What Makes it Special?
- Track wildlife through South Africa’s malaria-free reserves.
- Saddle up for a horseback safari through the Limpopo wilderness.
- Discover ancient Bushman rock art in hidden caves and canyons.
- Snorkel or dive in the coral-rich waters of the Indian Ocean.
- Explore Black River Gorges National Park, the wilder side of Mauritius.
- Take a street food tour in Port Louis and sample Creole flavours.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our South Africa and Mauritius experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
If you're struggling to choose between spending your days out on safari in search of some of that iconic Big Five wildlife or reaching for that sun lounger and relaxing on a white sand beach, this holiday could be for you. With South Africa and Mauritius just a short 5-hour flight apart, why not do both?
With a selection of luxury and characterful safari lodges a short drive from Johannesburg in the malaria-free reserves of Pilanesberg, Waterberg and Welgevonden, these reserves make for a great and convenient safari destination. Lesser visited than the Kruger, you’ll come away with a unique story of spotting the ‘Big 5’ surrounded by mountainous backgrounds and gorges with natural streams and pools. There's even the opportunity to explore beyond the wilderness and take a hot air balloon ride, a horseback safari or a cultural tour of Bushman paintings and Iron Age sites.
From Johannesburg, you'll take a direct flight to Mauritius with its impressive choice of beaches and hotels to suit all discerning tastes. The north is vibrant and alive with tourists and entertainment, the south is home to Black River Gorge National Park and perfect for those looking for a more peaceful setting, the west is the more protected side of the island with calm waters and secluded beaches and the east is where you'll find many of the 5* luxury resorts. Chat to us and we'll be sure to find the best spot for you.
12 hours from London
When to go
- May to December
Average temperature
- South Africa: 14-22°C
- Mauritius: 25-30°C
Average rainfall
- South Africa: 60mm/month
- Mauritius: 90mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this South Africa and Mauritius holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Settle in for your overnight flight to Johannesburg today, where your South African adventure begins. Over the next few days, you’ll experience the thrill of safari, tracking wildlife in the untamed wilderness of Limpopo, before heading to the tropical beaches of Mauritius for a week of relaxation.
When you arrive in Johannesburg, you’ll be met by a local representative and privately transferred to your safari lodge in Limpopo. The drive takes you through the wide-open landscapes of South Africa, with the scenery gradually shifting from city to bush. You'll arrive in time to settle into your lodge before heading out on your first afternoon game drive. As the sun sets, you’ll get your first glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home, perhaps a herd of elephants, a prowling lion, or a dazzle of zebras moving through the golden grasslands will make an appearance.
Your days on safari are all about early mornings, incredible wildlife sightings, and time spent in the great outdoors. Twice-daily game drives will take you deep into the bush, with expert guides helping you track everything from rhinos and leopards to giraffes and cheetahs.
For a different perspective, you could swap the safari vehicle for a horseback safari, riding through the wilderness with wildlife all around you. If history and culture are more your thing, take a trip to see Bushmen Rock Art, ancient paintings that tell stories of early life in this region, or explore fossil-rich caves that provide a glimpse into the origins of humankind.
After a final morning game drive, you’ll enjoy breakfast at the lodge before transferring to Johannesburg Airport. Here, you’ll stay overnight before boarding your flight to Mauritius the following morning.
After an early flight, you’ll land in Mauritius, where the next seven nights are all about laid-back island life. You’ll be met by a local representative and either collect your hire car or take a private transfer to your beachfront resort. Mauritius is the perfect spot for a bit of well-deserved R&R – but that’s not all on offer here.
With its extensive reef system, Mauritius is heaven for any fans of snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, and kite surfing. While away the hours on your last day, drifting over colourful coral, or try an adrenaline-fuelled activity if you fancy. Keen golfers will be in their element here. With ten world-class golf courses, each set against a unique backdrop of mountains, lagoons and sweeping landscapes, there are few better spots on earth to tee off.
After a final morning by the beach, it’s time to head to the airport for your flight home. Depending on the day of the week, you may have the option of a direct British Airways flight to London Gatwick, making the journey even smoother. We'll do our best to find the most convenient flight options for you.
Places you'll visit
We have hundreds of partner hotels across the world, with our tailor made trips you can pick from our range of beautiful hotels
What You're Saying
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Our recent family holiday to South Africa, expertly organised with the assistance of Holiday Architects, was an unforgettable experience. The journey exceeded all expectations, offering phenomenal moments from start to finish. The service provided by their team was exceptional, with a special mention to Catherine, who was absolutely outstanding. I wholeheartedly recommend Holiday Architects to anyone looking for a meticulously planned and extraordinary travel experience. Their team’s expertise and commitment to excellence truly set them apart.
