The Gourmet Southern African Experience: A Foodie Wonder Tour

Led by Sandy Salle of Hills of Africa and Alistair Leuner of Tintswalo
Cape Town | Victoria Falls | Kruger National Park Safari

Discover the Flavors of Africa in Unforgettable Style
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime culinary and cultural journey through Southern Africa. Join Sandy and Alistair on this exclusive, small-group adventure that blends gourmet cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and luxurious experiences. From the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the majestic beauty of Victoria Falls and the thrilling safaris in Kruger National Park, this tour is designed to delight food lovers and adventure seekers alike.

What Makes This Trip Special?

  • Exclusive Small Group Adventure: With only 12 friends along, you will enjoy a personal, intimate travel experience.
  • Gourmet Cuisine & Wine: You will get to indulge in flavors that capture the heart of Africa, with unique cooking classes, joining a ROCKSTAR chef in her home, as well as breakfast on a dry river bed with elephants in the distance.
  • Expert Guides: Travel alongside Sandy Salle, whose expertise, caring heart, and joyful spirit make every journey extraordinary. And Alistair Leuner, Regional Manager of safari products at Tintswalo and Head Guide, who brings an immense amount of experience and fun that will bring this trip to another level.
  • Unforgettable Moments: Just imagine journeying down Chapman’s Peak Drive (considered the #2 best drive in the world), taking a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, enjoying fine wines in the gardens of Stellenbosch, canoeing along the Zambezi banks with hippos grunting in the distance, seeing Victoria Falls (one of the 7 natural wonders of the world), enjoying the best sunsets you’ve ever seen, with a sundowner, of course. The excitement of seeing lions lounging underneath the tree, white rhinos, and elephants are just a few of the many unforgettable moments you will get to experience.

Itinerary

WELCOME TO SOUTH AFRICA!

On arrival in Cape Town International airport, you will be met with VIP Assistance through Customs & Immigration. Your Hills of Africa representative will transfer you to Tintswalo Atlantic, where you will stay for 4 nights. Perched above a pebbled beach at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, and overlooking the Cape’s iconic Sentinel mountain, the lodge enjoys the very best of magnificent, panoramic ocean views, as well as access to the natural beauty found along the mountainside’s winding hiking trails.

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel lobby for a full day of exploring Cape Town’s City and Gourmet scene with your private guide. We will travel the streets of Cape Town, with your private guide, and experience its history, its people and its gourmet delights. En route, we will stop to taste a  mixture of traditional food, South African street food, enjoy a mini cooking class, and visit some artisanal foodie and coffee shops. This way you will enjoy a real taste of the Cape! The day will also include a trip to the base of Table Mountain, take the cable car up and enjoy the views from the top of the mountain.

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel for a full day’s private guided Cape Peninsula Tour. We start the day rambling along the coastline past many of Cape Town’s most beautiful villages Camps Bay, Llundudno, and Hout Bay. From Hout Bay we head on to one of the world’s most scenic drives, Chapman’s Peak Drive, considered the “most scenic drive in the world.” We will enjoy coffee and freshly pressed juice from local vendors as we continue on to the famous Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Next is a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders, a true highlight. For Lunch, Chef Nicky Gibbs has opened her home in Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula to allow you to join her in a culinary experience. Chef Nicki Gibbs is a Rock Star Chef – literally! She has traveled the world as a private Chef to famous bands such as the Rolling Stones and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. She decided to put down her roots in one spot and settled down in the Cape and share her culinary delights with us every day folk! After lunch we will meander back along the coast to the city.

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel by your guide for a private-guided day of wine tasting and exploring in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll enjoy a magical scenic journey through this beautiful mountainous region as we explore its history, the wine and the architecture. The region is most famous for its red wine there is however some great white wine found on the higher slopes ofthe mountains. We also explore the town of Stellenbosch during the tour it is the second oldest town in the country. Lunch is usually planned in this region as it is the foodie haven of the country. It boasts many of our top restaurants and as such a gourmet fine dining lunch is highly recommended. After lunch we recommend either a visit to Paarl or Franschhoek for another wine tasting, a walk through the town of Franschhoek, a walk in an organic garden, or even an artisan bean-to-bar chocolate tasting! After your day enjoying the beautiful winelands, a dinner at Chef’s Warehouse is planned. Dinner will entail a set dinner menu with complimenting wine pairings.

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Cape Town Airport. On arrival to the airport, you will check in for your flight to Livingstone Airport. On arrival at Livingstone airport, you will clear customs and collect your luggage. Your Hills of Africa representative will transfer you to Tintswalo at Siankaba, where you will stay for 3 nights. Siankaba is a 5-star luxurious resort located upriver from Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls nestled in the trees on two private islands out in the Zambezi River. Just getting to the resort is part of the adventure. You will drive to the welcome center and then board a boat that will transport you to the main island where the primary lodge and resort services are located. After checking in, you will be guided across rope bridges and elevated boarded walkways to your individual secluded luxury tented chalet.

This morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel lobby to enjoy a day of activities in Zimbabwe. Leaving Zambia, you will cross the famous Victoria Falls bridge into Zimbabwe. Our day will begin with a private visit to the world-renowned Victoria Falls visitors center, a true spectacular site. After the tour of the falls you are scheduled for a very special Elephant Encounter with Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage! You will spend time and connect with elephants in the most positive and natural way possible. You will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephants and the sight of the gentle grey mammals up close and personal will be imprinted on your mind long after you have returned home. You will have the opportunity to take photographs with the elephants, marvel at their size and watch them behaving normally; browsing and interacting with one another. After your experience with the elephants, you will head to Dusty Road for lunch. A traditional Zimbabwean restaurant situated in the bustling heart of Chinotimba, the largest and oldest township in Victoria Falls. Now that our bellies are full, you will head back to Tintswalo at Siankaba.

