South Africa & Botswana

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cape Town & environs, Sabi Sand Reserve, Johannesburg, Chief’s Island (Moremi Game Reserve in Okavango Delta)

On this luxury tour of South Africa and Botswana, experience the incredible beauty and culture of Cape Town and the surrounding region and go on luxury safaris to see majestic wildlife in legendary Sabi Sand Reserve and the spectacular Okavango Delta, two of the best safari destinations in Africa.

Begin in 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.

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. 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.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion to 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 see charming historic towns and browse boutiques.

Next, fly to Sabi Sand Reserve, a private concession that borders Kruger National Park and is renowned for its diverse wildlife, and stay at one of the top luxury lodges in the region. 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.

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 with a luxurious stay at Mombo Camp, a legendary land camp on exclusive Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a vast wetlands system that supports a wide range of animals, including the Big Five. An area of pristine wilderness and one of the world’s top safari destinations, Chief’s Island has a high concentration of plains animals, attracting a large number of predators—especially wild dogs and big cats like lions, leopards and cheetahs—that feed on them. Experience the thrilling interplay between predators and prey during daily game drives. Between safari excursions, book treatments in the spa or relax on the terrace of your luxury safari camp.

Return to Maun, where you will be assisted to your flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town, where you will be met with connection assistance to your onward flight.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Cape Town, South Africa Airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 4 nights Day 2 Cape Town Full-day private city tour, including fast-track tickets for Table Mountain Day 3 Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Full-day private excursion: Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Chapmans Peak Drive Day 4 Cape Town & Cape Winelands Full-day private excursion with flexible wine tasting and cultural touring in Franschhoek and/or Stellenbosch, including Babylonstoren Day 5 Cape Town – Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Sabi Sand Reserve Private airport transfer for commercial flight to KMI Airport (Nelspruit), connecting to light-aircraft flight to Sabi Sand Reserve airstrip. Transfer to luxury safari lodge for 3 nights Day 6 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 7 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 8 Sabi Sand Reserve – Johannesburg Morning transfer to airstrip for light-aircraft flight to Johannesburg. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Private city touring Day 9 Johannesburg – Maun, Botswana – Chief’s Island (Moremi Game Reserve) Private transfer to airport for VIP departure assistance and flight to Maun. Connection assistance to scheduled light-aircraft flight to local airstrip. Arrival transfer to luxury safari camp for 3 nights. Afternoon game-viewing activity Day 10 Chief’s Island Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 11 Chief’s Island Continue twice-daily game-viewing activities Day 12 Chief’s Island – Maun – Depart Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa Transfer to airstrip for scheduled light aircraft flight to Maun. Connection assistance to flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town. VIP connection assistance to onward flight

Accommodation

Cape Town: One&Only Cape Town, The Silo or Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel Sabi Sand Reserve: Singita Boulders or Singita Ebony Johannesburg: Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa Chief’s Island (Moremi Game Reserve): Mombo Camp

Cost

Upon request