Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub and often called the "New York of Africa," is rich in art, history, and culture. The city blends sophisticated style with a raw, inner-city vibe, showcasing the best of Africa's creative talents. Modern African art merges with contemporary design, creating a striking impact. The city's revival is evident in the vibrant urban life seen through street art and graffiti on inner-city walking tours and the transformed university suburbs. Braamfontein, with its Constitution Hill, art galleries, and restaurants, exemplifies this regeneration, offering a funky, offbeat, and captivating experience.

In upscale areas like Sandton, Rosebank, and Melrose, visitors find a wealth of shopping, dining, and activities amid leafy suburbs. No visit to Johannesburg is complete without exploring Soweto, famously home to Nelson Mandela. Key historical sites like Mandela's house, the Hector Pieterson Museum, and Regina Mundi Cathedral highlight the significance of South Africa's turbulent past and the hard-won democracy.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, be greeted at the door of your aircraft with a sign displaying your name. If your plane stops on the apron instead of at the terminal, a bus will shuttle you to the terminal. Your Meet and Greet service can meet you as you get off the bus. You will then receive assistance with immigration, baggage collection, and customs before being transferred to your hotel. 

Today, you will be transferred back to the Johannesburg airport for an hour-and-a-half shuttle flight to Tswalu Motse in the Northern Cape. 

The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest and least populated province, known for its arid, semi-desert landscapes and tough terrain. The province features endless horizons, a scorching sun, and parched earth. Summers are intensely hot, while winter nights are freezing with dramatic thunderstorms. Long roads stretch out to some of the country's most remote national parks.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, spanning 3.6 million hectares and shared with Botswana, is famous for its black-maned lions, big cats, and birds of prey. The Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park host unique plants and animals adapted to the harsh environment, while Namaqua National Park is known for its vibrant spring flowers. The Northern Cape is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including meerkats, oryx, springboks, bat-eared foxes, and hyenas, with Augrabies hosting a population of endangered black rhinos.

Beyond its historic towns, diamond mining sites, and the Great Hole of Kimberley, the Northern Cape's sense of remoteness and dramatic beauty make it a fascinating destination. Settle in for the next couple of days exploring by game drive, walking safaris, horseback, and guided birding and nature walks. 

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa's largest private wildlife reserve, featuring vast open plains, dunes at the base of the Korannaberg mountains, and expansive grasslands. Located in an ecological transition zone, it offers sightings of zebra, lions, wild dogs, and possibly pangolins.

Start your day with an early morning game drive in open vehicles, pausing for a coffee break to enjoy the sounds of the bush and the scenic landscape. After some downtime or a nap back at camp, embark on a late afternoon drive to find the animals that become active at dusk. As night falls, use spotlights to help locate wildlife. At Tswalu, you can marvel at the crystal-clear night skies and watch weather fronts sweep across the savannahs. Nature walks, birding and rock art excursions provide fascinating experiences for those with extra energy.

Today, after breakfast, ready your bags and take a two-hour flight from Tswalu to Cape Town. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious accommodation for the night. Cape Town is a stunning blend of modern style and historic charm. The city features luxurious hotels, top-notch dining, and breathtaking views. Student neighborhoods are lively with vibrant nightlife. The food, traditions, and entertainment reflect Malay and African heritage, while the architecture shows Dutch, German, and English influences. Contemporary art is showcased in various galleries, and stylish boutique hotels, wine bars, and brandy lounges cater to the trendy crowd. The affluent can enjoy the finest in opera, ballet, drama, and music.

Once settled in, you can choose how you would like to spend the day. Some activities we recommend are a short boat trip to Robben Island, about seven kilometers from Cape Town harbor, in which you visit the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years. A powerful experience, showing how Mandela rose above his harsh imprisonment to become a beloved and iconic leader.

Or, opt to take the cable car up Table Mountain to take in stunning panoramic views of Cape Town. Other attractions include the Cultural History Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, and the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Greenmarket Square's local crafts markets and the colorful Cape Malay buildings in Bo-Kaap add an authentic touch to your visit. Long Street is bustling with restaurants, bars, and clubs at night. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbor, is a hub of entertainment and shopping. 

