Safari in South Africa
The Big 5 of South Africa... thriving cities, jaw-dropping scenery, phenomenal wine, sparkling coastlines and, of course, world-renowned wildlife. This incredible destination's diversity and utter devotion to luxury makes it the perfect choice for the most special and memorable adventure anyone could wish for.
Cape Town | Mid-April
Franschhoek | Mid-April
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve | Late April
OR
For safari, we recommend layering your clothing. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening and it is quite cold before the sun rises and after it sets. The day-time temperatures can be warm and sunny and it can get quite hot. Light, natural fabrics like cotton and linen are recommended for during the day (shorts, t-shirts, summer dresses around the lodge) and in the evenings, layer up with long trousers, long sleeve vests and a warm jacket. Formal wear is not required at any of our lodges – you are free to come straight from a game drive into dinner.
- Long trousers or denim jeans
- Long sleeve vests/t-shirts
- Shorts, t-shirts, summer dresses
- A warm jacket, fleece or windbreaker
- Woolen hat/beanie, gloves and scarf for morning drives
- A good pair of walking shoes
- Longer socks to wear with walking shoes – especially if you plan on going on Bush Walks
- Sandals or flip-flops for during the day at the lodge and some closed shoes or sneakers for evenings
- Wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses and a good sunscreen
- Bathing suit
- Camera, video camera, binoculars, spare memory cards and charging equipment. Some lodges do provide spare sets of binoculars on game vehicles and at the lodges if you don’t have your own.
- A small flashlight or headlamp for walking around camp
- Anti-allergen medication such as Zyrtec
- Insect Repellent with DEET
- Lotions, tissues, moisturizers, chapstick
- Personal cosmetics, toiletries
- Money belt or fanny pack for cash and travel documents
- Power bank for charging of phone on safari drives
- A good book to read during down time at the safari lodge
- Passport
- Cash for personal expenses
Check-in is one and a half hours prior to departure for domestic flights and three hours prior to departure for international flights.
Some scheduled regional and inter-lodge flights may involve multiple stops before reaching the final destination. Many flights are operated as air shuttle transfers and therefore departure times may vary by up to one hour.
When traveling on normal scheduled international or domestic flights, the luggage limit is usually 20kgs (approx. 44 lbs.) per person.
Tips are always appreciated and enthusiastically received. Tipping is only recommended if you are satisfied with the service you have received and is entirely at your discretion. Tipping guidelines are as follows:
- Airport or hotel porters: per bag
- Transfers: tips not expected
- Day Tours: per person for full day tour
- Restaurants: 10% - 15% of total value of bill depending on service
- Car guards and filling stations in South Africa: tip for fuelling attendant or ‘donation’ for car guard (in urban areas you’ll find formal and informal characters offering to watch your vehicle)
On Safari: For rangers between per person per day and trackers between per person per day. General lodge staff gratuity is between per day. All tips can be paid over by credit card as opposed to cash
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), you will be met at the door of your aircraft with a paging board. Should your aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal building, you will be transported to the terminal by bus where your Meet and Greet representative will be waiting for you as you step off the bus. You will then be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and on to the arrivals hall to meet your private driver.
Booked by Scenset
You will be privately transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Booked by a travel agent
Scenically beautiful, Cape Town is a compelling mix of trendy modern and old-world elegance. Glamorous hotels, world-class dining and stunning vistas merge seamlessly with dynamic student suburbs and vibrant nightlife. Malay and African heritage is evident in the cuisine, traditions and entertainment while the architecture reveals a strong Dutch, German and English flavour and style. Contemporary art is proudly displayed in a variety of galleries and modern boutique hotels, and wine bars and brandy tasting lounges will appeal to the fashionable set. For the well-heeled the finest in opera, ballet, drama and music can be appreciated in style.
Set in the vibrant heart of Cape Town, this luxury hotel and spa offers easy access to all that's happening in this dynamic city. This hotel has long been regarded as one of the city’s top five star hotels. It offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz. Whether dining on exotic Cape cuisine, soaking up the sun or exploring the buzzing streets, time here promises endless memories to cherish.
