The Cape, the vines and the wild
The Cape, the vines and the wild
9-day, 8-night classic South Africa
South Africa’s golden triptych tells a fabled story
South Africa has so much to offer its visitors: great weather, world-class cuisine and wines, spectacular wildlife, beautiful beaches, and friendly faces wherever you go. This is a country of incredible diversity, both in its people and its geography.
This itinerary gives you the best of South Africa. Starting off in the Mother City, Cape Town, you are treated to history, art, culture, shopping and nature, including interacting with the highly endangered African penguins of Boulders Beach.
From there it’s a hop and a skip into the historical Franschhoek region of the Cape Winelands, rightfully known as South Africa’s culinary capital. And from there you’re off to Big Five country, visiting the Greater Kruger National Park for a few blissful days in the African bushveld.
At a Glance
Highlights
Sublime luxury
Among the best wines in the world
Unforgettable cuisine
Endless choice of experiences around the Cape
Awe-inspiring scenery
Unbelievable game viewing and bird watching
Art tours
Wellness
Location9-day, 8-night classic South Africa
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Cape Town
Set at the south-western point of Africa and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling Mother City presents an alluring combination of drawcards.
It is South Africa’s oldest city, with a heritage going back nearly four centuries. With its diverse cultures, its natural wonders and spectacular beauty, Cape Town masterfully captures the hearts of visitors.
Powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub.
This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and the spectacular and famed V&A Waterfront that is spread out around the city’s working harbour.
Some highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA); Table Mountain’s jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm waters; the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and wine tastings in the Constantia winelands.
The Silo Hotel
This luxury 5* hotel is a magical space towering over the famed V&A Waterfront with panoramic views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island. The industrial chic decor is colourful and eclectic, complemented by bespoke art. The Deluxe Superior Suite provides spectacular views over the city, and offers all the luxury amenities expected.
The hotel occupies six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA and is located in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex, adding a fascinating element to architecture and design. The greatest visible change to the building’s original structure is the addition of the geometric windows – each of the 82 windows in the hotel has 56 individual panes of glass. Guests can enjoy dining at several restaurants, and have access to a rooftop bar, a gym, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool.
Enjoy a guided tour of the hotel’s private art collection, including over 300 pieces of contemporary African art, or explore the museum – or both. Sundowners at the rooftop bar and dinner at the rooftop restaurant can be an option, enjoying the stellar views over the city.
Dinners are at leisure, and your expert Travel Architect will guide you to those restaurants where you’ll immerse yourself in the unique culinary heritage of Cape Town, and South Africa, taking into account your food preferences.
A plethora of guided experiences is available to choose from while you’re in Cape Town. The programme will be designed to suit your specific interests. From a guided tour of the city, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, Boulders Beach to see the colony of African penguins, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a cable car ride up Table Mountain, and a boat trip to explore Robben Island, or wine tastings in the Constantia Winelands, your private guide will be with you daily. A helicopter scenic flight over the city or along the Cape Peninsula is always a fantastic experience.
Franschhoek
Situated within easy reach of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands are renowned for producing some of the world’s finest wines, cultivated from row upon row of grapevines – many first planted centuries ago. The region delights travellers with its magnificent scenery, where award-winning wine estates sprawl across lush, green slopes and gaze out over dramatic mountain landscapes.
Quaint towns, rich in historical charm, are characterised by classic Cape Dutch architecture and reflect the strong influence of early German settlers and French Huguenots. Franschhoek, meaning “French Corner”, is one such town and among the oldest in the country.
Its French Huguenot heritage is evident in the historic wine estates that bear French names and traditions. Surrounded by towering mountains, the Franschhoek Valley is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular wine valleys in the world.
The heart of this charming town is filled with craft boutiques, art galleries and museums, while its restaurants serve world-class cuisine. With many establishments celebrated both locally and internationally, Franschhoek has rightfully earned its reputation as South Africa’s culinary capital.
Visitors are encouraged to sample a glass of pinotage – a uniquely South African varietal created from a cross between pinot noir and cinsault. The unique Wine Tram is ideal and great fun for travelling between wine estates. Beyond its outstanding wines, the region also offers a tempting selection of locally produced cheeses and artisanal chocolates, adding to the winelands’ rich sensory appeal.
La Residence
Your journey into the Cape Winelands begins as you leave the city behind, the road unfurling through valleys framed by centuries‑old vineyards, mountain peaks and the historic charm of Stellenbosch, with its oak‑shaded avenues, heritage architecture and vibrant café culture. This is the region for slow wandering, fine wines and lingering lunches beneath the trees.
Arriving in Franschhoek, you enter a valley shaped by French heritage. Tucked within this tapestry lies La Residence, a luxurious, secluded estate set among rolling vineyards and plum orchards. Here, every suite is a beautiful world of its own, infused with rich textures, bold colours and a quiet elegance that celebrates the valley’s Provençal soul.
Beyond your private Vineyard Suite, complete with its own pool and terrace, La Residence invites you into a realm of curated comfort: spa rituals inspired by the land, serene library corners, boutique treasures and menus crafted from the estate’s own gardens.
All the while, your personal Travel Architect is your behind‑the‑scenes artisan, crafting private wine tastings overlooking the vines, securing tables at Franschhoek’s most celebrated restaurants, and arranging exclusive cellar tours, helicopter flights over the Winelands, art studio visits or spontaneous sunset picnics. Whatever you dream of, they bring to life.
Every moment here is designed to feel intimate, sensory and deeply personal, an immersion into one of the Cape’s most enchanting landscapes, shaped entirely around you.
