South Africa Custom Luxury Tours
South Africa is a lion, a grape, a flower, a painting and a smile. South Africa stands out among African nations for its sheer diversity. This land of perpetual sunshine offers urbane cities and old-world vineyards, spectacular vistas and thrilling big game drives. It is well endowed with natural attributes such as the fynbos, a botanically rich region known as the “Cape Floral Kingdom” (one of only five in the world), noted for dramatic flowers such as the king protea. Two mighty oceans collide near the Cape of Good Hope, and great graceful sweeps of coastline stand uncrowded and uncluttered. Private game reserves hark back to the era when the land was owned by elephant, leopard, impala and zebra. The availability of malaria-free reserves is ideal for families with young children. Indeed, many of the extraordinary boutique hotels, lodges and inns are genuinely family friendly with special programs and activities catering to children’s interests. The country has a wealth of cultural offerings from jazz and art galleries to the small craft markets with locally produced arts and textiles. South Africa luxury travel also appeals to the connoisseur who delights in exceptional cuisine, historic architecture, world renowned wines, luxurious railways and outstanding accommodations. This is the lovely kaleidoscope of South Africa.
Suggested South Africa Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
Day 2: Cape Town
Day 3: Cape Town
Day 4: Cape Town / Game Reserve
Day 5: Game Reserve
Day 6: Game Reserve
Day 7: Game Reserve / Johannesburg / Depart
Custom Travel Options
The Winelands (3 days)
The first vineyards date back to 1652. Classic wine estates include Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Grootbos Nature Reserve (3 days)
Set in the rare fynbos ecosystem, this luxury lodge captures the spirit of its glorious surroundings. Excellent whale watching can be done between July and December from land, sea or air.
The Garden Route (4 days)
Historic towns, lakes, rivers, dramatic cliffs and beaches dot the route along the Indian Ocean before it turns inland.
Private Game Reserves (Days vary)
Private reserves such as Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Phinda offer luxury accommodations while playing a vital role in the health of wild animal populations.
Eastern Cape & Malaria Free Game Reserves (4 days)
Eastern Cape is outstanding for families and outdoor enthusiasts with activities such as surfing, fishing, and swimming as well as big-game viewing at one of the malaria-free reserves such as Madikwe.
Luxury Trains: Blue Train & Rovos Rail (Days vary)
South Africa is the home of two award-winning, luxury trains that offer unsurpassed luxury travel reminiscent of ages past.
Durban and Kwazulu Natal (4 days)
Home to the Zulu nation, it is rich in history, and offers big-game viewing in close proximity to snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea and surfing.
About South Africa Travel
Cape Town: Cape Town is the gem of the Western Cape, nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain. From its sometimes bleak history, the city has emerged with a unique multicultural personality; the result of the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Khoi tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north. From this energetic mix comes a city alive with possibilities for the traveler to explore from the stylish shops of Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to the colorful Malay Quarter’s narrow streets and original buildings, many of the facades dressed in vibrant hues. The city‘s history unfolds around every corner: the Castle of Good Hope, the original fort of Cape Town, built in 1652, city center’s 18th century buildings, many still in use today, and the Parliament buildings. Natural attractions abound such the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point offer captivating panoramas of two oceans – the Pacific and the Indian. The False Bay coastal road travels through fishing villages to Boulders Bay and the quirky colony of African penguins. The lush flora of Kirstenbosch Gardens is enchanting.
Cape Winelands: A tour of the Cape Winelands takes in classic wine estates and well-dressed villages of oak-lined avenues set against the backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek form the heart of the Cape Winelands, producing wines that are the equal of any on the world stage today.
Grootbos Nature Reserve: This private reserve has two five-star luxury lodges, and is renowned for its ecotourism and sustainability practices. The reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills overlooking spectacular Walker Bay. Land-based whale watching is quite good here in season. The reserve’s Cape Fynbos Kingdom is a flora biodiversity hotspot with more than 740 different species of plants. Grootbos Nature Reserve has promoted its beauty, interpreted its intricate stories, and developed projects focused on conserving this exceptional natural region. Two lodges, Garden and Forest Lodge, are the epitome of luxury and comfort in a stunning environment. Guests are welcomed with warm hospitality, excellent cuisine and fine South African wines.
