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)

One or more kids 20+ required (siblings 17+ ok)

From $10,999 - $12,949 /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)

One or more kids 20+ required (siblings 17+ ok)

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: Oct, Dec 2025: May, Sep, Dec

From $10,999 - $12,949 /person

( +$4,800  internal air )

Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges

Get set for more natural beauty, wondrous wildlife, rich South African culture and carefree adventure than you can imagine! By bike, foot and open-top 4x4, treat your family to once-in-a-lifetime encounters, luxurious game lodges and epic biking and hiking, all seamlessly linked by our private charter flights.

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Walk/Hike
Safari
Bike

Highlights

  • Unwind with your family in secluded lodges and luxurious safari camps, savoring local vintages and dining under the stars
  • Safari in open-topped Land Rovers with our expert local guides and trackers and enjoy the chance to spot the legendary Big Five
  • Hike in Cape Town​ along iconic Table Mountain to world-renowned Kirstenbosch Garden, then discover Constantia's winelands
  • Bike among magnificent wildlife, including giraffe and zebra in Botswana, antelope in the Cederbergs and penguins on the Cape

This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.

South Africa & Botswana Family 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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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 • Families hike the seldom visited Great Escarpment, where wild vistas of the bush await • Vacation in a tented suite set among 250 acres of rose gardens, macadamia and litchi groves, and jackalberry and tambouti trees.

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

Join our friends from the Africa Foundation to learn about local community projects • 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.

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 - $12,949 /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 - $12,949 /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 - $12,949 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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From $10,999 - $12,949 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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Dates & Prices

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

Your guest & room selections

1 adult

1 room, 1 bed

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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!

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

Learn more

From $10,999 - $12,949 /person

+$4,800   internal air

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