From Full Color to the White Lion
A 10-day luxury circuit from color-splashed Cape Town and the legendary Winelands to a transcendent safari finale—where a single wild white lioness, among the rarest creatures on Earth, still roams free.
The South African Arc: From Atlantic Light to Bushveld Shadows
South Africa is a destination defined by its impossible variety, and this 10-day odyssey captures its three most iconic expressions. You begin in Cape Town, the historic “Tavern of the Seas,” where the ancient granite of Table Mountain rises above the crashing Atlantic. From private explorations of the Cape Peninsula’s penguin-dotted beaches to the neon-hued streets of the Bo-Kaap, you’ll immerse yourself in a city that balances layered history and modern energy with effortless confidence. Your stay at the One&Only places you at the heart of the vibrant V&A Waterfront, where culture, cuisine, and coastline converge.
The journey then slows and softens as you move into the fertile valleys of the Cape Winelands for a stay at the legendary Babylonstoren. More than a hotel, this 300-year-old working farm is a living expression of South Africa’s agricultural heritage. Days unfold at the rhythm of the land as you wander through 15 acres of formal gardens, taste estate-grown produce, and sip world-class wines beneath the Drakenstein Mountains. It’s a sensory recalibration—designed not just to delight, but to prepare you for the wild chapters ahead.
The finale is a rare double-safari experience revealing two dramatically different ecosystems. At &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, you explore the famed “Seven Worlds of Wonder,” from dense sand forest to open savanna, tracking black rhino, cheetah, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. You then fly north to &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge, a private reserve sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park itself. Here, game moves freely across the bushveld, and sightings are anything but staged. Among Ngala’s most extraordinary residents is a wild white lioness, one of only a handful known to exist worldwide—frequently encountered by Ngala guests and a powerful symbol of the region’s enduring magic. You return home not just well traveled, but profoundly connected—to the land, the wildlife, and the living soul of South Africa.
Related Videos:
Trip Itinerary
Arrival in Cape Town
Welcome to the Mother City. Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and assisted through customs before being driven to the celebrated One&Only Cape Town. Perched on the vibrant V&A Waterfront, this urban sanctuary offers a thrilling base from which to explore the city.
Take the afternoon to settle into your Marina Table Mountain King Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the iconic granite peak. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and perhaps head to the Vista Bar & Lounge to watch the clouds spill over the mountain as the city lightens up for the evening.
Cape Peninsula & Penguin Colony
Today is a full-day private exploration of the Cape Peninsula. Begin at the coastal village of Hout Bay before navigating the breathtaking Chapman's Peak Drive. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve to witness the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Later, visit the famous penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town. Your journey concludes with a walk through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It is a day of dramatic coastal scenery and iconic wildlife, returning to the One&Only for an evening at leisure.
Bo-Kaap Heritage & Cape Malay Flavors
Dive into the cultural heart of Cape Town with a private city tour. Start in the historic Bo-Kaap neighborhood, known for its neon-colored houses and the Auwal Mosque, dating back to 1794. This experience is heightened by a taste of authentic Cape Malay cooking in a local home.
Sample traditional curry, roti, and koesiesters while learning about the heritage of this vibrant community. The afternoon is yours to explore the shops of the Waterfront or relax at the One&Only's private Spa Island, a lush sanctuary tucked away on its own manicured island.
The Gardens of Babylonstoren
Trade the Atlantic breeze for the valley mists as you are driven to Babylonstoren in the Franschhoek Winelands. This 300-year-old working farm is a masterpiece of Dutch Cape heritage and sustainable agriculture. After check-in, settle into your One Bedroom Garden Cottage with its private en-suite bathroom and elegant farm aesthetic.
Spend your afternoon exploring the 15-acre formal garden, inspired by the Company's Garden of Cape Town. Enjoy a glass of the estate's own wine on your arrival and perhaps take a guided farm walk to understand the seasonal rhythms of this agricultural sanctuary.
Franschhoek Leisure & Terroir
Enjoy a full day of immersion in the Babylonstoren lifestyle. Options abound: join the daily stretch and breathing sessions, bake bread with the farm's bakers, or take a cellar tour and wine tasting. For the adventurous, cycling and rowing on the farm dam provide a peaceful way to see the estate.