Gurkirat Sidhu
Trustpilot
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“
Excellent company to deal with. Lisa Dyboll pulled together an exceptional South African itinerary for us and was available to us throughout our trip. We had one tiny issue and she dealt with it swiftly and effectively. Lisa totally understood our requirements and put together a perfect trip. I would highly recommend Holiday Architects and we will certainly use them for future trips and a special mention for Lisa Dyboll who has incredible knowledge of South Africa.
Sue Atherton
Trustpilot
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We had a wonderful 2-week trip to South Africa organised by Kirsty from Holiday Architects. Everything was perfect: the fact that she listened to our vague ideas of what we wanted to do and then came back with very thoughtful suggestions. We followed her guidance and could not have been more delighted with our experience! It was all very personal and the attention to detail was excellent - from pre-trip briefings to a lovely welcome back phone call seeking feedback. The accommodation throughout our road trip was top quality and the suggested activities were brilliant. We would definitely recommend!
Ange
Trustpilot
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We had a fabulous holiday in South Africa. Catherine at Holiday Architects really listened to what we wanted to achieve in our 10 days there and planned an itinerary that was pitched perfectly for us. The hotel in Cape Town, Bed and Breakfast in Franschoek and the lodge in Amakhala were all extremely comfortable and the transfers between the three and the airports were like clockwork. We were provided with links and information to book tours and trips while we were there. We will definitely be using Holiday Architects again, the only problem will be picking the destination as there are many exciting trips to chose from!
Mrs Helen Watts
Trustpilot
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We have just returned from a 6 week epic adventure in South Africa and Mozambique , put together by Lisa Dyboll at Holiday Architects . She put up with my endless changes and requests and the end result was outstanding . To have a company take such time in ensuring we got exactly the trip with the right balances of budget and experience was amazing. Lisa gave us excellent advice and steered us away from potentially stupid ideas! We will absolutely use them again as their expert knowledge and service was invaluable.
Rona Hulbert
Trustpilot
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The most amazing and memorable trip to South Africa. Catherine organised the perfect itinerary for us, listening to our requirements and booking accommodation which completely suited our needs. The attention to detail from initial phone call with Catherine, to the final documents listing detailed driving instructions, restaurant recommendations, excursion recommendations etc etc was first rate. We had an issue with the hire car on day 2, this proved no problem at all and Catherine arranged (with local ground team) to replace the car first thing the following morning. This was our second trip with Holiday Architects and I look forward to booking our third trip sometime soon!
LennonJ
Trustpilot
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Kirsty @ Holiday Architects helped us to plan an amazing trip to Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. We'd found the area we wanted to visit but were uncertain about the self-drive suitability but Kirsty was able to give first hand insight and experience of the area and many of the places we ended up visiting which was invaluable, giving us a really good balance of mountains, safari, lakes & coast that suited us perfectly. Everything went very smoothly - we would absolutely use Holiday Architects again.
Nick Trowell
Trustpilot
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Top marks go to Lisa who arranged our holiday to Cape Town and the Garden Route. All the places we stayed were amazing and the driving directions were perfect. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone who wants a great holiday.
Richard
Trustpilot
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We used Holiday Architects to book our honeymoon to South Africa last May. We honestly couldn't recommend them enough. Kirsty was so knowledgeable and helpful. She listened to exactly what we wanted and planned the perfect itinerary for us. Kirsty planned everything - flights, accommodation, draft excursions, restaurants and tips & advice. Kirsty is a regular visitor to SA and so her recommendations were personal and well-thought out which we really appreciated. We would definitely use the company again and would recommend them to anyone. Holiday of a lifetime thanks to Kirsty!!
Jemma Coulter
Trustpilot
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Holiday Gallery
Meet our South Africa experts
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Catherine, Kirsty, Lisa and Paul are dedicated to all things South Africa and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Catherine Williams
Destination Manager
Catherine fell for Africa in 2000 and has been back countless times ever since. With South Africa being one of her favourite spots, she’s your go-to for everything from self-drives to safaris, hikes and vineyards.
Kirsty Leggate
Destination Manager
With family living just outside Kruger National Park, Kirsty’s been travelling to South Africa for more than 20 years. From solo trips to family adventures, she knows the country inside out, and always finds new reasons to return.
Lisa Dyboll
Destination Manager
Our resident South African, our Lisa really has spent a lifetime exploring the country. Especially fond of Kruger, coastal drives and any excuse for a well-earned sundowner with a view, she brings real passion and knowledge to every holiday she plans.
Paul Turner
Destination Manager
It's the sheer variety that first enticed Paul to South Africa. The wine, the landscapes, the wildlife. He's full of ideas for how to pair the highlights with the lesser-known corners to make your South Africa holiday extra special.
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