A Safari Centred on Rare Rhino Encounters
South Africa is a year-round destination, but the period from spring through to late summer offers excellent conditions for both Cape Town and safari destinations. For pleasant weather, peak whale-watching and a quieter Cape Town, the months from August to late November are particularly rewarding.
This gives you enough time to experience four distinct locations, each linked seamlessly to create a journey that is varied, rewarding and unhurried. The combination of landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences creates a depth and richness that makes the trip feel considerably longer than its duration.
This itinerary offers just one interpretation of what South Africa can be. At Journeysmiths, every journey is tailored around your interests, travel style and priorities. Use this as inspiration, then let us create something entirely your own.
Highlights of this Journey
Enjoy the rare privilege of staying within a rhino sanctuary and spending time with the conservationists dedicated to protecting its wildlife.
Experience Cape Town at its most stylish, combining inspirational accommodation, outstanding restaurants, fascinating culture and dramatic scenery.
Explore exceptional wildlife country on the edge of the Kruger, with expert-guided safaris, walking adventures and remarkable Big Five sightings.
Discover dramatic coastal landscapes where marine life, fynbos wilderness and inspiring conservation experiences come together in spectacular fashion.
Meet the dedicated teams on the frontline of wildlife protection and gain insight into the challenges of modern conservation.
Stay in a handpicked collection of exceptional properties, each combining character, comfort and impeccable service in extraordinary settings.
From the Team
“This journey captures the very best of South Africa: the beauty and energy of Cape Town, the dramatic landscapes and huge skies of the Cape Whale Coast, unforgettable encounters with those working to protect rhinos, and a safari in some of the country’s finest wildlife territory. It could be wonderfully flexible, too, with a range of accommodation options and opportunities to extend your adventure.”
Cape Town
The building itself is a work of art. Once a grain silo, it has been transformed into one of Cape Town’s most remarkable contemporary structures. Descend from the hotel and you enter the inspiring world of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), among the continent’s leading cultural institutions. Back upstairs, the hotel’s suites and public spaces are equally creative in spirit, their carefully curated interiors matched by some of the city’s most spectacular views.
Step outside, however, and Cape Town’s celebrated V&A Waterfront is right on your doorstep, with its restaurants, galleries, boutiques and harbour atmosphere. The departure point for Robben Island is only a short walk away, making it exceptionally easy to visit the island where Nelson Mandela spent almost two decades in prison.
With a couple of nights in the city, there’s also time to venture further afield. You could spend a day among the vineyards of the Cape Winelands, relax on the powder-white beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, or follow the spectacular coastal road south to the Cape of Good Hope.
Cape Whale Coast
On land, the story is equally compelling. The fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the world’s richest botanical regions, and it is here that Grootbos Forest Lodge sits among ancient milkwood trees shaped by centuries of coastal winds. Its private reserve protects numerous endangered plant species, several found nowhere else on Earth. With contemporary architecture, sweeping views of ocean, dunes and sky, and a setting unlike any other on this itinerary, Grootbos provides a striking contrast to both Cape Town and safari.
For those seeking more excitement, cage-diving excursions offer a close-up view of sharks from the safety of a secure cage. And for anyone wanting gentler alternatives, a sunset cruise on the Kleine River or a walk to Klipgat Cave – a site with evidence of human occupation dating back tens of thousands of years – are coastal alternatives.
Horseback rides offer another perspective, traversing the reserve and nearby coastline on routes suited to both beginners and experienced riders. Fat-bike excursions tackle the vast coastal dunes that shape this stretch of coast, revealing landscapes that feel almost desert-like despite the proximity of the ocean.
It is a place few people will ever experience. Accommodation within the sanctuary is limited to just eight guests at a time at the intimate, bush-luxury Rhino View Lodge. The name is entirely justified: from its decks and swimming pool, guests look out across the wilderness to spot the sanctuary’s resident rhinos grazing below.
You can also visit the sanctuary’s operations room, the nerve centre of conservation activity, where technology, intelligence and coordinated teamwork help safeguard wildlife across the reserve.
The sanctuary experience extends well beyond its headline residents. Guided game drives in search of rhino mothers and their wild-born calves also reveal giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and antelope living within this protected landscape.
Hippo feeding offers another memorable wildlife encounter, while visits to local schools where the Junior Rangers programme flourishes demonstrate how conservation is helping to inspire future generations.
Sabi Sand Reserve, Kruger Landscape
Perched above the perennial Sands River, luxurious Dulini River is the base for this stage of the journey. Here, amid riverine woodland and open savanna of Sabi Sand’s Dulini concession, the focus broadens from a single iconic species to the extraordinary diversity of African wildlife.
