MARVELLOUS MEERKATS & FABULOUS FYNBOS

Upon arrival in Johannesburg - affectionately known as Egoli (the City of Gold) - the excitement begins with a light aircraft transfer service over Johannesburg, flying just low enough to take in the great city below, to Madikwe Game Reserve. Following this, you will be met by your tracker and guide and transferred to Morukuru Owner’s House, a private two-bedroom house tucked under the leafy canopy of an ancient Morukuru tree. You’ll stay here for three nights, going on private game drives through the park, dining on delicious food whipped up by your chef and served by your friendly butler and taking part in the many children-friendly activities available. Join the kids for a spoor tracking lesson on foot or climb into a safari vehicle in search of the Big Five. With a diverse landscape and abundance of animals, including the sought-after wild dog and shy brown hyena, be sure to have your camera at the ready, you never know what you may find. If you want to start your holiday with a soothing massage, let the private nanny take care of the kids while you savour some ‘me time’ with an aromatherapy massage overlooking the tranquil Marico River. Alternatively, get up close and personal with huge elephant herds at the Hide, go fishing and water skiing on the local Molatedi Dam and spot the 350 species of bird found in the region from the elevated bird platform – the best way to go birdwatching.

While Madikwe Game Reserve is all about being immersed in the thicketed African bush, Tswalu is all about the vast open landscapes and thick sands of the Kalahari desert. From Madiwke, you’ll be flown back to Johannesburg and then take another light plane to South Africa’s largest private game reserve, a 110,000 hectare wilderness of mountains, grasslands and Big Five wildlife. With a maximum of 10 private vehicles allowed in the game reserve, the emphasis at Tswalu Motse is on exclusivity and seclusion. Go on game drives with routes and times entirely determined by you or walk up to a meerkat colony in time to see them emerge from their burrows and sun themselves in the morning glow. Really get a sense of the vastness of the Kalahari by riding through the grasslands on horseback or see some of the oldest art on Earth by visiting ancient rock carvings created by Bushmen thousands of years ago.

Having sampled South Africa’s northern game reserves and thrilling wildlife, you and the family will be flown to Cape Town for three nights at the landmark hotel, the Cape Grace. Using it as your luxurious base to explore the culturally-rich Mother City, walk around the famous V&A Waterfront to photograph the furry seals in the harbour and visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, which keeps both kids and adults happy thanks to its penguin habitat, kelp forests with giant fish and a gallery showcasing the ‘Oceans of Contrast’. Have your cheeks brushed by the kaleidoscopic creatures at Butterfly World in the scenic Cape Winelands or for something closer to your hotel, feed the animals at the Company’s Garden, keeping an eye out for the legendary albino squirrel. If your children have had enough of wildlife, then consider spending some time in the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum, with its interactive exhibitions and Wii-like games, or taste your way through the gastronomic wonders in Camps Bay and in the spicy Malay Quarter of Bo Kaap.

For the final three nights, you’ll be taken to De Hoop Nature Reserve, where you’ll be cocooned in luxury at the Morukuru Ocean House, a private family home set in one of Africa’s most beautiful coastal reserves. With 36,000 hectares of limestone cliffs, rock pools and wetlands, this area is a twitcher’s delight and home to over 260 species of bird. Follow the hiking trails to see beautiful shots of colour contrasted by the earthy backdrop, such as the pink legs of the lesser flamingo or the whimsical tail feathers of the Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird. For a faster pace, you can go mountain-biking and sandboarding or simply relish the privacy of having the entire homestead to yourself. During the day, indulge in fine cuisine prepared by your private chef and relax around the swimming pool and then toast the brilliant African sunset, while sipping on a well-deserved G&T (or tasty mocktail) come nightfall.