Mauritius
17 days from $6706 pp with roundtrip flights
Begin in vibrant Cape Town, where Table Mountain crowns a city of sunlit bays, design-forward neighbourhoods and rainbow-hued Bo-Kaap streets. You’ll glide up the Table Mountain Cableway, wander the V&A Waterfront, and trace cliff-hugging panoramas along the Atlantic Seaboard. Two easy days in the Cape Winelands—Constantia, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek—layer heritage gables, vineyard lunches and tastings of Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and sparkling Cap Classique.
Trade ocean breezes for the wild hush of the Lowveld at Abelana Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. With expert ranger-tracker teams, dawn and dusk game drives sweep across koppies and mopane for close-up moments with the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo—plus elegant giraffe, zebra and raptors riding thermals. Between drives, lodge life slows to firelit dinners, star-pinned skies and quiet decks where nyala browse the riverine fringe. A city interlude in Johannesburg adds curated culture, dining and galleries.
Finally, exhale in Mauritius: reef-sheltered lagoon swims, snorkelling over coral gardens, and palm-shaded afternoons that dissolve into mango-gold sunsets. Optional catamaran sails, spa rituals and Creole flavors round out the island chapter. Seamlessly stitched transfers, hand-picked stays and guided experiences make this dream arc—Cape Town city break → Kruger safari → Mauritius beach holiday—balancing immersive adventure with restorative downtime.
Day 1 : DEPART NEW YORK → CAPE TOWN
Day 2 : ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN — TABLE MOUNTAIN WELCOMES YOU
Day 3 : CAPE TOWN SIGHTSEEING — TABLE MOUNTAIN, CITY HERITAGE & COASTAL GLAMOUR
Day 4 : CAPE TOWN AT LEISURE — BEACHES, WINELANDS & PENINSULA DREAMS
Day 5 : CAPE TOWN & WINELANDS — CONSTANTIA, STELLENBOSCH & FRANSCHHOEK
Day 6 : DEEP DIVE INTO THE CAPE WINELANDS — STELLENBOSCH, FRANSCHHOEK & PAARL
Day 7 : CAPE TOWN → ABELANA GAME RESERVE — FROM OCEAN LIGHT TO BIG FIVE NIGHT
Day 8 : ABELANA GAME RESERVE — DAWN DRUMS, BUSH WALKS & BIG FIVE ENCOUNTERS
Day 9 : ABELANA GAME RESERVE — TRACKS AT DAWN, HIDES AT NOON, STARS BY FIRELIGHT
Day 10 : ABELANA GAME RESERVE → JOHANNESBURG — DAWN DRIVE & CITY LIGHTS
Day 11 : JOHANNESBURG → MAURITIUS — FROM HIGHVELD HAZE TO INDIAN OCEAN BLUES
Day 12 : SETTLE INTO ISLAND TIME
Day 13 : NORTH COAST COLORS
Day 14 : WILD SOUTH & WATERFALLS
Day 15 : LAGOON MORNING, LAZY AFTERNOON
Day 16 : MAURITIUS — DRIFT, DINE & DO-NOTHING PERFECTLY
Day 17 : MAURITIUS — FAREWELL LAGOON & DEPARTURE
Your journey to Cape Town begins at NEW YORK, where departure boards flicker with possibility and the hum of long-haul travel buzzes in the air. Bags checked, passport in hand, you glide through security and step into the soft glow of the terminal—last tastes of home before the pull of the Mother City. Pick up a few inflight comforts—a neck pillow, hydrating mist, a good paperback—and let the anticipation build for Table Mountain sunsets and Atlantic horizons.
Boarding & Takeoff — As your flight is called, the cabin becomes a cocoon of low light and quiet excitement. Stow your carry-on, set your watch to South Africa time, and cue a playlist that leans toward ocean breezes and jazz. Through the window, runway lights stream like starlight; engines rise to a steady thrum, and NEW YORK slips beneath a quilt of cloud while you arc south toward a city framed by Table Mountain and two oceans.
In-Flight Rituals — Sip water often (cabins dehydrate), stretch every few hours, and keep a light layer handy. Browse a documentary on South African wine, the Cape Peninsula, or the city’s design scene to set the mood. If sleep beckons, an eye mask, earplugs and a simple breathing routine help you drift—next stop: dawn light over the Western Cape.
Travel Notes: Keep essentials in your carry-on—passport, visas/eTA (if required), insurance, medications in original packaging, chargers and a universal plug. Download offline maps for Cape Town and save your hotel address. Pack a pen for arrival forms and a light scarf for cool cabins or terminal air-con.