Greater Kruger National Park
An ancient wilderness, Thornybush Game Reserve is alive with the promise of extraordinary encounters. This is a landscape where elephants wander along age‑old pathways, lions bask in the morning light, and birds stitch the sky with colour. Here, in one of South Africa’s most storied private reserves, the wild feels close enough to touch, and every rustle hints at something unforgettable.
Thornybush, found in the Greater Kruger Conservation Area, shares an unfenced border with the Timbavati Game Reserve to the east and, ultimately, the Kruger National Park. Abundant wildlife roams freely between this 15 000ha (37 000 acre) reserve and neighbouring private reserves. The reserve’s main landscape consists of open savannah combined with thorny thickets, mixed woodlands and dry riverbeds.
Thornybush Game Reserve is a Big Five destination, and home to 147 mammal species. Giraffe, wildebeest, hyena and cheetah are often encountered, along with many plains game species. The African wild dog passes through from time to time, and the rare white lions of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve have been seen on occasion. Birdlife is prolific, with over 280 recorded species in the region, including the Southern ground hornbill, Saddle-billed stork, African fish eagle and Kori bustard.
Masiya’s Camp
The Royal Malewane portfolio of lodges and villas boast stylish 5* splendour, exuding the romance and elegance of a bygone age. Masiya’s Camp, one of the lodges found on the Royal Malewane concession, is named in honour of the late Wilson Masiya. His story is one of fearless courage and spirit.
Masiya, one of only a handful of Southern African guides designated as master trackers, fled his home in Mozambique in 1977 as civil war broke out, guiding his family to safety on foot through the Kruger National Park. He was already a legend in the region when he joined the Biden family in 1999, as Royal Malewane first opened, and was part of the team until his passing in 2015.
Masiya’s Camp offers a unique, ultra-modern experience under canvas. It is a small and intimate camp with six uniquely designed, canvas-draped suites, each with a private heated plunge pool and views over the vast wilderness. Large floor-to-ceiling glass panels in the communal area open to bring the outside in, creating a fully immersive experience in the bush.
Sophisticated design elements, tailored furniture and vintage-inspired patterns elevate the experience of each tented suite. From feminine pinks and vintage florals to Asian-inspired blues and reds, with bold and vibrant artwork adding cultural and artistic flair, the designs cater to diverse tastes.
Guests enjoy game drives and guided bush walks. Between safari experiences, guests can indulge in wellness treatments at the Royal Waters Spa or exercise in the gym, both located at the nearby Malewane Lodge.
Johannesburg
It’s been an odyssey, but South Africa’s oceans, vineyards and savannahs will be etched on your heart. Even though today marks the end of your adventure, South Africa’s magic will stay with you long after your journey has ended.
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The Cape, the vines and the wild gallery
The Cape, the vines and the wild FAQs
This itinerary is fantastic year-round, but the best time is generally during South Africa’s spring and summer, from September to April. During these months, Cape Town and the Winelands are warm and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities. The Kruger region will be in its lush "green season" (from November), which is spectacular for birdwatching and seeing newborn animals, though game viewing can sometimes be slightly more challenging than in the dry winter.
This itinerary requires three distinct wardrobes:
- For Cape Town: stylish casual wear, smart outfits for dinners out, a light jacket for evenings, and comfortable walking shoes
- For Franschhoek: smart-casual resort wear, light linen clothing for wine tasting, a swimsuit for your private pool, and perhaps a more elegant outfit for fine dining
- For the Kruger: lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, beige, green). A warm fleece and a windproof jacket are essential for chilly early-morning and evening game drives
The transition is seamless and efficient. You will be privately transferred from your hotel in Franschhoek back to Cape Town International Airport for a direct scheduled flight (approximately 2.5 hours) to Hoedspruit, the gateway to the Greater Kruger. Upon landing, you will be met by a representative from Royal Malewane for the short road transfer to Masiya’s Camp.
The first part of your trip – Cape Town and the Franschhoek Winelands – is malaria-free. However, the Greater Kruger National Park area (including Thornybush) is a malaria-risk destination. It is essential that you consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss appropriate anti-malarial medication.
Yes, South Africa is a safe destination for tourists who take sensible precautions. Your itinerary is designed for maximum security. In Cape Town, you will have a private guide, who is an expert in navigating the city safely. At all your accommodations, you are in secure and exclusive environments. As in any major city worldwide, it is wise to be “street smart”: avoid displaying expensive jewellery and be aware of your surroundings.
You are staying in a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger, which offers a more exclusive safari experience. Thornybush shares an unfenced border with the main park, so wildlife roams freely between them. The key advantages of a private reserve are:
- Fewer crowd: vehicle numbers are strictly limited
- Off-road driving: guides can drive off-road to get you closer to sightings
- Night drives: you can experience the thrill of searching for nocturnal animals after dark
The beauty of this luxury itinerary is its flexibility. While your private guide will have a suggested daily plan based on your interests, the programme is adaptable. You can decide each day whether you’d prefer to focus on history (Robben Island), nature (Kirstenbosch), adventure (Table Mountain) or relaxation. Your guide’s role is to tailor the experience perfectly to your pace and preferences.
Yes, absolutely. Franschhoek is home to several of South Africa’s most acclaimed and popular restaurants. For a chance to dine at the top-tier establishments, it is essential to make reservations several weeks or even months in advance, especially during peak season. Your Travel Architect can assist with these crucial bookings.
Your chances are excellent. Thornybush is a prime Big Five destination. Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are all seen regularly. The reserve also has a healthy population of rhino. While no sighting in the wild is ever 100% guaranteed, staying for three nights with expert trackers and guides gives you the best possible opportunity to see all five, along with a rich diversity of other wildlife.
The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR). Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in Cape Town and Franschhoek. However, it is highly recommended to have some cash (ZAR) for smaller purchases and for tipping. Tipping your safari guide and tracker is customary, and this is often done in cash at the end of your stay.
