Sensory.Culinary.Wildlife.
BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI
Enjoy a myriad of sensory, culinary and wildlife delights on this wonderful 10-night Best of South Africa Safari. This trip combines the iconic Kruger National Park with the delights of the Western Cape. Visit cosmopolitan Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Whale Coast, before flying to the renowned Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
This safari starts at Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands, a gastronomic, immersive and luxurious farm stay. From there you will take a scenic drive through the Winelands, past Hermanus and along the Whale Coastline to the Grootbos Nature Reserve. Located in a stunning spot to catch the sunset over Walker Bay, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers beautiful suites, set amid indigenous fynbos and trees, with fynbos tours as well as a “Marine Big 5” tour.
Head back to Cape Town and stay in the heart of the Waterfront at the classical Cape Grace Hotel. Visit the City of Cape Town, the Bo-Kaap and other heritage sights, as well as Cape Point and Boulders Beach.
This Best of South Africa Safari then wings its way to the Greater Kruger National Park area and the exquisite Londolozi Varty Camp, one of the first-ever safari lodges in the Kruger. Described as the symbolic heart and soul of Londolozi, Varty Camp’s suites boast private pools and elevated timber decks. The area offers prime leopard sightings as well as a plethora of other wildlife and birds.
This safari can be enjoyed by couples as well as families.
Best of South Africa Safari rates 2022
This trip starts in Cape Town and ends at Johannesburg International Airport. The rate is per person sharing and includes 10 nights of accommodation, flights and road transfers. Individual hotel and safari lodge inclusions are listed in the itinerary.
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Day by Day itinerary
Days 01 to 03 – Babylonstoren, Cape Winelands
On arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met and transferred to the scenic Cape Winelands for your first stop on this Best of South Africa Safari. The Cape Winelands area has over 300 years of wine-making history and boasts many of South Africa’s top restaurants. This is the centre of South Africa’s award-winning wine industry and places of interest include Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and numerous wine estates.
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, dating back to 1962, and is near to the town of Franschhoek. Their magnificent garden sprawls across the farm, with various different sections. This working farm has fruit and vegetable areas, an indigenous plant area, thousands of clivias and more. IThe garden also boasts a plethora of trees of historical and botanical import.
Every aspect of Babylonstoren – including the contemporary Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop and Bakery – are led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden. Book a guided garden tour, take in some relaxation in the spa, drive up the mountain for a sundowner with a guide, wine taste, olive oil taste, or walk or cycle around the farm. Eat at the award-winning Babel or pick up supplies in the Farm Shop and relax in your suite.
Spend 2 nights in a One-Bedroom Suite. Each open-plan suite has a luxurious en-suite bathroom and lounge area with thick walls, elegant gables, bookshelves filled with a wonderful selection and a hearty fireplace. Your rate includes a Babylonstoren breakfast, full access to the garden at all times, guided garden tours and farm walk, cycling and canoeing/rowing on the farm dam, fishing, mountain drive, harvest tour, bread baking with bakers, cellar tour and wine tasting, olive and balsamic vinegar tour, guest laundry – 6 items per day, Personalised larder in the rooms.
Days 03 to 05 – Grootbos Fynbos Lodge, Whale Coast near Hermanus
After your sumptuous breakfast, you will be picked up for your private transfer to the Gansbaai area and the unique Grootbos Nature Reserve. Grootbos offers you a one-of-a-kind luxury African experience, excellent cuisine and fine South African wines, and is a nature lover’s paradise.
Perfectly positioned on a hill overlooking Walker Bay, Forest Lodge and Garden Lodge offer unique, luxurious and environmentally sustainable, lodge accommodation. Nestled in the Cape Floral Kingdom, Grootbos is home to more than 740 different species of plants. Grootbos is also located in a coastal area that boasts diverse aquatic life; the “Marine Big 5” – whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins.
