Luxury South Africa & Botswana Active Safari (Walking, Biking, Big Five + Luxury Game Lodge) 11D10N, Fully Guided

FOUR HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile), Elevation gain: 30m (100ft)
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 183m (600ft)
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 213m (700ft)
Level 3, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 274m (900ft)

Welcome to South Africa! After meeting we shuttle to Cape Town's mountainous backdrop, surrounded by unique Fynbos vegetation on the slopes of Devil's Peak. Enjoy wonderful views of Cape Town and the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains before hiking through rare native forest on the Contour Path. Then descend over 1,000 feet into Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which showcases an exotic collection of the Cape flora as well as an incredible variety of South African plants. This world-renowned garden is home to a favorite local dining spot, the Kirstenbosch Teahouse, where we stop for lunch.

Enjoy lunch within this world-renowned garden at the Kirstenbosch Teahouse. Spend time to relax with a hot brew or take a lovely stroll exploring the gardens. Take the shuttle or continue with a walk along hillside trails to Cellars Hohenort, your home for the next two nights.

A Relais & Châteaux member, nestled against the breathtaking Table Mountains, find tranquility amongst its nine acres of exquisitely landscaped grounds, whisk away in the small vineyard or refresh with a dip in its two swimming pools. Come evening, gather together for a trip orientation paired with a wine reception before an exquisite dinner at the hotel’s Conservatory Restaurant. Embraced in perfect harmony with its natural setting, indulge in fresh produce from its onsite garden bursting traditional Cape Malay flavours, seafood and more.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 31 km (19 miles), Elevation gain: 305m (1000ft)
Level 3, Approx. 40 km (25 miles), Elevation gain: 427m (1400ft)
Level 4, Approx. 61 km (38 miles), Elevation gain: 752m (2500ft)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before a shuttle to the spectacular coastline of Cape Point, the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and Africa’s most southwesterly point. Be captivated by one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and keep eyes peeled for whales and the rare African penguins. Marvel at its unique flora and fauna, home to at least 250 bird species and more than 1000 plant species where a majority are endemic to the area. Breathe in the freshest air on the African continent and admire one of the highest sea cliffs in the world at 816 feet at Cape Point.

Delve deeper into Cape Point with a lovely walk to the Cape of Good Hope for sweeping views of the coast, a lighthouse and the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, collide with baboons, mountain zebras, ostriches and elands.

Continue your mountain adventure with a bike ride through the Table Mountain National Park, traversing the famed Cape Argus bike-race route and over Chapman's Peak. Be awestruck by this stunningly beautiful road that hugs the mountainside overlooking the sea. Peddle through historic communities perched next to Table Mountain and catch glimpses of charming towns such as Hout Bay.

Retire back at the hotel. Relax at the hotel's spa to unwind and enjoy a selection of pampering signature treatments (at own expense) or laze by the pool after a full day of riding or indulge in a cocktail at the bar. Tonight, we savor a special family style dining experience featuring Cape Malay cuisine inspired by Cape Town's early Indian and Malay settlers.

Level 1, Approx. 15km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 30m (100ft)

This morning, bid the mountains and coastlines of Cape Town farewell as you journey to the outskirts of Table Bay. Traverse the rugged and remote Pakhuys Pass arriving at the exclusive and acclaimed Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, your home for the next 2 nights.

A Relais & Châteaux member, this heavenly oasis is tucked between the majestic Cederberg Mountains and the desert-like plains of the Great Karoo. This privately owned wilderness reserve holds 130 ancient rock art sites and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. Unwind in your ensuite guestroom complete with private terraces giving sweeping views of its natural surrounds from mountains, river and dramatic rock formations.

Embark on a serene bike ride where you’ll unlock the incredible rock art, some of which is believed to date back 120,000 years. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as the Springbok, bontebok, Cape Mountain zebra and ostrich. For those in pursue of a more leisurely pace, embark on a thrilling game drive accompanied with a ranger to explore its rock art and wildlife.

