BESPOKE LUXURY JOURNEY

South Africa: Cape & Kruger

Where untamed beauty meets cosmopolitan sophistication

From the moment the African sun first kisses the savannah to the last rays painting Table Mountain in rose-gold hues, South Africa weaves a spell of untamed beauty and refined elegance. Here, in a nation that champions diversity in all its forms, your journey unfolds through landscapes where leopards prowl beneath ancient acacia trees and luxury lodges stand sentinel over endless horizons. This is a land where progressive values dance with timeless traditions, where Cape Town’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene flourishes beneath the watchful gaze of iconic peaks, and where wilderness adventures seamlessly blend with world-class cuisine and celebrated wines.

South Africa at a Glance

In this rainbow nation, pride runs as deep as the roots of its ancient baobab trees and soars as high as the peaks of the Drakensberg. Cape Town’s creative renaissance blooms in the street art of De Waterkant, where rainbow flags flutter above design-forward boutiques and galleries showcase contemporary African artists. The city’s inclusive spirit ripples outward, flowing through the Cape Winelands where LGBTQ+ couples craft award-winning vintages and run boutique guest houses with unmistakable flair.

This is a land where nature writes poetry in grand gestures: leopards gracefully drape themselves over marula tree branches, whales breach in waters near pristine beaches, and the Atlantic sunset ignites the sky in a daily performance of colour. During summer, Cape Town Pride brings vibrant celebration to the streets around the V&A Waterfront, while year-round, the city’s rooftop bars and innovative restaurants offer gathering spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. As you venture into the wilderness, the dramatic landscapes of the Sabi Sands welcome all visitors with legendary South African hospitality—where luxury lodges have long championed diversity among both guests and staff.

Cape Town, South Africa | Photo: Kylefromthenorth

Kruger National Park, South Africa | Photo: Ansie Potgieter

11-day Travel Itinerary

Journey through South Africa's most compelling landscapes, where raw natural beauty meets sophisticated luxury. Begin in Johannesburg, where progressive values and contemporary art create an atmosphere of creative energy, before venturing into the dramatic theatre of the African bush. Here, the legendary Sabi Sand Game Reserve reveals nature's grandeur through every game drive and sundowner. The journey crescendos along the Cape coast, where marine safaris and forest lodges give way to Cape Town's cosmopolitan charm. Each day unfolds as its own chapter in this South African narrative, where conservation meets luxury, and inclusion is celebrated at every turn.

DAY 1

Johannesburg | Urban Sophistication Meets African Energy

Your South African journey begins in Johannesburg, where the creative energy of Africa's economic powerhouse pulses through art galleries and vibrant neighbourhoods. Settle into your design-forward hotel—perhaps The Saxon, where Nelson Mandela once penned his autobiography. As golden hour approaches, join your private guide for sundowners at Hallmark House's rooftop bar, where the city's creative class gathers to toast the setting sun against a skyline that tells tales of gold rush dreams and contemporary ambitions.

DAYS 2-4

Sabi Sand Game Reserve | Theatre of the Wild

Journey into the heart of the African wilderness, where the legendary Sabi Sand Game Reserve sets the stage for nature's most compelling performances. Your home for three nights is the exquisite Dulini Leadwood Lodge, where contemporary African design meets uncompromising luxury. Each private suite opens onto a timber deck overlooking the seasonal Sand River, where elephants often pause for their morning drink. Dawn breaks with the call of African fish eagles, heralding your first game drive into landscapes where leopards move like liquid gold through dappled shadows. Your expert guide and tracker team—many of whom have called this wilderness home for generations—reveal intimate knowledge of the land's subtle rhythms. Between drives, return to the lodge for innovative bush cuisine served beneath ancient jackalberry trees, or indulge in a massage on your private deck as vervet monkeys play in the canopy above. As darkness falls, gather around the boma fire where tales of the day's sightings mingle with the distant calls of lions. Here, under star-studded African skies, the boundary between luxury and wilderness dissolves, creating moments of profound connection with the untamed heart of South Africa.

DAY 5

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve | Where Forest Meets Ocean

Trade savannah for sea as you fly south to the magnificent Cape coast. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve presents a different face of African luxury, where ancient milkwood forests meet the marine majesty of Walker Bay. Check into the architecturally stunning Forest Lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame views that stretch from fynbos-covered hills to the ocean beyond. This afternoon, let one of Grootbos's passionate botanists introduce you to the Cape Floral Kingdom—the smallest yet richest of Earth's plant kingdoms—where over 800 species paint the landscape in subtle hues. As evening approaches, toast your arrival with vintage South African wines on your private deck, watching as the sun sends shadows dancing through the ancient forest.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve South Africa

DAY 6

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve | Marine Majesty

Dawn paints the ocean in pastel hues as you join a marine biologist for an adventure into the realm of southern right whales and great white sharks. Walker Bay Nature Reserve offers some of the finest land-based whale watching in the world, while boat excursions bring you thrillingly close to breaching whales and playful Cape fur seals. Return to the lodge for a lunch crafted from ingredients grown in Grootbos's organic farm—a social enterprise that provides culinary training to local youth. This afternoon, choose between horse riding through the fynbos or exploring ancient coastal caves where early humans once sheltered.

