For a luxury wildlife adventure like no other: see both the Big Five on safari, alongside the Whale and Shark seasons

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

Itinerary highlights

  • Cage diving with great white sharks in Hermanus
  • Spotting Africa's Big Five if the Sabi Sands
  • Discovering Cape Town's incredible food scene on a private tour
  • Seeing whales up close

What's included

  • Completely private tours of Cape Town and the peninsula
  • Full day whale watching excursion
  • Stay in luxury hotels and safari lodges throughout
  • Meet and greet airport service
  • Full support from your Travel Designer and Concierge before, during and after your trip
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

This is the ultimate wildlife adventure in South Africa.

There are only a few months of the year (July to October) during which you can see the ‘Big Seven’, which are the iconic Big Five on safari (rhino, elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo) plus the ocean’s southern right whales and great white sharks which can be spotted off of South Africa’s Cape.

Begin on the aptly named Whale Coast, a stretch of the Western Cape where mountains lead down to secluded beach coves, pleasant villages and the Atlantic Ocean. Here you’ll go cage diving with great white sharks in Hermanus and embark on a special nautical safari to get up close to the whales, before a three nights in Cape Town where you’ll be shown around the scenic city and beyond on privately guided tours. End with a classic safari in the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where you’ll spot the Big Five and much more while based in a fabulous lodge or camp in this incredible wilderness.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-4

The Whale Coast

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Meet and greet at Cape Town airport

Transfer

Private transfer from Cape Town airport to The Whale Coast

Accommodation in The Whale Coast

Three nights on the Whale Coast Three nights on the Whale Coast

Almost immediately south-east from the outskirts of Cape Town and following the Atlantic shoreline along the Western Cape, this is a protected collection of beautiful bays with crescents of pristine white beaches, wild surf, tranquil mountains that dramatically descend into the Atlantic, sleepy valleys, nature reserves, charming coves bustling with wildlife and pleasant villages brimming with local heritage.

Some of the world’s premier destinations for viewing nurseries of southern right whales, as well as other marine life, are located on this coast, such as Hermanus, Overburg and Walker Bay, and there are also the shivers of great white sharks that gather off Gansbaai.

Half-day whale watching tour from Hermanus Half-day whale watching tour from Hermanus

Today, you have a scheduled, shared whale watching boat tour. Your driver will collect you from your hotel and drive you to New Harbour to meet with your nautical guide and catamaran. While the focus of today's viewing is the Southern Right Whale, there will also be the opportunity to see Humpback and Bryde's whales, dolphins, seals and a large variety of marine birds, including the African penguin. Onboard the purpose-built catamaran, there're different viewing levels, offering spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities. This tour can be anything from one and a half hours to three hours, with the average time at sea being two hours. Seasick medication is recommended for those without sea-legs.

Shark cage diving excursion Shark cage diving excursion

Board your shark-chaser, the Predator II for the five mile voyage to Dyer Island. The island, together with Geyser Rock nearby, is home to 40 000 Cape Fur Seals, the Great White Shark’s favourite prey, and the channel which runs between the two is known as Shark Alley. This is where you will anchor – using a specially mixed chum to attract the sharks, you will soon have an opportunity to see them feeding at the surface, alongside the boat. The cage is then lowered and you will be able to witness these incredible hunters of the deep in your wetsuit, protected by galvanised steel mesh. All diving equipment is supplied and only snorkeling experience is required if you want to go down in the cage. A light lunch is served on the boat as well as refreshments and you will have the chance to see seals and whales in season as well as the sharks.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from the Whale Coast to Cape Town

Days 4-7

Cape Town

Accommodation in Cape Town

The coast by Ocean Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Three nights in Cape Town Three nights in Cape Town

Spend your time relaxing and exploring this wonderful city. You have our top recommendations for activities, restaurants and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise your time here with a privately-guided tour, according your interests, we can do so.

Half day private city tour of Cape Town Half day private city tour of Cape Town

This morning you will be met by your private vehicle for a private morning exploration of Cape Town, known affectionately as the Mother City. Typically highlights include, the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula (depending on the weather). On the descent, you can stop at the Bo Kaap, home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses.

Table Mountain Table Mountain
Bo Kaap Bo Kaap
Full Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour Full Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour

Take one of the most scenic journeys in the world in this wonderful, full day private tour. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning and bring you out through the coastal suburbs.

The trip is entirely private, so you can take things at your own pace though typically you'll make stops to see the highlights shown below:

Hout Bay and Chapman Peak Drive Hout Bay and Chapman Peak Drive

Leaving the suburbs of Cape Town the road winds through Hout Bay and up over Chapmans peak for truly stunning views of the coastline. If we're lucky we may even see Southern Right Whales in the waters off-shore from June-November.

Cape of Good Hope Cape of Good Hope

Explore the rocky coastline and unique Cape Fynbos vegetation which is home to unique bird-life such as African Black Oystercatchers and Cape Sugarbirds amongst others. Climb to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay, and stop at the south western most point of Africa - the fabled Cape of Good Hope.

Simon's Town & Boulders Beach Simon's Town & Boulders Beach

We will visit Boulders Beach for a visit to see African Penguins in their natural habitat. Next drive through the historical naval village of Simonstown and over yet another spectacular mountain pass; Boyes Drive, where you will take in views of the quaint fishing harbour at Kalk Bay as well as the seaside villages of St James and Muizenberg.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

As we return to the city (time allowing) you have the opportunity to visit these magnificent gardens set on the slopes of Table Mountain before returning to your hotel in the city.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from Cape Town hotel to Cape Town airport

Flight

Flight from Cape Town to Nelspruit (Kruger) Airport

Days 7-11

Sabi Sands

Accommodation in Sabi Sands

Four days on safari in the Sabi Sands Four days on safari in the Sabi Sands

Enjoy days relaxing at your luxury lodge and exploring the world-famous Sabi Sands Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the lodge you've chosen, there are various other optional activities you can do, ask your travel designer for the full lowdown.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer from Sabi Sands to Nelspruit (Kruger) airport

Flight

Flight from Nelspruit (Kruger) airport to Johannesburg

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