A 3 Week Safari Through Southern Africa
ADVENTURE • ECOTOURISM • SECLUSION
Southern Africa left a mark on my soul, reshaping my outlook on nature, wildlife, and humanity's role within it. Every moment spent in the bush was a testament to Earth's profound beauty and resilience. The thundering presence of the Big Five in Malilangwe and Kruger National Park, the encounters with leopards in Sabi Sand, and the majestic whales off Hermanus' coast left me awestruck.
This trip offered not only a glimpse into the animal kingdom; but also the cultures and communities deeply rooted in this land. Each taste of African cuisine, sip of South African wine, and interaction with the warm and welcoming people have forever changing me.
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg
Rest from your journey at the luxury Intercontinental Hotel right at the airport.
Day 2 - 4: Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Your journey begins with a quick flight to Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a pristine, lesser-known treasure in Zimbabwe, where you'll stay at Singita Pamushana Lodge. I’ll arrange your transportation, charter flight and visas. Set on the remote wilderness of an ancient sandstone ridge, Pamushana offers panoramic views of the dam below and the lush forests surrounding it.
Enjoy daily encounters with diverse wildlife including the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo), cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras and numerous bird species.
Spend an afternoon fishing in the serene Malilangwe Dam, listening to the hippos call. You can also explore rock art sites, a testament to ancient civilizations that once thrived here.
Unwind with a soothing spa treatment amidst the African wilderness.
Enrich your stay with an introduction to the local Shangaan culture and the reserve's community outreach programs.
Your culinary experiences at Pamushana are deeply rooted in Africa's rich heritage. With ingredients sourced from the surrounding communities, the dishes are a modern interpretation of traditional African cooking techniques. From candlelit dinners under the African sky to picnics in the bush, each meal is a unique experience in itself.
Where to Stay: Singita Pamushana Lodge
• SIZE: 24 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CLASSIC • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED
Set against an idyllic backdrop of classic bushveld within the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Singita offers 30,000 acres of land in the heart of Big Five territory. Guests may choose between Singita Ebony Lodge, a contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge; Singita Boulders Lodge, inspired by nature; or Singita Castleton, a private-use villa-style home. Singita Sabi Sand offers an exquisite safari with fine dining, wines and world-class service, with exciting daily activities. Committed to the preservation of Africa's wilderness, Singita's purpose is to balance conservation, community and hospitality.
✧ TIP: Join a wine tasting in the wine cellars with an experienced sommelier
and taste a wonderful variety of South African wines.
Day 5-8: Kruger National Park, South Africa
Board a flight to South Africa's iconic Kruger National Park. Spend three nights at the Singita Lebombo Lodge. Perched on the steep banks of the N'wanetsi River, Lebombo's cutting-edge design offers unobstructed views of the wilderness beyond. With the Kruger known for its high density of wild animals, including the iconic Big Five, your game drives here are sure to be thrilling. The area is also known for its sizable population of cheetah and packs of wild dogs, an increasingly rare species to encounter. After your morning and evening game drives, join a cooking class at the Singita Community Culinary School, unwind with spa treatments, or take a dip in the luxurious infinity pool.
Where to Stay: Singita Kruger National Park
(Sweni and Lembombo Lodges)
• SIZE: 24 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CLASSIC • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED
Set against an idyllic backdrop of classic bushveld within the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Singita offers 30,000 acres of land in the heart of Big Five territory. Guests may choose between Singita Ebony Lodge, a contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge; Singita Boulders Lodge, inspired by nature; or Singita Castleton, a private-use villa-style home. Singita Sabi Sand offers an exquisite safari with fine dining, wines and world-class service, with exciting daily activities. Committed to the preservation of Africa's wilderness, Singita's purpose is to balance conservation, community and hospitality.
✧ TIP: Join a wine tasting in the wine cellars with an experienced sommelier
and taste a wonderful variety of South African wines.
Day 9-13: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Fly to the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve, known for its exceptional leopard sightings. Your time here will be filled with thrilling dawn and dusk game drives, where you might spot not just the elusive leopards, but also lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and a stunning variety of birdlife. Sabi Sand's experienced trackers and guides, with their deep knowledge of the African bush, will ensure you get the most out of each game drive.
Your first two nights in Sabi Sand is at Singita Boulders Lodge, an oasis that takes its inspiration from the geology of the landscape. The lodge's design is a testament to the tranquility of the wilderness, offering an intimate connection with nature. Your next two nights are at Singita Ebony Lodge, where the focus is on a colonial safari experience in the heart of the African bush. The lodge, located on the banks of the Sand River, seamlessly combines the romance of tented camps with the style of a contemporary villa.
Here, you'll continue your wildlife encounters, but also have the chance for some downtime with a rejuvenating spa treatment, or relax by your private plunge pool, while the natural world continues its pace around you.
