10-Nights Ultimate South Africa Adventure - Small Group Journeys from $16,095

1 Arrive Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a breathtaking harbor city on the southwestern tip of the African continent, where old and new converge in history, architecture and cultural pursuits. Afro-chic decor graces the city’s trendy restaurants and bars, while art and design studios imbue the atmosphere with a hip, creative vibe, all overlooked by towering, flat-topped Table Mountain. Settle into your hotel and relax.

Embark on a vibrant culinary tour of Cape Town, starting with coffee at a local coffee shop. Work up an appetite as you ascend Table Mountain via cable car and walk the summit, taking in the surrounding vistas. Then try the “Cape Gatsby,” a submarine sandwich with a Cape Town twist. Next, pair African dishes with favorite local drinks on a delightful tasting experience at a local restaurant. Finish by learning how to fold samoosa — a savory fried pastry — at a family home in the Bo-Kaap, before your welcome dinner.

Discover the scenic coast of the Western Cape. Venture past the Twelve Apostles Mountains, Hout Bay with its bustling fishing harbor, and over Chapman’s Peak Drive. At Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay, visit its thriving colony of endangered African penguins via a boardwalk through their colony, observing the action up close without disturbing them. Continue overland to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. This amazing reserve covers more than 8,500 acres of pristine coastal land where a wealth of wildlife and botanical treasures — including 900 varieties of plants, some only recently identified — live in the fynbos (densely biodiverse shrubland endemic to South Africa). A world leader in progressive luxury tourism, Grootbos attracts visitors from across the globe, and your amazing suite puts you in the very heart of the experience. Settle into your lodge on site and visit the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery before dinner.

Explore Grootbos by 4x4 on a private botanical safari, viewing the incredible plants that inhabit this impressive corner of the Cape Floral Kingdom and learning about the seven species discovered in the reserve. After lunch, enjoy some free time, perhaps sampling Grootbos’s other offerings. Later, board riverboat Lady Stanford for a cruise of the picturesque Klein River, watching nature’s kaleidoscope unfold along its banks.

Step aboard a boat to seek out the Marine Big Five — whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins — as they feed, frolic and play. Later, you may opt for an entrancing stroll through the Milkwood forest, a revitalizing hike up a fynbosclad mountain or go birding, with the chance to spy any of the 118 different bird species that call Grootbos home, from the vivid orange sunbird to the rare Black Harrier. Grootbos’s blend of forests, rocky coastline and serene estuaries provides an inspiring backdrop for a horseback ride or a coastal safari as well.

Head out into the Cape’s beloved winelands and start your explorations with a historical walking tour of Stellenbosch, accompanied by a specialized guide. Discover the “Village of the Oaks” with its shady oak avenues, admire the charm and harmony of the Cape Dutch Architecture and listen to tales about the colorful inhabitants. Stop at a historic wine estate in Stellenbosch, where you eat lunch served with estate wines, before proceeding to your hotel in Paarl.

Begin a full day of wine tastings at a renowned wine estate in Franschhoek that encapsulates six distinctive South African wine brands. Visit a local restaurant and vineyard for a chefled experience for lunch. The chef prepares the dishes, explains their history and shares the tales behind the three-course meal that follows — a true celebration of South Africa’s rich culinary tradition. Join in some elements of the preparation and cooking for a rewarding interactive experience. Stop at one more wine estate to sample wines paired with locally produced meat and cheese.

Fly to Skukuza, and then journey overland to MalaMala Game Reserve, where you settle into your camp and head out for an afternoon game drive that’s capped off with a traditional cocktail in the bush. Seek out the Big Five, including white and black rhinos, which roam the reserve’s 33,000 acres, freely crossing the unfenced boundary with the world-famous Kruger National Park. Sabi Sand Reserve is also nearby, only adding to the diversity of wildlife on display here.

Watch for lions, elephants and leopards during a thrilling morning game drive. Gain a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation and guiding work that shapes the life of the reserve, spending time with a senior guide or conservation team member. Then head out for an afternoon game drive and, later, as darkness approaches, watch for elusive nocturnal wildlife by spotlight — an exciting close to your day on safari. Tonight, look to the African skies above to view the Milky Way and try to find the Southern Cross.

Rise early for a sunrise viewing experience from the top of S’twise, part of an early morning game drive. Return to the lodge for brunch, followed by free time to do as you wish. You may opt to join a seasonal guided bush walk, relax around the pool or take advantage of the on-site amenities. Head out for a late afternoon game drive before your farewell dinner.

Venture out on one last morning game drive (optional) before flying to Johannesburg, where you enjoy access to the Premier Lounge, compliments of A&K, before boarding your departing flight.