Early mornings reveal predators on the move as the bush awakens, while evening drives continue after dark, opening a window into the secretive world of nocturnal animals. The area is particularly renowned for its exceptional leopard viewing, with regular sightings of these elusive cats. Guided walking safaris offer a slower perspective, revealing the finer details of the bush, from birds and insects to the intricate relationships that sustain this remarkable ecosystem.
Days in the field are enhanced by spacious open-sided vehicles carrying a maximum of six guests, ensuring comfort and excellent visibility. Cushioned photographic rests come as standard, while lenses and batteries can be borrowed, making it easy to return home with exceptional wildlife photographs as well as unforgettable memories. Back at camp, there is also a gym for those wishing to remain active between game drives and leisurely afternoons.
Extensions & Options
Just as importantly, every element of this itinerary can be adapted to suit your preferences. The featured properties represent one carefully curated version of the journey, but there is an exceptional breadth of accommodation across each destination, from intimate boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses to safari lodges and tented camps. Whether you prefer a different style, atmosphere or budget point, the framework of the journey remains the same. With a brief conversation, our team can recommend the combination of properties that feels exactly right for you.
Who This Journey Works Best For
The itinerary works equally well for solo travellers and couples, combining inspiring experiences with a seamless pace of travel. It is also rewarding for families with older children, whose understanding of wildlife and conservation can be transformed by such close access to people working on the frontline of protection. Ideal for the northern hemisphere winter holidays, it might be a perfect family Christmas present.
The Journeysmiths Way
Having operated across Africa for more than three decades, we understand not only what is possible, but often what others might assume is not. This means that whether you have a long-held ambition, a particular wildlife interest or a highly individual idea, we will work with you to turn it into a journey that feels personal, distinctive and unforgettable.
Why Plan Your Safari with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
The Places We’ve Chosen for This Journey
One of Africa’s most distinctive luxury hotels, The Silo was once a functional grain elevator at the heart of Cape Town's working harbour. Boldly reimagined, it combines unrivalled views above the V&A Waterfront, striking design and contemporary art.
Hidden deep within a private sanctuary, this small and personal lodge combines seclusion with privileged access to one of Africa's most inspiring conservation stories, where endangered black and white rhinos roam protected landscapes and meaningful encounters leave a lasting impression.
A contemporary sanctuary set above Walker Bay, Grootbos Forest Lodge immerses you in ancient milkwood forests, sweeping ocean views and world‑class fynbos experiences, all delivered with refined, nature‑forward luxury.
Camp Jabulani is an amazing place; a luxury lodge surrounded by African bush teeming with wildlife, where you can enjoy an unforgettable experience in the company of elephants.
Incredible Experience
We returned not long ago from our two week vacation/safari to South Africa. Everything went seamlessly from the moment we landed, enabling us to truly enjoy it all. Ross carefully listened to our hopes, areas of interest, and needs, helping put together an itinerary that ultimately far exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend Journeysmiths without any reservations and plan on using them again for our next African adventure!
The Homestead is an ultra-luxurious lodge in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Modern and contemporary in design, it offers high levels of luxury in the beautiful wilderness of South Africa. Every aspect, down to the very minutiae, of The Homestead is carefully considered in terms of sustainability. The goal here is to provide you with an unforgettable safari experience whilst protecting the Earth and its resources.
Camp Jabulani is an amazing place; a luxury lodge surrounded by African bush teeming with wildlife, where you can enjoy an unforgettable experience in the company of elephants.
Peaks such as the Giants Castle dominate the Drakensberg landscape and are impressive from every angle. Staying at Montusi Mountain Lodge you don’t need to go far for epic views: the natural beauty is already all around you, ready to be explored.
Tswalu (meaning “a new beginning”) is designed in classic African style and blends into the Kalahari environment, offering unrivalled elegance.
Morokuru River House is one of the most exciting exclusive use properties in South Africa.
With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
in South Africa
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
Set in spectacular African wilderness surrounds, Ecca Lodge is a unique safari property boasting a revolutionary design where penthouse chic meets the bush. Nestled into a gently sloping, densely vegetated hillside, the Lodge is airy and open with barely a barrier between indoors and the African bushveld.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.
Located in the North West Province of South Africa, on a rocky outcrop in the centre of the Madikwe Game Reserve, sits the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. There are ten sumptuous suites, all with elegant ‘Afrochic’ furnishings. Guests enjoy their game viewing in open topped vehicles, and short walks along old elephant tracks.
Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape.