Optional Upgrades: Extra-legroom seating, special meal requests, or lounge access can make the overnight sector easier.
Close your eyes as the aircraft levels off. By morning, the outline of Table Mountain will rise from the ocean—your cue that Cape Town is moments away.
Wheels kiss the runway and the Mother City unfolds—Table Mountain squared against a blue Atlantic, dunes bright on Blouberg, and the curve of Table Bay. After immigration and baggage claim, meet your representative for a smooth transfer to your hotel. Windows fill with color as you glide past V&A Waterfront ferris-lights, heritage gables in the Company’s Garden, and pastel Bo-Kaap façades climbing the hillside.
Check in, exhale, and step onto your balcony: gulls loop over the harbor, the mountain wears a shawl of cloud, and the air smells faintly of sea salt and fynbos. The day is yours at leisure. Laze by the pool with a local Rooibos iced tea, wander the boutiques and eateries of the V&A Waterfront, or take a gentle stroll along the Sea Point Promenade where joggers and dog-walkers trace the edge of the Atlantic.
Easy Add-Ons (time permitting; extra cost):
• Cableway to Table Mountain: Float to the summit for 360° views of Cape Town, Robben Island and the Twelve Apostles.
• Bo-Kaap Walk: Photograph candy-colored houses; taste Cape Malay samosas and koesisters.
• Sunset Cruise: Sail from the Waterfront; watch the mountain glow rose-gold as the city lights blink on.
Local Tips: Cape weather can flip—carry a light layer. Tap water is generally potable in the city. Use rideshare or metered taxis at night; keep valuables zipped and close in busy areas.
Overnight in Cape Town. Fall asleep to the soft hush of the ocean and the city’s low night hum—tomorrow the Cape’s winelands and coast beckon.
Wake to gull calls over Table Bay and the granite hush of Table Mountain. After breakfast, lace up for a full day of Cape Town sightseeing that blends headline icons with soulful local flavor—panoramas, heritage lanes, ocean drives and a little time to taste the Cape’s culinary scene.
Morning | Summit & City Stories
Table Mountain Cableway: Glide to the flat-topped summit for 360° views of Table Bay, the Twelve Apostles and Robben Island. Follow easy boardwalks among hardy fynbos and watch rock hyraxes sun themselves on warm stone.
City Bowl Walk-About: Back at sea level, stroll the Company’s Garden, peek into the Parliament precinct, and browse Greenmarket Square for beadwork and textiles. In the Bo-Kaap, pastel façades climb the hillside—learn how Cape Malay flavors shaped the city’s cuisine.
Optional Stop: The poignant District Six Museum (subject to time) for lived histories of displacement and resilience.
Midday | Waterfront Flavors
Head to the V&A Waterfront for lunch with harbor views—think grilled line fish, bobotie spring rolls, or a quick Rooibos latte. Wander boutiques and the Watershed craft hall, or detour to the striking Zeitz MOCAA for contemporary African art (optional).
Afternoon | Atlantic Seaboard Drive
Sea Point Promenade: A breezy leg-stretcher among joggers, mosaics and tidal pools.
Camps Bay & Clifton: Palms, powdered-sugar beaches and cafés with iced coffees and ocean spray. Photograph the Twelve Apostles rearing behind white sand.
Chapman’s Peak Lookout (time/permit dependent): One of the world’s great cliff drives—rust-red rock, cobalt sea, and gulls riding thermals.
Upgrade Your Day (optional extras):
• Robben Island ferry & tour (allow ~4 hrs total).
• Helicopter flip over the peninsula for epic aerials.
• Food tour in the Bo-Kaap or a hands-on Cape Malay cooking class.
Evening | Golden Hour to Night Lights
Sip a South African Chenin Blanc as sunset paints the cliffs apricot, then dine at a waterside bistro or a buzzy city spot—expect oysters, snoek pâté, or vegan bowls with fynbos infusions. Cap the night with a stroll under the big Cape sky.
Practical Tips: Cape weather flips quickly—pack a light layer and sunscreen. Use rideshare/taxis after dark. Book the Table Mountain Cableway early in the day (wind closures possible). Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Overnight in Cape Town. Tomorrow, consider the Cape Peninsula or Winelands for a deeper dive into the region’s beauty and taste.
Today is pure leisure in Cape Town: a free canvas to chase sunshine along the Atlantic, linger under Table Mountain, and taste your way through Winelands elegance. Shape the day to your mood—slow and scenic or bold and breezy—knowing that the city’s best-loved icons are all within easy reach.
Morning | Slow Starts & Sea Air
• Sea Point Promenade: Coastal stroll past tidal pools and public art; coffee with ocean spray.
