South Africa Safari & Adventure for Women

UMMM you’re in Africa, Explorer Chick! You’ve touched down in Cape Town, where the South African sun is the only dang filter you need. Feel as effortlessly cool as Charlize Theron as you are personally escorted through Cape Town International Airport and privately transported in an Explorer Chick bus. Destination? Our swank hotel. 

Take an incredible shower to wash off the jet lag. And don’t be embarrassed if you scanned the streets already expecting a Lion King moment. It’ll come!

Settle in, soak up the views from your room, and hurl yourself on the bed and scream excitedly in a pillow! Once you’re convinced Cape Town’s already shown you its best, we’ll whisk you off to Signal Hill for sunset skyline views so stunning they’ll have you giving a standing ovation. This is how you kick off a trip, Explorer Chick style!

Accommodation: 5* Oceanfront Hotel
Meals: D

First, we eat our body weight in breakfast potatoes and pastries. Next, we embark on a guided hike up Table Mountain! South Africa’s most photographed landmark AND one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This is no stroll in the park, it’s a workout with a view! Your booty will get kicked into shape on this panoramic adventure, featuring non-stop vistas of Cape Town and the glistening Atlantic Ocean as you ascend like the angel you are. Best of all? You can ignore the little voice in your head saying What about our knees when we go back down, girl?! Because we get to enjoy a scenic cableway descent all the way back. More breathtaking views. More pinch-me moments. Hell yeah.

After Table Mountain, we’ll make a brief stop at Bo-Kaap. This rainbow-bright Cape Town neighborhood is jam-packed with vibrant spirit and will give you a taste of day-to-day life. We’ll lunch at the historic Jonkerhuis Restaurant at Groot Constantia Wine Estate. Wolf down gourmet flavors in a picturesque vineyard setting as you stroll through the estate and indulge in a wine and chocolate tasting. By the time we leave, you’ll be an expert in South Africa’s rich winemaking tradition! 

We wrap up the day with a mouthwatering dinner at a cozy local restaurant before returning to the hotel to de-bra for the evening. 

Hiking: 2 miles, 2,400′ elevation gain.
Accommodation: 5* Oceanfront Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

Physically you are eating breakfast with your girlies. Spiritually you are already on that kayak with those penguins! Today we set off for an unforgettable morning in Simon’s Town, where you’ll embark on a two-hour guided kayaking tour through the azure waters of False Bay. 

Paddle along the stunning coastline to Boulders Beach, home to a unique and endangered colony of land-based African penguins. We’ll pause for photos and to allow time to recover from our out-of-body experiences. Then we’ll continue onward to the legendary Cape Point, where dramatic cliffs jut out of rolling waves at the tip of the continent. 

Enjoy a scenic coastal lunch with 10/10 views and some spicy conversation. How will you ever eat at Chili’s after this? On our drive back, we’ll follow the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world. 

End the day at the bustling V&A Waterfront, where you can shop for local crafts at the Watershed Market or people watch to your heart’s content. We’ll dine at a delicious waterfront restaurant before heading back to the hotel before *deep breaths* OUR SHARK DAY.

Kayaking Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: 5* Oceanfront Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

If Shark Week excites you more than any movie ever made by Lifetime, today is gonna be a life moment. After hoovering a hearty breakfast, we’ll depart early for a journey to Gansbaai for some heart-thumping shark cage diving.

IMPORTANT INFO for those of us who grew up scarred by Jaws: If you do not want to jump in the cage, you 1000% do not have to and will instead be treated to a marine safari from the boat. You’ll have the opportunity to spot dolphins, whales, and see a top-down view of the sharks. No FOMO for anyone on this experience! 

For those getting in the cage, you’ll be able to witness these incredible creatures up close while your guide takes all the NAT GEO footage. We’ll be famished after the adrenaline leaves our bodies, and will savor a well-deserved lunch at the oceanfront with endless sea breeze and panoramic views.

After lunch, we’ll visit a women-owned winery where you’ll enjoy a curated tasting and learn about the inspiring stories behind the wines. Today concludes with a dinner in Stellenbosch, a charming foodie town. Finally, settle into your new accommodations and try to enjoy a relaxed evening as you spam everyone with shark photos. 

Diving Time: 2-3 hours
Accommodation: 5* Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

How many vineyards is too many vineyards? We hope to never find out. Fuel up with breakfast before embarking on a unique half-day e-bike wine tour through Stellenbosch’s GORG vineyards.

Glide past rows of bucolic grapevines framed by majestic mountain ranges and feel the gentle breeze as you cycle between some of the region’s best wine estates. Pause for a picnic lunch at Boschendal Wine Estate, known for its lush scenery and farm-to-table eats. Are you a wine influencer now? 

