Cosmopolitan Johannesburg is the jumping-off point for most South African safaris. The city of four million is a vibrant mélange of colors and cultures. Food and music are central to life in ‘Joburg,’ and its clubs and pubs are an integral part of the social fabric. Tour Soweto or visit the Apartheid Museum to gain a deeper understanding of Johannesburg’s history, travails and rich multicultural heritage.

Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering Botswana, is a prime wildlife safari destination, and among the largest wildlife reserves in South Africa. Lying within the transition zone between the Lowveld and the Kalahari thornveld, it is ideally situated to attract an incredible diversity of large and small game. The reserve is home to 66 mammal species, including all of the Big Five, and more than 300 resident and migrant bird species. Plus, without prevalent malaria it is a wonderful destination for families.

Sabi Sand is one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife locales. This private 150,000-acre reserve shares a border with Kruger National Park and is named for the two rivers that flow through it. Renowned for its excellent “Big Five” viewing—the elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and abundant leopard, which were once favorite hunting targets—Sabi Sand has led the way in bringing them back.

Located at the Southern tip of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, Cape Town and the Western Cape are strikingly beautiful. At the foot of Table Mountain, the city of 3 million is a charismatic blend of cultures, renowned for its scenic setting, creative cuisine and world-class local wines. Outside the city, enjoy spectacular beaches, sheer sea cliffs along the Cape of Good Hope, and wildlife encounters from penguins to sharks.

Your safari adventure ends today in Cape Town, South Africa.