Highlights of South Africa & Namibia

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cape Winelands, Cape Town & environs, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Johannesburg, Sabi Sand Reserve safari

Wildlife safaris in spectacular landscapes, the finest luxury lodges and hotels, and private cultural and wine experiences make this an unforgettable tour of South Africa and Namibia. It combines the beauty and sophistication of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands with the Big Five wildlife of Greater Kruger National Park, the red sand dunes and desert animals of Sossusvlei and the untamed wilderness of the Skeleton Coast.

Begin in the Cape Winelands, a region of vineyards, small towns and dramatic mountains. During private touring, enjoy personalized wine tastings at some of South Africa's premier vineyards and stop at Babylonstoren, a farming and culinary complex with whitewashed Cape Dutch buildings and lush gardens. Also visit the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to see charming historic districts, browse boutiques and dine at acclaimed restaurants according to your interests.

Continue to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. During private touring, explore the city’s stunning landscapes, vibrant neighborhoods, fascinating history, and excellent food and wine scene. Enjoy fast-track access for the cable car up iconic Table Mountain, and walk among native fynbos plants in beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Learn about Cape Town history in evocative places such as Bo-Kaap (the Cape Malay Quarter), the Company’s Garden and the Castle of Good Hope. Browse for locally made clothing, jewelry and other treasures in top handicrafts markets. Enjoy reservations at Cape Town’s best restaurants, find a snack in the Time Out Market food hall, stop at a farmers market or have afternoon tea at the atmospheric Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel. Depending on your interests, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional options, such as an excursion to Robben Island, scenic helicopter flights, Jewish touring, a visit to a township, visits to the District Six Museum or the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, touring in the Constantia wine region or an excursion to the seaside town of Hermanus.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to the spectacular Cape Peninsula to see penguins at Boulders Beach, dramatic landscapes at Cape Point and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, and the area’s unique vegetation, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, fly to Sossusvlei, a desert region of dramatic red sand dunes in the middle of Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa. During scenic desert drives, see highlights such as Deadvlei, a dried lake bed with an eerie grove of dead trees surrounded by enormous sand dunes. If desired, hike up Big Daddy, the highest dune in the world, for breathtaking views over the ridges and valleys of the sprawling sand landscape. Other activities include looking for wildlife such as brown hyenas, springboks and gemsboks (oryx); walking nature trails to see interesting birds, reptiles and insects; quad biking; hiking; e-biking; seeing ancient rock art; night walks and stargazing.

Continue to the Skeleton Coast, a remote wilderness where towering sand dunes meet the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy an excursion along the coast, including one way by scenic flight, and see shipwrecks, the Mowe Bay seal colony and sandy beaches. Other activities include nature drives to look for hyenas, lions and elephants; scenic walks; learning about desert predators from wildlife researches; searching for birds unique to the area; sundowner cocktails in the sand dunes; and excursions to more remote areas of the camp’s concession.

Next, fly to Johannesburg (Joburg), South Africa’s financial center and most populous city. During private touring, visit boutiques and art galleries in upscale neighborhoods, and learn more about South African history at the Apartheid Museum and in Soweto, one of the country’s largest townships. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a private excursion to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of limestone caves that contain the fossilized bones of ancient hominids.

Conclude in Sabi Sand Reserve, a private concession that borders Kruger National Park and is renowned for its diverse wildlife. During morning and afternoon game drives, look for the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffaloes), as well as hippos, giraffes and other animals and birds. During leisure time, perhaps indulge in spa treatments, lounge by the pool or browse the boutique for locally made crafts and artworks. Also enjoy three gourmet meals per day, accompanied by top South African wines. Walking safaris, a visit to a local community and other activities can also be arranged.

This tour can be further customized with additional destinations or activities according to your interests.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Cape Town, South Africa – Cape Winelands Airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Cape Winelands Half-day private tour, including top wine estates Day 3 Cape Winelands – Cape Town Private transfer to Cape Town for private city tour, including fast-track tickets for Table Mountain, before transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 4 Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Full-day private excursion: Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Chapmans Peak Drive Day 5 Cape Town – Windhoek, Namibia – Sossusvlei Private transfer to airport for commercial flight to Windhoek to connect to scheduled light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei. Arrival transfer to luxury lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon lodge activity Day 6 Sossusvlei Morning and afternoon lodge activities Day 7 Sossusvlei Morning and afternoon lodge activities Day 8 Sossusvlei – Skeleton Coast Transfer to airstrip for scheduled charter flights to the Skeleton Coast, via Swakopmund, Doro Nawas and Desert Rhino Airstrip. Arrival transfer to luxury camp for 3 nights. Afternoon camp activity *Private charter flights can be booked for a supplement Day 9 Skeleton Coast Full-day private excursion along the Skeleton Coast, including picnic lunch and one way by scenic flight Day 10 Skeleton Coast Scheduled camp activities, such as interaction with wildlife researches, birding, nature walks or drives and day excursions to remote areas of the concession Day 11 Skeleton Coast – Windhoek – Johannesburg, South Africa Transfer to airstrip for scheduled light aircraft flight to Windhoek to connect with commercial flight to Johannesburg. Airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 12 Johannesburg Full-day private city tour, including Soweto, Apartheid Museum and shopping, or private excursion to Cradle of Humankind Day 13 Johannesburg – Sabi Sand Reserve Private transfer to airport for light-aircraft flight to Sabi Sand Reserve airstrip. Transfer to luxury safari lodge for 3 nights Day 14 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 15 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 16 Sabi Sand Reserve – Depart Johannesburg Transfer to airstrip for light-aircraft flight to Johannesburg. Airport assistance to international departure flight

Hotels

Cape Winelands: La Residence or Babylonstoren Cape Town: One&Only Cape Town, Cape Grace, Ellerman House or Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel Sossusvlei: Wilderness Little Kulala Skeleton Coast: Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp Johannesburg: Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa Sabi Sand Reserve: Singita Ebony, Singita Boulders, Londolozi or Royal Malewane (Thornybush Private Game Reserve)

Cost

Upon request