In Nelson Mandela's Footsteps
Spend time with former prison warden and friend of Nelson Mandela, Christo Brand for a unique window into their lives and friendship.
Cape to Kruger en Famille
Bring out the wild side of your family, from swimming with seals on the Cape to seeking the Big Five in Kruger.
Combining two of South Africa’s major highlights, the ‘Mother City’ Cape Town and world-renowned Kruger National Park, this family holiday is the perfect introduction to the country.
South Africa is a country of great diversity – often seen as its greatest attribute, however, this holiday is perfect because of its simplicity. Spend time immersed amidst the scenery and history of Cape Town before an in depth exploration of the Greater Kruger, spending time at two fantastic reserves, each showcasing a different region but most importantly, both allowing for unspoiled and exclusive wildlife encounters. Optional extension ideas allow the easy addition of a self drive adventure, whale watching, the chance to join a conservation safari or relax on the beach.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Roaming with the Wild Ones
Slow down, connect with the gentle rhythm of nature and the excitement of the bush up close, on foot, alongside expert rangers.
Snorkel with Seals
Come nose to nose with cape fur seals in their natural kelp forest habitat – snorkel among them, joining in their watery aerobatics.
Quality Together Time
Take exclusive use of a safari lodge – with personalised activities, dining experiences, and game drives, experience the magic of the bush at your own pace.
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Day 1
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
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Day 2
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
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Day 3
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
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Day 4
Cape Town - Skukuza - Sabi Sands (Lion Sands Tinga Lodge)
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Days 5-6
Sabi Sands (Lion Sands Tinga Lodge)
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Day 7
Sabi Sands - Skukuza - Greater Kruger NP (Thornybush Saseka Tented Camp)
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Days 8-9
Greater Kruger NP (Thornybush Saseka Tented Camp)
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Day 10
Greater Kruger NP - Hoedspruit - Johannesburg
Day 1
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
Met on arrival and transfer to your accommodation in the city. This afternoon, visit one of the Uthando initiatives, a non-profit organisation working with independent, innovative and inspiring community development projects.
Day 2
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
Join your guide for a private sightseeing tour of the city and table mountain before heading south to join Cape fur seals in the water.
Day 3
Cape Town (More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel)
Sail across Table Bay to Robben Island accompanied by your guide, an ex-political prisoner. Hear personal and moving accounts of their time on the island during the Apartheid years and learn about the island’s most famous prisoner Nelson Mandela.
Day 4
Cape Town - Skukuza - Sabi Sands (Lion Sands Tinga Lodge)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Skukuza followed by a short transfer to Lion Sands Tinga Lodge. On arrival after some time to relax, embark on your first game drive.
Days 5-6
Sabi Sands (Lion Sands Tinga Lodge)
Spend two days enjoying the facilities and activities on offer including twice daily game drives or bush walks in search of the wealth of wildlife in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Day 7
Sabi Sands - Skukuza - Greater Kruger NP (Thornybush Saseka Tented Camp)
Transfer overland to Skukuza and onwards to Thornybush Tented Camp. Once checked in, head out on your first game drive.
Days 8-9
Greater Kruger NP (Thornybush Saseka Tented Camp)
Spend two days enjoying the facilities and activities on offer including twice daily game drives or bush walks and the chance to learn traditional tracking methods.
Day 10
Greater Kruger NP - Hoedspruit - Johannesburg
Transfer to Hoedspruit and Eastgate airport for your flights to Johannesburg for onward travel.
More Details
ICONIC AND ACTIVE CAPE TOWN
Cape Town
Cape Town is a colourful city with a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere, trendy beaches and chic restaurants. Iconic Table Mountain and historic Robben Island are high on most people’s list. For those who want to stay longer and experience a little more activity, options include sunrise hikes up Lion’s Head, paddle boarding across the harbour or taking a cycling tour of the city. To the south of the city are the picturesque golden beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Here, take a kayak trip to Seal Island, visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach or swim with Cape fur seals.
SAFARI EXPERIENCE
The Greater Kruger
Kruger National Park and the adjacent private game reserve of Sabi Sands make up part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Without fences, wildlife is free to move between the two areas and with exclusive access and freedom to drive off road, this itinerary offers an in-depth and unspoilt safari experience with a fabulous diversity of wildlife. Sabi Sands has the highest concentration of leopards in Africa but you can also expect to encounter lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, rhino, numerous antelope species and countless birds.
Explorations can be on game drives or on bush walks in the company of trackers who can help bring your surroundings to life.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Thornybush Tented Camp are creators of the Thornybush Community, a non-profit organisation which your stay directly contributes to. Aiming to support local communities, this initiative includes the Thousand Herbs and Vegetable Garden project, a co-operative of five women who oversee the growth, supply and distribution of fresh vegetables and herbs to surrounding communities and safari lodges.
