South Africa & Botswana Family Active Safari
South Africa & Botswana Family Active Safari
11 days
10 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
2026: Jun-Jul, Dec
Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges
Premiere lodges, wild landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling, hiking and safari expeditions where magnificent animals roam—all seamlessly connected by our private charter flights. Two countries, one grand adventure.
Highlights
- Discover the wonders of Cape Town, from the flora-rich slopes of Table Mountain to the rugged Cape of Good Hope
- Search for the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo—in open-topped Land Rovers with our expert local guides
- Kick back poolside at spectacularly remote safari camps, where elephants and vervet monkeys play
- Hike along the Sabie River to see diverse wildlife on the fringe of the forest
- Learn to track giraffes and elephants on a mountain bike route packed with wildlife
This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.
StartCape Town
EndJohannesburg
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Gain insight into South Africa’s traditional and contemporary culture from our local friends • Hike along Table Mountain’s base to the extraordinary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden • Bike from Cape Point to Chapman’s Peak, looking for ostrich, baboons, rare Cape Mountain zebras and elands.
Nights 1-2
A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)
Days 3-4
Vacation, walk and mountain bike at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, where ancient Bushman rock art and red hartebeest embellish the scenery • Taste local vintages or grab a paddle and go canoeing.
Nights 3-4
This wilderness retreat features a gorgeous landscape and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. (pool, spa)
Days 5-6
In remote Mashatu, learn to track classic African animals on a guided safari mountain bike ride in a reserve 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—an unforgettable family meal!
Nights 5-6
A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a water hole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregates. (pool)
Days 7-8
Fly via private charter to Mpumalanga, one of South Africa’s most diverse provinces • Watch for hippos and vervet monkeys on a hike along the Sabie River • Enjoy an elegant traditional South African braai (barbecue) • Relax in a tented suite set among 250 acres of rose gardens, macadamia and litchi groves, and jackalberry and tambouti trees.
Nights 7-8
These sumptuous tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)
Days 9-11
At 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 • Make a splash in your private plunge pool!
Nights 9-10
This elegant game lodge on the Sand River offers an unparalleled luxury safari experience, featuring superb hospitality, Big Five game drives, exceptional leopard sightings and immersive bush experiences—all with a deep commitment to conservation. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
What's Included
See moreStraight 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.
On this trip we travel by small, private turboprop planes to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer while minimizing total travel time.
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
Premiere Hotel
A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)
Nights 3-4
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
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
Premiere Hotel
These sumptuous tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)
Nights 9-10
Premiere Hotel
This elegant game lodge on the Sand River offers an unparalleled luxury safari experience, featuring superb hospitality, Big Five game drives, exceptional leopard sightings and immersive bush experiences—all with a deep commitment to conservation. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
Gallery
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 4 customers
South Africa and Botswana: Must Do
This is an amazing itinerary, expertly crafted, and lead by exceptional leaders. I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
Best Trip Ever!
Verified Buyer
As experienced Backroads travelers, we have had MANY fantastic trips in all parts of the world with this outstanding company, but my husband and 4 children (all in their 20s) found this trip to be the top of the list. Why? Perhaps because S Africa and Botswana are SO different from anywhere else, perhaps because going on 3 (yes 3!) safaris is an experience that is hard to describe unless you have been on one, perhaps because our leader was phenomenal, perhaps because Backroads added so many unique cultural experiences for us to connect with the land and the people. The itinerary was perfectly planned to take us on a range of experiences, culminating at Londolozi, where the concept of eco safari all originated decades ago.
Best family trip ever!!!
Verified Buyer
This trip goes beyond the "trip of a lifetime" category! Our best family trip ever! The wildlife viewing was superb and the hotels were all so unique and beautiful. The itinerary is well thought out; the activity level is high in the beginnning part of the trip and the wildlife viewing is lower, but then as the days go by, activity level and wildlife viewing swap! It is really like 5 trips in one, so different are the regions and experiences. It will be hard to top this trip!
Unique and memorable experience
Verified Buyer
The trip was amazing. The guides added so much to the trip. Both Danny and Travis are bright, funny and great conversationalists and the perfect hosts or as we renamed them, the backcountry butlers. :). Fruit on silver platters were a welcome site after visiting the Cape of Good Hope. Great food and drink was always close by and offered. Riding bikes with a tower of giraffes and watching male lions patrol and defend their territory was two of many memorable experiences.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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