• Clifton or Camps Bay: White-sand beaches, granite boulders, chic cafés—perfect for a swim and sun-kissed photos.
• Kirstenbosch Gardens: Wander indigenous fynbos and the Boomslang canopy walkway for mountain-to-sea vistas.
Signature Peninsula (optional, extra cost)
• Boulders Beach Penguins: Boardwalks over turquoise coves to meet the famous colony.
• Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope: Lighthouse views where oceans mingle; dramatic cliff scenery.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive: One of the world’s great coastal roads—red rock, cobalt sea, camera-ready curves.
Winelands Sojourn (optional, extra cost)
• Constantia (closest): Historic estates, cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs, leafy cellars.
• Stellenbosch & Franschhoek: Manor-house tastings, artisanal chocolate pairings, vineyard picnics, and a scenic tram ride.
• Sommelier-led flights of Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, and elegant Cap Classique sparkling.
City & Culture Picks
• Bo-Kaap color walk + Cape Malay bites (samosas, koesisters).
• V&A Waterfront: Boutiques, markets, harbor views; optional sunset cruise.
• Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art or street-art cycling in Woodstock.
• Robben Island (pre-book): Historic ferry tour (allow ~4 hrs).
Active & Adrenaline
• Lion’s Head sunrise/sunset hike for panoramic city-meets-ocean views.
• Paragliding from Signal Hill (weather dependent) for aerials of the Atlantic Seaboard.
• Surf Muizenberg or SUP in sheltered coves; lesson-friendly waves.
Golden Hour & Dinner
Stake out a terrace for an Atlantic sunset—the Twelve Apostles glow apricot—then dine on seasonal seafood, West Coast oysters, or plant-forward bowls laced with fynbos botanicals. A local Chenin or craft gin pairs beautifully.
Practical Tips: Cape weather flips fast—carry a light layer and high-SPF. Book cableway/Robben Island early (wind/sea conditions). Use rideshare or registered taxis at night. Hydrate; sea breezes can be deceptively drying.
Overnight in Cape Town. Rest to the hush of the Atlantic and the mountain’s silhouette—tomorrow, your South African story rolls on.
Trade ocean breezes for vineyard air as you journey from the city’s Atlantic edge into the sculpted valleys of the Cape Winelands. Mountain ramparts frame quilted vines; Cape Dutch gables gleam white against blue sky, and cellar doors open to tastings that run from zesty Sauvignon Blanc to honeyed Chenin, silky Pinotage and bottle-fermented Cap Classique.
Morning | Constantia Valley (Closest to Cape Town)
Begin in historic Constantia, where cool sea breezes polish bright whites and elegant reds. Wander oak-lined avenues to a heritage estate for a guided cellar tour and a curated tasting—think citrus-laced Sauvignon, textured Semillon blends and graceful Bordeaux-style reds. Stroll manicured gardens with mountain backdrops before moving inland.
Midday | Stellenbosch — Vines & Cape Dutch Heritage
Roll into Stellenbosch, a university town laced with historic gables and oak shade. Your second tasting focuses on terroir—fruit-forward Pinotage, structured Cabernet and spice-kissed Shiraz—paired with artisanal bites (local cheeses, biltong crisps, or koesister spice notes).
Lunch unfolds at a vineyard kitchen: seasonal plates—line fish with lemon butter, slow-roast lamb, or plant-forward bowls—matched to glasses poured at perfect cellar temperature.
Afternoon | Franschhoek — French Huguenot Roots
Continue to Franschhoek, a pretty valley of orchards and lavender stripes, renowned for fine dining and Cap Classique. If timing suits, hop the Wine Tram (optional) between photogenic estates; otherwise, settle in for a final tasting of sparkling and old-vine Chenin beneath soaring peaks.
Browse art galleries and chocolatiers along the main street, then sip an espresso as the mountains turn apricot in late light.
Return to Cape Town via scenic passes. Consider a sunset stop on the Sea Point Promenade before dinner back in the city.
Practical Tips:
• Pre-book tastings on weekends/holidays.
• Appoint a designated driver or book a guided tour; sip, don’t gulp.
• Ship purchases or request travel-safe packing; check airline liquid rules.
• Dress in layers—vineyard afternoons are warm, cellars are cool.
• Pairings to try: Chenin & cheese, Pinotage & dark chocolate, Cap Classique & oysters.
Overnight in Cape Town. With a palate tuned to the Cape, tomorrow you’re primed for coastal roads, penguin colonies or a deep dive into city culture.
