Discover the ultimate running adventure on Run Safari South Africa. Experience the best of both worlds as you explore the breath-taking landscapes of Cape Town and the thrilling wilderness of Amakhala Game Reserve. Over 9 days, you'll embark on 5 carefully planned runs, including ascents up Table Mountain and exhilarating trails among the Big 5. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural beauty of South Africa, from the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to the serene Woodbury Tented Camp in the heart of the reserve. This unique Safari is designed to challenge and inspire, offering an unforgettable journey through some of South Africa's most iconic destinations.

HIghlights

Your legacy

By joining the Run Safari, 5% of your tour price is directly allocated to the Amakhala Foundation.  This is five times the contribution of the standard conservation levy other visitors to Amakhala contribute. By coming on Run Safari South Africa, you become part of a community of runners who have become involved in conservation in the Eastern Cape since the first Run Safari in 2019. Your contribution helps to drive the conservation dream forward, rewilding ever greater areas – developing a sustainable conservation and socio-economic model for future generations.

Day 1: 9 September, Radisson Red, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Arrival and Welcome at Gold Restaurant

Upon your arrival, enjoy a seamless transition with our airport collection service. Check into the Radisson Red and take some time to explore the vibrant V&A Waterfront. We'll gather for a welcome drink on the Radisson's stunning top-floor deck, setting the tone for the adventure ahead.

At 6 pm, we'll stroll to the Gold Restaurant for an unforgettable welcome to Africa. Kick off the evening with an interactive drumming experience, followed by a 13-course culinary journey across the continent, accompanied by singing and dancing entertainment.

What's Included:

• Bed and breakfast at Radisson Red

• Interactive drumming, Malian dancing extravaganza, and 13-course African feast at Gold Restaurant (drinks included within reason)

• Airport transfer (If you arrive before Day 1, we'll collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel. You can then Uber to the Radisson to join the Run Safari, you will have a sense of Cape Town by then!)

• Welcome drink on the Radisson Red deck before departing to Gold Restaurant

What's Not Included:

• Any additional activities or expenses not listed

Day 2: 10 September, Radisson Red, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Table Mountain, 12 Apostles, Chapman's Peak Drive, Sunset Cruise

Start your day with an early ascent of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, running along the stunning tabletop path and descending via Smuts Track and Echo Ravine to the dams that once supplied water to the city. We’ll head down Kasteelspoort (Castle Gorge) to meet our bus at the top of Camps Bay. From there we’ll enjoy a scenic drive beneath the 12 Apostles, past Llandudno, up Chapman's Peak Drive above Hout Bay, and over to Noordhoek Beach. Enjoy lunch in Noordhoek before returning to the city via Ou Kaapse Weg with a view over the Constantia wine farms and Cape Town suburbia.  For the road runners, Chapman’s Peak drive is part of The Two Oceans Ultra route, with Ou Kaapse Weg included in some years.

Back at the hotel, it is a free evening.  There may be time to jump on a sundowner cruise out into Table Bay if the weather is good, or hop on the informative harbour cruise.  There are lots and lots of restaurants to choose from.

What's Included:

• Bed and breakfast at Radisson Red

• Guided run on Table Mountain with a photographer

• Afternoon bus tour with lunch

What's Not Included:

• Dinner or a cruise

Day 3: 11 September, Radisson Red, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Boyes Drive Run, Muizenberg Beach Swim, Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape Point Nature Reserve

Begin your day with a sunrise run along Boyes Drive, overlooking the stunning False Bay. (False Bay derived its name from early confusion with sailors believing they had arrived in Table Bay - the home of the city bowl and main port.) Afterward, we’ll grab a coffee and maybe a snack and cool off with a swim at Muizenberg Beach, famous for its colourful beach huts and a Guinness World Record for most surfers on a single wave. Next, visit the charming Boulders Penguin Colony before heading to Cape Point Nature Reserve for breathtaking views from the lighthouse and a walk to the Cape of Good Hope.

