Luxury Escape in South Africa: Cape Town to the East Coast - 14 Days

Highlights

• Dine at famous restaurants in Cape Town and go hiking on Table Mountain
• Walk with penguins on the coast and go wine tasting in the Cape Winelands
• Enjoy safari game drives at off-the-beaten-path reserves in KwaZulu-Natal
• Go snorkeling and scuba diving at Mabibi Beach in clear turquoise water

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, Dinner at Belly of the Beast

Welcome to "Rainbow Nation!" Besides natural beauty and deep history, South Africa is incredibly diverse. Its citizens represent various ethnic groups and nationalities spanning the globe, from European settlers to descendants of enslaved people from the Pacific Rim. This diversity is on full display in Cape Town, the capital of South Africa's gorgeous Western Cape region. Highlights include landmarks like Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, plus nearby wine regions like Cape Winelands.

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to the Dorp Hotel. Located on the slopes of Signal Hill, Dorp (meaning "village" in Afrikaans) is a collection of bungalows around a bird-filled garden offering dazzling waterfront views of Table Mountain. Each room is designed to showcase a different identity, with patterned fabrics, hand-printed linens, and quirky wallpaper. For the best views, head to the rooftop terrace and gaze at vast panoramas of Signal Hill, Table Mountain, the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, and the Atlantic Ocean.

This evening, get into the swing of South African culture with a fine-dining spin on the traditional braai (barbecue). You're off to Belly of the Beast, an intimate restaurant helmed by acclaimed chefs focusing on sustainable food and ethically produced meats—here, they use every part of the animal. The ever-changing menu is always a surprise, but you can be sure it will feature exquisitely presented dishes that highlight the best of seasonal South African produce in innovative ways.

Day 2: Cape Peninsula & Penguins Tour, Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen

A driver will pick you up from your hotel this morning for a trip south of the city to the tip of the famous Cape Peninsula and the towering headland of Cape Point. Throughout the ride, you'll be treated to epic views of the Atlantic coastline as you pass wide beaches and picturesque seaside villages. Feel free to stop and explore the rocky coastline with its fynbos shrubland vegetation, home to birds like oystercatchers and ostriches, as well as animals like baboons and the Cape mountain zebra.

Eventually, you'll arrive at Cape Point Nature Reserve, stopping at the Cape of Good Hope. Here, you can hike up to the iconic lighthouse and enjoy views over the headland to both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Afterward, it will be time for lunch, which is another culinary treat. Transfer to Crofter's Kitchen, the Cape Peninsula home of "rock star" celebrity chef Nicky Gibbs. The owner herself will welcome you with true South African hospitality for a delicious six-course meal utilizing fresh ingredients foraged from her own garden. Also, each course is paired with aromatic floral and herbal teas.

Later, head to the eastern side of Cape Peninsula to Simonstown. Besides its naval base and maritime museum, the town is famous for its penguin colony at Boulders Beach. This sheltered inlet is home to a colony of African penguins, and you can view them up close via a network of wooden walkways. After spending time with your new penguin friends, you'll return to Cape Town. There's the option for one more stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Set against the slopes of Table Mountain, this lush paradise houses thousands of indigenous and exotic plants.

Day 3: Day Trip to Table Mountain with Optional Helicopter Tour

Rise and shine! This morning, you're off to conquer Table Mountain, one of the most famous icons in South Africa. This sandstone monolith and UNESCO World Heritage Site looms 3,562 feet (1,086 m) over the city, and you'll ascend it via a dramatic five-minute cable car ride. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Seaboard, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned), and the mountains of the Cape Peninsula.

But the experience doesn't end at the viewpoint. You'll spend the rest of the day exploring Table Mountain National Park on foot. This protected area is part of a remarkable ecosystem home to many animals, including exotic lizards, colorful butterflies, prickly porcupines, and the rare (and adorable) rock hyrax. There's also a great variety of birdlife here, ranging from eagles to sunbirds, which soar high above the Cape's distinct fynbos vegetation.

You'll also have your choice of different hiking routes around the mountain, which range in length and difficulty. One popular option spans 5 miles (8 km) and follows the famous India Venster trail to incredible viewpoints. If you like, you can opt for a helicopter ride to see Table Mountain, Cape Town, and the entire Atlantic Seaboard from the air. Whichever you choose, you'll be accompanied every step of the way by an expert guide. Afterward, you can return via cable car or hike back down the mountain.

Day 4: Day Trip to Cape Winelands with Tasting & Horseback Riding

Get an early start to experience the glory of the famous Cape Winelands region. Nestled amid soaring Cape mountain ranges and dotted with fertile valleys, this area is home to more than 500 wineries. The diverse terroir and microclimates of this region mean these vineyards produce an impressive range of top-notch wines, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and the uniquely South African blend, pinotage.

It's a one-hour drive east from Cape Town to the Winelands and one of its top viticulture areas: Franschhoek Valley. The area was settled by French immigrants in the late 17th century and, over the centuries, has remained one of South Africa's top wine-producing regions. You'll taste the fruits of this heritage on a wine tour by horseback.

Meet your trusty steed at the stables in town, then set off with an expert guide for a ride around some of Franschhoek's top estates. At each one, you'll taste incredible cabernets, syrahs, and other varietals and pair them with delicious tidbits like homemade goat cheese and artisanal chocolates. You'll return to Cape Town in the late afternoon. 

Day 5: Elgin Valley Zipline Tour

You're in for another fun outing this morning as you make the one-hour drive south from Cape Town to the Elgin Valley. Another top wine-producing region, the Elgin Valley is also famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty, as it abounds with picturesque mountains and forests. It's an excellent place for an outdoor adventure, which is exactly what's in store.