Savour the wild nature of Bushman Kloof with sundowners in the bush. This evening be treated to a private wine tasting at The Homestead, a haven of old world charm, After, indulge in a wholesome dinner where ingredients are derived from its onsite garden showcasing dished of South African delights.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 30m (100ft)
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 61m (200ft)
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 152m (500ft)

An active start to your day, begin with an interpretive walk through the reserve's unique landscape, allowing you the chance to intimately connect with its plants, wildlife and Bushman art. You can also extend the hike and walk with your leaders on a mountain trail before returning to the hotel.

Spend the afternoon, indulging in the retreat’s luxury amenities. Refresh with a dip in its swimming pool or pamper yourself at serene surrounds of its intimate spa with bespoke treatments inspired by African traditions (at own expense).

Those in search for more adventure, embark on a challenging hike up the spectacular mountain trails traversing remote ravines giving sweeping views of the reserve. Alterbnaively, canoe its serene lake or try your hand at fly fishing. Come late afternoon, take on a thrilling game drive in land Rovers in search for wildlife.

Say hello to a new country this morning! Enjoy breakfast before boarding a charter flight to Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana. Arrive at the reserve’s landing strip before a shuttle to the luxurious and remote Mashatu Main Camp. Built around a watering hole, keep your eyes peeled for one of southern Africa’s largest elephant herd congregating. Unwind in your air-conditioned suites, refresh with a dip in its picturesque pool or dine at its open-air restaurant. Spend time to absorb the extravagance of the Mashatu Reserve, located at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers. Marvel at a diverse wilderness of savanna, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops.

Come late afternoon, set off on a classic game drive in pursue of the Big five and more. You’’ll be captivated with unforgettable wildlife encounters where game viewing is outstanding at Mashatu Reserve. Home to refuge for the largest population of elephants (more than 500) on privately owned land in Africa, be spell bounded by its wild majesties. Alongside, marvel at hundreds of bird species, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs. Along the river, traverse huge mashatu trees providing shade for the eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra.

Tonight, enjoy dinner served in the traditional boma beneath a canopy of stars.

Today starts very early with a "pre-breakfast" of tea, muffins and fruit before another venture into the reserve. Mashatu is one of the few game reserves on Earth that allows mountain biking with access to big game! Rangers accompany us as we pedal slowly along ancient elephant paths with views of amazing creatures. Mountain biking on these trails requires basic bike handling skills and, ideally, a familiarity with cycling off-road. Be sure to wear your bicycling gloves!

For those in search for a more relaxed pace, settle into Land Rovers with a ranger for a game drive and optional walk. Admire views of the beautiful and rugged African landscape that's unchanged since the days of early visitors such as writer Rudyard Kipling and explorer Thomas Baines. After a game drive back to camp and brunch, unwind at the retreat. Take a refreshing dip in its pool or whisk away at the camp’s Discovery Room and delve into its books, displays and posters learning more about the flora and fauna.

Enjoy an afternoon tea before boarding the Land Rovers for another game drive adventure. Search for big cats, elephants and the myriad other fascinating animals that call Mashatu home. Once the sun goes down, we use a spotlight to search for nocturnal creatures on the drive back to camp. Later this evening we meet up for appetizers and a drink in the "gin trap" before savoring more home cooking in the boma under the African night sky.

Level 1, Approx. 7km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 122m (400 ft)

Today is a big travel day but early risers can relish one last trip into the reserve by bike or Land Rover. Enjoy brunch before boarding a private plane for Mpumalanga.

Upon arriving, your journey continues on the road to the Drakensberg Mountains and the Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa. Unwind in your luxury tented suites nestled in a secluded valley along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe at dusk. Savour the serenity set amongst the 250 acres of rose gardens, macadamia and litchi groves, and jackalberry and tamboti trees. Relax at the pool or pamper yourself with a spa treatment including a steam room and jacuzzi. Alternatively, take a lovely stroll through the secluded estate that borders the Sabie River. This energizing walk passes areas where hippos sometimes gather and provides the chance to see wildlife on the fringe of the forest.