Another sunlit day among vine-striped valleys and Cape Dutch gables. Today you slow the pace and go deeper—cellar doors tucked beneath granite peaks, farm roads scented with fynbos, and curated tastings that trace the Cape’s terroir from cool-climate slopes to warm, spice-laced hillsides. Expect generous hospitality, vineyard vistas and a palate tour of Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet and bottle-fermented Cap Classique.
Morning | Stellenbosch Heritage & Terroir
Stroll oak-lined streets past Cape Dutch facades, then head to a single-estate cellar for a guided barrel tasting. Compare granitic vs. shale expressions of Chenin, sip a structured Cabernet, and sample elegant Semillon–Sauvignon blends. Pair with local cheeses—karoo herb-rind, ash goat—to see the wines shine.
Late Morning | Paarl’s Warm Slopes
Roll into Paarl for sun-baked hills and spice-toned reds. Taste Shiraz with black pepper lift and supple Pinotage with dark cherry and cocoa. A quick cellar walk reveals concrete eggs and amphorae—modern kit that coaxes purity and texture.
Winery Lunch | Garden-to-Table Plates
Dine al fresco overlooking vines: line fish with lemon butter, pasture-fed steak, or a seasonal vegetarian bowl layered with grains, greens and citrus. A glass of Chenin or Cap Classique sets the tempo; save space for a lemon tart finale.
Afternoon | Franschhoek Finesse
Cruise the Franschhoek valley—lavender fields, art galleries, and tasting rooms poured over with mountain light. Opt for the Wine Tram (easy, scenic) or a private hop between estates. Finish with a Cap Classique flight (Brut, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs) to understand the Cape’s sparkling craft, then browse chocolatiers for a dark-cocoa pairing with Pinotage.
Optional Upgrades (extra cost)
• Blending class: Create your own Bordeaux-style blend and label it.
• E-bike vineyards: Gentle cycle between estates with picnic views.
• Cheese & charcuterie board: Tailored pairings with reserve wines.
• Cellar master session: Comparative vertical of a flagship Cabernet.
Golden Hour Return
Trace a scenic pass back toward the coast. If energy allows, pause in Franschhoek square for espresso and mountain silhouettes, or time a Sea Point promenade stroll as the Atlantic turns copper.
Practical Tips
• Pre-book marquee estates on weekends/holidays.
• Appoint a designated driver or use a guided service; tastings add up.
• Ship purchases or request travel-safe packing; check airline liquid limits.
• Dress in layers—cellars are cool even on hot afternoons.
• Great pairings: Chenin × cheese • Pinotage × dark chocolate • Cap Classique × oysters.
Overnight in the Winelands/Cape Town. Palate polished, memory card full—tomorrow, choose coast, culture or more vineyard magic.
Swap sea breezes for the wild perfume of Lowveld bush. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to the Greater Kruger gateway (typically Hoedspruit or Skukuza), then continue by road through marula-dotted savanna to Abelana Game Reserve in Limpopo. Granite koppies rise like ancient sentinels; golden grass shivers; and the first nyala or kudu may flash between silver cluster-leaf as you near the lodge.
Check in to your safari base—airy suites under thatch, a shaded deck and a still pool mirroring wide African sky. A welcome drink sets the rhythm; bags whisk away; the hush of the bushveld wraps you like warm linen. After a light lunch, meet your ranger and tracker to plan the afternoon’s first foray into Abelana’s Big Five country.
Afternoon Game Drive (open 4×4):
Roll out as the sun leans low, tyres whispering over red earth. Your tracker reads spoor—fresh lion pads scalloped in dust, the figure-eight print of leopard, elephant drag marks where a tusker crossed the track. At waterholes, giraffe splay to drink; zebra dissolve into evening stripes; hippos surface like submarines. Pause for a classic sunset stop—ice clinks in a tin cup, the bush glows copper, and a jackal’s call threads the air.
Spotlit Return:
After sunset, a filtered spotlight may pick out bush babies leaping like sparks, genets on silent paws, and—if fortune smiles—the rosette-glow of a leopard in a leadwood bough. Back at camp, lanterns bloom along the path and the smell of braai smoke invites you to dinner beneath a bowl of stars.
Lodge Life:
Expect warm, owner-run hospitality, contemporary African décor and thoughtful touches—cool lemongrass towels after drives, locally roasted coffee at dawn, and a firepit boma where stories rise with the sparks. Rooms feature private decks; some face riverine bush where nyala browse at first light.
Included Today: Airport transfer • Flight to Greater Kruger gateway (if packaged) • Road transfer to Abelana • Lunch • Afternoon/evening game drive • Dinner.
