Big 5, Cape, Wines& safari lodge experience – SAL

Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town. On arrival, transfer to our centrally located hotel near the lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The remainder of the day is free to settle in after your journey.

This evening, meet your fellow travellers over a welcome reception, followed by a special included Welcome dinner celebrating the flavours and traditions of the diverse African and Cape Malay culture.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Cape Town

Today’s sightseeing introduces you to Cape Town’s most celebrated landmarks and fascinating history. Weather permitting, take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, where magnificent views stretch across the city, coastline and surrounding mountains. The ever-changing scenery makes this one of the highlights of any visit to Cape Town.

Continue to Bo-Kaap, a colourful neighbourhood known for its brightly painted houses, historic mosques and distinctive Cape Malay heritage. You’ll also see the Castle of Good Hope, an impressive 17th-century fort, and visit the area around Cape Town City Hall and St George’s Cathedral, both important landmarks in the country’s history.

Later, visit SEED, a community initiative supported by the Planeterra Foundation. Learn how local people are developing sustainable food-growing projects, supporting young people and creating opportunities for their communities. Enjoy lunch at the SEED Kitchen, prepared using fresh produce from its own garden. The remainder of the day is free to explore further or relax at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Stellenbosch & Cape Winelands

Today, travel into the beautiful Cape Winelands to discover Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town. Surrounded by vineyards and dramatic mountain scenery, Stellenbosch is renowned for its historic architecture, charming streets and relaxed atmosphere.

Enjoy time to wander along Dorp Street, one of the town’s most picturesque thoroughfares. Admire the Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings, browse art galleries and boutique shops, or stop at a café for a coffee and freshly baked treat. You may also come across traditional trading stores that preserve a glimpse of the town’s past.

Continue to the Spice Route Destination in Paarl, where local artisans showcase their produce, crafts and speciality foods. Enjoy a tasting experience featuring carefully selected wines paired with cured meats, followed by a delicious chocolate tasting. Return to Cape Town after a delightful day of scenery, local flavours and discovery.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Cape Town

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offers plenty to explore, from craft markets and boutiques to galleries, cafés and restaurants overlooking the harbour. Watch the fishing boats and sightseeing vessels moving across the water, simply find a comfortable spot to relax and soak up the atmosphere, or have a leisurely lunch. Alternatively, you may prefer to enjoy some quiet time to explore more of Cape Town independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Waterberg Safari Region

After breakfast, leave Cape Town and travel to the next exciting chapter of your South African adventure. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival at the Johannesburg Airport, meet your local representative and transfer to our safari lodge, situated within our private game reserve in the Waterberg/Limpopo Province. The reserves cover approximately 16,400 hectares of diverse African landscape and form part of the UNESCO-recognised Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. Here, open grasslands, savannah and rugged bushveld provide habitats for an impressive variety of wildlife.

Settle into your comfortable lodge suite and meet the friendly team who look after you during your stay. After a welcome drink, head out on our first afternoon game drive, when you may catch your first glimpse of the animals that call this reserve home. We return to our lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the exotic sounds of the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 6: Safari Adventures

Begin the day with an early morning tea or coffee and sample traditional South African rusks before setting out on a guided game drive.

Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, explore different parts of the reserve in search of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo. You may also encounter cheetah, tsessebe, brown hyena and other fascinating species. Along the way, your guide will explain the animals’ behaviour, habitats and the important role they play in the natural environment.

Pause at a scenic viewpoint for morning coffee before returning to the lodge for breakfast. There will be time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. As evening approaches, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7: Safari in Style

This morning offers a different perspective on the African wilderness with a guided bush walk near the lodge – or you may prefer to relax in your beautiful surroundings. Then enjoy an outdoor brunch in the beautiful setting.

This afternoon is also free to relax at the lodge, perhaps spending some time beside the swimming pool or simply enjoying the views. Later, head out on another game drive, with opportunities to spot wildlife and appreciate the changing colours of the landscape as the sun begins to set.

Dinner tonight is in the traditional outdoor boma, where lanterns illuminate the dining area around a welcoming fire.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Days 8–10: Wildlife Encounters

Over the next three days, settle into the rewarding rhythm of safari life, with opportunities for morning and afternoon game drives. Early mornings are particularly special, as the African landscape comes to life. Travel across open grasslands and savannah in search of giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and impala. Later in the day, explore the mountain bushveld, where elephants, lions and other wildlife may be encountered.

The lodge is also committed to wildlife conservation and research. During your stay, the team will share insights into their ongoing projects and explain how tourism contributes to the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Each day brings something different, whether it’s a close encounter with an animal, a spectacular sunset or simply the pleasure of relaxing in the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 11: Johannesburg

After breakfast, our South African adventure concludes with our farewell from the lodge team and the beautiful Waterberg region before transferring to Johannesburg for onward travel.

Meal: Breakfast

Important Information

N.B.: The availability or order of included activities may change depending on weather or other local conditions, wildlife movements and seasonal schedules.

By its very definition, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, as animals roam freely within their natural environment. Game drives and bush walks are subject to the guidance of the lodge’s experienced team and prevailing conditions.

The tour is designed to be easy-going overall, although some excursions involve moderate walking. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a light jacket for early morning and evening activities are recommended.

THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Available dates: On application
Pricing: Available on application. Email info@travlink.net or within NZ call 0800 99 77 88 for more about this unique tour.