This morning prepare for a bit of travel to get to your next safari location, Savute, in Botswana. The day will start with a transfer to the Cape Town Airport and a flight to Maun. From here a shuttle flight will take you to the Savute airstrip, where you will be met and transferred to your luxury tented lodge. 

Against a backdrop of vibrant African skies lies a wilderness of vast grasslands, desert landscapes, and the winding Savute Channel. In the heart of Chobe, the Savute region is defined by the unpredictable Savute Channel, which stretches from the Linyanti waterways to the dry Savute Marsh. This channel has brought life to the western part of Chobe National Park for centuries, flooding and drying up according to its mysterious rhythms.

During the dry winter months from May to October, Savute offers spectacular game viewing with intense predator activity, including lion pride of up to 30, and sightings of endangered wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. The rocky outcrops and ancient Gubatsa Hills are home to leopards, San Rock Art, and the elusive Klipspringer, which appears to balance gracefully on its tiptoes. In the marsh woodlands, you can find kudu and roan antelope.

When the summer rains arrive, the land comes alive with lush green vegetation and filled pans. Migrant birds join the resident 300 species, adding constant movement and sound. New grass attracts herds of Burchell's zebras and wildebeests to the Savute marsh for foaling, and then they migrate south to the Mababe Depression. Full of life and stunning scenery, Savute is appealing year-round, with its seasonal changes and diverse landscapes offering visitors a unique safari experience.

A relic of an inland lake, the wildlife-rich Savute region of Chobe National Park is best known for the mysterious Savuti Channel and the expansive Savuti Marsh. The desolate, desert-like landscape is dominated by the marsh and rocky outcrops.

The best time for a safari is early in the morning as the sun rises when animals are most active. Look for herds of migratory zebras and wildebeests. A quick coffee stop during the drive is the perfect time to enjoy the incredible sounds of the bush and birdsong.

During the heat of the midday sun, it's often best to return to camp for a siesta before setting off again in the late afternoon when the bush comes alive, and the waterholes attract thirsty wildlife. If possible, a visit to see the baobab trees and San Bushman paintings is a special addition to the experience.

Today, take a shuttle flight from Savute to the Okavango Delta. The next 3 nights will be spent in your luxury tented camp exploring the delta by foot on guided walks, as well as by boat through the wetlands.
The seasonal flood from the Angola Highlands is the lifeblood of Botswana. Flowing through the panhandle into the world's largest inland delta system, this water creates a uniquely beautiful National Heritage Site, bringing birth, transformation, and replenishment. These ancient, cyclical changes offer an exceptional safari experience, supporting vast herds of elephants, buffalo, and hippos, as well as numerous antelope, giraffes, zebras, and ever-present predators.

Starting in March, the waters spread outwards, reaching the inner delta by June and peaking in July and August. This influx of water creates a vibrant energy as it extends towards Maun, with the whole country recognizing the blessing it brings and becoming part of this primordial movement.

The flood levels vary each year, depending on nature's whims, making it difficult to predict the upcoming season. The Delta can swell up to three times its size. Natural forces renew the landscape, with channels, grasslands, reed islands, and lagoons bursting with life. As the water recedes in October, the earth starts to dry, changing the scenery and game viewing. The summer months bring life from a new angle, with the November/December rains announcing the green season, turning the land lush and verdant. Whether through floods or rain, water is the essence of life in the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango Delta is a vast expanse of swamps, occasionally flooded areas, and dry land, making it one of the largest, most intricate, and unpredictable wetlands in the world. Safari experiences vary with the seasons and water levels, offering game drives, mokoro (canoe) rides, boat excursions, or guided walks.

Begin your adventure early in the morning as the sun rises and animals are most active. A refreshing coffee stop warms you up and give you a chance to listen to the sounds of the wild. Rest back at camp during the midday heat, then head out again in the afternoon. Late afternoon activities extend into the evening, using spotlights to find fascinating nocturnal species hiding in the darkness.

Today, you bid farewell as you head to the airport for your journey home or to your next destination. Hopefully, you've had a wonderful and unforgettable stay in Southern Africa!