Safari Tips: Wear neutral layers, closed shoes and a light jacket (evenings cool). Bring binoculars, high-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent. Sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed; quiet patience yields magic.
Overnight at Abelana Game Reserve. Fall asleep to the bass murmur of lions, the saw rasp of a distant leopard, and the soft metronome of night insects—your first true chorus of the wild.
The Lowveld wakes before the sun—doves cooing, francolins chattering, and the soft hiss of wind through silver cluster-leaf. A tray of coffee and rusks arrives at your door; lantern light flickers as you shrug into neutral layers and step into the cool, fragrant air. Today is a full immersion in Abelana Game Reserve: unhurried morning and afternoon game drives, an optional guided bush walk (conditions permitting), and the slow magic of lodge life between adventures.
Sunrise Game Drive (open 4×4)
Tyres whisper over red earth as first light gilds the granite koppies. Your ranger and tracker read the morning like a book—fresh lion pads stamped in dust, the drag of a tail through dew, elephant feed sign torn from mopane. Scan leadwoods for the rosette-shadow of a leopard, watch giraffe tilt to drink, and listen for the squeak-and-grunt chorus of a hippo pod. Birders, keep binoculars handy: lilac-breasted rollers, martial eagles and hornbills embroider the sky.
Bush Coffee Stop → Hearty Breakfast
Pause at a scenic lookout for steaming mugs and a biscuit or two, then return to the lodge for a cooked breakfast—eggs your way, skillet tomatoes, local preserves. Between drives, the pool mirrors a high African sky; a shady deck and a good book are all the agenda you need.
Optional: Guided Bush Walk (subject to conditions)
Step onto the earth with an armed guide to learn the micro-stories of the bush—medicinal plants, tracks and signs, dung beetle highways, and the etiquette of wind and distance around megafauna. It’s less about mileage, more about sense of place.
Behind the Scenes: Conservation Focus
Abelana’s ethos is hands-on conservation and community partnership. Where available, chat with staff about anti-poaching, waterhole management, and how your stay supports jobs, training and habitat protection. Responsible travel is part of the Big Five story.
Golden-Hour Game Drive
As heat eases, roll back into the reserve. This is predator hour: a pride strings itself along a riverbed; cheetah scans from a termite mound; elephants ghost through mopane, calves tucked tight. A classic sundowner stop paints the koppies copper; the spotlit return may reveal springhares bouncing like kinetic toys, genets on silent paws, or a porcupine bristling across the track.
Boma Dinner & Stars
Under a sky sequined with Southern Cross and Milky Way, tuck into a braai feast—flame-licked meats, vibrant salads, fire-warmed bread. Stories rise with the sparks; a distant lion call rolls the night closed.
Included Today: Morning & afternoon game drives • All lodge meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) • Selected beverages (if on fully inclusive plan).
Safari Tips: Wear neutral layers; pack high-SPF, hat, lip balm and insect repellent. Bring a soft-shell daypack, keep cameras dust-protected, and respect your guide’s instructions around wildlife. Sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at Abelana Game Reserve. Sleep to a symphony of night insects, with the Lowveld breathing through your canvas and thatch.
First light rinses the Lowveld gold and a tray of coffee and rusks taps softly at your door. The air is cool and scented with wild sage; far off, a lion rolls a bass note across the mopane. Pull on neutral layers—today is a full canvas of Abelana Game Reserve life: unhurried drives, quiet time in a hide, and a slow evening wrapped in constellations.
Sunrise Game Drive — Reading the Bush
Your ranger and tracker work the sand like detectives: fresh leopard spoor scallops the track; a scuffed patch shows where elephants dust-bathed; hyena pads loop off into silver cluster-leaf. You idle near a pan as giraffe splay to drink, plains zebra shuffle for position, and hippos surface with snorts. Birders scan for lilac-breasted rollers, woodland kingfishers and the high, wild cry of a fish eagle.
Bush Coffee Stop → Hide at the Waterhole
After a steaming mug and a biscotti in the shade, slip into a photographic hide (subject to conditions). At eye level with the water, time dilates: elephant trunks ripple reflections; oxpeckers fuss on buffalo backs; kudu tiptoe in and freeze with radar ears. It’s an intimate, hushed hour—perfect for slow shutter play and close-up textures.
Midday — Pool, Siesta & Bush Kitchen
Return for a hearty brunch, then drift between the still pool and a shady deck with a book. The lodge’s bush kitchen might offer a hands-on tasting—locally roasted coffee, biltong bites, marula jam. A short nap and a cool shower reset you for the golden hours.
