Private Safari Travel

Destination
South Africa

Discover South Africa's iconic destinations

Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities and exhilarating Big Five safaris

Situated at the tip of the African continent and surrounded by two oceans, South Africa boasts breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages and cosmopolitan cities that can all be combined with a truly exhilarating Big Five South African safari.

Consistently voted as one of the top tourist destinations around the world, South Africa is home to one of the world’s biggest nature reserves, the renowned Kruger National Park, as well as one of the most dazzling and scenic cities, Cape Town and its surrounding Winelands. An incredibly versatile destination, legendary landscapes provide dramatic contrasts, diversity of habitats, a vibrant colourful melting pot of cultures and spectacular tapestries of untamed wilderness.

This is a fantastic destination for the entire family to enjoy, and perfect for romantic honeymooners, adventure travellers eager to explore a range of adrenalin-fuelled activities, food enthusiasts tempted to taste our uniquely delicious local flavours of melktart, koeksisters and our famous braais. Our culinary scene is world-renowned and Cape Town is a haven of sublime restaurants and the finest wines. Delve into the complex history of South Africa and retrace the steps of those who helped to carve the captivating country we are so proud of today. If you are simply seeking an introduction to the wonders of this continent, the hospitality and warmth of the people will welcome you with open arms.

Kruger National Park

The world-famous Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest game reserve and one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet. The Kruger National Park has nearly two million hectares of unfenced African wilderness, in which more mammal species roam free than in any other game reserve. Within the Kruger National Park lies &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, the first private game reserve to be incorporated into this famous park; and bordering the Kruger are other renowned private reserves such as the Sabi Sand and the Timbavati Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park is easily accessible via Johannesburg (only a four-hour drive away) and is near to scenic towns such as Graskop, White River and Pilgrims Rest.

Cape Town

With Table Mountain, one of the most spiritual places on earth, at its heart and two oceans at its feet; the city of Cape Town, strategically situated at the south-western tip of Africa, has been famed for centuries as the Tavern of the Seas. Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th-century castle – whose cannons have never been fired in anger – as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls. Home to South Africa’s first mosque, oldest wine farm, a 350-year old garden, award-winning eateries and timelessly beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise the legendary spectral ship, the Flying Dutchman, has spent eternity sailing the city’s shores.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Set within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and wide range of safari activities. Thanks to its coastal rainfall pattern, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve enjoys a lush green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems. &Beyond Phinda is often referred to as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder.’ This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or the scarce black rhino.

Cape Whale Coast

The pristine Cape Whale Coast is flanked by majestic mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The entire route is renowned for its generous whale sightings, particularly in the Walker Bay area between Hermanus and Gansbaai. Whales swim into the bay to mate and give birth, and give onlookers a show with their breaching theatrics. Equally spectacular, the Garden Route is one of the most visited areas in South Africa. Running along the Western Cape coast, the Garden Route boasts pristine white beaches, lakes and forests, rivers and wildflowers in their millions – the scenery is diverse and breathtakingly beautiful.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is situated in the southwestern corner of the world renowned Kruger National Park and consists of 65 000 hectares (160 620 acres). It is the most prestigious game reserve in South Africa, and is famous for incredible leopard sightings. With no fences between the farms (or, for that matter, between them and the Kruger Park), animals wander across vast stretches of grazing land as they did years and years ago. With one of the richest game populations in the country, the chances of seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) are excellent.

Cape Winelands

Meander through the famed Cape Winelands where a harmonious blend of art, nature and decadent food, paired with the finest wines in the world, await you. The region is the source of many legendary Cape wines, the result of the area’s row upon row of grapevines, many of which were first planted hundreds of years ago. Its classic Cape-Dutch homesteads, mountainous surrounds, grand heritage and award-winning restaurants have earned the Cape Winelands the right to call itself South Africa’s culinary capital. A part from a wide choice of wine estate cellars, visitors can also indulge on a variety of locally produced cheeses, olives, export-quality fruit and organic produce.

Ngala Private Game Reserve

Ngala Private Game Reserve is situated within the western boundary of the world renowned Kruger National Park, at the heart of the South African lowveld. This is one of the richest wildlife regions on the continent, with a great diversity of large and spectacular wildlife. Elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo and white rhino are all common and are extremely relaxed when approached by vehicles, allowing for unsurpassed game viewing and photographic opportunities. Eagles, vultures, hornbills, rollers, owls, woodpeckers and starlings are among the best represented bird families. Activities at Ngala are centred around game viewing drives in open vehicles, which traverse an area of some 14 700 hectares (36 500 acres) in search of wildlife, including nocturnal species that are viewed after sunset. Guided walks are a highlight for those wanting even closer contact with this magnificent African wilderness. Specialist Safaris available at Ngala include birding, photographic and walking adventures as well as participative rhino notching.

