Enquiries and bookings for this itinerary are handled exclusively by TravelHouse Africa. Their team will tailor every detail to your preferences.
Cape Town
4 Nights
Labotessa
eastern cape
4 Nights
Kwande Great Fish River Lodge
Itinerary overview
This is Africa made accessible to everyone, a malaria-free safari that loses none of the magic.
The Gentle Safari pairs the refined elegance of Cape Town at Labotessa with the wild, rolling plains of the Eastern Cape at Kwande Great Fish River Lodge, where Big Five game viewing comes with complete ease and peace of mind. It’s the ideal journey for first-time safari-goers, or anyone wanting the full African experience, gentle from start to finish.
Your journey begins
Day 1 - 5
Cape town
Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel
Labotessa is Cape Town luxury at its most refined, a boutique hotel tucked into the elegant heart of the City Bowl, where classic architecture and considered design create a sense of quiet, private indulgence.
Suites are dressed in rich textures and heritage detail, elevated by contemporary comforts and impeccable service, offering a serene retreat from which to experience the city’s finest: fine dining a few moments away, Table Mountain rising on the city boundary, and the vibrant energy of Bo-Kaap and the V&A Waterfront within easy reach. It is Cape Town at its most polished, sophisticated, and unmistakably luxurious.
Day 5 - 9
eastern cape
Kwande Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge sits along the lush green banks of its namesake river, in a malaria-free reserve where conservation has restored 22,000 hectares of Eastern Cape wilderness to thriving life. Nine elegant suites open onto uninterrupted bushveld views, each with its own plunge pool, while twice-daily game drives with expert rangers and Xhosa trackers reveal the Big Five alongside rare cheetah and blue crane sightings.
Why we recommend
- Malaria-free Big Five safari in the Eastern Cape, making it the perfect conclusion to a Garden Route itinerary without any medical preparation required.
- One of the largest private Big Five game viewing areas in South Africa, stretching along 42 km of the Great Fish River.
- Daily game drives, walking safaris, and fishing excursions are all included, complemented by home-cooked South African cuisine, best enjoyed in the boma beneath the stars.
- Nine suites are perched along the cliff edge, each featuring folding glass doors that frame sweeping views of the river valley, with a private deck and plunge pool.
- Kwandwe has an exceptional conservation story, having reintroduced over 7,000 animals including both black and white rhino, elephant, lion and leopard to the Eastern Cape.
End of your journey
cape town
Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel
Day 1 - 5
eastern cape
Kwande Great Fish River Lodge (malaria-free safari)
Day 5 - 9
Labotessa’s enquiries are expertly managed by TravelHouse Africa, a boutique inbound tour operator based in Cape Town. For years they have specialised in crafting bespoke journeys across Southern and East Africa, from private safaris and honeymoons to tailor-made stays in Cape Town’s most distinctive properties like Labotessa.
Their close, personal relationships with lodge owners, general managers and guides mean they can secure the right suite, often the best rate, and the small touches that make a stay memorable.
Handling your enquiry through TravelHouse Africa means it lands with a team who lives and breathes Southern and East Africa, from the Cape winelands to the safari lodges of the Kruger, the Okavango and beyond, and who can weave your stay at Labotessa into a wider journey across the continent, should you wish to explore further afield.
Enquire below and their team will be in touch within 24 hours. Their services are without addidonal costs to their clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel is possible throughout the year, as both the summer and winter months offer their own distinct advantages. The best time to visit Kwande depends on what you want from the safari, but May to September is generally the strongest period for game viewing. Kwandwe itself notes that game viewing is excellent year-round, while the drier winter months offer better visibility and tracking conditions.
Only South Africa included here. For details on entry requirements check here: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-visas
In South Africa, payments are generally made either in South African Rand (ZAR) or by credit card. It is advisable to exchange a small amount of currency into Rand upon arrival, to cover any immediate expenses and avoid inconvenience at the airport or shortly thereafter. Alternatively, Rand can be withdrawn easily from ATMs throughout the country.
Credit cards are widely accepted and can be used securely in most establishments. However, as American Express is not universally accepted, travelling with a Visa or Mastercard is recommended for greater convenience.
This itinerary can be tailored with ease to extend or shorten stays, substitute properties with suitable alternatives, or accommodate specific preferences. The sequence of destinations may also be reversed, offering additional flexibility to suit individual travel plans.
Safari stays are generally booked further in advance than typical city or beach holidays. We therefore recommend securing arrangements at least six to eight months ahead of travel. In addition, many of the properties we recommend are small, exclusive, and offer limited availability.
Payment is required in advance, and may be made by credit card or bank transfer. A deposit is required to secure all bookings, with the remaining balance payable no later than 60 days prior to travel.
Transport arrangements can be tailored to your preferences, ranging from private chauffeur-driven transfers for a seamless travel experience, to self-drive rental cars for greater flexibility and independence. Within the cities, Uber is widely available, reliable, and cost-effective. Most private safari lodges are accessed either by road transfer or by light aircraft to a nearby bush airstrip, with the latter often proving both the most efficient option and a memorable highlight of the journey. All transport arrangements are seamlessly incorporated into your itinerary, and managed on your behalf.
In Partnership With TravelHouse Africa
Ready to Start Planning?
You will be redirected to TravelHouse Africa to complete your enquiry