Highlights
- Cycle around historic Soweto, a landmark in the struggle against apartheid
- Spot big cats and other creatures on safari at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Relax on the sand and go snorkeling in the clear waters around Mabibi Beach
- Time your visit right to see nesting sea turtles on the KwaZulu-Natal coast
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Johannesburg, Bike Tour, Dinner at Sanctuary Mandela | Johannesburg |
| Day 2 | Fly to Hluhluwe, Arrive at Rhino Ridge | Hluhluwe |
| Days 3-4 | Safari Activities at Rhino Ridge | Hluhluwe |
| Day 5 | Homestay & Cultural Experience in Zululand | Hluhluwe |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Mabibi Beach & Thonga Beach Lodge | Mabibi Beach |
| Day 7 | Aquatic Adventures at Thonga Beach Lodge | Mabibi Beach |
| Days 8-9 | Optional Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge | Mabibi Beach |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Johannesburg, Visit the Apartheid Museum, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, Bike Tour, Dinner at Sanctuary Mandela
Welcome to South Africa! Come for the safari adventures, sure, but stay for the rich culture, fascinating history, and the warmth of its people. No city in the nation meets all three criteria as thoroughly as your arrival destination of Johannesburg. Known as "Joburg" or "Jozi" to locals, this is South Africa's largest city (though not its capital) and the site of some of the 20th century's most pivotal moments of national reckoning. However, it's also a modern metropolis with an eye toward the future and no shortage of chic enclaves and up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Your accommodation is the epitome of Johannesburg cool, as it's located in the chic suburb of Melrose. The 4-star Peech Boutique Hotel features spacious, individually decorated rooms outfitted with king beds and private balconies looking out over lush gardens. Upon arrival, you can take the edge off the flight with a nice long soak in your French tub, relax by the shimmering courtyard pool, or grab a seat at the bar in Basalt, the hotel's intimate fine-dining restaurant. Shortly after checking in, however, you'll meet a guide and head to Soweto, located on the city's western outskirts, for a special tour.
This famous township was founded in the 1930s by the white government of South Africa as a segregated zone for Johannesburg's Black population. Experience Soweto's rich culture and history on a 2.5-hour cycling tour. During the ride, you'll stop at interesting sites, like a workers' hostel and a local shebeen (pub) for a beer. Later, the historical theme continues with dinner at Sanctuary Mandela, a boutique hotel on the site of President Nelson Mandela's former home. The menu reflects both Mandela's favorite dishes and the recipes used by his personal chef.
Day 2: 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 one-hour flight to the coastal 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 and 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 3-4: Safari Activities at Rhino Ridge
Your next couple of 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 this is 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 5: Homestay & Cultural Experience in Zululand
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
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).
Then, at 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 6: 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 located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site called iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 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 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 exclusive beachfront resort allows 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 7: Aquatic Adventures 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 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 Jun-Nov, humpbacks and southern right whales. You can also meet a guide for a forest hike to a nearby Indigenous community.
Days 8-9: Optional Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge
Day 10: Transfer to Johannesburg, Visit the Apartheid Museum, Depart
Your 10-day South Africa journey has reached its end—but not without one last memorable tour. 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. A guide will pick you up on arrival for the ride over to the Apartheid Museum.
Though the main focus of this fascinating institution is the country's apartheid policy of forced segregation, it also offers an overview of 20th-century South African history. It does this through fascinating exhibits, both permanent and temporary exhibitions, which allow visitors to bear witness to a particularly dark period in the nation's history. After the tour, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home. Come back soon!
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