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Experience Our South Africa

Our customized, private insider tours of South Africa feature our favorite places and experiences in the country.

Did you know?

Nelson Mandela wrote the final chapters of his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, at The Saxon, our preferred hotel in Sandton, an exclusive suburb of Johannesburg.

The Big Five…

Elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards. For a chance to see all five, enjoy a safari in the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve or in Kruger National Park, where sightings are practically guaranteed.

Which Singita?

Let us know your personal style, and we can recommend the perfect Singita luxury safari lodge for you. Singita Boulders has a beautiful contemporary style with lots of natural wood and stone. For a classic African safari feel, stay at Singita Ebony. With just six suites, Singita Sweni is perfect for an intimate getaway. Singita Lebombo is a truly stylish retreat perched on a cliff overlooking a river.

Shopping for African Art…

Amatuli Fine Art in Johannesburg is one of our favorite shops. It has an impressive collection of furniture and decorative arts from across the continent.

Beyond Kruger…

One of the top luxury lodges in South Africa—Tswalu—is located on a vast private reserve in the Kalahari Desert. It’s a wonderful contrast of landscapes and wildlife. Spend the day with meerkats, enjoy private game drives, track rhinos, and opt to sleep out under the stars.

Eating kosher…

We love that the luxurious Royal Malewane safari lodge has its own kosher kitchen. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange to fly kosher meals to many of our other preferred luxury lodges.

Insider safari tip…

Early mornings in South Africa can be surprisingly chilly, so bring warm clothing and wear layers. Dress in neutral colors and avoid wearing white and vivid, colorful patterns as it distracts the animals.

The ultimate in luxury…

Consider having us arrange private flight charters throughout your tour.

What to buy…

Bowls and animal figurines made with colored wire and beads, decorative gourds, contemporary art, baskets, products made with ostrich leather or eggshells, traditional masks, musical instruments, fertility dolls, colorful textiles, diamond or tanzanite jewelry.

The perfect combination…

A trip to South Africa combines well with other nearby destinations. Consider a quick trip to see impressive Victoria Falls, or a few nights at a water-based safari camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Or, end with a few relaxing days on the beach in Seychelles or Mauritius.

Cape Town insider favorite…

Bring your appetite and explore the food stalls at the lively Old Biscuit Mill on a Saturday morning in Cape Town

A foodie’s delight…

Consider a private cooking lesson to learn Cape Malay cuisine, indulge in gourmet meals at safari lodges, enjoy reservations at Cape Town’s top restaurants, and try local favorites such as bunny chow (a popular dish of curry and bread), melktert (sweet milk tart) and biltong (dried meat jerky).

Don’t miss…

The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. A truly powerful and thought-provoking experience, it’s a must for travelers wanting to learn more about South Africa in the 20th century.

Kids love Cape Town…

See penguins at Boulders Beach, ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, visit an ostrich farm on the Cape Peninsula, and watch the predator feeding at the excellent Two Oceans Aquarium.

A meal to remember…

The 8-course tasting menu paired with local South African wines at The Tasting Room, an award-winning restaurant in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands.

For wine lovers…

Spend a few nights in the Cape Winelands, a stunning wine region near Cape Town. Enjoy personalized wine tastings with a local expert, and stay at the exclusive La Residence, one of our favorite luxury hotels in South Africa.

Insider experience…

A tour of Soweto, the historic Johannesburg township, including a visit to Nelson Mandela’s house and lunch at Wandie’s, one of our favorite local spots for traditional South African cuisine.

Experience Our South Africa.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to start planning a private, customized tour.

 

South Africa in Photos

  • The Very Best of South Africa: Safaris, Luxury & More
  • The Silo in Cape Town
  • The Best of South Africa & Rwanda
  • A South Africa Honeymoon
  • Just Back: South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana Slide Show

View more photos...

South Africa on Our Blog

  • Favorite Luxury Safari Camps in Africa
  • The Safari Experience in East and Southern Africa
  • Must Stay: Singita Lebombo
  • Must Stay: La Residence in South Africa's Cape Winelands
  • South Africa for Families
  • Cape Town: Five Favorite Excursions
  • Private touring in Johannesburg, South Africa: art, shopping, history and more
  • A conversation with an expert ranger at Singita, South Africa

Visit our blog...

In the Press

  • Departures
  • Conde Nast Traveler
  • The New York Times
  • Wall Street Journal
  • CNN
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Town & Country

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Testimonials

Our South Africa trip was our family’s best trip ever. The guides were terrific and the hotels and lodges were fabulous. The lodges in South Africa were incredible and we loved our guide in Cape Town. The Artisans of Leisure on-the-ground representatives were invaluable. We were plotting our return to South Africa from the minute we arrived in the country. It was spectacular.
~ V.R., McLean, VA

We had a wonderful time in South Africa and at Victoria Falls. Thanks so much for all the arrangements you made and the way you tended to every detail. All the hotels and restaurants and tours were just excellent.
~ C.B., Hanover NH

The Africa trip was fabulous. Seamless.  Life changing. It was the best trip we have ever taken—the cherry on top of our travels...
~ P.F., Hatfield, PA

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