8 Days Luxury MalaMala and Cape Town Safari
8 Days Luxury MalaMala and Cape Town Safari
MalaMala Game Reserve is the safari industry’s blueprint for the luxury photographic safari. In existence since 1927, this massive, thriving tract of land offers the most exciting wildlife experience this side of the equator. MalaMala Game Reserve is one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa. It covers 13 300ha (33 000 acres), shares a 19km (12 mile) unfenced boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park and lies strategically sandwiched between the Kruger and the Sabi Sand Reserve.
Safari highlights
- Mala Mala Game reserve
- Franschhoek winelands
- Cape Town city tour
Detailed safari itinerary
Day 1: Domestic Flight from Johannesburg to MalaMala
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will depart for MalaMala Game Reserve in a private flight into the MalaMala airstrip where you will be met by a representative from the lodge and be transferred to the lodge. The transfer is about 10 mins. On arrival, you will have time to refresh and settle in then begin your safari experience with a sunset game drive.
Day 2: Full day game drives in MalaMala Game reserve
MalaMala Game Reserve is renowned for – ultimate game viewing. MalaMala offers some of the best wildlife viewings on the continent. The Big Five is usually checked off in two days, and leopards are easily spotted on most drives. All sightings are exclusive to MalaMala visitors because the reserve doesn’t give traversing rights to other properties making it one of the top places for exclusive safaris in South Africa.
Day 3: Full day game drives MalaMala game reserve.
After coffee/tea at the lodge early morning you will meet with your ranger and head out for an early morning game drive to search for abundant wildlife and predators, after you will return to the lodge for full breakfast and head out again for your second session of game drive in search of predators like leopards, lions and after you will return to the lodge for hot lunch and short relaxation and later in the evening you will head out for yet another drive with sundowner enjoyed out in the bush and later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Domestic flight from MalaMala to Cape Town.
You will have one last flip on safari with an early morning game drive at MalaMala Game Reserve followed by breakfast and then you are transferred to the airstrip for you’re to Cape Town, on arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to MannaBay, truly extraordinary luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Cape Town. MannaBay is a gateway to Table Mountain and its natural mystique – quite literally, a gate leads directly from MannaBay’s grounds to the Table Mountain National Park.
Day 5: Cape Peninsula Tour
After you have enjoyed breakfast, you will be picked up around 09h00 for a spectacular Peninsula tour. This scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula showcases the beautiful sights and sounds of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, visit Cape Point/ Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, experience the natural fauna & Flora of the Cape and visit Boulders Beach where you can view the African Penguin. Return to your hotel in the afternoon, settle in and relax until you are ready to go and enjoy dinner at one of many of Cape Town’s restaurants.
Day 6: Drive to Franschhoek the winelands region
After breakfast in the city, you will be transferred 90 minutes into the winelands region of Franschhoek arriving at the alluring working farm hotel of Babylonstoren.
Babylonstoren is a 250 hectare working wine and fruit farm that dates back over 300 years. Located in a quiet corner of the Cape that is surrounded by majestic mountains on three sides and the fynbos is home to many wild creatures.
In the centre of farm are the gardens that celebrate biological diversity with fresh food and distinct flavours that further celebrate the seasons and the bounty of the garden. The service is both sincere and deeply proud of its heritage, offering guests daily drinks and tasting canapés in addition to farm tours, garden walks and rowing.
Enjoy farm and garden walks, garden tours, cycling, mountain drives with sun downers and Canoeing, kayaking, bread making, wine tasting, catch and release fishing included in your stay at Babylonstoren.
Day 7: Free day in Franschhoek
You will spend this day at leisure at Babylonstoren as you enjoy testing more wine brands and you may enjoy optional activities offered by the lodge at your own expense.
Day 8: Drive from Franschhoek to Cape Town for your connecting flight to Johannesburg
After an exciting wine testing experience you will enjoy breakfast and after be driven to Cape Town where you will be transferred directly to the airport for your connecting flight to Johannesburg for your onward travel arrangements.
Trip Includes
- Accommodation
- Malamala game reserve all inclusive
- Activities in Cape Town
- Stay in Franschhoek winelands
- All transfers
- Enroute meals and drinking water
Trip excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and hotels
- South African tourist Visa
When to book this safari itinerary
We recommend booking over a year in advance as Malamala gets fully booked so quickly.
Best time to visit Malamala game reserve
The best wildlife viewing in MalaMala is during the winter months of May to September. Winter is the Dry season and the bush thins out at this time as animals seek relief from the drought at waterholes and rivers. September is probably the best time of all since it is slightly warmer than the rest of the winter months.
