Beagle & Baobab | Itinerary No. 1

Classic South Africa

Our Classic South Africa itinerary is perfect for couples or families who want to experience the best that South Africa has to offer in one adventure. A classic route, it combines African wildlife, decadent food and wine, and the best city in the world (it’s true). You’ll begin in Cape Town, known for its sandy beaches and Afro-European cityscape, stop off in the lush wine region of Stellenbosch, and end in the wilds of the Kruger National Park.

From €3,500 per person sharing for the standard itinerary, varying with travel season and activities

From 12 days / 11 nights, with luxury stays in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and the Kruger Park

Fully customisable - we’ll help you choose activities, create magical moments, and extend your trip

Cape Town: Day 1 - 4

Voted the best city in the world (with the best food in the world), Cape Town is a vibrant African city cradled by mountain ranges and oceans. You’ll stay at Gorgeous George, a strikingly redesigned heritage hotel in the city’s cultural district, or Harper’s House, a historic guesthouse in a quiet neighbourhood a short walk from the inner city. For dinner, Cape Town’s temples of gastronomy beckon. We’ll steer clear of the tourist traps and book you tables at the local favourites everyone’s talking about. Want to hit the town for an evening cocktail? We’ll arrange that too.

We’ll help you pick those magical moments:

  • Table Mountain Hike

    Table Mountain Hike

    Ascend the heights of Table Mountain with a guided hike or cable car, taking in the view of Africa’s most famous city from above in the company of experienced local mountaineers

  • V&A Waterfront Cape Town

    Explore the V&A Waterfront

    Wander Africa’s largest contemporary art museum, visit chic local markets and designer boutiques, and enjoy sundowners on a Catamaran coastal cruise or in a trendy waterfront bar

  • South African Food Tour

    African Food & Storytelling Experience

    Visit community kitchens, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and local entrepreneurs to discover the rich culinary heritage of an African city renowned the world over for its diverse food culture

  • Nelson Mandela Tour South Africa

    South African Historical Tour

    Cross the bay for a tour of Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s infamous prison, and visit the District Six Museum, which tells the story of forced removals under the Apartheid regime

  • Cape Town Walking Tour

    Cape Town Walking Tour

    Discover one of the world’s best places to live and work on this authentic introduction to Cape Town, visiting historic sites, the city’s best bookstore, and local hubs for food and art

  • Cape Town Coastal Tour

    Discover the Cape Peninsula

    In a private tour of Cape Town’s dramatic coastline you’ll visit pristine beaches, encounter African penguins, stand on the Southern most point of the African continent, and more

  • Cape Town Cape Malay Cooking Class

    Cape Malay Cooking Class

    Immerse yourself in traditional Cape Malay and African Creole flavours during a hands-on cooking class and walking tour in the multi-cultural neighbourhood of Salt River

  • Cape Town Multi Course Fine Dining Tasting

    Cape Town Fine Dining

    Recognised as a food capital of the world, encounter the work of Cape Town’s hottest chefs with a multi-course tasting menu at Galjoen, La Colombe, Belly of the Beast, Salsify, or Fyn

Stellenbosch: Day 5 - 7

After a short transfer from Cape Town you’ll find yourself in leafy Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa’s winemaking regions and the second oldest town in South Africa. You’ll stay at the Coopmanhuijs Hotel, an old town legend built in 1713 as a palatial private residence, or Lanzerac, an historic wine estate on the edge of Stellenbosch’s grand suburbs. For dinner, you’ll savour South African country fare in local style. Picture perfectly marbled, dry-aged steak paired with a smooth red so irresistible you’ll be tempted to take home a case.

