Cape to Kisawa: The Most Extraordinary Southern Africa Itinerary

Imagine waking to the scent of mountain air and the sound of the ocean. In Cape Town, the first light spills over Table Mountain, painting the city in gold. By the end of this journey, you’ll be barefoot on a private Mozambican beach, the horizon dissolving into turquoise and silence.

This is Cape to Kisawa: The Occasionist’s Southern Africa Odyssey — a 26-day journey that moves through four worlds: the creative energy of Cape Town, the stillness of the Winelands, the wild pulse of Marataba, and the oceanic calm of Mozambique. It’s designed for travelers who crave depth, beauty, and the feeling of being profoundly alive.

From private safaris to helicopter flights along the coast, every moment in this itinerary is crafted to awaken your senses and remind you what it means to truly explore.

Your Southern Africa Journey at a Glance

Duration: 26 days / 25 nights

Destinations: Cape Town • Franschhoek • Marataba • Maputo Special Reserve • Benguerra Island

Perfect for: Adventurous couples, honeymooners, or discerning travelers seeking a rare blend of design, wilderness, and connection.

Unmissable Highlights:

• Private guided touring of Cape Town and the Western Cape, including a scenic helicopter flight.

• Wine and art immersion in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, based at Leeu Estates.

• Hands-on rhino conservation and a night under the stars at Marataba Safari Lodge’s Treehouse.

• Secluded eco-luxury on Mozambique’s coast at Anvil Bay.

• A private island finale at Kisawa Sanctuary in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Want to explore the full itinerary, with daily details, flights, and accommodations? View the complete journey on Trafevy here.

What Makes This Southern Africa Itinerary Unique?

Few travelers experience Southern Africa like this — as one continuous narrative.Each chapter builds on the last, blending safari adventure, cultural depth, and oceanfront stillness into one elegant flow.

While many itineraries separate city, bush, and beach, this one curates their emotional rhythm: the hum of Cape Town’s streets, the quiet of the vines, the heartbeat of the bush, and finally, the surrender of the sea.

A Day-by-Day Look at the Journey

Cape Town – The City Beneath the Mountain (Days 2–5)

Your adventure begins in Cape Town, where the Belmond Mount Nelson offers timeless elegance at the foot of Table Mountain.Days unfold with private guided exploration of the Cape Peninsula, Chapman’s Peak, and Table Mountain, ending with sunset cocktails overlooking the Atlantic.A scenic helicopter flight reveals the city’s duality — wild cliffs on one side, cosmopolitan calm on the other. One day is left entirely to your own rhythm — to wander, taste, and breathe in the city’s creative pulse.

Franschhoek – The Heart of the Winelands (Days 6–9)

Just an hour away lies the Winelands, where you’ll stay at Leeu Estates, surrounded by vineyards and art installations.Private tastings in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, Michelin-starred dining, and vineyard picnics bring the senses into focus.There’s time to pause, to sit under the oaks with a glass of wine, and to watch the sun melt into the vines.

Marataba – The Soul of Safari (Days 10–15)

From Cape Town, fly north into the Waterberg Mountains, where Marataba Safari Lodge awaits. Here, conservation becomes personal — join the team on a rhino tracking mission, learning firsthand how Africa’s most iconic species are protected.After days of game drives and walking safaris, spend a night in the Thabametsi Treehouse, lulled by the sounds of lions and night birds.Continue to Marataba Mountain Lodge — a hideaway above the plains — for two nights of seclusion, perspective, and the kind of silence that feels sacred.

Anvil Bay – Where the Forest Meets the Sea (Days 16–18)

Fly east to Mozambique’s Maputo Special Reserve, where Anvil Bay Eco-Lodge nestles between dunes and ocean.Here, elephants wander the beach, and dolphins glide through turquoise shallows.Spend your days swimming, snorkeling, or simply walking the shoreline — no roads, no crowds, just wilderness meeting water.

Kisawa Sanctuary – The Art of Stillness (Days 19–24)

Your finale unfolds on Benguerra Island, reached by helicopter from Vilankulo.At Kisawa Sanctuary, architecture and landscape blend seamlessly — villas carved from sand and palm, each with its own infinity pool and private beach.Join marine biologists on an ocean safari, or let time dissolve in the sanctuary’s Natural Wellness Center.Here, luxury is measured not in opulence, but in stillness.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Southern Africa?

The ideal season for this journey is May through October, when Southern Africa’s skies are clear, wildlife viewing is at its peak, and Mozambique’s waters are calm. April and November are softer alternatives — lush, quiet, and cinematic in their own way.

How to Experience This Itinerary

With limited space at Marataba and Kisawa Sanctuary, this itinerary is available for only a handful of guests per season. To experience these properties in sequence — with private charters, exclusive conservation access, and bespoke coordination — early planning is essential. We recommend booking 6–9 months in advance for optimal flight connections and availability.

What sets The Occasionist apart

Unlike traditional tour operators, The Occasionist doesn’t just sell packages — we curate immersive narratives. Each journey is handcrafted through a lens of rarity, emotion, and discovery, blending the soul of adventure with the precision of design. Every detail is chosen to create a feeling that stays long after you return home.

Ready to Begin Your Southern Africa Odyssey?

This is not a tour. It’s a passage through four worlds — each revealing a different heartbeat of Southern Africa.

Contact The Occasionist today to begin crafting your bespoke Southern Africa adventure. We’ll shape it around your rhythm, your pace, your story — because no two travelers are ever the same. Or check out our South Africa and Mozambique destination pages for further inspiration.

Life is Now. Make it Count.