For dinner, we recommend a seat at Babel, the estate’s five-star restaurant, where the menu is dictated entirely by what was picked in the garden that morning. It is a day to relax and explore at your own pace, surrounded by the dramatic amphitheater of the Drakenstein Mountains.
Fly to the Seven Worlds of Wonder
A private transfer carries you back to Cape Town for your flight to the Kruger region, followed by a charter flight to the Phinda Airstrip. Welcome to the &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, a 28,555-hectare wilderness known as 'Seven Worlds of Wonder' for its unique diversity of ecosystems.
Settle into your suite at Phinda Mountain Lodge, where the deck offers sweeping views of the Lebombo Mountains. Enjoy your first afternoon game drive as the sun begins to dip, searching for the reserve’s famous cheetah population and the iconic Big Five before returning for a gourmet dinner under the stars.
Tracking the Rare & The Wild
Phinda is a masterclass in biodiversity. With morning and afternoon game drives, you will navigate through rare sand forests and lush savanna. Beyond the Big Five, this reserve is a stronghold for the endangered black rhino; track these ancient mammals on foot with an expert ranger or join a guided nature walk to understand the smaller miracles of the bush.
Between drives, enjoy a creamy cappuccino on the lodge deck or ask the chef for one of their famous, sticky chelsea buns. The exclusive traversing rights ensure that your sightings are private and immersive, providing a front-row seat to the intricate drama of the African wilderness.
Fly to the Heart of Ngala
Board a charter flight to the Ngala Airstrip, crossing into the world-renowned Timbavati region. &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to roam freely across 14,700 hectares of private land. Settle into your romantic, thatched cottage tucked under a canopy of mopane and tamboti trees.
The lodge exudes a nostalgic, classic safari ambience with historic memorabilia throughout. This afternoon, join your ranger and tracker for your first drive into this big-game heartland, where large prides of lions and herds of elephants are frequently encountered across the riverine woodland landscape.
Big Five Theater at Ngala
Your final full day of safari is a deep immersion into the Greater Kruger ecosystem. Ngala is home to more species of large mammals than almost any other African reserve. With exclusive traversing rights, your drives are intimate and unhurried, focusing on high-quality sightings of the Big Five and beyond. A guest highlight: sighting the elusive wild white lioness — one of only a few in existence anywhere on Earth.
Enjoy a midday massage in the tranquil sala or relax by the rim-flow pool overlooking the riverine woodland. Tonight, celebrate your journey with an African feast in the open-air boma, where the sounds of the night provide a visceral soundtrack to your final evening in the South African bush.
Departure via Johannesburg
After a final sunrise game drive and breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your charter flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. A member of the &Beyond team will meet you airside to assist with your luggage and escort you through to your onward check-in.
As you leave the Mother City and the Bushveld behind, you carry with you the triple-crown memories of the Kingdom: the light over Table Mountain, the flavors of Franschhoek, and the roar of a Ngala lion. Your South African pilgrimage concludes, but the rhythm of the continent stays with you.
Where You’ll Stay
One&Only Cape Town
A Refined Urban Resort at the Edge of the Wild
Set on the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, One&Only Cape Town delivers one of Africa’s most polished luxury resort experiences—without sacrificing a sense of space or calm. With uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and a private marina at its doorstep, the property feels simultaneously connected to Cape Town’s cultural heartbeat and blissfully removed from it.
The resort’s accommodations are among the most spacious in the city, designed with clean lines, warm textures, and private balconies that frame either the mountain, waterfront, or marina. Guests enjoy a level of service that feels intuitive rather than formal, whether arranging a private wine tasting in Stellenbosch, a helicopter flight along the Cape Peninsula, or a last-minute table at one of the city’s most sought-after restaurants.
At the heart of the resort is a focus on balance—exceptional dining, standout wellness, and seamless access to Cape Town’s beaches, vineyards, and wild coastline. It’s an ideal base for travelers who want luxury that feels grounded, sophisticated, and distinctly South African, while still offering the comfort and consistency of one of the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands.
