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, 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 shuttle will take you to the terminal. Your Meet and Greet service will meet you as you get off the bus. You will then receive assistance with immigration, baggage collection, and customs before heading on to your hotel for check-in. 

This morning you will take a quick flight to Skukuza airport in Kruger National Park, where you will be met and transferred to your luxury lodging for the next 4 nights. As you travel along the park roads, the sun warms your face and the dry air catches in your throat, putting your senses on high alert. This is the real Africa, far removed from the hectic pace of life, and home to Africa's Big 5. Kruger National Park is teeming with life, from the nervous twitching of impala herds after a night of predator activity to wild dogs playfully running alongside the road. Marvel as a herd of elephants emerges from the bush, only to disappear silently back into the landscape.

Covering over 2 million hectares of untouched wilderness, Kruger's biodiversity supports a wide variety of game and bird species. The dry northern region features Baobab trees, scrubland, and rocky outcroppings that stretch for miles, with animals often gathering around water sources. As you move south, the park becomes busier, with more animals and a changing landscape of grasslands and acacia woodlands.

Along the western borders, private reserves like Sabi Sands and Timbavati connect to Kruger, offering an exclusive game experience with the flexibility of night drives and off-road 4x4 safaris. Riding in an open vehicle, wrapped warmly against the night chill, is an unforgettable experience. The call of a nightjar overhead and the flash of eyes reflecting from the bushes add a unique twist to your safari. When you lean back and look up, the crisp night skies seem to stretch on forever.

The Sabi Sands is a 65,000-hectare private reserve, renowned for being one of the few places where you can see the Big 5 in a single day. It features diverse habitats with the Sand and Sabi Rivers running through it, a wide variety of wildlife, and a reputation for frequent big cat sightings. Start your day with an early morning game drive in open vehicles, taking a break for coffee while you enjoy the sounds of the bush and the scenery. After some rest and a nap back at camp, head out again in the late afternoon when the bush is most active. Enjoy sundowners as night falls, then use spotlights to search for nocturnal creatures. For those looking to be more active, a guided walking safari is a great way to learn about smaller animals and plants.

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.

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 rest and 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 and rock art excursions provide fascinating experiences for those with extra energy.

Today you will travel by plane from Tswalu Motse to Cape Town. A private transfer will be there to greet you at the airport and whisk you off to your hotel in Cape Town to settle in. 

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.
 

Today, you can either explore the area on your own or relax and enjoy the amenities at your accommodation.

A short boat trip to Robben Island, about seven kilometers from Cape Town harbor, lets you visit the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years. It's a powerful experience, showing how Mandela rose above his harsh imprisonment to become a beloved and iconic leader.

Taking a cable car up Table Mountain offers 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.

Your trip planner can assist with additional suggestions for exploring this vibrant city. 
 

Today, a flight from Cape Town will bring you 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 to begin your journey home or to your next destination.