South Africa doesn’t just have one Big Five; it has two. This memorable and stylish wildlife adventure brings the best of bush and ocean to you as you search for the terrestrial Big Five (leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros) at Sabi Sands and Kwandwe, and the marine Big Five (southern right whale, African penguin, Cape fur seal, great white shark and bottlenose dolphin) in the waters off the Southern Cape.
Whale watching is best from September to October. Do note that Sabi Sands can be very hot in October.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on two adults travelling for 12 nights and does not include international flights.
3 nights at Dulini River Lodge, 3 nights at Grootbos Forest Lodge, 3 nights at Sea Five Boutique Hotel, 3 nights at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
What makes your South Africa wildlife safari special?
- What makes this journey special? Perfect for first-time safari-goers wanting to see the Big Five of the land and the ocean.
- Fabulous diversity of habitats from the quintessential African bush of Sabi Sands to the coastal Mediterranean landscapes of the southern Cape.
- Superb accommodation selected for their great service, guiding and conservation-forward agenda.
- Enjoy some down time in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
- Activities as relaxed or as adrenaline-fuelled as you choose from great white shark encounters to tracking rhino through the bush.
Your private South Africa safari itinerary
Up close and personal
Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
There’s probably no better place to go looking for Africa’s Big Five than Sabi Sands, which is particularly renowned for its sightings of leopard–the most elusive of the five. A short flight from Johannesburg will bring you to the reserve which lies adjacent to the Kruger National Park. With the stylish Dulini River Lodge as your base, head out with your expert guide every morning and evening on game drives and bush walks to see what you can find.
Sabi Sands contains some of the greatest biodiversity of any reserve in Africa, and in addition to the Big Five, offers chances to spot less commonly seen species such as pangolin, aardvark and African wild cat up close. If you’re a keen wildlife photographer, you’ll have ample opportunity to capture striking images.
The Fairest Cape
Cape Town
Few cities have quite so magnificent a setting as Cape Town, and you’ll have three days to explore the Mother City. With your private guide, experience the natural drama of Africa’s tip as you pass the Twelve Apostles and Hout Bay on the way to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
Stop off in Simonstown for lunch and a trip to Boulder Beach and its penguin colony before returning to Caper Town for a late afternoon stroll among the floral wonders of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You’ll also have a day free to enjoy Cape Town as you choose, whether that’s summiting Table Mountain or getting stuck into the city’s vibrant arts and culinary scenes.
The world beneath the waves
Gansbaai - Grootbos Private Reserve
A world away from the bushveld, the southern Cape is home to another Big Five, this time of the sea. Grootbos Private Reserve is one of the few places on Earth where you can see the marine Big Five in their natural habitat. Enjoy close and non-intrusive encounters with whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins as they feed, frolic and play.
Heading out into the waters off Gansbaai on daily boat trips led by experienced marine biologists and guides, you’ll witness thousands of Cape fur seals basking in the sun, feel the thrill of going eye-to-eye with a great white shark, and delight as bottlenose dolphins surf alongside the boat. Float alongside curious southern right whales and laugh at the comical goings-on of African penguins.
Wildlife conservation in action
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Finishing in Kwandwe Private Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape not only lets you complete any Big Five species you may have missed at Sabi Sands. It also allows you a chance to play a part in one of South Africa’s most exciting conservation programmes. Alongside the morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and night drives with the superb rangers and trackers, immerse yourself in Kwandwe’s flagship rhino conservation programme.
Depending on your level of interest, you can join the reserve’s ecological team as they use bush skills, telemetry and drones to track and monitor the black and white rhino population. Or help the team immobilise a rhino to gain valuable DNA, notch its ear for ID and fit ankle collars that provide the conservation team with critical information on the movement, stress levels and behaviour of the rhinos.
Where you'll stay on your South Africa safari
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Dulini River Lodge
Set within mature forest in the wildlife-rich Sabi Sand Reserve, Dulini River Lodge offers an effortlessly stylish and relaxing safari experience suffused by genuine warmth and some of the best cuisine at any South African safari lodge. There are just six villas, all enormous and coming with cantilevered decks and heated plunge pools. All of Africa’s sought-after Big Five can be found here, and the Sabi Sand is particularly famous for its frequent sightings of big cats including lion, leopard and cheetah.
Sea Five Boutique Hotel
Sea Five Boutique Hotel, in Cape Town’s upscale Camps Bay, is a stylish retreat just steps from the beach. Its seven individually designed rooms each come with private terraces and views of the ocean or mountains. Relax by the pool, enjoy gourmet breakfasts on the terrace, and explore nearby attractions like Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront. Known for its attentive service and serene atmosphere, Sea Five is a perfect blend of coastal luxury and Cape Town’s natural charm.
Grootbos Forest Lodge
Dramatically positioned above the ocean near Africa’s southernmost tip, Grootbos Forest Lodge is a stylish eco-retreat whose luxury suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows and private decks, provide a serene space to relax. Days begin with the scent of fynbos in the air and farm-to-table breakfast delights—think freshly baked bread, seasonal fruit and honey straight from the hive. Continue with a guided walk through the reserve, where you’ll marvel at the wonders of the Cape Floral Kingdom, or take a marine safari to search for whales, seals, penguins and dolphins. With attentive service and a strong commitment to sustainability, the lodge creates a meaningful and rejuvenating escape.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Award-winning Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge, perched above the Great Fish River in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is a wonderful example of luxury with a conscience. The lodge’s nine glass-fronted suites offer a front row on the wilderness, complete with private decks, plunge pools and panoramic views. Beyond Kwandwe’s elegant design and gourmet dining, twice-daily game drives showcase the reserve’s diverse wildlife from the Big Five to less commonly seen species like cheetah and aardvark, and you can even join its pioneering rhino conservation efforts.
Customise your private South Africa safari trip
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Swap Sabi Sands for pioneering Samara Karoo Reserve, one of Africa’s top places to see cheetah and a host of other re-introduced semi-desert species.
Instead of flying, take a leisurely and sumptuous rail journey to Cape Town with Rovos Rail.
Include a few days at Tswalu Loapi in the Kalahari, arguably Africa’s finest tented camp, where you can see black-maned lion, desert rhino and the endangered ground pangolin.
While in Cape Town, take advantage of our black book and meet the city’s movers, shakers and storytellers from wine masters and artists to marine biologists and surf champions.
Extend your time in the Western Cape with a fabulous road trip road through the Cape winelands, Cederberg Mountains and Paternoster.
Relax at &Beyond’s stylish Benguerra Island in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Islands for a heavenly bush and beach combination.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our South Africa specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Africa team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
“If you only visit two continents in your lifetime, visit Africa – twice!”