Forest Lodge takes its name from the ancient Milkwood Forest. The 16 suites at Forest Lodge offer a charming luxury base from which to explore the reserve. Each of the contemporary suites has a lounge area with a fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private deck to enjoy the peace and quiet and views. A range of excellent facilities is provided in the main guest area, with a restaurant, lounge and bar. Large windows and high ceilings are complemented by large wooden decking outside with an inviting infinity pool the perfect place to take in the view and unwind.
Spend 2 nights in a luxury suite at Forest Lodge. Your rate includes all your meals, water, soft drinks, tea and coffee, minibar, Fresh fruit daily in suite, Horse riding for non- and experienced riders through the reserve, Guided walks including fynbos nature tours and Milkwood walks, Nature, marine & coastal drives and walks including the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, De Kelders cliff walk, Klipgat Cave combined with seasonal land-based whale watching (whale watching especially during June – December), Bird-watching: experience a great variety of bird species on the reserve, Various maps of the reserve and the area for self-guided walks
Days 05 to 08 – Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town
After breakfast, you will be transferred along the scenic coastline back to Cape Town in a private transfer. The Cape Grace Hotel is on a private quay in Cape Town’s bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront between a working harbour and an international yacht marina.
Cape Grace is centrally located, with quick and easy access to the airport, city centre and popular tourist destinations. Enjoy globally inspired offerings of the hotel’s restaurant Signal, whisky, wine and cocktail treats that await below deck at the popular Bascule Whisky, Wine and Cocktail Bar, and The Spa at Cape Grace. Walk into the V&A Waterfront for world-class shopping and a range of dining options.
Spend 3 nights in a Table Mountain Luxury Room at the Cape Grace, boasting glorious views of the iconic Table Mountain, Signal Hill or the international yacht marina. Each room has a reading area, is ensuite and has French doors that open out to a Juliet Balcony. Enjoy a delectable breakfast daily.
While in Cape Town, you will take a full-day private Cape Peninsula Tour. Take a drive through the charming and picturesque coastal towns of the Cape and enjoy spectacular views from the world-famous Chapman’s Peak pass. Visit the charismatic penguins at Boulders Beach, and walk to the lighthouse at Cape Point.
Days 08 to 11 – Londolozi Varty Camp, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
After an early breakfast, you will take a scheduled flight to the Kruger Park, where you will be met and transferred to the incredible Londolozi Game Reserve. Located on the banks of the Sand River in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Londolozi Varty Camp boats beautiful views from the main area and the rooms. Regular sightings of elephants or buffalo passing by will keep your attention on the bush.
This rich, wild bushveld assures exceptional game drives and a true wilderness experience. Londolozi Varty Camp lies on the site of the original camp, making Varty Camp the symbolic heart and soul of Londolozi. The décor echoes the same tones of the owner’s private homes and their continuing love affair with the earth. This original camp has brick paths, dolerite rock walls, and towering trees and offers unencumbered river views. The tones of the camp reflect the owners’ almost 100-year love affair with this land and therefore place an emphasis on family and heritage.
Many guest activities can be found in the surrounds of Varty Camp. These include the Guest Gym, Photographic Studio and Living Boutique as well as the restorative Healing House. The charming “original Sparta Camp” located in the heart of Varty Camp, represents generations of history which echoes a bygone era before Londolozi existed.
All rooms have a private swimming pool, outdoor shower and outdoor dining sala and is framed by timber decks that overlook the riverine bush. The living spaces are raised off the ground and shaded under a cathedral of trees. The camp has a pleasingly down-to-earth quality and the emphasis on family heritage means that children always have a place at Varty Camp.
Spend 3 nights at Varty Camp, with all your meals, local soft and alcoholic, drinks, park fees, twice-daily game drives in the Sabi Sand, nature walks, a yoga class, laundry and the fitness centre.
On your last day you will fly on a charter flight from Londolozi’s airstrip to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport for your onward travel.