From there we’ll join the coolest trail crew in town, Tuesday Trails, for an evening run along whatever trail they have planned for that week, followed by a local-style dinner on our way back to the Waterfront.

What's Included:

• Bed and breakfast at Radisson Red

• Guided run on Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay Harbour, St James to Muizenberg seaside path

• Full-day bus tour with lunch and post-run coffee

• Contribution to Tuesday Trails & Jack Black Pint for a Purpose

• Dinner, including 1 to 2 drinks (soft or alcoholic)

What's Not Included:

• Any additional activities or expenses not listed

Day 4: 12 September, 107 Dorpstraat Boutique Hotel, Stellenbosch

Wine Country Run and Wine Tasting Experience

Your journey continues to the picturesque Cape Winelands, where you'll stay at the luxurious 107 Dorpstraat Boutique Hotel in Stellenbosch. Start your day with a refreshing morning run through the lush vineyards of Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.

In the afternoon, indulge in a wine-tasting tour of Stellenbosch's renowned wine estates, where you'll savour the region's finest wines paired with gourmet local cuisine. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the hotel.

What's Included:

• Bed and breakfast at 107 Dorpstraat Boutique Hotel

• Guided run in Jonkershoek with guide and photographer

• Wine tasting and lunch at a wine estate

What's Not Included:

• Dinner

Day 5: 13 September, Woodbury Tented Camp, Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Safari Introduction and Afternoon Big 5 Game Drive

After an early breakfast, bid farewell to the Cape Winelands and embark on a journey to the Eastern Cape. A 90-minute flight will take you to the gateway of your safari adventure in the Amakhala Game Reserve. There will be a 1-hour transfer drive from the airport to our camp. Keep your eyes peeled once you enter the reserve, you never know what you might see along the way. Upon arrival, settle into the comfortable Woodbury Tented Camp, your home for the next four nights.

In the afternoon, prepare for your first encounter with Africa's wildlife on a thrilling game drive, or to be reunited with the sights and sounds of the bush if you’ve experienced it before. As the sun sets and we stop for a sundowner, experience the magic of the African bush, where every moment is an opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife. Return to the camp for a cozy evening by the fire and a delicious dinner, sharing stories of the day's sightings.

What's Included:

• Full board at Woodbury Tented Camp, including drinks

• Afternoon game drive

• Airport and safari transfers

What's Not Included:

• Selected premium and imported drinks

Day 6: 14 September, Woodbury Tented Camp, Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Run Among the Big 5 and Game Drives on the Reserve

Awake to the sounds of the African bush and fuel up with breakfast before embarking on an exhilarating run among the Big 5. During our run, your safety and the animals' safety are what matters most. The Runcation and Reserve Operations team will be keeping a close eye on where the lions, buffalo and elephants are moving so we can adjust your route if needed - this has happened before! We’ll have vehicles patrolling ahead of and behind the runners operating as mobile aid stations as well as safe havens if we need to pause the run. If a pause is required, we'll either wait for the coast to clear or reroute to where it's safe to run. The safety crew is there to ensure you can fully immerse yourself in the wildness of Africa.

After your run, relax by the lodge pool or in your tent, soaking in the serenity of the reserve and watching over the area where you ran that morning. In the afternoon, venture out on another game drive, deepening your connection with the African wilderness, knowing just a few hours before you were out there on foot. This is a feeling so few people will ever have, a day to be treasured. End the day with a celebration around the fire, sharing stories and savouring a delicious dinner under the stars.

What's Included:

• Full board at Woodbury Tented Camp, including drinks

• Morning run among the Big 5

• Afternoon game drive

What's Not Included:

• Selected premium and imported drinks

Day 7: 15 September, Woodbury Tented Camp, Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Classic Safari Day

Experience the quintessential safari day with morning and evening game drives, immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the African bush. Enjoy a leisurely day at the lodge, with ample time for reading, napping, and simply soaking in the serene surroundings.

Conclude your day with a relaxed evening around the fire, exchanging stories and experiences with fellow guests.