Moments from Cape Town’s pulsating heart lies this legendary hideaway, where iconic pink buildings nestle in verdant gardens beneath the flat-topped wonder of Table Mountain. There’s so much to enjoy within the leafy estate, from imaginative local cuisine and cocktails in the buzzy restaurants and bars, to expertly tutored art classes and divine spa treatments. Relax by one of the pools, improve your game with a tennis coach or join a garden tour to discover our historic trees, beehives, and even a fascinating wormery.
Belmond Mount Nelson
Junior Suite
Unwind in the bedroom or the open-plan sitting area. Located in the hotel’s Main Building and Green Park areas, some suites benefit from an inviting balcony.
Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Booked by a user
Today, you'll meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a private tour of Cape Town. You'll be starting with a historic tour to Robben Island to learn about the infamous prison that held Nelson Mandela during the Apartheid. From there, head into Cape Town to continue your historical discovery into this incredibly diverse city. You'll finish off at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Africa, highlighting the beauty of this coastal scenset.
Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
Meeting Time: Morning
Robben Island is a national and UNESCO World Heritage site off the coast of Cape Town. Now a symbol for the struggle for democracy in South Africa, between the 17th and 20th centuries, Robben Island was used as a prison, a colony for socially “undesirable” groups, and a military base.
Remnants of its dark history include 17th century quarries, the tomb of a Muslim leader, who died in 1755, 19th century 'village' buildings, including a church, parsonage and small lighthouse, the lepers’ church and graveyard, World War II military structures, and the apartheid-era maximum security prison, which operated from 1961 to 1996.
Thousands of freedom fighters were imprisoned here by the South African apartheid government, most famously a former president and a leader of the Pan African Congress.
After your tour of Robben Island, the rest of your day can be left at your leisure or you may continue with your guide. Below details what the continuation of this day could look like with the guide.
Learn about Cape Town’s world-famous attractions, heritage sites and architectural wonders, including the historic Grand Parade, Castle of Good Hope and magnificent City Hall. Discover the vintage edifices, domineering statues and once ominous Church Square. Pass the former Slave Lodge and the esteemed parliamentary buildings. Spend time in the Company Gardens, where the first European settlers to the Cape planted food to trade with passing ships.
Guided experience
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful garden in Africa, and one of the finest in the world, enhanced by the sheer grandeur of the setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Displaying a wide variety of Cape Flora, also known as fynbos, including sugarbushes, pincushions and heaths. Plants from all the diverse regions and biomes of southern Africa are grown at Kirstenbosch, including a near-complete collection of cycads
Guided experience
Belmond Mount Nelson
Junior Suite
Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Booked by a guest
Embark on a spectacular journey around the Cape Peninsula taking in all the highlights and breath-taking beauty of this world-renowned region. Travel through historic suburbs, charming fishing villages and awesome viewpoints on your way to Cape Point, where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in harmony.
Highlights include the Atlantic Seaboard, Ou Kaapse Weg Scenic Drive, Kalk Bay, Simon's Town, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, funicular ride at Cape Point to view Cape of Good Hope from the apex of steep cliffs where the Old Lighthouse stands, and a mainland penguin colony as penguins are only found in the Southern hemisphere. The return journey will drive over Chapman’s Peak and through extraordinary scenically beautiful landscapes.
Please note that your guide may advise route changes to beat the crowds.
Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
Meeting Time: Morning
Belmond Mount Nelson
Junior Suite
Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Booked by a person
Below are some things we recommend experiencing and seeing during your time at leisure.
- Take an exciting trip up Table Mountain in a cable car provides panoramic views over the city.
- See the largest collection of Contemporary African Art at the Zeitz MOCAA
- Head to a local crafts market
- Walk through colorful buildings
- Wander around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour and hub of entertainment and shopping opportunities
- End the evening at vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs which come alive after dark
Belmond Mount Nelson
Junior Suite
Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Booked by a travel agent
After breakfast and check-out, meet your guide for a transfer to the Cape Town Winelands with some touring in this beautiful region of South Africa along the way.
Your taste sensational full day Winelands tour will begin with a collection from your hotel, and you will return in the late afternoon. Savor the renowned, fine wines of the Cape amidst the magnificent scenery that homes the Cape’s award winning wine estates, and enjoy captivating mountain passes and charming towns stepped in history during this captivating tour.
