South Africa
December 22, 2022 - January 4, 2023
Join us on a 12 day, 11 night luxury adventure in South Africa and experience the country that birthed our groom and stole our bride's heart. This trip has been expertly curated and will be hosted by the team at Up in The Air Life. All accommodations, meals, and transportation listed below are covered within this price. Flights are not included. For any questions, please email: hello@upintheairlife.com with the Subject Line: Camp Madikane | South Africa.
December 22
Day One
Arrival to Johannesburg
Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Dinner at Four Seasons Hotel or Marabi
Welcome to South Africa! You arrive at Johannesburg Airport on your first day, where your private transfer will take you to the hotel. After doing check-in and resting up, the city is yours to explore with your crew!
After decades of decay, Jozi is changing rapidly to become a culturally rich city full of chic lofts, coffee shops, and creative hubs. It's a great place to experience South Africa's multifaceted culture in style. This city is one of the 50 largest urban areas globally, with an electrifying vibe that has a taste of Miami and LA's rich nightlife… but with a South African flare.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a delightful welcome dinner so we can connect with each other to kick off an amazing week.
67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Johannesburg
December 23
Day Two
Soweto Tour
Historical Tour of Nelson Mandela’s House
Guide disposal up to 8 hours
60 seater Coach up to 8 hours
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, you'll head to Soweto to travel back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history of one of Africa's most important movements. Soweto, short for South West Townships, is where political icons lived during the Apartheid, creating a turning point and fighting against the regime to become synonymous with resistance in 1976.
Siya grew up in Soweto and together we are taking a journey to learn about the area and share stories of childhood and what he remembers about Soweto.
Today you'll get to meet the locals, taste local cuisine as the popular Braai, and get an authentic experience exploring everyday life. Soweto has evolved, breaking through its history to develop as a cultural center in Johannesburg, evident in its historical monuments, museums, traditions, sounds, and colors.
After soaking up history and culture in the streets, take an intimate visit to Siya's Godfather's house, Nelson Mandela. Join the sentiment of mutual respect, reconciliation, and tolerance amongst South Africans and visitors from all over the world at Nelson Mandela's House.
Visiting the preserved home, you'll learn about the historical heritage and Mandela's family legacy in the country and right across the world. It is an emotional journey to connect with one of the most famous racial movements, a testimony to the family's struggles for freedom and equality.
For the evening, we’ll provide some recommendations for you to enjoy the highlights of Jozi! This city is your place to be classy, bougie, and a little ratchet. Fine dining, historical immersion, lit parties, trendy markets, and the multifaceted local culture are all waiting for you on your journey.
Christmas Eve
December 24
Day Three
Orphanage Visit
Gift Giving: Schools supplies, toys...
Guide disposal up to 8 hours
60 seater Coach up to 8 hours
On Christmas eve, we’ll visit the Orphanage where Siya grew up and is managed by The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund to donate gifts as school supplies, toys, and clothing. In this emotional experience, you'll learn about the mission and vision of the foundation and its responsibilities in the country as they shape the way society treats its children and youth.
After lots of laughs making your part contributing to the future of the Motherland, exploring a bit more around the city, and resting at the hotel, you'll celebrate Christmas Eve enjoying a delicious South African Braai’s 3-course meal at the Four Seasons Hotel. Dresscode? Dress to impress!
Braai is a must-have when in South Africa is the flavor-packed Afrikaans barbeque, a serious social institution in the country that every traveler needs to experience. The traditions around a braai can be considerably different from a barbecue, even if the method of food preparation is very similar.
A braai typically includes boerewors, sosaties, kebabs, marinated chicken, pork and lamb chops, steaks, sausages of different flavors and thicknesses, and possibly even racks of spareribs. For the veggies, the chef and team will prepare special dishes.
Christmas Day
December 25 - Day Four
After an evening to remember, it comes time to sleep in and rest up. Feel free to enjoy breakfast in bed at the hotel as you enjoy your beautiful and super comfortable hotel room.
Today you can connect with family, meet your new friends for lunch, or take a swim in the outdoor pool to enjoy the canopy of Jacaranda trees as they color the city with their fragrant purple blooms. Today is the perfect time to enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
The hotel hosts various restaurants where your taste buds will sing for the South African culinary delights and international flavors. If bougie traveling is your thing, enjoy a paired dinner in the cellar’s intimate dining room.
The hotel's nature-inspired spa boasts a haven of relaxation, offering a sauna, hot tub, and a selection of decadent treatments. Considering that most places will be closed for the holidays, it's still an excellent opportunity to explore the city for yourself at a different pace.
December 26-27
Day Five + Six
Transfer to Sun City Resort
Safari Game Drives
South African Braai’s In Safari
On December 26th, you'll venture out of Jozi to Sun City for two nights. In this beautiful area, you'll unwind and relax in world-class accommodations, mixed with an unparalleled Safari Experience in the Pilanesberg National Park.
It's Safari Time! Get ready for the game drives and explore around the area to view up close and personal the "The Big 5", an encounter with nature that can only be described as breathtaking. Forget the documentaries. You are the star as you journey deep into lands you've only ever seen on screen.
Some of the most beautiful scenery within the entire park can be viewed in the Mankwe Dam region. The dam is the largest body of water in the game reserve. This makes it the perfect place to spot a wide variety of animals. Water-buck, wildebeest, zebra, and impala are among the animals that make a stopover on the grassland bordering the dam.
After Game Drives and starring your own National Geographic show on the fields, you'll return to the luxurious lodge for relaxation & reflection with your friends and family.
December 28 - Day Seven
Transfer back to Johannesburg
After enjoying your last breakfast in the beautiful Sun City Resort, you’ll take your private transfer back to Johannesburg, where you’ll relax before the big day, and reflect on the time with nature.
