Safari Sojourn CURATED WORLD JOURNEYS - TRAVEL WITH CLAUDINE

Welcome to South Africa

South Africa is an exciting place to visit. Cape Town, with its vibrant nightlife, stylish young people and beautiful surroundings, has become one of the most desirable destinations in the world.

DAY 1 - Cape Town

South Africa's "Mother City," Cape Town is dominated by Table Mountain and surrounded by the wild Atlantic Ocean, giving it an unquestionably jaw-dropping backdrop. It was once described by Sir Francis Drake as "the fairest cape in all the circumference of the earth," and since the 16th century, seafarers have been drawn to its dramatic coastline and strategic location on the southwestern tip of the African continent. Cape Town leads South Africa in developing attractions to appeal to visitors, and it is now one of the world's top travel destinations.

Cape Town's highlights include the historical center, cutting-edge museums, the famous Constantia wine estates, and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. There is also a variety of trendy restaurants and nightclubs, as well as some of the best shopping opportunities in Africa.

Beyond Cape Town, a stunning coast road winds its way around the Cape Peninsula as far south as Cape Point, where there are pristine beaches, quaint seaside villages, and marine wildlife such as penguins and seals. The Winelands is South Africa's oldest and most beautiful wine-producing area, and the scenic valleys are covered by the vineyards of historic estates that have been cultivating grapes for more than 300 years. The southern coast is dubbed the Whale Coast, and it claims to have the best land-based whale-watching in the world. In season, sightings are almost guaranteed from the clifftops in Hermanus.

Cape Town's appeal also lies in its fascinating mix of nationalities and identities—African, European, Asian— and its history is compelling, too, from the early hunter-gatherers to the arrival of the Europeans, the Boer War and the breakdown of apartheid. In fact, it's Cape Town's mix of culture and lifestyle that makes it one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.

Meet your driver and transfer to hotel for the next 4 nights in Cape Town.

Cape Town Hotel

Head up Table Mountain in the cable car for an incredible vantage point of the city. On return to city-level, you will be met by Cape Sidecars to enjoy a beautiful ride through the city, into Camps Bay. Stop at Maidens Cove and continue along the seaboard and up to Signal Hill. Your private guide will pick you up and continue your city tour. You will hit the streets of the cool creative hub of the East City Precinct, a blend of chic cafes, grungy dive bars, mechanics workshops and sports-car dealerships. Cape Town's inner-city streets are a treasure-trove to be explored: studios, atmospheric pubs, quirky décor stores and fashion boutiques.

You'll get a touch of some of the city's lesser-known historical facts, shipwreck stories and possibly meet a few of the captivating characters behind the roasteries, distilleries and workshops. The suburb of Woodstock is next up for the creative souls who would like to delve into the grittier side of Cape Town's art world. Then you'll wrap up your day with craft beer and gin tasting at a local distillery or brewery. Marvel at the vibrant colors of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes in the Malay Quarter.

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DAY 3 - VINEYARDS & WINELANDS TOUR

Today’s sojourn celebrates the winelands. Learn all about the process of wine making, from grape to goblet. Revel in the scenery…like the charming Cape Dutch architecture of Stellenbosch and the breathtaking beauty of the Franschhoek valley. Take a stroll through historical, charming Stellenbosch with its Cape Dutch architecture, absorbing the quaintness of this lovely university town. A trip to the winelands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so a cellar tour and two tastings have been organized at different wine estates. Of course, you’ll be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home!

Explore one of the most scenically beautiful areas in SA, visiting fascinating towns and taking a look into off-the-beaten track farms which revel in their old-world roots and influences. Spend time in Franschoek, browsing through its wealth of appealing stores and museums and sipping local coffee blends in tempting cafes. Your tasting experience will commence at one of the iconic wine estates, let the pairing of wine awaken your senses while enjoying breathtaking mountain ranges and lush gardens. Admire a collection of contemporary art, see the highest-growing vines, and, from an elevated point, take in the stunning vistas over an old-world estate.

After lunch, you visit some of the smaller, boutique, and family-owned wine estates for a more intimate wine tasting.

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DAY 4 - FREE DAY

Enjoy today at leisure. Explore the exciting activities Cape Town has to offer such as a trip to the Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned), hiking, kayaking, cycling, or meeting with a local community outreach project.

End the day mingling with locals at a cool city spot, rooftop bar or beach cove, sundowners in hand.

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DAY 5 - Greater Kruger

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Cape Town airport to Skukusa airport.

Welcome to Kruger National Park

At 19,500 km2 (7,500 mi2), the world-renowned Kruger National Park is the largest national park in South Africa, and also the oldest in all of Africa. Given its size, numerous airports, and excellent access road, Kruger and its surrounding private game reserves are an attractive option for many travelers.

