South Africa & Botswana Active Safari
11 days
10 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
South Africa & Botswana Active Safari
11 days
10 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jul, Dec2026: Jun-Jul, Dec
Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges
Premiere lodges, wild landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling and hiking 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 hippos and vervet monkeys play
- Hike along the Sabie River to see diverse wildlife on the fringe of the forest then linger over a riverside picnic
- Learn to track giraffes and the big cats 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
Hike a trail along the flanks of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak to extraordinary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden • Gain insight into traditional and contemporary culture from our local friends • Bike with your family 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
Mountain bike, hike and rejuvenate 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 onsite sommelier.
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 mountain bike ride in a reserve teeming with wildlife, including giraffes, the big cats and hundreds of bird species • Families bike in Botswana on ancient paths made by elephants • Tonight, dinner is served under the African sky around a blazing fire.
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). • Vacation in a tented suite set among 250 acres of rose gardens, macadamia and litchi groves, and jackalberry and tambouti trees.
Nights 7-8
These luxurious tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)
Days 9-11
Join our friends from the Africa Foundation to learn about local community projects • 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.
Nights 9-10
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)
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 luxurious 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
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)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
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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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