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

A province of dramatic contrasts, South Africa’s Eastern Cape is home to some of the country’s most varied landscapes. From the arid stretches of the Karoo to the lush rolling hills of the Transkei, the Eastern Cape is a tourist mecca. Here, a number of Big Five game reserves boast an exceptional range of game viewing adventures that will delight any wildlife enthusiast. The Addo Elephant National Park provides some of the world’s most spectacular elephant viewing and the unique opportunity to view marine life such as whales and great white sharks. Equally sensational is the Shamwari Game Reserve (home to the Born Free Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres) and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve’s 22 000 hectares (54 000 acres) of pristine wilderness.

Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of the most visited areas in South Africa. Running along the Western Cape coast, the Garden Route boasts pristine white beaches, lakes and forests, rivers and wild flowers in their millions – the scenery is diverse and breathtakingly beautiful.

Tswalu Kalahari

Located in the Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game reserve. This stark yet beautiful desert region is a textured terrain of vast open savannah, sandy dunes and diverse habitats. Meaning ‘great thirst’ or ‘waterless place’, it is home to an incredible wildlife population including zebra, giraffe, oryx, eland, as well as white rhino and the desert black rhino. The reserve is also inhabited by smaller mammals such as the pangolin, aardvark and African wild cats. Offering exceptional opportunities for viewing cheetah, the massive lions of the Kalahari are well known for their stunning black manes. With a vision to ‘restore the Kalahari to itself,’ protection and conservation of this magnificent copper and gold landscape, and its endemic wildlife, is paramount. The Kalahari offers unique safari experiences set against broad expanses of pristine semi-arid grassland, rugged dunes, and towering Korannaberg Mountains.

Johannesburg

After a bawdy start as a tent and shanty town, today Johannesburg is the second largest city in Africa. Had it not been for the discovery of gold by prospector George Harrison though, the city probably wouldn’t even be in existence. Harrison, who pegged the first claim on the reef, sold it for just ₤10 and disappeared without a trace! Known as the greatest gold-mining area on earth, this vibrant city is not just an industrial giant; it is the heart of the country’s economy. From traditional ‘muti’ (medicine) shops to exclusive boutiques in upmarket malls, theatres, museums, cultural villages, restaurants, beautiful walks in indigenous gardens and more, Johannesburg is a diverse cultural melting pot, deserving of its name of ‘iGoli’ — or ‘City of Gold’.

KwaZulu-Natal

A paradise of warm waters, sun-drenched beaches and eco-wonderlands, KwaZulu-Natal (also known as the Zulu Kingdom) is steeped in history and adventure. From Durban’s bustling gateway of ports, fine dining and first-class shopping outlets to the historic battlefields, where strategists Shaka and Winston Churchill showed their might; this sunny region is fantastic for adventure seekers and discerning travellers. KwaZulu-Natal is home to the renowned &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve as well as two UNESCO World Heritage sites; the iSimangaliso/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, and the breathtaking mountainous region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensburg Park, which showcases exceptional San rock art and is perfect for avid hikers.

Madikwe Game Reserve

Discover the full range of South African safari experiences at Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West Province, close to the border of Botswana. A diverse combination of bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari, this malaria-free 76 000 hectare Reserve boasts the Super Seven – adding cheetah and the endangered African wild dog to the already famous Big Five. Madikwe is famed for Operation Phoenix, the world’s largest game translocation exercise, successfully introducing more than 8 000 animals into the reserve of 28 species, including lion, elephant, buffalo, and white rhino, since 1991. It is also home to more than 350 bird species, several endemic to the Kalahari. The Madikwe region is rich in history, having seen the passage of the famed warrior Mzilikazi, as well as explorers, traders and missionaries that included Dr David Livingstone and Sir Cornwallis Harris. Renowned South African writer Herman Charles Bosman celebrates the area in many of his books. Madikwe Game Reserve is run as a joint venture between the North West Parks Board, the private sector and local communities.

Back to Destinations

Contact us and we will prepare your trip according to your requirements

Roman Baláž, personal advisor, photographer and animal rescue. Call +420 734 863 169 or write to e-mail.

Office and markets for USA and Great Britain - Nico Van Zyl, General Manager. Call +44 7849 911 362 or write to e-mail.

You can also use the query form. I look forward to meeting you.