South Africa & Botswana Active Safari

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

11 days

10 nights

Activity Levels 1-3

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

South Africa & Botswana Active Safari

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

11 days

10 nights

Activity Levels 1-3

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024: Mar-Apr, Jun, Aug-Dec 2025: Mar-Dec

From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

( +$4,800  internal air )

Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges

There's no other Africa trip like this. And you'll know it when you're eye to eye with a giraffe—from the seat of your bike, on foot or in an open-top 4x4. This adventure vacation is more than you can imagine and everything you expect: premiere lodges, untamed landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling and hiking—all seamlessly connected by our private charter flights.

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Walk/Hike
Safari
Bike

Highlights

  • Explore sophisticated and strikingly beautiful Cape Town, a captivating place to start your active adventure
  • Bike among magnificent wildlife, including elephants in Botswana, antelope in the Cederbergs and penguins on the Cape
  • Hike along iconic Table Mountain to world-renowned Kirstenbosch garden, then discover Constantia's winelands
  • Safari in open-topped Land Rovers with our expert local guides and spot the legendary Big Five

This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.

South Africa & Botswana Active Safari map

South Africa & Botswana

Start Cape Town

End Johannesburg

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Days 1-2

Description

Gain insight into traditional and contemporary culture from our local friends • Follow the hiking trail along Table Mountain's base to extraordinary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden • Bike from Cape Point to Chapman's Peak, looking for ostrich, baboons, rare Cape Mountain zebras and elands.

Accommodations

Nights 1-2

Cellars-Hohenort
Constantia
Premiere Hotel

A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 3-4

Description

Rejuvenate, hike and mountain bike at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, where ancient Bushman rock art and red hartebeest embellish the scenery • Taste local vintages and learn about South Africa's wine history with the on-site sommelier.

Accommodations

Nights 3-4

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
Cederberg Mountains
Premiere Hotel

This wilderness retreat features a gorgeous landscape and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 5-6

Description

In remote Mashatu, learn to track classic African animals on a guided safari mountain bike ride teeming with wildlife, including giraffes, the big cats and hundreds of bird species • Bike in Botswana among elephants on their ancient paths • Tonight, dinner is served under the African sky around a blazing fire.

Accommodations

Nights 5-6

Mashatu Main Camp
Mashatu Game Reserve
Premiere Hotel

A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a water hole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregates. (pool)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 7-8

Description

Watch for hippos and vervet monkeys from our resort on the river • Venture to the bottom of a deep canyon in a glass elevator to explore the lush and rare Afromontane forest • Hike the seldom visited Great Escarpment and enjoy wild vistas of the bush.

Accommodations

Nights 7-8

Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
Hazyview
Premiere Hotel

These luxurious tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 9-11

Description

In Londolozi, spot the Big Five and other fascinating creatures, like dung beetles and lilac-breasted rollers, during exhilarating bush excursions on foot and in Landies • In a traditional Shangaan community, join our friends from the Africa Foundation to learn about local projects.

Accommodations

Nights 9-10

Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Premiere Hotel

An elegant game lodge on the Sand River offering chalets with balconies for observing elephants and hippos in the wild. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Flights

On this trip we travel by private 8- to 20-passenger turboprop planes to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer while minimizing total travel time.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

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From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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Hotels

World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-2

Cellars-Hohenort
Constantia

Premiere Hotel

A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)

Nights 3-4

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
Cederberg Mountains

Premiere Hotel

This wilderness retreat features a gorgeous landscape and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. (pool, spa)

Nights 5-6

Mashatu Main Camp
Mashatu Game Reserve

Premiere Hotel

A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a water hole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregates. (pool)

Nights 7-8

Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
Hazyview

Premiere Hotel

These luxurious tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)

Nights 9-10

Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Premiere Hotel

An elegant game lodge on the Sand River offering chalets with balconies for observing elephants and hippos in the wild. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)

From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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Bikes

Ready to Ride

On this trip where Backroads custom titanium bikes are not available, we offer local bikes that are well suited for the terrain on our routes.

Local Bike Generic Image
Local Bike

Included in your trip price

From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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Dates & Prices

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

Book with Confidence

Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Learn more

From $10,999 - $12,599 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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