DAY 7

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve | Coastal Serenity

Today unfolds at your preferred pace in this coastal paradise. Perhaps begin with a guided "flower safari" through the reserve's 2,500 hectares, discovering rare flora found nowhere else on Earth. For adventure seekers, fat bike trails wind through the fynbos to secluded beaches, while those seeking relaxation might prefer a spa treatment incorporating indigenous botanical ingredients. As the day mellows, take to the skies for a scenic flight along the coast, watching for southern right whales in the waters below. Return for a special dinner in the lodge's wine cellar, where over 1,000 South African vintages await discovery.

DAY 8

Cape Town | First Whispers of Urban Elegance

Arrive in Cape Town, where Table Mountain stands sentinel over a city that beautifully balances European sophistication with African energy. Your home for the next three nights is the prestigious Cape Grace Hotel, where every room tells stories of Cape history through lovingly curated antiques and artworks. After settling in, spend the afternoon exploring the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where historic architecture houses contemporary boutiques and innovative restaurants. As evening approaches, join Cape Town's creative community for sundowners at a rooftop bar in De Waterkant, the city's stylish LGBTQ+ quarter, where Table Mountain provides a dramatic backdrop to your first Mother City sunset.

DAY 9

Cape Town | Heritage Meets Contemporary Culture

Begin your day with a poignant journey to Robben Island, where your guide—often a former political prisoner—shares intimate insights into Nelson Mandela's 18-year imprisonment and the triumph of the human spirit. Return to the mainland for lunch at Truth Coffee, housed in a steampunk-inspired Victorian building, before ascending Table Mountain by cable car. From the summit, watch as afternoon light gilds the city and ocean beyond, while your private guide shares tales of the mountain's botanical wonders and cultural significance. As evening falls, immerse yourself in the Cape's culinary heritage with a private Cape Malay cooking experience in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, where rainbow-hued houses provide Instagram-worthy backdrops. Learn family recipes passed down through generations while exploring the aromatic spice combinations that define this unique cuisine.

DAY 10

Cape Town | Coastal Splendour and Wine Country

Your final full day delivers a grand tour of the Cape Peninsula's most compelling landscapes. Begin with an invigorating morning hike up Lion's Head, timing your ascent to catch the early light painting the city in soft pastels. Continue south to the charming fishing village of Kalk Bay, where your guide introduces you to the area's most characterful galleries and boutiques, followed by a seafood lunch at the acclaimed Harbour House restaurant. The afternoon unfolds along the dramatic Chapman's Peak Drive, with stops at hidden coves and viewpoints known only to locals. Crown your Cape Town experience with a private wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards, where progressive winemakers craft cool-climate wines that capture the essence of this unique terroir. As the sun sets over the Atlantic, raise a glass to your South African journey with a final dinner served among the vines.

DAY 11

Cape Town | Farewell to African Elegance

Your final morning in the Mother City unfolds at your pace. Perhaps enjoy a last breakfast on your hotel's terrace, watching boats dance across Table Bay, before your private transfer to Cape Town International Airport. Depart with memories of a journey that revealed South Africa's many faces—from wilderness luxury to coastal elegance, each chapter written with sophistication and inclusive warmth.

Additional recommended experiences

Extend your South African sojourn with carefully curated experiences that reveal the country's diverse character. Consider adding three nights in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, where luxury meets conservation in sophisticated eco-lodges perfectly positioned for exclusive wildlife viewing. Explore the artisan wine estates of Franschhoek, spending nights in historic Cape Dutch manors where innovative young winemakers are reimagining South African vintages. Time your visit to coincide with Cape Town Pride in February, when the Mother City erupts in a celebration of love and diversity against the backdrop of Table Mountain. For those seeking deeper cultural immersion, arrange private meetings with contemporary South African artists in their Johannesburg studios, or join exclusive cooking workshops featuring traditional Cape Malay cuisine. Adventure seekers might choose to explore the Cape Peninsula by private helicopter, followed by a champagne picnic on a secluded beach. Throughout the year, South Africa offers exclusive experiences that match its natural grandeur with sophisticated service, ensuring your journey creates memories as dramatic as the landscapes themselves.

Transform Your South Africa Dreams into Reality

Allow us to craft your bespoke South Africa journey. Whether inspired by our curated itinerary or envisioning something entirely your own, we'll shape every moment to reflect your distinctive style and preferences.