Overview

Experience South Africa at its most immersive on a beautifully balanced journey combining a multi-day walking safari in a private wilderness area with the legendary Otter Trail along the Wild Coast. Guided on foot by expert rangers, you’ll track wildlife, learn the rhythms of the bush, and reconnect with nature in its purest form, before trading savannah landscapes for dramatic coastal cliffs, indigenous forest, and pristine beaches. This active yet refined itinerary is designed for travelers seeking authentic encounters, slow adventure, and unforgettable moments in two of the country’s most iconic natural settings.

Destinations

Highlights

Multi-day guided walking safari with expert rangers
Close-up wildlife encounters on foot
Iconic Otter Trail coastal hike
Dramatic Indian Ocean scenery
Remote wilderness camps and lodges
Panoramic mountain and ocean views

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1

Upon your arrival in Johannesburg, you’ll be greeted by the city’s vibrant energy and dynamic atmosphere. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Take the opportunity to relax in your comfortable accommodations or venture out to discover some of Johannesburg’s highlights, such as local cafes, shops, or parks. Enjoy the flexibility of having the day to yourself before settling in for a restful night’s sleep at your hotel, preparing for the exciting adventures that lie ahead.

Days 2-9

Day 2

Arrive in the morning and check in, where you will be welcomed by the tranquil atmosphere of the surrounding bush. After lunch at the lodge, enjoy time to unwind by the pool overlooking the private waterhole, a perfect vantage point for spotting wildlife throughout the afternoon. Later, set out on a guided sunset game drive, when the soft golden light and cooler temperatures bring the landscape and its wildlife to life. In the evening, return to the lodge to enjoy dinner together before settling in for a peaceful night in the heart of the reserve.

Day 3

Begin the day with coffee and breakfast at sunrise before setting out on an immersive, full-day exploratory walking safari led by expert guides, offering a deeper connection to the bush and its wildlife. At midday, pause to rest and enjoy lunch in a scenic spot in the wilderness, before continuing your walk through the bushveld in the mid-afternoon to reach your remote sleep-out location for the night (optional). Later, head out on a sunset game drive as the landscape glows in the fading light. In the early evening, prepare a simple meal over an open fire and share campfire stories beneath the stars, before enjoying dinner together and winding down to the nocturnal sounds of the bush, with guests taking turns on lookout throughout the night.

Day 4

Climb out of your sleeping bags in the early morning for a warming coffee or tea before either driving or walking back from your sleep-out site to the lodge for breakfast. After checking out, continue your journey through the reserve to the next lodge. On arrival in the afternoon, check in and enjoy a relaxed lunch, then unwind by the riverside pool or take in the sweeping bush views from your safari tent. Later, head out on a sunset game drive to explore a different section of the reserve before returning to the lodge in the evening for dinner and a restful night.

Day 5

Start the day with early morning coffee and breakfast before departing at first light for a guided riverside walk, accompanied by your private Trails Guide, exploring this remarkable wilderness until midday. In the afternoon, return to the lodge for a relaxed lunch and refreshments, then cool off by the pool while taking in the surrounding scenery. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic boat cruise with sundowners on one of the largest rivers flowing through Kruger National Park (subject to availability), followed by a short game drive back to the lodge, before ending the day with dinner at the lodge.

Day 6

Begin the day with coffee and breakfast at sunrise before setting out on an exploratory half-day walking safari, guided through the surrounding wilderness for an intimate and immersive bush experience. At midday, pause to rest and enjoy a relaxed lunch in the bush, before walking back to the vehicle or lodge in the afternoon, where refreshments and light snacks will be waiting. Later, enjoy some downtime at the lodge followed by a late-afternoon game drive with sundowners as the sun sets over the reserve. In the evening, gather for your final dinner together and spend time stargazing with your guide, before heading to bed with the African night sky still fresh in your mind.

Day 7

In the early morning, enjoy one final short guided walk or early game drive as the bush comes alive at first light. Afterwards, return to the lodge for breakfast and check out, before continuing your journey to your next safari lodge for some well-earned recovery and relaxation, perfectly preparing you for the next stage of your adventure along the coast and the start of your upcoming trail.