So much to do it’s almost impossible to choose:

  • Stellenbosch Walking Tour South Africa

    Stellenbosch Walking Tour

    Explore the hidden gems of a historic South African town, sampling artisanal goods and homegrown teas, tasting heritage foods and crafts spirits, and exploring Cape Dutch architecture

  • Stellenbosch Private Wine Tasting Tour

    Meet the Winemakers

    In true South African style, set out on a private tour of Stellenbosch’s finest family-run wineries and encounter the varietals and winemakers that have made us world-famous

  • Kayamandi Township Tour Stellenbosch

    Xhosa Township Tour

    Visit Kayamandi township in the company of local residents and meet talented artists and entrepreneurs, help prepare a traditional Xhosa lunch, and learn about township life

  • Franschhoek Wine Tasting Tour

    Franschoek Wine Tram

    Step aboard the Franschoek Wine Tram and discover a network of tram and bus lines that knit together the historic country estates of Franschoek into a tapestry of wine tasting experiences

  • Stellenbosch Franschhoek Cooking Class

    Feast in Franschoek

    Dive into regional South African cuisine and sip on local wines with a Franschoek Feast evening cooking class at Spilsbury’s Kitchen, run by local chef Nicola Spilsbury

  • Working Farm Stellenbosch Babylonstoren

    Explore the Gardens of Babylonstoren

    Spend a day at Babylonstoren, a working Cape Dutch farm that rivals Versailles, discovering sprawling gardens, handcrafted produce and designer goods, farm-to-fork dining, and local wine

  • Stellenbosch Fine Dining Tasting Menu

    Stellenbosch Fine Dining

    Special things are happening in the kitchens of the Cape, as you’ll discover during a tasting menu at Mertia, Clara’s Barn, La Petite Colombe, JAN Franschoek, or Jordan Restaurant

  • E-Bike Tour Stellenbosch

    Countryside by Bike

    Cycle along streams and mountain passes on an e-bike tour of the Stellenbosch countryside, traversing the Idas Valley and Banhoek Conservancy en route to Boschendal wine farm

Kruger Park: Day 8 - 12

The Kruger National Park is a sprawling and remote paradise only slightly smaller than the country of Belgium. Renowned for its high density of African wildlife, rich biodiversity, and raw natural beauty, the Kruger National park offers adventurous travellers the chance to encounter the famed Big Five within an untouched African wilderness. You’ll divide your time between the luxurious Rhino Post Safari Lodge and Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris, enjoying an all-inclusive safari experience in the remote South African bush.

Highlights of your safari experience include:

  • Authentic South African Safari Lodge

    Authentic African Safari Lodge

    Our friends at the Rhino Post Safari Lodge are on a mission to do safari the right way, creating authentic bush experiences that immerse adventurous guests in another, wilder way of life

  • Big Five South Africa Safari

    Encounter the Big Five

    Head out of camp and into the wild to encounter the famed Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo) as well as giraffe, hyena, hippopotamus, crocodile, and much more

  • Explorer Safari Tents South Africa

    Luxurious Explorer-style Tents

    Far from civilisation and nestled under the shade of indigenous trees, enjoy the wilds of Africa like a Gilded Age explorer (though with more style and comfort) in a well-appointed luxury tent

  • Walking Safari South Africa

    Guided Walking Safaris

    In the company of armed guides, head off into the wilds of Kruger to encounter nature on her own terms - walk past a herd of giraffe, study fresh lion tracks, and taste wild medicinal herbs

  • Kruger National Park Safari South Africa

    Game Drive Safaris

    A classic safari experience, you’ll witness the very best of Kruger’s diverse wildlife on an early morning or evening game drive (complete with coffee break or sundowners)

  • Kruger National Park Camping

    Sleep-out Under the Stars

    From elevated platforms in the tree tops, spend a night under the stars on a Rhino Walking Safaris sleep-out. Enjoy dinner over an open fire and watch quietly as wildlife passes beneath your feet

  • South African Hospitality

    Exceptional African Hospitality

    The friendliest people you’ll ever meet, South Africans are known the world over for their warmth and kindness. From fire-lit dinners to early morning safaris, your comfort is guaranteed

Trip Extensions

South Africa is a country with limitless possibilities. If you have the choice, we’d highly recommend extending your adventure and adding in a few extra stops along the way. While we’ve included several recommended trip extensions below, this barely scratches the surface of South Africa’s potential. Let us help you discover it.

