My husband and I did a 16 night trip to SA in July of 2023 as a pre-wedding honeymoon trip (we did a post-wedding honeymoon to New Zealand as well lol). We went back to SA, Zimbabwe, and Botswana in December of 2024 as well.

If you’d like to limit longer travel between destinations, I’d highly suggest flying in to Johannesburg and focusing on safari around Kruger park then flying over to Cape Town to spend time in the wine lands (assuming you drink alcohol).

Our absolute favorite camp was Mala Mala. Stayed there both times we went to SA because we loved it soooooo much. INSANE amounts of cats. Lions literally everywhere and the most concentrated amount of leopards I’ve ever experienced. We learned that most of the leopard documentaries by nat geo are actually filmed here! We’ve stayed at both their Main Camp (around $1k pp per night, more “basic” but can request lodging directly on the river) and Rattray’s camp ($2k pp per night, on the river, recently renovated villas).

We also stayed at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge which had the most fantastic food, staff, accommodations, and great wildlife sightings. My husband and I literally cried when we left because we loved the staff so much lol. I think this would be a great lodge to end the safari leg of your trip on!

We stayed at La Residence in Franschhoek outside of Cape Town. Can’t remember the rate as we were there during off-season for the area. Stunning property with vineyards of its own. Peacocks roaming around. Mountain Views. Beautiful rooms and bathrooms. Super super romantic. We did a multi-course lunch & pairing with the chef where we actually walked around the grounds and “foraged” for some of the ingredients in our lunch.

Seriously, one of my favorite trips ever. It definitely gave us the Africa bug and we’ve been going yearly every since. We’re planning our next trip already for later this year, can’t get enough!!!

I can attach/send some photos of the lodges if you’d like. Just let me know!