23 DAYS | WATERBERG + PHINDA + CAPE TOWN

ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Upon arriving in Johannesburg, we’ll whisk you away to Pretoria for the night before you start your journey through the Cradle of Humankind and then onto the Waterberg Biosphere. There you will have the opportunity to intimately connect and participate with the Lepogo’s team at the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve and their work with wildlife and the ecology of the region. Once you are back in Johannesburg, you will make your way down into the Drakensberg via the Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls (2nd highest waterfall on Planet Earth). Continue towards the sea as you make your way to Durban for an immersive city tour including a local market and tribal museum.

Follow the Indian Ocean north as you make your way to Phinda Private Game Reserve where you will spend 3 nights at Vlei Lodge overlooking the savanna. Enjoy conservation focused game drives with expert and passionate rangers within a pristine wilderness space. After that sensory overload, you and get a bit of R&R at Thonga Beach Lodge within Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Maputaland. Indulge in snorkelling, scuba driving and turtle and whale safaris or just enjoy the beach under the African sun.

Your finale takes you to The Mothercity — Cape Town. Spend 3 nights at the base of Table Mountain overlooking the city bowl while embarking on foodie, historical and nature-based excursions led by passionate locals. No South African experience is complete without a bit of wine so head to Babylonstoren for a mind-swirling food and wine experience.

 

OVERVIEW

A SNAP SHOT OF YOUR TRIP

22 Nights & 23 Days

Accommodation in private rooms

Local private transport

All specified meals and beverages

All specified activites

Conservation fees, levies and taxes

Remember, international flights are not included and prices are based on 2 persons sharing. If you'd like to upgrade to a different room type, you can do this by contacting our customer experience team.

FULL ITINERARY

DAYS 01 & 02 — JOHANNESBURG / CITY

 

Welcome to South Africa. Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver who will transfer you a forest oasis in the historic Pretoria.

On your second day, embark on an art tour of the city with ArtRoute designed with your interests in mind. Visit galleries such as Constitutional Hill, Stevenson Gallery, Everard Read, Goodman Gallery and others points of interest. This tour can be swapped for one of our other immersive experiences of the city.

Hotel: Rosemary Hill

DAY 03 — CRADLE OF HUMANKIND / SCIENCE

 

Travel to the Cradle of Humankind and check into Farmhouse 58 for 1 night. The property is set in ancient natural and cultural context, with extensive regenerative farmlands providing fresh local produce.

Visit the Maropeng Museum and Sterkfontein Caves which focuses on the evolution of humans species. Fossils of our distant ancestors, which lived more than 200-million years ago, can be viewed as well as “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”.

Hotel: Farmhouse 58

DAYS 04 TO 06 — WATERBERG BIOSPHERE / SAFARI

 

It’s time to go remote! Head into the Waterberg Biosphere and get acquainted with Lepogo’s Noka Camp where you will spend the next 3 nights reconnecting with the wildlife through an intimate and immersive conservation safari.

Enjoy a private vehicle and dedicated guide during your time here and engage in activities from tracking wildlife to counting elephants to laidback boat trips on the Matlabas.

Hotel: Lepogo Noka Camp

DAY 07 — JOHANNESBURG / CITY

 

Before you begin your road trip from Gauteng to Durban, spend one night at Athol Place Hotel in Sandton to rest and recuperate. Why not head down to the Maboneng Precinct to tap into Jozi culture and social scene or alternatively pop us a message and we will recommend our favourite foodie spots in the city and must do experiences.

Hotel: Athol Place Hotel

DAYS 08 & 09 — DRAKENSBERG / MOUNTAINS

 

Journey through the Free State towards the Drakensberg and check in at Sasi Bush Lodge for 2 nights. The lodge is just around the corner from the famous Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls — the 2nd highest waterfall on the planet.

Explore the Royal Natal National Park on foot or arrange a guided tour with a local hiking guide to make the most of your time and to make sure you don’t miss the most picturesque part of the Amphitheatre.

Those of you who are interested in paleontology can set up a visit to the Golden Gate Highlands for a dinosaur footprints tour with a local historian.

Hotel: Sasi Bush Lodge

DAYS 10 & 11 — UMHLANGA ROCKS / CITY

 

Board your transfer to Umhlanga where you will check into the award winning Oyster Box Hotel for the next two nights. Your officially now in the Zulu Kingdom!

To kick things off, join a full day tour of Durban, tasting her flavours and engaging with her culture. Visit an indigenous art museum as well as a local market before tucking into Durban’s famous street food.

Hotel: The Oyster Box

DAYS 12 TO 14 — PHINDA GAME RESERVE / SAFARI

 

Your next stop is one of the best game reserves in Southern Africa — Phinda Private Game Reserve located in the pristine Hluhluwe region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Spend 3 nights at Phinda Vlei Lodge on the north eastern side of the reserve popular with elephant and lions. Enjoy twice daily game drives in authentic open safari vehicles with expert rangers who are passionate about conservation. There are a number of additional experiences available at Phinda including nature walks, conservation impact experiences and an opportunity to visit a Zulu community.

Hotel: Phinda Vlei Lodge

DAYS 15 TO 17 — MAPUTALAND / OCEAN

 

Continue along the warm Indian Ocean to Maputaland. Here you will spend 3 nights at Thonga Beach Lodge where you can indulge in scuba diving, snorkelling, turtle safaris (in-season), whale watching (in-season) as well as a range of other water based and land based activities at this sustainable, community-based lodge.

Hotel: Thonga Beach Lodge

DAYS 18 TO 20 — CAPE TOWN / CITY

 

Board your local flight from Durban to the Mothercity, Cape Town. Hit the ground running once you check in at Camissa House located at the base of Table Mountain overlooking the city bowl.

Spend the 3 nights immersing in the culture, history and unique biodiversity of Cape Town. Explore the Table Mountain National Park on foot with a botanist and gain insight into this biodiversity hotspot.

Meander along the Cape Peninsula taking in the rugged coastline before spending the afternoon foraging along the coast for a spot of dinner.

Hotel: Camissa House

DAYS 21 TO 22 — WINELANDS / FOOD

 

Finish on a culinary high with a visit to the incredible orchards and vineyards of Babylonstoren where you will spend 2 nights. This is foodie paradise!

Babylonstoren comprises 15 clusters spanning vegetable areas, stone and pome fruits, nuts, citrus, berries, bees, herbs, ducks and chickens, a prickly pear maze, and more.

Hotel: Babylonstoren

DAY 23 — CAPE TOWN AIRPORT / FLIGHT

 

Enjoy a slow morning in the gardens of Babylonstoren and enjoy an indulgent breakfast at one of their two farm-to-fork restaurants. Your driver will then transfer you to Cape Town International Airport from where you can continue on your onward travels.

 

THE SAGE

The Sage archetype is highly dedicated when it comes to seeking knowledge and wisdom. If the Sage were a vehicle, then information would be its fuel. Practically everything that they experience in life is a lesson for them, as they're able to identify the obscure meanings behind every event in their lives.

PRICE

267,500.00 ZAR per person sharing

± 10,605 GBP / ± 12,725 EUR / ± 13,410 USD

* A surcharge of 0 ZAR will apply to solo travellers.

IMPORTANT

STARTING POINT: OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)

ENDING POINT: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Please be aware that the itinerary and activities are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to poor weather or other circumstances beyond our control however we’ll always do our best to ensure that it has as little impact to your trip as possible.

CUSTOMISE

Like this itinerary but want it tailored to your liking? No problem at all! Just share your preferences with us and any additional information and we will get back to you with a personalised itinerary.