Highlights of South Africa

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cape Winelands, Cape Town & environs, southern Kalahari safari, Johannesburg, Sabi Sand Reserve safari

The ultimate private tour of South Africa, this itinerary features the absolute best of the country’s culture, cuisine, wine, wildlife, and luxury hotels and lodges. It includes private cultural touring in Cape Town and Johannesburg, wine and scenic touring in the Cape Winelands, and unforgettable wildlife experiences during game drives at the finest luxury safari lodges in South Africa.

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 the southern Kalahari for an unforgettable safari experience in a semi-arid landscape. Stay at Tswalu, an incomparable luxury safari lodge on South Africa's largest private game reserve. During private game drives with expert guides, look for some of the unusual animals that inhabit the area, such as Kalahari lions, wild dogs, desert black rhinos, Hartmann’s mountain zebras, aardvarks and bat-eared foxes. Other options include visiting a meerkat colony, horseback safaris, guided bush walks, sleeping outside in a star bed, seeing ancient rock engravings, birding, wine tasting, and visiting a community clinic and preschool.

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.

Continue to 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.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world