Golden-Hour Drive — Eyes on the Predators
As the heat softens, tyres whisper over red earth again. Elephants string across the track, calves tucked tight; a cheetah paints a clean silhouette atop a termite mound; the radio murmurs and your guide angles toward a lion pride rousing in riverine shade. Sundowners arrive with the sky on fire—ice rattling in a tin cup, the koppies glowing copper.
Spotlit Return — Small Wonders
On the way back, the filtered spotlight finds springhares bouncing like rubber balls, genets slipping along branches, maybe even a porcupine bristling across the track. Overhead, the Milky Way spills a bright road through the dark.
Boma Dinner & Storyfire
Lanterns bloom along sandy paths. Under a sky sequined with the Southern Cross, tuck into a braai feast—flame-licked meats, vibrant salads, fire-warm bread. Guides trade sightings and lore; the night keeps time with cicadas and a distant owl.
Included Today: Morning & afternoon game drives • Hide session (when available) • All lodge meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) • Selected beverages on fully inclusive plans.
Safari Tips: Neutral layers, closed shoes, high-SPF, lip balm and insect repellent. Keep gear dust-protected; shoot at eye level from hides; follow ranger instructions. Sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at Abelana Game Reserve. Sleep comes easy with a chorus of night insects and the comforting rumble of Africa just beyond the thatch.
Wake to the Lowveld’s first birdsong and a tray of coffee and rusks. If time allows, slip out for a short sunrise game drive—tracks etched fresh in red earth, elephants ghosting through mopane, maybe a final lion call stitched into the cool air. Return for a hearty breakfast, then bid farewell to Abelana Game Reserve as you transfer to the Greater Kruger gateway (typically Hoedspruit or Skukuza) for your flight to Johannesburg.
Transfer & Flight: Scenic road transfer through marula-dotted savanna → short regional flight (approx. 1 hr) to O.R. Tambo International (JNB). Keep soft-sided luggage handy and valuables in your daypack.
Arrive in Johannesburg: Meet & greet in arrivals and road transfer to your city hotel—often in Sandton for easy dining and shopping, or Rosebank for galleries and tree-lined avenues. Check in and exhale: city skylines replace savanna horizons, yet the day’s dust still glows gold on your boots.
Afternoon at Leisure — Easy Add-Ons (time permitting, extra cost)
• Apartheid Museum: A powerful, beautifully curated narrative; allow 2–3 hrs.
• Maboneng Precinct: Street art, design stores, rooftop coffee; great for urban photography.
• Sandton/Rosebank: Boutique browsing, craft markets, and relaxed bistros for a city-chic evening.
Evening: Toast your safari chapter with a South African Chenin or Pinotage. For dinner, consider a modern grill house (perfect for braai-style cuts) or a pan-African kitchen where bobotie, chakalaka and Cape Malay spices meet Joburg’s cosmopolitan buzz.
Included Today: Lodge breakfast • Morning game drive (time/conditions permitting) • Road transfer to regional airport • Flight to Johannesburg • Airport–hotel transfer.
Tips: Keep photo gear and medications in your carry-on; regional flights have strict weight limits for soft bags. Johannesburg evenings are mild—carry a light layer; use reputable rideshares/taxis after dark.
Overnight in Johannesburg. City lights glitter like a new constellation—tomorrow, your South African story continues from the highveld’s urban heart.
Wake in Johannesburg to city light slivering through the curtains and the memory of lion calls still tucked in your ears. After breakfast, meet your driver for a smooth transfer to O.R. Tambo International (JNB). Check in for your flight to Mauritius, the fabled speck of emerald set in a bowl of Indian Ocean turquoise—sugarcane hills, reef-fringed lagoons and a rhythm that runs on warm trade winds and gentle surf.
Flight & Arrival
Depart JNB midday/early afternoon (typical schedules) and descend a few hours later over coral lagoons and inky-blue drop-offs. Clear formalities at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International, meet your representative, and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your beach resort (west or north coasts are celebrated for sunset glow and sheltered waters).
Resort Life — First Dip, First Sunset
Check into your ocean-side room—breezy linens, a balcony angled to palm crowns and reef-rippled blue. Swap boots for sandals. As the afternoon softens, wander past frangipani and flame trees to the lagoon: water like glass, parrotfish flashing electric among coral heads, kayaks and stand-up boards gliding across the shallows. Claim a lounger, order a chilled Alouda or a zesty island rum punch, and watch the sky turn mango and rose.
Easy Add-Ons (time permitting; extra cost)
• Spa unwind: Jet-lag-melting massage with coconut or ylang-ylang oils.
• Snorkel house reef: Gentle fins-and-mask intro right off the beach.
