Cape Town, the whale coast, and a malaria-free safari finale.
This is hands-down the simplest and most comfortable first family safari in Africa. Settle in at One&Only Cape Town on the waterfront and enjoy Table Mountain, the Two Oceans Aquarium, and a full private touring day including a penguin colony. From there drive to Grootbos above Walker Bay for horseback riding, flower safaris and, in season, southern right whales rolling in the bay. Finish your trip in the malaria-free Eastern Cape with four nights at Kwandwe Ecca Lodge. Enjoy rhino tracking from the vehicle and the Big Five. Big adventures, no malaria, all ages.
3 nights
Where the mountains meet the sea. Cape Town pairs Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and the Camps Bay coastline with world-class dining and the Cape Winelands on its doorstep — a refined, romantic bookend to any Southern Africa honeymoon.
3 nights
A private nature reserve of fynbos-cloaked hills above Walker Bay, two and a half hours from Cape Town. The coast below is one of the best places on earth to see southern right whales (June–November), great white sharks and the Marine Big Five, while the reserve itself offers horse riding, flower safaris and ancient milkwood forests — a gentle, all-ages complement to a Big Five safari.
4 nights
A 22,000-hectare private reserve on the Great Fish River in the malaria-free Eastern Cape — the single biggest draw for families. Big Five game drives, rhino tracking on foot, river activities and dedicated children's programmes, all a short flight and drive from Port Elizabeth. Ecca Lodge is the contemporary, family-focused lodge of the reserve.
Visa — not required. US passport holders don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days. You do, however, now need to complete South Africa’s online customs/traveller declaration before you arrive.
Passport. Valid for at least 30 days beyond your planned departure from South Africa, with 2 consecutive completely blank visa pages per entry (endorsement pages don’t count).
Vaccinations. A yellow-fever certificate is required if you’re arriving from a country the WHO designates as a risk — and the vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
Currency. You may bring in or take out up to ZAR 25,000, plus unlimited foreign currency if you declare it on arrival. Krugerrand coins can’t be brought in; up to 15 may be taken out with proof they were purchased in foreign currency.
Good to know. Crime is high — stay alert, especially in cities. Traffic drives on the left, and the roads are more dangerous than in the US. On safari, follow your guide’s instructions — the animals are wild, not tame. And expect occasional scheduled power cuts (“load shedding”).
U.S. Embassy, Pretoria: za.usembassy.gov
Guidance for US passport holders — if you travel on another passport, please confirm the requirements for your nationality.
Every departure runs a similar route with all-in pricing. Prices vary by season.
Inclusions: Safari lodge and camp rates are inclusive of all meals, drinks, and most activities — including game drives — but exclude top-shelf drinks and premium activities like helicopter excursions. City and beach stays follow each property's own board basis, shown on the lodge.
Children are priced at each lodge's child rate. Exact rates and room allocation are confirmed at booking, once ages are collected.
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