Tonight, delight your tastebuds to a contemporary farm-to-table cuisine emphasizes organic vegetables and often features local game meat at the retreat’s open-air restaurant.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 122m (400ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152m ( 500ft)

Today you do as little or as much as you please. You can spend the day at the hotel indulging in its luxury amenities or exploring its surrounding walking trail. Alternatively, venture to a nearby mountain town for hiking and shopping, which provides a seamless transition from reality to natural splendor, indulging all of your senses.

If you are in purse of adventure into the great outdoors take the shuttle in a van and head to Graskop to explore traditional and contemporary African crafts. On the way we skirt the eastern edge of the Great Escarpment, a tremendous plateau stretching across much of southern Africa. The Escarpment is brimming with magnificent scenery, including indigenous forests, pine plantations, streams and waterfalls. On the way to our trailhead, we stop for a glass elevator ride to the bottom of a deep canyon for an on-foot exploration of the lush and rare Afromontane Forest that currently covers only 0.5% of the region's land area. Afterward we begin our Escarpment hike leading past unique outcroppings and otherworldly aloe plants to a spectacular viewpoint off the edge to the low grassland. Our hike will help to build your appetite for today's lunch at a favorite eatery. Then take time to pick up souvenirs or browse the art galleries. Back at the hotel you have a few hours to unwind before sitting down to dinner, an elegant traditional South African braai (barbecue) served fireside under the star.

Enjoy sleeping in and savoring a relaxed breakfast at the hotel this morning. Or if you're anxious to hit the trails, opt to take an invigorating walk on the Summerfields trail or partake in a walking tour of the farm. Later we shuttle from the Escarpment down into the veld to meet our friend Lotus, who represents a South African-based foundation that works with private game reserves to benefit the communities surrounding the lodges. Lotus, a resident here, speaks to us about his Shangaan tribal community, which has an interesting pre- and post apartheid history.

For cultural immersion, visit a local school and gain insight into the development. Continue to the Londolozi Private Game Reserve, a nearly 35,000-acre exclusive safari destination situated in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve on the western border of Kruger National Park. This wildlife haven is home to the Big Five (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalo) not to mention cheetahs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeests, impalas and baboons.

You’ll stay at the elegant game lodge on the Sand River at Londolozi's camps. A Relais & Châteaux member, unwind in your ensuite guestrooms featuring decks with expansive views. Whisk away to the chalets with balconies to observe elephants and hippos in the wild before a delightful lunch at the lodge. Embark on a thrilling game drive with Londolozi’s renowned game rangers and trackers taking you on an unforgettable wildlife adventure.

This evening back at the lodge, embrace a dining affair of Pan-African cuisine in a boma style setting under a canopy of stars and illuminated by dozens of lanterns.

Today is dedicated to wildlife, stunning vistas, wonderful feasts and relaxation. Rise early and head into the bush for a game drive, which may bring sightings of the Big Five.

Continue your wildlife pursue on a safari walk with a ranger focusing on native plants and their uses, with chances to see more big game. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Bask in the African sun with a refreshing dip in the pool or a yoga class to connect with your natural surroundings. Come late afternoon, board the Land Rover in search for animals in the twilight before celebrating your African adventures with a farewell dinner.

This morning soak in one last final adventure in search of the big game before a lovely brunch. There's also time to look for souvenirs at the gift shop. Before our departure, walk through the nearby Londolozi staff village, built to provide its mostly Shangaan inhabitants with a familiar and comfortable living environment. A preschool, learning center and a crafts shop offer residents the chance to develop skills and become entrepreneurs, opportunities rarely available in the rural communities. This afternoon, leaving inspired and fulfilled from an incredible adventure, embark on a nonstop flight from Londolozi to Johannesburg, where your trip ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.