Dinner later is stupid-good, with finger-kissing dishes that celebrate all the local flavors. Return to your hotel, full and happy, to unwind after a day fortified by the grapes of Africa. 

E-bike Time: 3 hours, with stops along the way
Accommodation: 5* Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast while sending the group chat 467 Rafiki gifs, because it is SAFARI TIME BABY!!! We’ll hop a flight from Cape Town International Airport to Hoedspruit, the gateway to South Africa’s famous wildlife reserves.

Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our lodge nestled in an ungated private reserve in the Kruger National Park region aka PRISTINE NATURE. Enjoy a warm welcome lunch, followed by some chill time to soak in the serene atmosphere. 

By afternoon, we’ll jump in the safari shuttle for our first game drive. Scan the landscapes for sightings of lions, elephants, leopards, and whatever else is brave enough to show its spots! We’ll continue driving after nightfall to watch the nocturnal world wake up as endless stars shoot above our open-aired vehicle. 

The day wraps with a hearty dinner at the lodge, where we’ll tell stories as if we’ve lived in the bush our whole lives. 

Accommodation: 4* Bush Lodge
Meals: B-L-D

In the 5 seconds between sleeping and waking, you’ll forget you’re not in a suburban house or city studio and are instead in the South African bush. Awaken to the sounds of the wild and set out for an early morning game drive, when fanged beasts are most active. We’re gonna put some serious miles on multiple times a day to give you as much wildlife opportunity as possible.

After an exhilarating morning, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and a chance to relax by the pool or indulge in an optional spa treatment before lunch. The afternoon brings another safari joyride, where our guide will teach us more about the creatures that call this place home. 

End your day with a delightful feast at the lodge, recounting the sightings and moments that made the day unforgettable. 

Accommodation: 4* Bush Lodge
Meals: B-L-D

Ugh, MORE safari time? It’s a rough gig but someone’s gotta do it. Start your day with an exhilarating morning game drive, soaking in the raw beauty of the African bush as the sunrise paints the landscape. Afterward, return to the lodge to indulge in a hearty breakfast and share your morning sightings over coffee.

This day is all about soaking in the magic of this incredible setting. Unwind by the pool with a good book, take in the views from the deck channeling your inner nature doc narrator, or recharge with a garden tour or blissful massage. Feeling social? Gather with your fellow Explorer Chicks in the lounge or bar for some laughs and a friendly debate over who rocked the best safari hat. Need some downtime? Escape to the library for a bit of “me-time” to reflect on the adventure so far.

Lunch is on your own schedule—whether you’re up for catching up with the crew or embracing some solitude while learning the Zulu words for “I am never leaving this place.”

Accommodation: 4* Bush Lodge
Meals: B-D

We’ll take a farewell drive into the pristine early morning. Because it’s our final game drive, your senses will be especially attuned to the rustle of the grass, the trills of the birds, and the rumbles of the elephant matriarch. 

We’ll leave this magic place after filling up on breakfast to transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

After landing, a private transfer will take you to your hotel where you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon at your own pace. Read, go for a wander, or baby-talk your pug through your Furbo app. We’ll enjoy dinner at one of the charming restaurants in Rosebank, Sandton, or Rivonia before turning in for the night.

Accommodation: 5* Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

After we feed and caffeinate our bodies, we’ll venture out to discover the vibrant community of Soweto on a guided cycling tour. Soweto, short for South Western Townships, is one of the world’s most famous townships and a symbol of South Africa’s tear-jerking resilience.

We’ll learn about community projects, sustainable tourism, and Soweto’s historic role in the anti-apartheid struggle. This area was once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, giving Vilakazi Street the rare distinction of housing two Nobel Peace Prize winners. 

After our cycling tour, we’ll reflect on the day over a traditional South African lunch. Speaking of food, we’ll enjoy our last supper together at our hotel in Johannesburg followed by a night of rest and relaxation. This is the part where your guide gets mushy and everyone shares their feelings about solo travel, the warmth of Africa, and how women are the best medicine on earth.

Cycling Time: All day, with stops along the way. 
Accommodation: 5* Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

Hey Siri, play “End of the Road” on repeat and hold me as I cry. Eat your feelings for breakfast as you gawk at the incredible Explorer Chicks you safari-ed with. How is it possible these women you now share ALL the inside jokes with were total strangers 10 days ago? Clearly a piece of Africa––and these feral babes––will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

Hug it out and put on your finest airport leggings. A transfer will take you to OR Tambo International Airport, where assistance is provided for your departure. Nap on the plane and dream of us laughing in the South African sun, would ya?

Depart any time after breakfast. 

Meals: B