11-Nights Cape, Wine and Safari: Cape Town, Stellenbosch & Kruger from $3,138

This 12-day trip through South Africa takes the essentials of a great first-time visit to the country and elevates them with first-class accommodations and an unforgettable African safari experience.

Land in Cape Town and take your time acclimatizing to this beautiful city where two oceans and many cultures meet. A guided tour will get you acquainted with the key sights and some of the city’s fascinating stories. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, see the city hall where Nelson Mandela made his first public speech, and visit the traditional Jewish and Malay quarters, learning how they’ve each shaped Cape Town’s culture and cuisine. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own, with a full-day tour of the Peninsula to follow. This day takes you to visit the penguins of Boulders Beach, explore the Cape of Good Hope, and take in the panoramic beauty of the Western Cape.

Your next day is a moving trip into South Africa’s troubled twentieth century. Visit Robben Island, the former political prison of the apartheid era, and learn the stories of inmates both famous and unsung. End the day with a trip around Africa, with food and entertainment from around the continent at GOLD restaurant. If your trip to Robben Island was disturbing, let the following day’s Walk to Freedom fill you with hope. Visit the sobering District Six Museum, and the lively Langa Township to see how far South Africa has come since this period.

Did somebody say wine? Stellenbosch, here we come! It’s one of the best wine regions in South Africa, and indeed the world, famous for both its vintages and its spectacular surroundings. A 4x4 tour invites you to experience both, exploring three vineyard-crossed valleys. The following day, sample the culinary delights of the region on a Bites and Beverages tour.

It wouldn’t be a trip to South Africa without a big game safari! Head to Kruger National Park, the most famous in South Africa and an ideal place for any first-time or seasoned safari-goer. You’ll be one up on many visitors, staying in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, where the animals are more plentiful and drivers/guides have more options to get you the best sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five over three magical days before your onward flight.