What's Included:

• Full board at Woodbury Tented Camp, including drinks

• Morning and evening game drives

What's Not Included:

• Selected premium and imported drinks

Day 8: 16 September, Woodbury Tented Camp, Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Game Drives, guided walk among big 5 and Dinner on reserve

This morning offers a new active adventure.  A closer, more intimate encounter with the wildlife and environment during a guided walk on the reserve. Your guides will lead you through the bush, sharing insights into the behaviour of animals, the intricacies of the ecosystem, and the sensory experiences of the African wilderness.  On the walk, the chances of getting closer to wildlife for longer periods, is higher than on the run two days ago.

The day culminates with a game drive arriving at The Bush Braai for a memorable farewell dinner cooked over an open fire in the heart of the reserve under the starlit sky, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.  Enjoy a night drive back to the lodge to cap it all off.

What's Included:

• Full board at Woodbury Tented Camp, including drinks

• Morning and afternoon game drive

• Guided walk on reserve

• Farewell braai dinner in the middle of the reserve

What's Not Included:

• Selected premium and imported drinks

Day 9: 17 September, Woodbury Tented Camp, Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Morning Game Drive and Departure

Your final morning at Amakhala begins with an early game drive, offering one last chance to witness the majestic wildlife of the reserve. As you traverse the bush, savour the final moments of connection with the African wilderness.

After the game drive, return to the camp for breakfast and bid farewell to the serene landscapes that have been your home for the past few days. Your transfer to Gqeberha airport awaits to take you on the next leg of your journey, whether it's heading home or embarking on another adventure. Reflect on the unforgettable experiences and the lasting impact of your safari as you prepare to depart.

What's Included:

• Morning game drive

• Airport transfer

Tour Inclusions, Exclusions, and Pricing

Inclusions:

• 3 nights at Radisson Red in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, including bed and breakfast.

• 1 night at 107 Dorpstraat Boutique Hotel in Stellenbosch, including bed and breakfast.

• 4 nights at Woodbury Tented Camp in Amakhala Game Reserve, including all meals and local beverages.

• Morning and afternoon game drives daily at Amakhala Game Reserve.

• Two guided runs within Cape Town day tours, lunch included.

• Guided run in Jonkershoek with a photographer.

• Two guided runs in Amakhala Game Reserve.

• One guided walk on Amakhala Game Reserve.

• Participation in Tuesday Trails with a contribution to Pint for a Purpose on your behalf.

• A 13-course African dinner and interactive drumming and dancing at Gold Restaurant.

• Wine farm tour, tasting, and lunch in the Cape Winelands.

• An evening bush braai in the game reserve.

• Return airport transfers to Amakhala Game Reserve from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) airport.

• Flight from Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

• 5% of the tour package donated to conservation and socio-economic development in the Eastern Cape.

Exclusions:

• Visas, travel insurance, and flights other than the listed Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) flight on day 5.

• Lunches and dinners not mentioned above.

• All drinks not mentioned above.

• Optional activities.

• Items of a personal nature.

• Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.

• Any other services not mentioned above.

Pricing:

• The total price for the Run Safari South Africa experience is $4,500 USD per person sharing.

• A deposit of $500 USD per person is required to secure your booking.

• Price is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

• Individual variations from the above itinerary, as well as the final group size, may incur additional costs.

• Reservation can only be guaranteed once payment has been received, and the minimum group size has been reached.

• Deposits are refundable if minimum group size is not reached.

Travel Admin:

• Please do not book flights until we confirm minimum group size has been reached.

• We will endeavour to arrange the Run Safari on smaller numbers if required, keeping you informed.

• Custom arrangements are possible for groups of 6 or larger.

• Please make sure you arrive in Cape Town to check in and freshen up before 6pm, when we leave for Gold Restaurant.

• Do not book your flights out of Port Elizabeth at the end of the safari before 2pm.

• Any private transfers required will incur additional costs

This comprehensive package offers an unparalleled adventure through South Africa's most stunning landscapes, combining the thrill of trail running with the awe-inspiring beauty of safari. Your participation not only promises an unforgettable journey but also contributes to the vital conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape.