From Cape Town to the heart of the Kruger
CLASSIC KRUGER SAFARI WITH CAPE TOWN
Visit Cape Town and Kruger National Park on this 9-night Classic Kruger Safari. This trip starts in the heart of the Mother City, where you will stay at the elegant Winchester Hotel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy guided tours along the Cape Peninsula’s dramatic coast going to Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Chapmans Peak and more. Visit the beautiful vineyards of the Cape Winelands, where world-class wines and gourmet cuisine await.
From here, fly into the vast wilderness of the Greater Kruger Park for a wildlife safari experience split between two outstanding wildlife areas. At Arathusa Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve, daily game drives bring you face to face with the Big Five and a wealth of other wildlife. Transfer to Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp in the Timbavati Reserve, a beautifully intimate tented lodge where you’ll enjoy the active dam in front of camp and the beautifully laid out tents.
The game viewing in both reserves, Sabi Sand and Timbavati, is excellent. Leopards, lions, elephants, rhino and so much more are regularly seen on twice daily game drives.
Classic Kruger Safari with Cape Town Rates
Rates are per person sharing, based on two adults travelling. Single Supplements will apply.
Kruger: Return transfers from Airport to Sabi Sand to Timbavati to airport, guest conservation contribution, park fees, all meals, game drives with game drive refreshments
Cape Town: Road Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Winchester Hotel. Scheduled flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit to Johannesburg are included in an average cost, subject to change.
This trip can start or end in Cape Town.
Day by Day itinerary
Days 01 – 04: The Winchester Hotel, Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town. On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to the Winchester Hotel, where you’ll spend three nights. Located on the Sea Point Promenade with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, this classic Cape Dutch-style hotel combines old-world charm with contemporary elegance. The vibrant buzz of the promenade is right on your doorstep, while Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront are just a short drive away. The hotel’s courtyard garden, lively restaurant and stylish rooms offer a relaxing base for your Cape Town stay. Settle in, breathe in the sea air, and begin your South African journey with a leisurely walk along the oceanfront or a cocktail on the terrace as the sun sets.
Enjoy a full-day private tour of the Cape Peninsula, one of the world’s most spectacular coastal routes. Travel along the scenic Atlantic seaboard, past the pristine beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, then wind your way over Chapman’s Peak Drive with its breathtaking cliff-edge views. Highlights include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. You’ll also visit the charming harbour of Simon’s Town and have a chance to see the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Explore the Cape Winelands, a region renowned for its mountain-backed vineyards, beautiful estates and award-winning wines. A private guide will take you through Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, two of South Africa’s most celebrated wine regions. Enjoy wine tastings at handpicked estates, each offering its own unique varietals and cellar experiences. Along the way, there is time to explore the historical towns, browse local galleries, and savour a gourmet lunch at one of the Winelands’ acclaimed restaurants. Your guide will tailor the day to your interests, whether you’re keen on boutique producers or architectural heritage.
Days 04 to 07: Arathusa Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve
After breakfast, it’s time to leave the coast and head for the wild. You’ll be transferred to Cape Town Airport for a flight to Hoedspruit, followed by a road transfer into the Greater Kruger. Your next three nights are spent at Arathusa Safari Lodge, located in the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. The lodge is fronted by a large dam, a year-round water source that attracts an abundance of wildlife, from elephants and buffalo to resident hippos and an impressive variety of birdlife. It’s not uncommon to witness thrilling animal activity without even leaving the comfort of camp.
Arathusa is celebrated for its exceptional leopard sightings and Big Five encounters. You’ll head out on twice-daily game drives led by expert rangers and trackers, with the chance to experience the magic of the bush up close. Optional guided walks offer a more intimate perspective of the ecosystem. Between activities, relax at the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or simply enjoy the serenity of your private suite, either overlooking the dam or tucked away in the surrounding bush. Evenings are spent dining beneath the stars, sharing stories around the fire, and soaking in the atmosphere of one of Africa’s most iconic safari regions.
Your days at Arathusa Safari Lodge begin at sunrise with an early morning game drive. The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of the most game-rich areas in South Africa, and your highly skilled guide and tracker team will be on the lookout for leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, along with a host of other species such as giraffe, zebra, kudu and various antelope. Birding enthusiasts will also find plenty to admire, from African fish eagles to colourful bee-eaters.
Returning mid-morning, you’ll enjoy a generous brunch with time to relax during the heat of the day. Perhaps cool off in the pool with a view over the dam, or enjoy a quiet moment on your private deck, where wildlife often passes by. In the afternoon, tea is served before you set out on your second game drive, timed to catch the golden light and the peak of animal activity. Sundowners in the bush are followed by a spotlight-assisted drive back to camp, where a delicious dinner and warm safari hospitality await.
Days 07 to 10: Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve
This morning, you’ll depart Arathusa after breakfast and travel across to Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, another exceptional part of the Greater Kruger. This area is well known for its natural beauty, lower vehicle density, and excellent game viewing, including the Big Five and the occasional rare species such as wild dog and even pangolin.
Thabamati offers a more intimate and serene safari experience, with just four luxury canvas tents overlooking a permanent dam that draws animals throughout the day. The camp’s design is understated and elegant, blending seamlessly with the bush. Each tent is spacious, with a freestanding bath, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck with uninterrupted views. The main area includes a library, lounge, infinity pool, and a boma for al fresco dining. The camp has a peaceful, close-to-nature feel, ideal for those wanting a more personal and slower-paced safari.
Morning and afternoon game drives offer the chance to encounter lion, elephant, buffalo and more, with the added thrill of never knowing what may appear around the next corner.
Between drives, relax in the camp’s beautiful spaces or retreat to your tent to enjoy a quiet moment on the deck. The dam in front of camp often draws wildlife such as nyala, kudu and elephants, so you may not even need to leave your tent to enjoy the magic of the bush. As the sun sets, enjoy drinks around the fire and a candlelit dinner under the stars.