Day 8

After several immersive days of guided safari walks and close encounters with wildlife, unwind with a rejuvenating stay at a luxury safari lodge, where refined comfort, attentive service and serene natural surroundings invite you to slow down and restore your energy. Enjoy elegant suites, open-air lounges overlooking the wilderness, beautifully prepared cuisine and indulgent spa treatments designed to ease tired muscles and refresh body and mind, creating the perfect balance of adventure and post-safari rejuvenation in the heart of the African bush.

Day 9

Begin your second day of rejuvenation at the lodge with a slow, scenic breakfast overlooking the surrounding wilderness, followed by a full day at leisure to simply relax and reconnect with nature. Take advantage of the lodge’s tranquil setting with time by the pool, quiet moments on your private deck, or a personalised spa treatment designed to soothe the body and refresh the mind, before enjoying a relaxed afternoon and an elegant evening dining experience under the African sky.

Days 10-16

Days 10 & 11

Your first day begins with an optional 6 km walk from the parking area to Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, following a quiet road and winding through fragrant fynbos to your secluded coastal retreat. You will spend your first two nights here, set within the heart of De Hoop Nature Reserve, an off-grid escape renowned for its rich natural heritage, dramatic coastline and abundant bird and marine life. Along the shore, you may spot pods of dolphins and a wide variety of bird species, including the endangered African black oystercatcher, while rock pools and gullies teem with marine life. Between July and November, southern right whales arrive close to shore to calve and breed, offering outstanding whale-watching. On day two, enjoy guided marine or nature walks, explore independently, or simply relax in one of seven ocean-facing rooms, each with a private deck overlooking a pristine five-kilometre stretch of beach.

Days 12

It’s time to hit the long trail. Today you set out on a leisurely, self-guided coastal walk of approximately 6–9 hours from Lekkerwater Beach Lodge to Koppie Alleen, the final point of the legendary Whale Trail. This unforgettable 15 km section follows the most scenic stretches of the trail, with sweeping Indian Ocean views, rugged cliffs, gorges, caves, and ravines. The route weaves between wide sandy beaches, limestone rock platforms, blowholes, natural swimming pools, and dramatic headlands, while inland you pass through pristine lowland coastal fynbos. At the end of the walk at Koppie Alleen, the remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the tranquil setting along the shores of De Hoop Vlei, followed by a traditional potjiekos dinner around the campfire beneath a starlit sky.

Day 13

After an early breakfast, you set out on a gentle 5 km guided walk around De Hoop Vlei, exploring the area’s exceptional birdlife and diverse fynbos, before arriving at a homestead for a relaxed brunch. This beautifully restored homestead, dating back to the turn of the last century, is rich in history and character. After brunch, a scenic boat transfer takes you across the vlei, where your walk continues for a further 7–8 km along cliffside paths, the edge of the water, and open plains, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings. Your day concludes with a cozy campfire dinner.

Day 14

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tierhoek to begin a guided morning trail along a scenic 4-kilometre route through the fynbos paradise of Flatrock, offering sweeping panoramic views over the tranquil De Hoop Vlei. Your return transfer is by vehicle from the main entrance of the De Hoop Nature Reserve to the Lekkerwater car park, from where you continue on a guided walk to the Potberg Vulture Colony—the only remaining active Cape Vulture breeding colony in the Western Cape. This rewarding day combines dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and meaningful conservation encounters. You will overnight in the beautiful area.

Day 15

After your time in De Hoop Nature Reserve, you depart by private transfer and journey onward to a carefully selected luxury retreat offering high-quality spa and wellness facilities. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is dedicated to rest and recovery. Enjoy tranquil surroundings and the opportunity to indulge in restorative spa treatments designed to ease tired muscles and promote deep relaxation after your De Hoop Camino experience. This peaceful overnight stay provides the ideal setting to unwind, reflect on your journey, and gently prepare for the conclusion of your adventure the following day.

Day 16

As your time in Cape Town comes to an end, take a final moment to soak in the beauty of this vibrant city. After breakfast, you’ll check out of your accommodation and prepare for your journey home or to your next destination. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for a last-minute stroll along the waterfront or to pick up souvenirs. You’ll then be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your departing flight, carrying with you unforgettable memories of your South African adventure. Safe travels!

Hand-Picked Luxury

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

15 nights of luxury accommodation
Meet and greet services
All Transfers
All tours & activities stated in the itinerary
Breakfasts at all hotels
All meals at luxury safari lodge
24/7 in-trip assistance

Not Included

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