From Sea to Safari: The South African Big 5 Discovery
Embark on a journey to discovery the marine and bush big five.
Highlights
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Cosmopolitan Cape Town
- Safari
Cape Town, Hermanus, Sabi Sand
Big 5 Viewing & Whale Watching
Family Adventure
Experience Overview
Immerse yourself in this exceptional 11-day Africa safari and coastal exploration that offers the unforgettable opportunity to witness the safari and marine Big Five. Your journey kicks off in the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, famous for its incredible Big Five sightings. Stay at &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp and embark on twice-daily game drives and interpretive nature walks. Afterwards, journey to South Africa’s Mother City of Cape Town for a wonderful discovery of Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, before venturing to the Cape Whale Coast region, the world’s best destination to view the antics of whales. Here, you will have the opportunity to stay in the tranquil surrounds of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, which offers a plethora of adventures and an exceptional wine tasting tour of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven on Earth) Wine Route. Next, encounter the marine Big Five on a sensational whale watching trip, followed by an action-packed shark cage diving excursion. In between your ocean adventures you will also have the opportunity to explore your surrounds with various activities such as nature drives, horse riding, hiking, beach trips, cave explorations and quad biking.
Sample Itinerary
Sabi Sands
Experience Sabi Sand on safari. Delight in phenomenal twice-daily game drives and view iconic wildlife. Take time-out after a successful day of game viewing and head to the pool area, boasting breathtaking views and leopard are often seen here too. Toast the sun as it sets over another magical day in Africa with an artisanal gin, sipped under the shade of a 650 year old fig tree. Enjoy an afternoon of tennis on a court that was originally opened by legendary player, Billy Gene King. Find original antiques scattered around the lodge that have been handed down over the decades, and what give this 1920’s homestead its authentic “Out of Africa” feel.
Accommodation options
Singita Ebony
Royal Malewane
Dulini Lodge
Cape Town
Depart Sabi Sands for Cape Town. Enjoy a scenic tour of Cape Town at iconic Table Mountain or, if the weather is not favourable, at the flat-topped mound known as Signal Hill. Browse vibrant Greenmarket Square, one of the city’s oldest markets, and take a walk through Company Gardens, established by Dutch settlers in 1652. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and the historical Castle of Good Hope, as well as the Slave Lodge, which used to house thousands of slaves belonging to the Dutch East India Company. Visit the traditional Malay Quarter in the predominantly Muslim Bo-Kaap, with its brightly coloured houses dating back as far as the 17th century. Pause to listen to the firing of the noonday gun from Signal Hill.
Accommodation options
One & Only Cape Town
Taj Cape Town
Hermanus
Depart Cape Town heading towards the seaside towns of Strand and Gordon’s Bay, nestled below the slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, with magnificent views across False Bay to Cape Point in the distance. Continue along the spectacular Marine Drive overlooking this rocky coast, past the white beaches of Koeël Bay and the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay. Drive over the Bot River to the charming village of Hermanus, pausing in the picturesque Hemel-en-Arde valley, whose cool, maritime climate favours the growing of pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay grapes, found at acclaimed wine estates like Bouchard Finlayson, Hamilton Russell and Whalehaven. Hermanus is known for its abundant sightings of Southern right whales, which come in very close to shore to mate and calve from June to November. There are excellent vantage points from the cliff paths that run from one end of the town to the other. Savour lunch at a popular restaurant in Hermanus, browse the town’s craft markets and then head back to Cape Town via the verdant apple-growing regions of Grabouw and Elgin, with a final stop at the spectacular Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass for a panoramic view of the Cape Peninsula. Depart on a whale watching trip where whales won’t be the only things you’ll see on this unforgettable two-hour adventure. Your boat will launch in the quaint harbour of Kleinbaai, in Gansbaai, and will make its way toward the Pearly Beach area which is home to the Southern Right Whale. Venture to the renowned Dyer Island for excellent penguin and seabird viewing, and then to Geyser Rock to view the curious antics of Cape Fur Seals. Between these two islands lies the notorious shark alley where you may be fortunate enough to view the spectacular great white shark. Depart on a Shark Cage Dive – This adventure is ideal for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Guests can experience the excitement of being face to face with a shark, inside the protection of a submerged cage.
Accommodation options
Birkenhead House
Thatch House
DAY 1-3
Sabi Sands
DAY 4-7
Cape Town
DAY 8-10
Hermanus
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Our team of highly experienced travel designers will guide you from beginning to end as you embark on a tailor-made journey of distinction, enjoying truly exclusive and authentic cultural experiences. We can fulfil your bucket-list dreams.
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