A collection of exclusive-use bush villas, Morukuru Family welcomes you with top-notch personal service. The unrivalled range of activities, outstanding personal service, expert guiding and world-class cuisine make this portfolio of villas some of the best malaria-free safari properties in South Africa for families or a group of friends.
Madikwe Hills Lodge is an intimate and luxurious safari lodge set among the 75,000 hectares of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The main lodge has five luxurious suites, a dining lodge and a spa. The suites have been designed for complete relaxation and comfort, each boasting soft sofas, voluminous mosquito netting and cotton picot linen. Overhead fans and air conditioning are a welcome respite from the harshness of the African heat.
Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment.
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.
Children will love the magic and adventure of staying at Tsala Treetop Lodge. What could be more fun than staying in a luxurious suite suspended among a forest canopy on the Garden Route? The cuisine, wine and service are all top notch, so there’s plenty for parents to enjoy, too.
Grootbos Garden Lodge is our favourite for families on the Groobos Private Nature Reserve. The array of exciting and engaging activities on offer here is simply enormous and the setup for children, with a playroom and small farm, is unbeatable.
One of Africa’s most distinctive luxury hotels, The Silo was once a functional grain elevator at the heart of Cape Town's working harbour. Boldly reimagined, it combines unrivalled views above the V&A Waterfront, striking design and contemporary art.
Cape Cagodan is a luxurious and elegant retreat in a recently renovated 1800s hotel. Set in a vibrant neighbourhood, this hotel promises you the best of both worlds, blending serene relaxation with lively city life.
Kariega River Lodge, set on the banks of the Bushman River, is in an exciting private reserve, brimming with wildlife. Days here whizz by, packed full of adrenaline-pumping activities outdoors, with the lodge itself your tranquil retreat.
With a superb shady riverbank location in a large and diverse private game reserve, Singita Ebony is not just luxurious; it is fascinating in all respects. Spacious and adaptable, it’s great for couples, groups, solo travellers and families.
Cape Grace is quite simply one of the finest hotels in Africa. Classic, elegant, and offering unparalleled service, with waterfront and mountain views, it’s one of our favourites in Cape Town.
Tarkuni is an exclusive-use homestead that’s stylish, comfortable, and perfect for larger groups of all ages. Secluded and set in a private reserve, it promises privacy, luxury, and an abundance of exciting wildlife opportunities.
From the culture and scenery of Cape Town to close-up conservation experiences and the wildlife riches of one of the world's great safari regions, this journey packs a remarkable range of memories into less than two weeks.
The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.
Ivory Lodge is one of the most luxurious and exclusive safari lodges in South Africa.
To call this simply a treehouse would be an understatement. Tsala Treetop Lodge is the most incredible, luxury treetop property set amidst the canopy of an ancient indigenous forest. An idyllic forest getaway, you’ll be met with breathtaking views across rolling valleys, spectacular cuisine, and an array of interesting activities. Imbuing a sense of magic and mystery, a stay in this architecturally unique lodge is an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
At the edge of Hermanus Lagoon’s glistening waters stands Mosaic Lagoon Lodge. Set in an enviable location, where towering mountains meet the rippling ocean, the lodge is perfect for those interested in marine creatures, bird life and fascinating indigenous flora. Far from a one trick pony, this ecological gem is both an idyllic, remote retreat and an action-packed playground, with a host of activities sure to tickle your fancy.
A contemporary sanctuary set above Walker Bay, Grootbos Forest Lodge immerses you in ancient milkwood forests, sweeping ocean views and world‑class fynbos experiences, all delivered with refined, nature‑forward luxury.
At the heart of the picturesque Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the exclusive One&Only Cape Town stands. Offering an unprecedented level of luxury, this unbelievably chic waterfront resort is the perfect gateway to experience the vibrant and enchanting Cape Town, and its gorgeous surroundings. An idyllic hotel and spa with great vistas and luxury in abundance, the One&Only is perfect for life's most memorable moments.
Ellerman House is the Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams. It’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel, promising unrivalled service and spectacular views over manicured gardens to Robben Island and beyond.
Set amid sweeping lawns and century‑old trees, Mount Nelson offers a calm, luxurious retreat in the heart of Cape Town, with gracious service, beautiful interiors and a quietly glamorous atmosphere.
See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
Royal Malewane is fit for the king of the jungle, and Conde Nast Traveler has rated it as one of the Best 50 Resorts in the World 2017.
The Drakensberg Mountains are at once lush and rugged. Ranging in elevation from 6,000 to more than 11,000 feet, this mountain range in KwaZulu Natal offers unparalleled hiking, birdwatching and flyfishing.
