape Winelands

Head 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.

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.

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.

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.

Drive to Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Depart 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.

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.

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.

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).