
moderate
10 days
Moderate fitness recommended — activities include early-morning game drives, short bush walks and some light walking in Cape Town.
From dawn drives in Kruger’s Timbavati to helicopter landings over the Cape Peninsula, this 10-day all-inclusive luxury itinerary pairs big-game safari with Cape Town’s coast, culture and Winelands. Expect intimate game drives, boutique lodges and seamless transfers.
The trip begins with an airport handshake: after a long-haul arrival at OR Tambo, a driver waits with a name card and a promise — a short night in Johannesburg before the bush. By dawn, the scene has shifted. The Timbavati's riverbeds sit like old roads in the light; termite mounds punctuate the horizon and the guide steers the Land Cruiser into honey-colored grass. Lions call across the plain as the dust lifts off the track. The safari portion is intimate — small groups, a treehouse to nap in, and morning drives timed to the hour when the park’s edges glow.

Most domestic transfers have strict luggage limits—bring one soft duffel for easy loading and check the luggage allowance before you fly.
Game drives run around sunrise and sunset for the best sightings; be ready to meet your guide 30 minutes before departure.
Stay inside vehicles during drives unless your ranger instructs otherwise, and avoid loud noises or sudden movements near animals.
Tipping staff, buying small souvenirs, or paying for optional activities is easiest with rand on hand; many remote areas have limited card access.
The route moves from the ancient rock of the Lowveld—home to Indigenous communities and colonial-era game management—to Cape Town, a port city shaped by Dutch settlement from the 1600s and complex social history since.
Many private reserves around Kruger operate anti-poaching units and community programs; opt for operators that contribute to local conservation funds and community upliftment.
A compact pair brings distant wildlife and coastline details into crisp view.
Comfortable, grippy shoes for lodge walks and coastal paths in Cape Town.
Morning drives are cold; afternoons can be hot — layers manage the swings.
all specific
A 200–400mm equivalent helps capture animals from the game vehicle and seals/penguins along the shore.