Highlights include numerous wine tastings at a variety of estates, perfectly selected and suited to your wine preferences, a superb lunch in either Stellenbosch or the quaint village of Franschhoek, as well as an informative, orientation drive through Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, to learn about the history of these fertile winelands.
In 1659, the first wine was pressed from Cape Grapes and Governor Simon van der Stel realised the great potential of the fertile Cape lands. Wine estates are scattered like treasures throughout the region; and with so many wines to choose from it is easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Let your expert guide take care of the details and lead you on a compelling journey around the Cape Winelands.
Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby
Meeting Time: Morning
Duration: About 8 hours (incl. drive time and touring stops)
Booked by Scenset
Located about 75 km (45 mi) east of Cape Town, Franschhoek is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. French Huguenot settlers first arrived in the late 1600s and began what has become a thriving agricultural industry focused primarily on winemaking. Much of the traditional Cape Dutch architecture has been preserved, making this one of South Africa’s prettiest places to visit, not only for the classic churches and farmhouses but also for its breathtaking landscapes. The town itself is situated in a picturesque valley nestled at the foot of imposing surrounding mountain ranges.
The main road is lined with art galleries, boutiques and small shops selling freshly baked goods, charcuterie, olive oil, jam, artisanal chocolate and, of course, wine. Also, some of the country’s top restaurants and most renowned wineries are here.
A variety of quaint boutique wineries and large cellars offer guided tours and tastings, which can be visited aboard the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram. For those seeking outdoor adventures, there are a number of scenic walking trails in the surrounding mountains, particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve and around the Berg River. Other activities include cycling, horseback riding, polo, and golf.
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing.
Every aspect of Babylonstoren – including the contemporary Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop, and Restaurants – is led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden. The farm hotel is characterized by thick whitewashed walls, elegant gables, and hearty fireplaces, emulating an authentic farm-stay experience.
Babylonstoren
One Bedroom Garden Cottage
The slightly larger cottages have a luxurious en-suite bathroom and lounge area with thick walls, elegant gables, bookshelves filled with a wonderful selection, and a hearty fireplace. Into this pristine Cape Dutch style, a contemporary glass cube has been seamlessly added to house a kitchen area.
Inclusions: Breakfast daily, Water buffalo tour to Rietvlei, full access to the garden at all times. Guided garden tours and farm walk, cycling and canoeing/rowing on the farm dam. Fly Fishing/Fishing. Mountain drive (for a 2-night stay and longer). Daily stretch and breathing sessions at Babylonstoren Balance. Bread baking with bakers, cellar tour and wine tasting, olive oil and balsamic vinegar tour. A special treasure hunt that adds to the excitement of the young guests. Feed the fish in the ponds. Essential oil tour.
Booked by a guest
You have these days free to spend at your leisure. You may wish to relax on the idyllic grounds of your hotel to enjoy a wine tasting or embark on a self-guided tour of the fabulous vineyards around Franschhoek on the wine tram!
At Babylonstoren, guests can explore the farm property during their stay. Highlights include specialist garden tours, fitness and spa, bicycle rides, garden tours, mountain drives, wine & olive oil tastings, visits with the farm animals, swimming, fishing, and rowing at the dam.
It is strongly suggested that any experiences at Babylonstoren are arranged in advance. Please refer to this Experience Form for descriptions as to what's on offer. For spa treatments, please see the Garden Spa menu here.
Experienced guests who love the great outdoors can try their hand at fly fishing. Guests are accompanied by a guide.
The farm dam also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy bass fishing!
Time: Morning, approximately 1.5 hours
Journey through underground wine tunnel to savor Babylonstoren’s finest wines. The cellar tour starts in the vineyards above ground, where vines from various styles are cultivated. From there, you'll venture into the working cellar with its array of wine-producing vessels, from amphorae clay pots to open cement fermenters and concrete eggs. The tour concludes with a master tasting of Babylonstoren's finest wines, paired with farm-grown and handmade delicacies.
The wines of Babylonstoren are produced in a state-of-the-art winery and are made to showcase the soils and climate where their grapes are grown. The Tasting Room sits adjacent to the Wine Cellar, offering views of the conical Babylonstoren hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains.
