South African Excursion Through Cape Town, Wine Region, and Savannahs Rich in Wildlife

There's an untamed feel to the savannahs of South Africa: cheetahs, zebras, rhinos, and gazelles roam through dry tropical terrain where grass can grow up to 6 feet high. The area has the most diverse population of hoofed mammals in the world, and all the creatures manage to easily coexist while staking out their own space and food sources.

South Africa as a whole strikes a balance between the untamed, remote wilderness and the urbane, a place with rural towns rich in tradition as well as cosmopolitan cities on the coasts. South African Airways Travels' seven-night adventure gives you a wide-ranging overview of city life, the wine country, and Bushveld, with airfare and hotel accommodations all included.

Click here for a detailed itinerary of the trip. Click here for an interactive itinerary.

Days 1–3: Your journey begins at either New York's JFK or Washington, DC's Dulles International Airport, where you'll board a South African Airways flight to Cape Town by way of Johannesburg. After recharging with a night's sleep at the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, you'll spend the next day checking out the city.

Cape Town was once a refreshment station for Dutch ships that sailed around the tip of Africa. Today the city is energetic and cosmopolitan, and it still has hints of its past as a harbor town. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is lined with upscale shopping and looks out to both the ocean and the iconic Table Mountain. During this leg of the trip, you'll ride a cable car to the top of the mountain to get a panoramic view of the city. You'll also take a guided hikes to see Table Mountain's scenery up close as well as its foldable wooden legs. Ferries are also on hand if you want to pay a visit to Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela's 18-year imprisonment.

Days 4–5: An English-speaking guide chauffeurs you and your compadres through the Cape wine region, stopping for a tasting and a tour of the cellars at Anura Vineyards. From there it's off to Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's oldest towns and home to dozens of palatial Cape-Dutch homes. You'll also tour the stately Spier complex, a winery and farm that has existed since the 18th century, with an optional visit to its Cheetah Outreach project. Day 5 is a designated free day; you can let loose to explore the Cape Peninsula before spending a final night at the Southern Sun.

Days 6–8: After a morning flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit, the tour will arrive at the Thornybush Game Reserve on the edge of Kruger National Park. Lions, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife freely roam the open savannah terrain at this private park. Your private group will spend the next few days wandering the reserve by Land Rover and on foot, and seasoned guides can immediately point out animal tracks, birdcalls, and housecats posing as lions. You can while away your nights at one of the Thornybush Collection game lodges, such as Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp.

Days 9–10: After a final early morning drive through the reserve, the tour ends with a shuttle back to Hoedspruit Airport, where you'll board a South African Airways flight back to the U.S. by way of Johannesburg.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.