Garden Route: The Garden Route travels through two –Western Cape and Eastern Cape – of South Africa’s nine provinces. On its journey between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, it edges along the Indian Ocean coastline where mountains crowd the shoreline, creating dramatic plunging cliffs. And, miles of uncluttered beaches invite long, leisurely walks. The route meanders through historic towns, alongside lakes and rivers into Tsitsikamma National Park, with its gorgeous views of the muscular coastline. Its indigenous forests are a haven for birdlife. Ecosystems along the Garden Route range from a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains to the edge of the Klein Karoo, a semi-arid region with towering mountains and sheer gorges. Here, the town of Oudtshoorn is the center for commercial ostrich farming.
Private Game Reserves: Private reserves such as Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Phinda and Madikwe offer luxury accommodations while playing a vital role in the health of wild animal populations in Southern Africa. Many share open boundaries with the famous, five-million-acre Kruger National Park and some are malaria-free. Sabi Sand Reserve, for example, supports several private game reserves such as Mala Mala Game Reserve, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Singita Game Reserve and Ulusaba Private Game Reserve. Then, there is beautiful Welgevonden Game Reserve. Each has its own distinctive style and personality, but all are powerful models of sustainable tourism in action such as Madikwe Game Reserve. It butts up to the Botswana border and is becoming one of South Africa's premier safari destinations. It encompasses more than 185,000 acres and is one of the largest game reserves in the country and is also malaria-free. It was restored and restocked with historically indigenous plants as well as lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, Cape hunting dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra and antelope.
KwaZulu Natal: Located in the southeastern section of the country, it boasts a long stretch of shoreline on the Indian Ocean. This is the home of the Zulu nation. It is also rich in the military history of an emerging nation. Battlefield sites include the Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where many Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles were fought. KwaZulu Natal is one of the few places where big game viewing is enjoyed in close proximity to scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, surfing and the like. Habitats from coastal dune forests to open bushveld support a wide diversity of wildlife.
Eastern Cape: The diversity of the Eastern Cape ranges from the evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, from the southern slopes of the Drakensberg to the arid Great Karoo. Pleasant year-round weather, miles of beach, fine resorts, and easy access to a wide range of water sports make this a natural destination for outdoor enthusiasts. History buffs will be enthralled with the area. Grahamstown began as a military post in the Fourth Frontier War in the early 1800s. The town, nicknamed ‘cathedral city,’ has wide tree-lined streets with fine examples of 19th-century architecture. From Port Elizabeth, it is easy to reach one of the malaria-free reserves such as Kwandwe or Shamwari Game Reserve for some game watching.
Best Times to Go to South Africa
Festivals & Special Events
• Most of South Africa is subtropical with temperatures warmed by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau. The best time to travel depends on your interests. Spring lasts August to mid-October. Flowers are best August and September. Southern right whales migrate to the bays of the southern coast July to November. Summer, mid-October to early-March, is hot and sunny, with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly. Autumn, mid-March to April, is a favorite time to visit when temperatures are comfortable. Winter, May to July/August, in the Northern provinces is dry and sunny, with crisp days and cold nights; but Cape Town is cool to warm with the possibility of rain. May to August are prime months for spotting game, when the foliage is less dense. The high mountains in Drakensberg sometimes see snow in winter.
• From December to March, the Spier Summer Festival is held in Stellenbosch in the lush Winelands of the Western Cape. The annual festival offers four months of music, opera, dance, stand-up comedy and theater.
• In March, the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a two-day festival of music and the arts.
• The 10-day Grahamstown National Arts Festival, is usually in June or early July, is the nation’s oldest, largest arts festival, and features theater, music, song, dance and film.
• Hermanus Whale Festival in September is billed as the only enviro-arts festival in South Africa. The four-day festival focuses on marine life, but includes everything from whale watching to a golf classic, car show, concerts, children’s activities and more.