Wedding Day
December 29 - Day Eight
Wedding transportation Shuttle to Sandton
Suggested pick up time from: 14h00 - 16h00
Transport from Wedding Venue to Hotel: from 21h00 - 00h00
60 seater coach SHUTTLE late-night: 21h00 - 01h00
Today is the most special day of your trip, meaning: wedding time! You’ll be able to sleep in or wake up early to enjoy the facilities or take your time to prepare for the reception. Dress to impress!
Your private shuttle will take you in the afternoon to the beautiful wedding venue at Sandton, a poppin’ neighborhood in Johannesburg where you’ll celebrate the special day. No worries about going back to the hotel, the shuttle will be available from 9 pm to 12 am for whenever you are ready to go, so give it all on the dance floor and let’s have those bottles poppin’!
December 30
Day Nine
Transfer from Hotel - Airport for the flight going to Capetown
Today, our private transfer will take you to the airport to continue our trip in the Motherland where you’ll explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world and rock out on NYE together. Cape Town is a fantastic port city on South Africa's southwest coast to explore the country's rich culture, nightlife, and the foodie scene!
Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay neighborhood in Cape Town is famous for its colorful homes, this spot has fast become a favorite for the Gram. Tucked beneath this poppin' town is a history that goes beyond its cheerful presence.
Your private guide will spill the tea on the best places to visit with your crew in the city. We'll have some dope recommendations!
Cape Town
December 30 - Day Ten
marly hotel - cape town - exploration day
Today the day is yours to explore the surroundings. The picturesque Camps Bay is a beautiful place to enjoy the white sand and blue water as you pursue trendy shops set against a backdrop of the gorgeous mountain range.
It shows a paradise spa for grooming and much-needed downtime. The hotel provides mountain and sea-facing rooms, three restaurants, and bar lounges with remarkable views and delicious culinary offerings. Anywhere in the facility is a great place to chill in style between sundowners.
New Years Eve
December 31 - Day Eleven
60 seater coach up to 8 hours
New Years Eve Party
You probably haven’t rested up after the wedding, so enjoy the views of the coast or the mountains from your hotel bedroom as you charge up for the New year’s eve party. The Marly Boutique Hotel and Spa is one of our favorites in Cape Town, where the warm and helpful staff will work to make your stay out of the world for a much-needed fresh start.
At night, your private shuttle will take you to the venue to celebrate New Years' Eve in the motherland. Definitely, a trip that you’ll never forget, so let loose between Champagne glasses and Cape Classique bottles to enjoy the big time, the best way to start the new year.
January 1
Day Twelve
Peninsula Tour
60 seater coach up to 8 hours
Guide up to 8 hours
Wake up to a beautiful day out of the city! The full-day tour begins right outside your hotel, soaking in the views of Cape Town before going through the scenic beauty and natural landscapes of South Africa's Cape Peninsula.
Learn about this region from your knowledgeable guide and experience the convenience of guided visits as well as the independence of solo sightseeing. Take your time; the Peninsula will be yours to explore.
The region falls within the Table Mountain National Park, world-renowned because of its incredible biodiversity. Nowadays, it's a protected nature reserve and home to diverse wildlife such as the antelope and the Cape mountain zebra. The place is also an excellent spot for bird sighting, so get your cameras ready!
Explore the shops in Hout Bay and see seals or stroll around the mariner wharf and harbor on an optional tour to Duiker Island, where the uber-friendly seals will pop up for a pat.
In Simon's Town, you can see playful African penguin families and explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve at your leisure. You might be spending time exploring the historic main street of Simons Town and popping into its shops and museums.
Your return trip to Cape Town even includes a stop at the colorful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The natural park lies at the foothills of Devil's peak and is renowned for its outstanding collection of plants and flowers from the Cape Floral Kingdom. If you want the rest of exploring after this long day, you may pop into the Kirstenbosch Tea Room for a delicious High Tea.
The tour ends late afternoon, and your private transfer will drop you off at your hotel around 18:00 pm. You might want to have dinner at the hotel and head to bed, or if you are up for a night out, the timing is ideal for your second wind!
January 2
Day Thirteen
LATE AFTERNOON WINE TASTING TOUR + DINNER
60 seater coach up to 8 hours
Guide up to 8 hours
South Africa is not only popular because of the game drives and fashionable cities, so get ready to level up your wine game in the Motherland!
Today, we'll head 45 minutes from Cape Town to the home of the world's first bottled Pinotage and one of the oldest vineyards in the Western Cape, dating back to the 17th century. The homestead was transformed into a manor house in 1959 – reminiscent of the traditional French way of fusing a country hotel and wine estate. Today, the iconic property hosts an elegant five-star Country hotel, acclaimed bars, restaurants, and Deli, a remarkable tasting venue, and a chic day spa.
Lanzerac has been cultivating award-winning wines for decades. This is truly your chance to be bougie and get those bottles poppin' as you enjoy this beautiful property, experience a guided cellar tour, and finally, enjoy your lunch with wine pairings in a truly fantastic gastronomy experience.
January 3
Day Fourteen
Free Day
60 seater coach up to 8 hours
Guide up to 8 hours
Today the day is yours to explore in the Mother City! From day shopping and bar hopping to exploring the famous Table Mountain, prepare for a scenic ride to take in the views of the city and the Western Cape Coastline.
For the evening, your private guide will provide some recommendations for you to enjoy Cape Town’s highlights for history buffs, sightseeing, and bottle poppin’ in the most trendy clubs.
January 4
Day Fifteen
Transport from Hotel - Airport
60 seater coach with guide
Today is your last morning at the hotel! Your private drivers will sadly whisk you away to the airport.