• Sunset cruise: Catamaran drift with canapés and island beats.
Dinner — Island Flavours
Dine under lanterns to the hush of surf: spice-bright Creole curries, grilled dorado with lime and chilli, coconut-laced chutneys, and rotis warm from the pan. Finish with gateau patate or tropical fruit kissed by sea air.
Included Today: Johannesburg hotel → JNB transfer • Flight to Mauritius (if packaged) • Airport meet & greet • Private resort transfer.
Tips: Keep swimwear and sandals handy in your carry-on; island air is warm on arrival. Hydrate after the flight; apply high-SPF even late afternoon. Local currency is the Mauritian Rupee; cards widely accepted in resorts.
Overnight in Mauritius. The ocean hushes the day closed; tomorrow, lagoons, sugarcane hills and reef-bright mornings are yours to explore.
Wake to palm silhouettes and the gentle hush of the Indian Ocean. Drift between a slow breakfast and the lagoon; paddle a kayak across glassy water or simply float above coral gardens where parrotfish flash neon. Claim a lounger, order a chilled rum punch or fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, and let the trade winds do the rest.
Easy add-ons (optional): 30–60 min spa massage with coconut/ylang-ylang oils • Guided snorkel on the house reef.
After a lazy swim, explore the north coast (or keep it poolside). In Grand Baie, browse chic boutiques and seaside cafés; in the afternoon, take a short catamaran sail for snorkelling in warm turquoise. Return for a sunset that paints the lagoon mango and rose; dine on Creole curries and line-caught dorado beneath lanterns.
Optional (extra cost): Port Louis market & Caudan Waterfront stroll • Undersea walk or SUB scooter experience.
Keep it leisurely at the resort or opt for a scenic loop of the southwest: the viewpoint at Chamarel, the Seven Colored Earth, and mist-laced Chamarel Falls. Pause at a rhumerie for a tasting, then hug the coast past basalt cliffs and blowholes before returning to your lounger for golden hour.
Relax option: Stay put—book a beachfront couples’ massage, read under a filao tree, and sip a sunset Alouda.
Greet the day with a stand-up paddle at first light, when the sea is a mirror and reef fish sketch bright paths below. Late morning, join a relaxed glass-bottom boat cruise or keep it simple with toes-in-sand time and a long lunch of grilled seafood. End with a stroll along the shore as the island trades birdsong for evening cicadas.
Practical tips: Apply high-SPF even on overcast days; reef-safe sunscreen is best. Hydrate often; the breeze disguises the sun. Resort non-motorised watersports (kayaks/SUPs/snorkel) are often complimentary—confirm on check-in.
Slide into island rhythm. The lagoon is a pane of glass at dawn; paddles whisper and the reef glows like a watercolor beneath you. After a leisurely breakfast—fresh mango, vanilla yogurt, warm rotis—stake out your favorite patch of shade and let the trade winds and cicadas score the morning. Swim, read, nap, repeat: the truest luxury is unhurried time.
Gentle Adventure (included at many resorts)
• Kayak or SUP along the reef-sheltered shallows
• Snorkel the house reef for parrotfish, sergeant majors, butterflyfish
• Beach yoga or a breezy boardwalk jog before the sun bites
Optional Add-Ons (extra cost)
• Catamaran cruise: Swim off sandy islets; grill lunch on deck
• Spa ritual: Coconut body polish + ylang-ylang massage
• Culinary detour: Creole cooking class—rougaille, achard, faratas
• Golf by the sea: A scenic 18 with trade winds and turquoise fairways
Midday Mood
Keep lunch light and local—dhal puri wraps, smoky octopus salad, a zingy lime sorbet. Siesta through the warmest hour, then wander palm paths to the pier for a glass-bottom boat peek at coral gardens without getting wet.
Sunset Ritual
As the sky turns mango and rose, wade in for one last swim. Later, dine under lanterns: grilled dorado with chilli-lime, fragrant Creole curry, and gateau patate for a sweet finish. A nightcap—local rum or iced Alouda—pairs with constellations and surf hush.
Tips: Reapply reef-safe SPF, even in haze. Hydrate (coconut water works wonders). A light cover-up protects shoulders at midday. Reserve spa or catamaran slots early in high season.
Overnight in Mauritius. The only plan left: fall asleep to palms ticking in the breeze and the steady heartbeat of the Indian Ocean.
Wake to your last chorus of palms and surf. If time allows before checkout, slip into the lagoon for a quick, glassy swim or wander the sand gathering final footprints at the water’s edge. Breakfast is unhurried—tropical fruit, vanilla yogurt, warm rotis—then bags are collected and your room card becomes a keepsake as you check out.
