What Makes it Special?
- Spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park, with world-class guides to help.
- Brave a walking safari and experience the wilds of South Africa on foot.
- Meet elephants at a local sanctuary in the Escarpment region.
- Track leopard, rhino and buffalo in KwaZulu-Natal’s wild reserves.
- Encounter hippos and crocodiles in iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- Head out on an ocean safari to spot whales and dolphins off the Elephant Coast.
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 experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to dive straight into South Africa’s most rewarding wildlife experiences, with no unnecessary detours. It’s a trip that focuses on the thrill of safari, the drama of the landscapes, and the variety of wildlife found both on land and in the ocean. Starting your adventure in the iconic Kruger National Park, we've designed this 14-day itinerary to propel you straight into the action. Every single holiday we design is unique to you, so if there are other national parks you'd like to visit or conservation efforts you'd like to get involved in, just chat to us and we’ll make it happen.
Three nights in Kruger National Park is the best way to begin your South Africa safari holiday. Your time here will be packed full of memorable encounters with Big Five wildlife, as well as the smaller animals who call the park home. Your next stop will be the stunning landscapes of the Escarpment, where you'll feel dwarfed by the magnificence of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the most beautiful spots in South Africa. You'll spend a night in Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) before driving on to the KwaZulu-Natal region for another three nights of safari adventure. Your final stop is the wild and untamed Elephant Coast. Here you'll explore the vibrant wildlife of iSimangaliso Wetland Park and venture off dry land on an ocean safari to encounter some of the marine life that hides beneath the waves.
12 hours from London
When to go
- All year round
Average temperature
- 14-25°C
Average rainfall
- 45mm/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 holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Your South Africa safari holiday kicks off with an overnight flight to Cape Town, before hopping on a connecting flight to Kruger National Park.
You'll pick up your hire car this morning and head to your lodge to start your three-night Kruger Safari experience. We've got a fantastic list of selected lodges in Kruger National Park, all of which offer something a little different. So chat to us about whether you fancy a slice of luxury, a rustic retreat or perhaps something a little different like a night under the stars…
The next few days will be a wildlife extravaganza from start to finish. Whichever lodge or rest camp you choose to stay in, the safari guides are at the top of their game. We recommend fitting in as many safaris as possible during your time here, as each one will usually have a unique and unforgettable sighting in store. For the adventurous, why not brave a walking safari? There are few feelings as raw and wild as walking through the African plains knowing you're following in the footsteps of a pride of lions who passed by just hours before.
Today, you'll leave your lodge and Kruger National Park and drive on to the Escarpment region. The Mpumalanga Escarpment is as beautiful as it is dramatic. Forming part of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, this area is home to the famous Blyde River Canyon. The cavernous gorge towers over the winding river below, with plenty of plummeting waterfalls flowing from top to bottom. We highly recommend stopping off at God's Window viewpoint, a truly photo-worthy moment.
There's plenty to keep you busy in the Escarpment region. One highlight is the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, a quaint gold-rush town with historic buildings filled with Victorian antiques. We'll find you somewhere perfect to stay in the nearby towns of Hazyview or White River. There's a brilliant elephant sanctuary nearby, too, if you're missing the wild magic of Kruger!
It might be small, but the tiny nation of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) boasts a serious amount of culture, experiences and activities, and is the perfect place to stop over on your journey between the Escarpment and KwaZulu-Natal.
Over the next two days, you'll have countless opportunities to encounter the wildlife that South Africa is so loved for. KwaZulu-Natal is a brilliant spot for wildlife viewing, with your chances of spotting the Big Five very high indeed. We'll keep our fingers firmly crossed that an elusive leopard might just make an appearance.
Your final stop on this South Africa safari holiday is the lush green landscapes of the Elephant Coast, where you'll spend your last three nights. Beyond the lake systems of St Lucia in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, you'll find golden sands sandwiched between a carpet of green and the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean – and a whole host of wildlife, too.
The Elephant Coast is such a unique region to explore, one that few visitors make it to, and one that's sure to reward you with a great show of wildlife. Whether spotting the birdlife and antelopes on the wooded shoreline, exploring iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is home to vibrant wildlife in the game reserve, or discovering the marine life from the hippos on the lake to the turtles and whales of the offshore marine park, there is a wealth of activities and experiences to enjoy here.
Your wildlife adventure comes to an end today as it's time to hop on a flight back to the UK, hopefully with a camera full of wildlife snaps and plenty of moments you'll never forget.
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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