In Franschhoek, enjoy South Africa's greatest export, wine! The Purple Line tour for example starts on a modified tram-bus and ends with the double-decker railway tram. The tour allows you to experience breathtaking mountain views while stopping at as many as eight of the following wine estates. Hop on and off as you experience the wine tasting (payable on site at each estate), cellar tours, picnic lunches in the vineyards and al fresco dining.
Passengers may dine at one of several restaurants on the tour. It is highly recommended that passengers make reservations for lunch/picnic at least 24-48 hours in advance.
Babylonstoren
One Bedroom Garden Cottage
Inclusions: Breakfast daily, Water buffalo tour to Rietvlei, full access to the garden at all times. Guided garden tours and farm walk, cycling and canoeing/rowing on the farm dam. Fly Fishing/Fishing. Mountain drive (for a 2-night stay and longer). Daily stretch and breathing sessions at Babylonstoren Balance. Bread baking with bakers, cellar tour and wine tasting, olive oil and balsamic vinegar tour. A special treasure hunt that adds to the excitement of the young guests. Feed the fish in the ponds. Essential oil tour.
Booked by a guest
After breakfast and check-out, you will transfer to the airport for your flight out of Cape Town.
This is a transfer of approximately 1 hour, traffic permitting.
Booked by Scenset
For the first option, we are waitlisted at a safari camp.
Upon arrival, you will connect on your charter flight to Londolozi Varty Camp.
Booked by Scenset
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, named for the Sabie and Sand Rivers which flow through it, is renowned for its wildlife density and predator interactions; seldom will a visitor not see the Big Five. Although it shares a fenceless boundary with Kruger National Park, much of the wildlife in the Sabi Sand stays more or less in the reserve. Over the years, the animals have become used to the presence of safari vehicles, resulting in close encounters, particularly with the elusive leopards.
Roaming packs of African wild dogs, territorial lions, and large herds of elephants are also signature sightings. As well as having a consistently high density of wildlife, the reserve's conservation ethos keeps vehicle numbers to a minimum at wildlife sightings. This offers a more exclusive safari experience while ensuring the welfare of the habituated animals. Being in the private reserve generally affords more flexibility with opportunities to off-road, enjoy night drives and bush walks, all of which make visiting this area a truly unique experience.
This scenset is a tapestry of brick paths, dolerite rock walls, waterfalls, and tangled vines echoing simple spaces with unencumbered river view backdrops. The tones of the scenset reflect a long-standing connection with this land and therefore place an emphasis on family and heritage.
Londolozi Varty Camp
Superior Chalet
Each room has its own private swimming pool, outdoor shower, and outdoor dining sala, framed by timber decks raised off the ground under the shade of an ancient riverine forest.
Inclusions: All meals, teas and coffees daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, two safari drives daily in open Land Rovers, nature walks accompanied by experienced armed rangers, transfers to/from Londolozi airstrip to lodge, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, in-room Wi-Fi and a guest conservation contribution.
Booked by a guest
No two days are the same at Londolozi and the experience is tailored to suit individual preferences and expectations. There is a certain rhythm and pace to the experience that stirs a sense of homecoming on repeat visits and a pleasing sense of order for first time bushveld visitors. Game drives at Londolozi are taken by professional, passionate and knowledgeable rangers and trackers, who have many years of experience between them. With over 16,000 hectares of traversing wilderness, no two game drives are ever the same.
In today’s safari practice, rifles have been replaced with cameras, and the only shooting done is to photograph the majesty of animals, birds and trees. Londolozi’s rangers specialize in photographic safaris and, where possible, will position the vehicle for guests to get the best angle for photography. They will also share advice and knowledge where they can so you can capture the moment in all its glory. Other activities available are The Londolozi Photographic Studio, The Londolozi Living Boutique, The Healing House, and The Londolozi Village Walk.
Londolozi Varty Camp
Superior Chalet
Inclusions: All meals, teas and coffees daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, two safari drives daily in open Land Rovers, nature walks accompanied by experienced armed rangers, transfers to/from Londolozi airstrip to lodge, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, in-room Wi-Fi and a guest conservation contribution.
