Essence of South Africa
(9 Days – Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Sabi Sand Reserve safari (Singita)
This private luxury tour of South Africa is ideal for travelers wanting to experience the highlights of this incredible country. It includes private cultural and wine touring, the top luxury hotels in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands and an unforgettable safari at the best luxury safari lodge in legendary Sabi Sand Reserve.
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.
Continue to a luxurious countryside hotel 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.
Fly to Sabi Sand Reserve, a private concession that borders Kruger National Park and is renowned for its diverse wildlife. Stay at Singita Boulders or Singita Ebony, the best luxury safari lodges in Sabi Sand. 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 1Arrive Cape TownAirport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nightsDay 2Cape TownFull-day private city tour, including fast-track tickets for Table MountainDay 3Cape Town & Cape PeninsulaFull-day private excursion: Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Chapmans Peak DriveDay 4Cape Town – Cape WinelandsPrivate transfer to hotel for 2 nights with touring and wine tasting in Stellenbosch en routeDay 5Cape WinelandsHalf-day private tour of Babylonstoren and top wine estatesDay 6Cape Winelands – Johannesburg – Sabi Sand ReservePrivate airport transfer for flight to Johannesburg, connecting to light-aircraft flight to Sabi Sand Reserve airstrip. Transfer to Singita luxury safari lodge for 3 nightsDay 7Sabi Sand ReserveMorning and afternoon wildlife safarisDay 8Sabi Sand ReserveMorning and afternoon wildlife safarisDay 9Sabi Sand Reserve – Depart JohannesburgMorning transfer to airstrip for light-aircraft flight to Johannesburg. Airport assistance to international departure flight |
| Hotels |
| Cape Town:One&Only Cape Town, The Silo, Ellerman House or Mount Nelson, a Belmond HotelCape Winelands:La ResidenceSabi Sand Reserve:Singita Boulders or Singita Ebony |
| Cost |
| $27,895Per person (based on double occupancy) |
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