Within a two-hour radius of Cape Town are the Cape Winelands. Settled some 300 years ago by Huguenot farmers fleeing persecution in Europe, many of today’s independent wine estates still bear their names.
Tucked away in the Limpopo province, the pristine Waterberg region doesn’t make it into most traveller’s itineraries – which, along with a phenomenal array of mammals and birds, is part of the appeal.
South Africa has several outstanding malaria-free wildlife reserves. Madikwe is the largest and its climactic landscape of volcanic hills, expansive plains and winding rivers is a breathtaking backdrop for the private lodges within.
The coastal province of KwaZulu Natal stretches from the border of Mozambique to Durban, South Africa’s third largest city. This sub-tropical region is where Zulus, the Boers and the British collided.
Kruger National Park is South Africa’s best-known wildlife region, spanning 7,500 square miles over the northeast to the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We recommend exclusive lodging on private reserves adjacent to the park.
Spanning 450 miles along the coast between the Winelands and Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route yields breathtaking panoramic views over the sea, coastal forests, mountains and vineyards.
This is one of the world’s great cities. From its peninsular position beneath the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town has centuries of history as a trade hub between Europe and Asia and the multicultural influences are palpable.
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is the premier wildlife reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal, a lush ecosystem which is home not only to the Big Five but to elusive cheetah as well.
Drakensberg’s hidden gem, Cathedral Peak Hotel.
La Residence is the finest boutique hotel in the Cape Winelands. The main house is reminiscent of a French country chateau and is set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley surrounded by classic Cape Winelands scenery and overlooking a peaceful lake. The hotel is decorated and furnished in style with French antiques, Persian carpets and oil paintings, yet a friendly informal atmosphere prevails.
Founded in 1692, Babylonstoren is an historic Cape Dutch farm within one of the best preserved farmyards in South Africa. Set amidst fruit and vegetable gardens covering 3.5 hectares, the character-filled farmhouse still has whitewashed walls, distinctive gables, and impressive fireplaces. This is a property of immense character, and will make for the perfect retreat after a safari or sightseeing in Cape Town.
Situated in a quiet area of the beautiful village of Franschhoek, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, is the five-star Leeu House. Relaxing in the shady gardens one can lie in privacy and listen to the cicadas and the cooing of the Cape Doves – sounds so evocative of the Cape Winelands. Leeu House is an incredibly sophisticated property for adults who want to wine, dine, and enjoy each other’s company.
Check in at Mhondoro Safari Lodge, a remarkable property where Africa-meets-Europe chic combines with contemporary design, attentive service, and unbelievable wildlife encounters.
We love this property’s quirky design, in particular the two-storey Thabametsi Treehouse which is run entirely on solar power and has impressive views across the park.
Journey to Leobo Lodge for a malaria-free safari, and an action-packed itinerary guaranteed to entertain the whole group. There are absolutely no time frames at Leobo, the reserve is yours to explore in the company of knowledgeable guides, and you can do so at your leisure.
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a gourmet hideaway that is intimate and personal with magnificent views across the water to the mountains.
Thanda Safari Lodge invites you to experience ultimate luxury and world-class service.
Home to the late David Rattray, the pioneer of Heritage Tourism in the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields, Fugitive’s Drift Lodge has won a reputation as the finest and most interesting lodge in the AngloZulu war battlefield region of KwaZulu-Natal.
Singita really does have the last word in luxury safari experiences, and Singita Boulders is no exception. The location is superb, the game viewing rich, and the lodge is a model of sustainability which other properties should strive to emulate.
Luxurious safaris and vibrant Cape Town - South Africa is the Rainbow Nation.
“The Pride of Africa” is the most luxurious train in the world, and it steams it way across South Africa. Rovos Rail operates a remarkable heritage railway service, with the oldest locomotive, Tiffany, dating from 1894. You haven’t seen South Africa until you’ve seen it from the rails.
Hidden deep within a private sanctuary, this small and personal lodge combines seclusion with privileged access to one of Africa's most inspiring conservation stories, where endangered black and white rhinos roam protected landscapes and meaningful encounters leave a lasting impression.
Loapi offers the epitome of a private Kalahari experience. You’ll stay in your own spacious tented home with its own team of staff. Each of the six homes is carefully placed in the contours of the valley, offering both incredible savannah views and ultimate privacy. The camp is very welcoming of families and, being in a malaria-free area, is great for young and old alike.
South Africa has added its own unique spin to The Plettenburg: it’s no ordinary beach hotel, but rather has been elevated on account of its position, landscape, and overall quality of design and service to be one of the finest hotels along the Garden Route. Plettenberg is one of the most scenic towns on the Garden Route, and the hotel of the same name is the obvious accommodation choice.