You'll arrive at an elevated platform in a wilderness park, where you'll meet your guides and strap into a harness. Then, spend a while zipping over the forest canopy on a thrilling zipline tour. The network of crisscrossing ziplines here will take you around jaw-dropping scenery, which includes towering trees and cascading waterfalls. Afterward, break for lunch at an Elgin Valley restaurant before capping the day with a tasting of Cape brandy at a local distillery paired with artisanal chocolates. Then it will be time to return to Cape Town.

Day 6: Fly to Hluhluwe, Arrive at Rhino Ridge

It's safari time! South Africa is one of the most popular destinations worldwide for these wildlife adventures, as it offers massive national parks and reserves. Your journey to one such locale begins with a morning transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a flight across the country to the east coast city of Durban in the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal region.

Upon arrival, you'll hop in a 4WD vehicle for the drive north to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. One of the oldest and largest game reserves in the country, Hluhluwe covers 370 square miles (960 sq km) of rolling hills, ancient forests, and expansive savannas. These ecosystems are a natural habitat for diverse wildlife, including all of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos.

Your accommodation is Rhino Ridge, a luxurious safari lodge in the reserve. As the name promises, it sits atop a ridge offering panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The best place to enjoy these vistas is from the expansive sun deck or while luxuriating in the infinity pool. Accommodations here consist of spacious and elegantly appointed chalets, each designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. There's a gourmet restaurant on site that serves delicious meals utilizing locally sourced ingredients, plus a bar where you can enjoy a sundowner amid grand reserve views.

Days 7-8: Rhino Ridge Safari Activities

Your days at Rhino Ridge begin early to take advantage of the wonders within the reserve. Meet your expert ranger guide and leave at dawn in an open-topped 4WD vehicle on a game drive into Hluhluwe. The early morning is the best time to see the resident animals at their most active, as that's when they often congregate near water sources. Besides the Big Five, other creatures you'll spot in the bushveld (wilderness) include giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and antelope.

At the end of each morning during your stay, you'll return to the lodge for a leisurely lunch, relax by the pool, and/or enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment. Then, later in the afternoon, you can embark on guided bush walks with knowledgeable rangers who will teach you to track animals by their prints.

There's also the option for an afternoon game drive to catch the safari animals as they're relaxing at the end of their day. Each night back at the lodge, you can imbibe in sundowner cocktails on the deck, followed by a sumptuous dinner prepared by the private chef and served under the stars.

Day 9: Rhino Ridge Homestay Experience

Rhino Ridge is more than a hub for safari adventures—it's an opportunity to discover the rich culture of the Indigenous Zulu community. After breakfast, meet a guide for a trip to a family home in a nearby Zulu village. There, your friendly hosts will invite you in for a cultural exchange. Besides getting to know the family, you'll participate in daily tasks such as basket weaving, collecting thatching grass, and wrangling cattle. You can also visit artisans in the village plus consult the local sangoma (traditional healer).

After the sunset, you, your guide, and the host family will all gather around the open fire and relax amid magnificent views over the hills of the Hluhluwe hills while listening to stories of bygone eras and enjoying cold drinks. After this, everyone will sit in the dining hut for a traditional meal. You'll overnight at the property in your own private hut, where you can fall asleep to the soothing sounds of rural Zululand.

Day 10: Transfer to Mabibi Beach & Thonga Beach Lodge

Wake up to roosters crowing and help your host family take the cattle out to pasture, followed by a hot bucket shower. Then, say goodbye to your new friends as you meet your driver for the three-hour drive up the coast to Mabibi Beach and Thonga Beach Lodge. That's right—you're leaving the savanna plains for a tropical beach resort.

Thonga Beach is in Isimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This coastal region is famous for its diverse ecosystems, from pristine beaches and coastal dunes to wetlands, forests, and savannas. The postcard beaches and turquoise Indian Ocean waters also make this the premier destination in South Africa for snorkeling and scuba diving.

The friendly resort staff will welcome you on arrival and show you to your expansive room, which features wraparound windows looking out to the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. This beachfront resort is all exclusive, allowing only a handful of guests at a time, so expect a tranquil stay in this windswept paradise. After settling in, feel free to take a dip in your plunge pool, relax on a lounger by the beach, or take advantage of resort amenities like the "sea spa."

Day 11: Free Day at Thonga Beach Lodge

The day is yours to enjoy various aquatic activities in and around the coast. Fill up on breakfast at the resort's restaurant before stepping onto the soft sands and enjoying a morning swim in the ocean. No need to worry about crowds, as Thonga Beach Lodge is remote and often deserted, meaning you'll have its wide and inviting sands mostly to yourself.

There's also the option for various tours, including snorkeling and diving at the offshore coral reefs—an excellent opportunity to spot colorful marine life. Or, hop in a kayak and paddle along the coast. As you go, watch for mammals like dolphins and, from June-November, humpbacks and southern right whales. You can also meet a guide for a forest hike to a nearby Indigenous community.

Days 12-13: Activities & Sea Turtles at Thonga Beach Lodge

Your remaining days at Thonga will be spent on and around the beach, enjoying activities like boat tours, cultural excursions, kayaking, forest hikes, snorkeling, and diving. There will be time to enjoy one other regional highlight: a sea turtle tour. You might not know, but this area is a critical nesting site for loggerhead and leatherback turtles. If you're visiting from Nov-Jan, you can take a nighttime beach walk to witness these animals laying their eggs. December is also a great time to visit as the baby hatchlings emerge and make a frantic dash to the water. 

Day 14: Fly to Johannesburg, Depart

And thus concludes your cross-country South African adventure. After one more leisurely breakfast, check out of the resort and hop into a 4WD vehicle for the ride back to the airport. There, you'll board a plane to Johannesburg and arrive in time to meet your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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