Late Morning
Linger for a final Rooibos iced tea under frangipani shade, browse the resort boutique for island-made vanilla, rum or spicy achard, and take one last look at the reef line where parrotfish sketch neon mosaics beneath the surface.
Transfer to Airport
Meet your driver for a comfortable ride to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Sugarcane slopes and volcanic silhouettes slide by the window; the sea keeps you company in flashes of turquoise. At departures, your bags are tagged and you drift toward security with a touch of sea salt still on your skin.
At the Airport
Pick up last-minute treats—local rum, vanilla pods, Phoenix beer merch—or simply find a quiet corner to journal your favourite moments: penguins at Boulders, Cape sunsets, Big Five eyes in torchlight, and tranquil Mauritian dawns.
Travel Tips: Keep swimwear in your carry-on if you squeezed in a final dip. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and liquids per airline rules; wrap any rum/vanilla securely. Hydrate before boarding and carry a light layer—cabins get cool after island warmth.
As wheels lift, the lagoon shrinks to a turquoise brushstroke and the reef to a thin white thread. You leave with more than souvenirs—salt on your lips, stars over the bush, and the steady rhythm of the Indian Ocean stitched into memory. Bon voyage.
| Start Date | End Date | Price | Note | AVAILABILITY | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 5 Jan, 26 | Wed, 21 Jan, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 2 Feb, 26 | Wed, 18 Feb, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 2 Mar, 26 | Wed, 18 Mar, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 6 Apr, 26 | Wed, 22 Apr, 26 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 20 Apr, 26 | Wed, 6 May, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 4 May, 26 | Wed, 20 May, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 1 Jun, 26 | Wed, 17 Jun, 26 | $6706 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 6 Jul, 26 | Wed, 22 Jul, 26 | $8854 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 3 Aug, 26 | Wed, 19 Aug, 26 | $8854 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 7 Sep, 26 | Wed, 23 Sep, 26 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 5 Oct, 26 | Wed, 21 Oct, 26 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 2 Nov, 26 | Wed, 18 Nov, 26 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 7 Dec, 26 | Wed, 23 Dec, 26 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 4 Jan, 27 | Wed, 20 Jan, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 1 Feb, 27 | Wed, 17 Feb, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 1 Mar, 27 | Wed, 17 Mar, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 5 Apr, 27 | Wed, 21 Apr, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 3 May, 27 | Wed, 19 May, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 7 Jun, 27 | Wed, 23 Jun, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 5 Jul, 27 | Wed, 21 Jul, 27 | $8048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 2 Aug, 27 | Wed, 18 Aug, 27 | $8048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 6 Sep, 27 | Wed, 22 Sep, 27 | $8048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 4 Oct, 27 | Wed, 20 Oct, 27 | $8048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 1 Nov, 27 | Wed, 17 Nov, 27 | $7511 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 6 Dec, 27 | Wed, 22 Dec, 27 | $8048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now |
Hand-picked stays that balance location, comfort and sense of place—from a stylish Cape Town base and vineyard retreat to an intimate safari camp, a convenient Johannesburg stopover and a tranquil lagoon-facing resort in Mauritius.
| City / Area | Hotel / Lodge | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (City Bowl) | SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl | Contemporary hotel in the heart of the City Bowl with quick access to the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain. Bright rooms, rooftop bar views, gym and a relaxed restaurant—ideal for exploring on foot. |
| Franschhoek (Winelands) | Protea Franschhoek | Charming village hotel surrounded by vineyards and mountain backdrops. Stroll to galleries and restaurants; expect comfortable rooms, a calm pool terrace and easy access to wine tram routes and cellar tastings. |
| Abelana Game Reserve (Greater Kruger) | Abelana Safari Camp | Intimate, unfenced camp in Big Five country with spacious en-suite tents under thatch. Twice-daily game drives with experienced ranger/trackers, firelit boma dinners and starry skies; perfect for close-to-nature immersion. |
| Johannesburg (near O.R. Tambo) | Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo | Modern airport-area hotel ideal for short stopovers. Spacious rooms, multiple dining options, pool and fitness facilities; convenient transfers to O.R. Tambo International and easy access to Sandton/Rosebank by road. |
| Mauritius (East Coast) | Solana Beach Mauritius | Adults-friendly beachfront resort on a serene lagoon, near Belle Mare. Sea-view rooms, palm-shaded pool, spa and non-motorised watersports (kayak/SUP/snorkel). Ideal for slow days and apricot-gold sunrises over the reef. |
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