12-Nights A Private Villa Journey Around South Africa - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a captivating introduction to South Africa, where dramatic natural beauty, layered history and contemporary culture come together. Framed by Table Mountain and the Atlantic, the city is known for its scenic setting, vibrant energy and wealth of culinary and cultural experiences. Your home here is Ellerman House, an intimate retreat in Bantry Bay showcasing the best of South African art, wine and hospitality, with sweeping ocean views and elegant spaces throughout.

Discover Cape Town and the Atlantic Seaboard on a family-focused exploration designed to be both active and engaging. Beginning at sea level, follow the footsteps of “Stan the Strandloper” as you take in city sights before seeing them again from a new perspective atop Table Mountain.

Head to Simon’s Town in search of penguins and, weather permitting, try stand-up paddleboarding. Later, explore the Cape of Good Hope on a gentle hike through the reserve, taking in secluded beaches, shipwrecks and the region’s unique wildlife. Pause for a gourmet picnic in a scenic setting before returning via Chapman’s Peak Drive, with stops for artisanal ice cream at Noordhoek Farm Village and an early evening drink along the way.

The Cape Whale Coast offers a quieter side of the Western Cape, where mountain-backed roads trace the ocean and small villages give way to wide fynbos landscapes. Hermanus is best known for whale watching, though the region also offers a range of outdoor pursuits. Overlooking Walker Bay, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a remarkable eco-luxury retreat known for its floral diversity, ancient milkwood forests and rich marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and sharks. Settle into your lavish accommodations before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure.

Spend the day exploring Grootbos and its extraordinary surroundings. Options may include a guided walk through the reserve’s fynbos, a scenic horseback ride or a boat excursion in nearby coastal waters, where seasonal whale sightings and dolphins add to the experience. Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening and dinner inspired by local ingredients.

Spend another epic day at Grootbos, surrounded by a landscape of fynbos, forest and coastline overlooking Walker Bay. Whether you choose to unwind at the lodge or continue exploring the reserve’s biodiversity, today offers time to appreciate this exceptional natural setting.

Set beneath a dramatic mountain backdrop, the Cape Winelands are known for their vineyards, historic towns and elegant Cape Dutch farmsteads. Check into Franschhoek House on the La Residence estate, an indulgent private retreat surrounded by verdant vines, orchards and gardens.

Discover the Winelands through a mix of vineyard visits, outdoor exploration and culinary experiences. Explore estates such as Boschendal for nature walks and cycling, My Wyn Wine Estate for tastings set against mountain views and Babylonstoren’s expansive gardens, revealing this world-class wine region at its most scenic.

Fly from Cape Town to Sabi Sand Game Reserve and continue to Cheetah Plains. Bordering Kruger National Park, the reserve is one of southern Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations, known for its Big Five sightings and exceptional leopard viewing. This afternoon, settle into your private villa before heading out on your first game drive.

Rise early for a morning game drive, when the bush is at its most active. Return to camp for breakfast and time to relax before lunch. This afternoon, head out once more in search of wildlife, pausing for sundowners as the sun sets before returning to camp for dinner.

Continue exploring this wildlife-rich reserve, where sightings of the Big Five are excellent and leopard encounters are especially sought after. Alongside its larger game, Sabi Sand also offers prolific birdlife and superb photographic opportunities.

Bordering Kruger National Park with no fences between them, Sabi Sand forms part of a vast natural ecosystem through which wildlife roams freely. Continue exploring the reserve on game drives, taking in its remarkable biodiversity and extraordinary safari landscapes.