During your stay in Cape Town you will visit one of the many Uthando initiatives, a non-profit organisation working with independent, innovative and inspiring community development projects. Based in Cape Town they support causes ranging from female empowerment to youth education and a tour of one of these projects is a fun, insightful experience that gives you the chance to meet the people benefiting from Uthando’s work. All holidays to South Africa with Steppes Travel include a donation to Uthando.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Suggested Extension
South Africa: Whale Watching
Travel south of Cape Town to the bay of Hermanus when, between June and December the waters here fill with migrating southern right whales, leading to some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. Coastal walks allow the chance to observe the whales in their natural habitat, from the shore, as they roll, lobtail and spyhop, or take to the water for a whale watching cruise.
3 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
South Africa: Madikwe Game Reserve
Drive from Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve for a stay at Jacis Safari Lodge, to explore this remarkable landscape, home to a diversity of wildlife. Once barren farming land, this area now teems with species, including a healthy wild dog population. For an alternative safari join the conservation team to get hands on, notching and micro-chipping rhinos or collaring elephants – a privileged and memorable experience.
4 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
South Africa: The Cape Winelands
Drive around 60 minutes north east of Cape Town into the mountainous scenery of the Cape Winelands and spend time exploring some of the world’s most renowned vineyards. Sample fabulous wines and gastronomy, chill out at the spa, explore on foot, bicycle or on horseback and if travelling with children, enjoy family friendly activities, from tractor rides to grape juice tasting.
3 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Madagascan Island Retreat
Fly from Johannesburg to Nosy Be and relax on the idyllic Madagascan island of Nosy Komba, staying at Tsara Komba, an island retreat where days can be spent snorkelling, canoeing or swinging in a hammock.
5 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
Extend your time in Africa and fly to Victoria Falls to spend three days taking in these mighty waterfalls plus activities including white water rafting and kayaking. From here it is easy to extend your adventures in Zimbabwe, encountering some of the continent’s best safari guides, or cross the border into Botswana to explore the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta and huge herds of elephants.
3 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Mozambique Beach Escape
Cross the border into Mozambique and encounter some of the best beaches on the Indian Ocean. Mozambique is home to long stretches of sandy beach and secluded island archipelagos, fringed by mangroves and colourful reefs. Kayak, experience rich colonial history and swim, dive or snorkel in waters that are home to a wealth of big and small marine life. Stay in one of our preferred beachfront properties.
4 days. Price on request
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £5,995 Per person
When to travel
South Africa in January
A great time to visit around Cape Town and the Garden Route, as it is hot and dry. Further north in the Kruger, it is also hot, but there is a much greater chance of rainstorms.
South Africa in February
Peak season in the Cape continues, and it is often the hottest time. It is worth booking well in advance to get your preferred accommodation.
South Africa in March
It is an excellent time to visit all parts of the country, as the weather is still warm and the rain eases in the north. In the Kruger, it is lush and green after the rainy season.
South Africa in April
Visitor numbers drop, and lower temperatures make for ideal hiking conditions in the Drakensberg mountains. It is warm and dry across the country, making it a great time to explore multiple regions.
South Africa in May
A quieter time of year and a good time to visit, especially if you are not looking for balmy heat. The north and especially the Kruger enters its dry season, with cooler temperatures.
South Africa in June
Midwinter brings the rainiest time in the Cape, but it is still pleasantly mild in the day with the sun shining. The dry season in the north makes for excellent wildlife viewing as animals congregate around watering holes.
South Africa in July
Clear skies and crisp sunshine dominate in the north, as it is the driest month. It is low season so parks are generally quiet and it is easier to spot wildlife around the sparse waterholes.
South Africa in August
A fantastic time to see KwaZulu Natal as is one of the warmest places in the country at this time. In the Western Cape, it is starting to dry out in time for whale watching season.
South Africa in September
The West Coast springs into life as the flowers bloom and temperatures rise across the country. A chance to spot newborns and it is prime time for whale watching in the Cape.
South Africa in October
A great time to see both the north and south, as it is relatively dry everywhere. Flowers carpet the countryside as temperatures continue to rise.
South Africa in November
The start of the rainy season in the Kruger and the north, as temperatures heat up. Impressive thunderstorms become more regular in the afternoon. The last chance to see whales in the Cape, and a good time to see inland areas before they toast in the summer heat.
South Africa in December
Summer approaches and with it visitor numbers rise, especially in the south. If you want to travel around Christmas and New Year, you should book well in advance to secure the best spots.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
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