Add some extra magic to an already incredible adventure:

  • Luxury Train Travel South Africa

    Africa's Luxury Train

    Embrace the slow travel of a bygone era aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail, traversing South Africa’s vast landscapes en route from Cape Town to the wilds of the Kruger National Park

  • Garden Route South Africa Luxury Stay

    Escape to the Garden Route

    For those in need of a restful escape, head to the enchanting Old Rectory hotel for a few pampered beach days, casual dining, and outdoor adventures in the heart of the Garden Route

  • Johannesburg South Africa Itinerary

    City of Johannesburg

    Discover the dynamic energy of Johannesburg, South Africa’s vibrant urban heartland, where design, food, and culture collide on bustling streets and in hidden local hotspots

  • Hidden Gem Kruger National Park

    Northern Kruger National Park

    Enrich your safari with a stay at The Outpost, a remote lodge in the far north of the Kruger Park, a rarely-visited region home to astonishing landscapes and 80% of the park’s biodiversity

What’s Included

World-class accommodation in boutique, design-centric hotels and luxurious off-grid safari lodges

All daily activities, including guides and entrance fees, emphasising authentic local experiences

Reservations at top restaurants & bars, each a local hotspot bursting with African warmth and flavour

In-country transfers, including return transport to and from the remote Kruger National Park

24/7 support via WhatsApp and email, if you need advice or want to change your plans on the fly

Digital travel guide, which includes a personalised daily itinerary for your entire South African adventure

What’s Excluded

International flights to South Africa, but we’re happy to provide advice and hands-on support

Meals and drinks, apart from an all-inclusive stay in the Kruger Park, and customary gratuities

Trip extensions or extra activities, to be priced seperately when you customise your itinerary

Travel insurance and visa costs, though we’re partial to our good friends at Global Rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

  • With Beagle & Baobab, you have the best of both worlds. You can either select the standard travel itinerary as we’ve designed it (it’s incredible, believe me) or customise it as much as you want, adding or removing activities, destinations, hotels, or eateries to suit your preferences.

    Plus, you get to tell us exactly when you want to travel. We don’t have pre-selected travel dates that you have to squish your trip into. Short notice? Try your luck and get in touch. We’ve been known to make magic happen.

    Whichever option you choose, we’ll finish the job by taking care of all the arrangements - reservations, logistics, scheduling - and book you a South African adventure you’ll never forget. Have an idea for a destination or activity not mentioned in any of our itineraries? Share it with us. We love nothing more than making your dreams come true.

  • No, all Beagle & Baobab travel itineraries are private trips to South Africa, customised and arranged according to the preferences of our individual travellers. We love working with honeymooners, adventurous couples, and big families. We’d also be delighted to arrange your next big group holiday in African paradise, whether you’re eight people or eighty.

  • Depending on how far in advance you arrange your trip, certain accommodation might be fully booked. To avoid disappointment, we always work with several partners to ensure we can always find you an exquisite stay, no matter the season. When customising your itinerary, please let us know if you have a preference for specific accommodation options.

  • Absolutely. While the cost of international return flights to South Africa is always excluded from our standard itinerary, we’re happy to take care of all the arrangements and add it to your final quote. 

  • South Africa is truly a year-round destination, with its mild winters and long summers leaving international travellers with plenty of flexibility. While your safari experience will differ whether it's summer or winter, you’ll always spot an impressive diversity of African wildlife. And while Cape Town’s beaches are hampered by winter rainfall, the city’s hustle and bustle is definitely not. That being said, these are the absolute best times to visit depending on activity:

    Safari: May to September (short winter grasses allow for the best wildlife viewing).

    Beaches & Cape Town: November to March (warm and sunny summer).

    Wine Regions: Year-round, with harvest season from February to April offering a special experience.

  • Absolutely you can, and we’d highly recommend it. South Africa has some of the most scenic driving in the world and a self-drive adventure is never a bad idea. Get in touch and we’d be happy to incorporate this into one of our itineraries. 

  • As a Beagle & Baobab traveller, we’ll take great effort to orientate you to your upcoming adventure well before you actually depart. We’ll provide you with extensive packing advice, visa support, and recommendations on anti-malarials and similar preventatives. 

What’s Next?

Get in touch via our contact form, sharing your favourite itinerary, preferred dates, and budget

We’ll help customise your trip, helping choose activities & extras, or just book the standard itinerary

Pack your bags and jet off, following our handcrafted itinerary for an adventure like no other

“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”

— Karen Blixen | Danish Author of “Out of Africa”