Booked by a client
Upon arrival at Skukuza Airport, meet your guide and embark on a game drive as you make your way to the lodge for check-in.
Booked by Scenset
Sculpted into a slope of the earth, Earth Lodge’s organic architecture awakens the senses with a masterful use of texture, space and light. Everywhere there is evidence of nature at work, with almost every facet of the lodge inspired by the surrounding environment.
The clean lines and natural finishes are the perfect foil for the luxury, grandeur and lavish touches that epitomize Earth Lodge – individual splash pools for each suite, a butler, ultra-luxurious bathrooms, magnificent wooden carvings, sculpted furniture and an underground wine cellar that is home to over 6,000 bottles of rare, special wines.
Home to 13 ultra-luxurious suites, the lodge breaks with traditional bush lodge style to create a masterpiece of elegance, futuristic style and luxury. Each suite features a private pool, butler, en-suite glass fronted bathroom, outdoor shower and specially commissioned furnishings. The indoor-outdoor dining area overlooks a waterhole and unending bush, and the lodge has a library, underground wine cellar, Zen garden and Amani Spa.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Luxury Suite
Each designer suite looks over an expansive indoor-outdoor lounge, a shimmering private pool and directly into the bush. The organic flow, generously proportioned living areas, marble en suite bathroom and panoramic windows create a flawless balance of cocooned privacy and spaciousness.
Free yourself from the demands of daily life and melt into flawless luxurious comfort. Dream big on a king-sized bed, soak in the views from the splendor of your outdoor lounge, or drift off on your sun lounger lulled by the soothing hum of nature’s song.
Inclusions: Open vehicle safaris by day and at night, environmental awareness walking safaris, breakfast, lunch, "boma" dinner, all drinks excluding French Champagne and Private Collection Cellar Wines, limited laundry service (no dry cleaning available), Wi-Fi, transfers to and from the Sabi Sabi airstrip and Sabi Game Reserve Conservation Levy will be provided per person per night.
Booked by a guest
Each morning and evening you will depart from this luxury safari lodge into the wilderness, either by open safari vehicle or on foot for a walking safari, accompanied by your armed and knowledgeable Game Ranger and tracker - close enough to share in a thrilling encounter with Africa’s beautiful wild creatures.
There is an indoor/outdoor dining area overlooking a waterhole and unending bushveld, a secluded library, art gallery, meditation garden; and an underground wine cellar with a collection of over 6,000 bottles of rare wines, the venue for an unforgettable dining experience – everything at this luxury lodge has been created for your indulgence.
While on safari escape to the Amani Spa and indulge in holistic body, skin and beauty rituals, treatments and massages. The gym facilities at Earth Lodge offer cardio equipment in a safe and air conditioned environment while still capturing the beautiful views out towards the bush.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Luxury Suite
Inclusions: Open vehicle safaris by day and at night, environmental awareness walking safaris, breakfast, lunch, "boma" dinner, all drinks excluding French Champagne and Private Collection Cellar Wines, limited laundry service (no dry cleaning available), Wi-Fi, transfers to and from the Sabi Sabi airstrip and Sabi Game Reserve Conservation Levy.
Booked by a guest
Say good-bye to the Sabi Sands as you will be transferred on a final game drive to Skukuza Airport (SZK) for your onward flight to Cape Town.
Booked by Scenset
Depart on your flight out of Cape Town for home.
To be booked independently by the client
If you like what you read and are ready to pull the trigger on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, then you may either complete the secure payment link or arrange a bank transfer as detailed below.
Once payment has been received, we will begin confirming the itinerary and let you know of next steps!
Should you wish to pay by wire, the total trip cost will be provided for Londolozi and for Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge with full payment due at time of booking.
Please use these details to send both domestic wires and ACH transfers to Scenset's Mercury account:
Beneficiary
- Beneficiary Name: UNTRVLD, Inc.
- Account Number: 202314543995
- Type of Account Checking
- Beneficiary Address 3101 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Receiving Bank Details
- ABA Routing Number: 091311229
- Bank Name: Choice Financial Group
Mercury uses Choice Financial Group as a banking partner.
- Bank Address 4501 23rd Avenue S
Fargo, ND 58104
Please refer to our terms & conditions here.