Spend your day enjoying many of the activities available at Tintswalo at Siankaba. You could enjoy a traditional Mokoro ride, a local dugout canoe, around the island in the true spirit of the local people. You also have the option to enjoy a Nature trail walk, fishing, a sunset river cruise and a picnic lunch.

This morning, you will be transferred to the Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. On arrival at Kruger Mpumulanga Airport, you will then check in for your private charter flight to Manyeleti Airstrip.  On arrival at Manyeleti Airstrip, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Tintswalo Safari Lodge, where you will stay for 4 nights. Tintswalo Safari Lodge’s exclusive property lies within the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, nestled between unfenced boundaries of the Kruger National Park, Timbavati and Sabi Sands. The Manyeleti offers excellent game viewing opportunities with regular sightings of the “Big 5” as well as wild dog, cheetah and over 517 bird species.

You will enjoy your day at Tinstwalo Safari Lodge. Manyeleti means “place of the stars” in the local language. It truly is a unique safari destination well off the beaten path. You can be certain not to encounter big tour groups traveling around in busses, but rather expect a pristine bush experience in one of the world’s most beautiful places. As there are no fences between the national park and the private game reserves, wildlife is able to roam freely. Manyeleti is prime “Big Five” territory, offering exceptional possibilities for viewing the elusive leopard. Other Big Five animals (lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant) are also often spotted on a very regular basis.

Spend your day enjoying the many activities Tintswalo Safari Lodge has to offer. From guided safaris, game drives, walking safaris, you will be sure to create unforgettable memories as you witness Africa’s breathtaking wildlife up close.

And the food! No meal is served in the same place – the African wilderness is your dining room! From bush breakfasts to stately meals served in the lavish dining room to casual lunches served on the deck to scrumptious barbeques prepared around the boma fire, under the African sky, meals at Tintswalo Safari Lodge are a adventure all on their own!

Take it all in and savor every moment on your last day in safari. Whether you choose to embark on one more adventure or simply relax by the pool and soak up the beauty of the African wilderness, or indulge in spa treatments, let this day leave you with unforgettable memories to carry home.

Later this morning, you will be met by your guide and driven to Hoedspruit Airport enjoying your final game drive and a light snack along the way. On arrival at Hoedspuit Airstrip, you will check in for your flight to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport and proceed to your departing gate. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport, you will be met by VIP Assistance, who will help you to check in for your departing flight, clear South African immigrations and customs controls and proceed to your onward gate for your flights home.

Meet your Guides

Sandy Salle is the owner and founder of Hills of Africa. A Zimbabwe native, she was born and raised in southern Africa. Now, with nearly 25 years of experience curating trips to Southern, Eastern, and Central Africa, you’d be hard pressed to find someone in the safari industry who doesn’t know Sandy or a camp that Sandy hasn’t visited. Sandy takes great pride in giving her clients the once-in-a-lifetime, magical African experience they’ll remember forever and she will charm you with her caring heart and excitement about sharing her homeland with you. 

Alistair Leuner is the Regional General Manager of safari products at Tintswalo Collection in South Africa and safari ranger. He has been a ranger for 19 years, working for many properties, such as: Timbavati, Sabi Sands, and Manyeleti. He has shown guests many animals in the African bush, including leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, rhinos, elephants, and his favorite, lions. His experience and warm personality adds a unique and special touch to any adventure.

Pricing

  • Adult Double Occupancy – $13,845.00 per person
  • Deposit per person due on booking: $4,150.00
  • Final Payment per person due on August 1, 2025: $9,695.00

Space is limited to 12 spots! So don’t wait to sign up!

 

*Double occupancy” means that the price of the trip is based on two people sharing the accomodations. There is currently not a single supplement option available. If you are a single joining our experience, we will assign a roommate. 

What's Included

  • 4 Nights at Tintswalo Atlantic
  • 3 Nights at Tintswalo at Siankaba
  • 4 Nights at Tintswalo Safari Lodge
  • VIP Meet & Greet – Cape Town Airport on arrival from USA and Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport on departure to USA
  • All road transfers
  • Charter flight from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to Manyeleti Airstrip
  • Cape Town – City Eats Walking Tour with Table Mountain Tour
  • Cape Town – Cape Peninsula Tour with Crofter’s Kitchen Meal
  • Cape Town – Cape Winelands, Full Day Tour
  • Cape Town – Chef Warehouse Dinner Experience – excludes gratuities
  • Victoria Falls – Tour of Victoria Falls, Private Guided
  • Victoria Falls – Elephant Encounter at Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage
  • Victoria Falls – Dusty Road Lunch Experience – excludes drinks and gratuities
  • National Park Fees, Conservation Levies, and Community Development

By staying at Tintswalo at Siankaba and Tintswalo Safari Lodge, you are directly contributing to tourism and conservation efforts to protect the people, wildlife, and environment.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and commercial domestic flights
  • All meals not mentioned in full itinerary documents
  • All activities not mentioned in full itinerary documents
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Excludes private game drive vehicle, unless otherwise specified in itinerary
  • Zimbabwe Tourist Visa(s)

What Past Travelers Are Saying

It was such an honor to have been a part of this amazing trip. Having you as our guide and seeing it through your eyes made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Kristin

I left my heart in southern Africa. Sandy created the most amazing, heart-centric journey to explore, eat, taste, and experience our way through South Africa and Zimbabwe. I can’t wait to show my clients and friends the beauty of the land, people, culture, and wildlife.

Debra

For questions, reach out to sandy@hillsofafrica.com.