At these lodges in Sabi Sand, the gastronomic experience is a homage to South Africa's rich culinary heritage. Think gourmet 'braai' (South African BBQ), venison steaks, bobotie (spicy minced meat bake), and malva pudding – all prepared to perfection. Across all the Singita lodges, the meals are thoughtfully paired with exceptional South African wines, curated from Singita's award-winning wine cellar, one of Africa's most renowned. These pairings heighten your culinary journey, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to each dining experience.
Where to Stay: Singita Boulders Lodge
• SIZE: 24 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CLASSIC • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED
Set against an idyllic backdrop of classic bushveld within the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Singita offers 30,000 acres of land in the heart of Big Five territory. Guests may choose between Singita Ebony Lodge, a contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge; Singita Boulders Lodge, inspired by nature; or Singita Castleton, a private-use villa-style home. Singita Sabi Sand offers an exquisite safari with fine dining, wines and world-class service, with exciting daily activities. Committed to the preservation of Africa's wilderness, Singita's purpose is to balance conservation, community and hospitality.
✧ TIP: Join a wine tasting in the wine cellars with an experienced sommelier
and taste a wonderful variety of South African wines.
Day 14-15: Cape Town, South Africa
Fly to the beautiful coastal city of Cape Town. You’ll be picked up by a private driver and tour the city before checking in at the uniquely designed Silo Hotel. This hotel offers a unique perspective of the city, with its geometric windows offering panoramic vistas of the bustling harbor and Table Mountain.
You can spend your days here exploring the vibrant dining and cocktail scene of Cape Town, which is as eclectic as the city itself. Visit the buzzing neighborhood of Kloof Street, packed with trendy eateries and bars, or opt for a more relaxed seaside dining experience at the charming coastal suburb of Camps Bay.
Don't miss out on the Robben Island tour, a poignant reminder of the country's tumultuous past, as well as a trip to Table Mountain, either by hiking or by cable car, for breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding coastline.
Where to Stay: Silo Hotel
• SIZE: 28 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC • VIBE: HAPPENING
Safe to say there’s nothing else in Cape Town quite like the Silo Hotel. This eye-catching concrete structure, with its bulging, faceted windows, stands atop the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, right on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It’s a converted grain silo, hence the hotel’s name, and its style incorporates industrial elements, along with a wealth of eclectic, extravagant influences. With just 28 rooms this is a proper luxury boutique hotel; each one is faultlessly comfortable, with extraordinary views, especially from the bathrooms. There’s a spa using Ling products; don’t miss the swanky Willaston Bar, the open-air Silo Rooftop, or breakfast at the Granary Café.
✧ TIP: The hotel’s art gallery - The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa which displays the largest private collection of African art anywhere in the world.
Day 16-18: Hermanus, South Africa
Take a scenic drive to Hermanus, a charming coastal town famous for its whale watching opportunities. I’ll arrange your driver so you can enjoy the views. You'll stay at Birkenhead House, a boutique hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the scenic Walker Bay. The hotel's curated decor, world-class cuisine, and stunning vistas create a sense of tranquility and luxury.
Here, you can spend your days exploring the dramatic coastlines, watching Southern Right whales breaching in the bay (June to November), or visiting the Hermanus Wine Route, a picturesque wine trail nestled in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Sample some of the country's top Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays while soaking in the valley's stunning views.
Where to Stay: Birkenhead House
• SIZE: 11 ROOMS • ROOMS STYLE: CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC • VIBE: SOPHISTICATED
With its exhilarating cliff-top position overlooking the whale-watching paradise of Walker Bay, Birkenhead House offers an immersive seaside setting like no other for those looking to retreat and recharge. Chic and stylish décor meets world-class cuisine and comfort in 11 individually designed and decorated rooms are located in the three separate houses which compose Birkenhead House. This is the perfect spot to relax and feel rejuvenated by the ocean with soothing massages, coral-coloured sunsets, fresh seafood, and long strolls on the beach.
✧ TIP: Head down to the beach with one of the chefs and pick fresh mussels from the rocks. After, you will get a master class on cooking your bounty over an open fire.
Day 19: Departure
Return to Cape Town International Airport for your departure flight. As you leave, take with you the unforgettable memories of this unique journey, knowing that you've experienced the best of South Africa and Zimbabwe's wildlife, culture, and wine country.
ACERA BENEFITS EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU
No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy these exclusive amenities. Our ‘preferred partner’ status with our travel partners gives you access to complimentary benefits and unadvertised experiences, at some of the finest hotels across the globe, and we're also a member of Virtuoso®, the world’s leading luxury travel network, giving our team access to the most renowned and unique properties.
✧ Buffet breakfast daily, for two guests per bedroom
✧ A $100 per couple
✧ Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
✧ Complimentary Wi-Fi
✧ Book a combination of three nights at Singita Boulders or Ebony Lodge and three nights at Singita Lebombo or Sweni Lodge* and receive one of the nights and one flight per person between the lodges complimentary.
* A minimum of six nights is required, with a minimum of three nights at Singita Lebombo or Sweni Lodge
*Excludes the Singita Lebombo Villa
Note: From 1 July to 31 August there is a minimum 3-night stay at Singita Boulders Lodge.