Kruger is best known for its high wildlife density, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo). Hundreds of other mammals and unique bird species also make their home in Kruger. Mountains, plains, and tropical forests are all part of the landscape, ensuring both scenic and exciting game drives.

Meet your driver and transfer to hotel for the next 3 days of wild life viewing.

Safari Lodge

SAFARI EXPERIENCE - The Wonders of the African Bush

While every safari lodge operates slightly differently, as a general rule you will have the opportunity to join two safari activities each day. One in the early morning and then another that leaves in the late afternoon and returns shortly after dark. Please note you are in no way obligated to join both of these daily activities and if you would prefer to sleep in one morning and simply join the afternoon activity (or vice versa) you are of course welcome to do so.

On both your morning and evening safari activities your guide will find a scenic area to stop for a half hour where you will enjoy some light refreshments and a chance to stretch your legs.

In addition to the other many animals you will undoubtedly see, the goal on Safari is often to find the “Big Five”. Throughout much of the early 20th century when hunting was still the main reason international visitors made their way to Africa, these five animals were considered the most dangerous animals to hunt and were therefore prized as trophies above all others. Fortunately, times have changed and now most guests who go on Safari want to admire and photograph 3 these incredible animals rather than cause them any harm.

The “Big Five” are the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Leopard, the Lion, and the Cape Buffalo.

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DAY 8 - Johannesburg

Welcome to Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa, is often affectionately called Jo'burg, Joeys or Jozi. The city was founded in 1886 on one of the richest gold reefs in the world and started life as a simple wagon camp for early prospectors on the bare, open Highveld. Johannesburg quickly grew into the economic powerhouse of southern Africa and the largest urban space in sub-Saharan Africa.

Despite being predominantly a business destination, Johannesburg has a wealth of urban attractions, such as art galleries, museums, parks and zoos. Gold Reef City (the oldest and last of Johannesburg's gold mines to be shut down) is now a theme park and mine tour, where visitors can explore Johannesburg's legacy of gold mining. The countryside, too, is easily accessible—craft markets, country inns, wildlife projects, dams and mountains offer a breath of fresh air.

To the southeast of Johannesburg is famous Soweto (an acronym for South West Township), where black people were restricted to living during apartheid. Soweto holds an important place in the heart of modern South Africa for its activities and the rise of peoples' voices that contributed to the demise of apartheid.

Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for the next 2 nights.

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Johannesburg Hotel

Today, delve into the highlights of South Africa’s biggest city, Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa and one of the most politically, and historically important. Learn about the turbulent history, melting pot culture, and the amazing transformation this city is undergoing. Your tour today, led by a local expert guide, will include visits to Soweto including entrance into Mandela's House, Hector Petersen Museum, Regina Mundi, and the Apartheid Museum.

A visit to Soweto is always eye-opening, as it gives visitors a glimpse at the living conditions that many South Africans still endure today. A vibrant and lively community, Soweto was not only the setting for many of the most important events that took place throughout Apartheid, but was also home to two of its most important figures. Vilakazi Street is undoubtedly Soweto's most famous street as it is the only one anywhere on earth boasting the residences of to two Nobel Prize winners, Former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. During your time here, you will stop by President Mandela's home and learn all about his early years.

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DAY 10 - DEPARTURE DAY

Today you will connect with your international departure flight back home. Say Kwaheri until next time because the 'motherland' is not a once in a lifetime destination...

The Essentials

Date: September 25 - October 4, 2025

Cost: $5865 per person (double occupancy)

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total program cost is required to secure the arrangements. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure. The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges.

Booking instructions: Click this link BOOK NOW to secure your spot on our safari. Due to the nature of luxury lodges, we are limited to a maximum of 12 guests in double occupancy, so you and your travel partner will need to pay your deposit at the same time.

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Inclusions:

• Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
• Meals, drinks, and laundry as specified
• Scheduled flights as specified in the itinerary
• Private/Scheduled transfers as specified in the itinerary
• Scheduled sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
• Scheduled game viewing activities as specified in the itinerary

Not included in package cost:

• National parks, concession, and landing fees where applicable
• Domestic departure tax, fuel and safety levies from airports and airstrips
• International arrival and departure flights
• Any applicable Visa fees
• Meals, drinks, and laundry not specified in the itinerary
• Premium brand drinks, champagne, cognacs, cellar wines and cigars
• Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
• Sightseeing and excursions not specified in the itinerary
• Flights and transfers not specified in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance

Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment.

Cancellations: Written cancellations received more than 60 days prior to departure will incur a 30% forfeit of the total trip cost. Written cancellations received less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to a 100% forfeit of the tour cost.