Babylonstoren
A Living Estate Built Around Food, Nature, and Time
Babylonstoren is not a traditional luxury hotel—it’s a working farm, historic estate, and thoughtfully curated lifestyle experience all in one. Set in the Cape Winelands, the property is centered around one of the most celebrated gardens in the world, supplying nearly everything served on-site, from vegetables and herbs to fruit, honey, and wine. Guests don’t just observe the process—they’re invited into it.
The experience is intentionally unhurried. Days unfold between garden walks, seasonal tastings, spa rituals inspired by natural elements, and long, ingredient-driven meals that reflect what’s being harvested at that exact moment. Architecture is clean and restrained, allowing the landscape to take center stage, while accommodations feel refined, calming, and quietly indulgent.
Babylonstoren appeals to travelers who value meaning over excess—those who want luxury that feels grounding, nourishing, and real. Whether paired with a broader South Africa journey or enjoyed as a destination in its own right, this is a place that encourages you to slow down, reconnect, and savor every detail.
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
A Commanding View of One of Africa’s Most Diverse Reserves
Set high on a forested hill within the renowned Phinda Private Game Reserve, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge delivers a safari experience defined by perspective—both literal and experiential. From its elevated position, the lodge looks out across rolling hills, river valleys, and rare sand forest, offering a dramatic sense of space and quiet immersion in the landscape.
The lodge itself channels traditional safari elegance, with warm wood tones, wraparound verandas, and a relaxed, old-world atmosphere that feels timeless rather than trendy. Days revolve around expertly guided game drives, with Phinda’s extraordinary biodiversity setting it apart: Big Five sightings, cheetah tracking, prolific birdlife, and access to multiple ecosystems within a single reserve.
Phinda Mountain Lodge is ideal for travelers seeking a classic safari feel without sacrificing comfort, service, or depth of experience. Whether paired with coastal stays, other &Beyond lodges, or a broader Southern Africa journey, it offers a serene, elevated base for discovering one of the continent’s most compelling wildlife regions.
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge
A Classic Safari Experience in a Legendary Wildlife Region
Located within a private concession inside the Greater Kruger ecosystem, &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge offers one of South Africa’s most established and respected safari experiences. With exclusive traversing rights over a vast area of wilderness, game drives here feel unhurried, immersive, and deeply rewarding—particularly for leopard sightings, which the region is famous for.
The lodge itself reflects a timeless safari aesthetic, with elegant suites, shaded verandas, and communal spaces designed to encourage relaxed storytelling after a day in the bush. Service is warm and intuitive, meals are generous and unpretentious, and the rhythm of the stay is shaped entirely by the wildlife.
Ngala Safari Lodge is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic, no-frills safari rooted in exceptional guiding, prime game territory, and the kind of atmosphere that feels both storied and deeply comfortable. It pairs beautifully with other &Beyond lodges or as a standalone safari anchor for a first—or return—journey to Kruger.
What's Included
- Accommodations: 9 nights of ultra-luxury lodging (3 nights at One&Only Cape Town, 2 nights at Babylonstoren, 2 nights at Phinda Mountain Lodge, 2 nights at Ngala Safari Lodge).
- Safari Inclusions: All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, and laundry at Phinda and Ngala.
- Airfare: Scheduled domestic flight from Cape Town to Nelspruit and all private charter flights between lodges and to Johannesburg.
- Transfers: All private ground transfers between airports and hotels.
- Curated Tours: Private full-day Cape Point tour and private Bo-Kaap cultural tour including a Cape Malay meal.
- Wildlife Activities: Twice-daily game drives and interpretive nature walks at Phinda and Ngala.
- Farm Experiences: Garden tours, wine tasting, and balsamic vinegar tours at Babylonstoren.
- Emergency Cover: Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
- International Airfare: Flights to Cape Town and from Johannesburg.
- Discretionary Dining: Lunches and dinners in Cape Town and Babylonstoren (except where noted).
- Premium Beverages: Premium spirits, champagne, and cellar wines.
- Gratuities: Customary tips for rangers, trackers, and lodge staff.
- Personal Expenses: Spa treatments, boutique purchases, and telecommunications.
- Travel Insurance: We highly recommend a comprehensive policy for your South African journey. Get a quote →
- Visa Fees: Any costs associated with South African entry requirements.
