Wild at Heart: A Journey Through Legacy, Land & the Soul of South Africa
Live history. Touch the wild. Rise above it all.
Wild at Heart is a premium, fully curated escape for those who crave more than rest — they crave depth, presence and the raw beauty of being alive.
Spanning Johannesburg’s vibrant heart, the timeless mountains of Magaliesberg and the untamed wilderness of Bela Bela’s private reserves, this journey is a heady blend of soulful encounters, cultural truth, barefoot luxury and adrenaline-charged experiences.
Crafted for Wild Bears — bold souls with an appetite for meaning — this escape combines refined travel with untamed adventure, all delivered with discreet excellence, intimate scale and world-class hosting.
Day 1: Arrival at Africlassic – River Tranquillity in the City
* Please note that we adapt the itinerary to your preferences
Begin your journey in the quiet beauty of the Africlassic River Lodge, nestled along the Jukskei River in Johannesburg. Elegant, peaceful and brimming with charm, the lodge is a sanctuary of traditional African design and riverside comfort.
After arrival, settle in with a welcome cocktail before sitting down to a private gourmet dinner, curated by Wild Bear’s own Chef Julie — a celebrated culinary artisan whose dishes tell stories of the land and its people.
This is your first taste of South Africa: intimate, flavourful and deeply rooted.
Day 2: Soweto | Legacy, Courage & Community
This is heritage through human connection — honest, vivid, unforgettable.
Venture into the iconic heart of South Africa — Soweto — for a private tour through the powerful, living history of Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Walk the steps of the struggle, visit the Mandela House Museum, and feel the weight and pride of South Africa’s transformation beneath your feet.
Enjoy a traditional township lunch, bursting with local flavours and hospitality, before returning to Africlassic.
In the evening, a thoughtful dinner back at the lodge invites open dialogue. Share stories, reflect on the experience, or simply enjoy the warm night air with a glass of Cape wine.
Day 3: Magaliesberg Magic | Air, Earth & Culture
Rise before sunrise for a bucket-list moment: hot air ballooning over the Magaliesberg mountains, the oldest mountain range on Earth. As the sky glows gold and the bush comes alive below, you'll float in silence above it all — wild, weightless and awake.
After landing, you’ll enjoy a champagne breakfast in the veld, followed by a visit to a local African artisan market. Shop for handmade leatherwork, fabrics, beadwork and art — each piece a reflection of craftsmanship and identity.
In the afternoon, choose your challenge:
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Zipline across Magaliesberg’s forested gorges, or
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Climb ancient cliffs with a private guide, where the only sound is wind, birdsong and your own breath.
Return to Africlassic for a final evening of comfort and cuisine before the wilderness chapter begins.
Days 4–9: Private Safari Luxury in Bela Bela
You’ll be driven north to your new base: an exclusive private house on a Big 5 game reserve in the lush savannahs of Bela Bela.
This is wild luxury at its best — elegant bedrooms, open-plan living, a private chef. private host, pool, and uninterrupted views of the bush. No crowds. No fences. Just you, the land and the wild.
Included Experiences:
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Twice-daily private game drives with expert rangers and trackers
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Guided bush walks, perfect for photographing wildlife on foot
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Traditional boma dinners under the stars
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Golf at Zebula or Elements Estate, set among mountains and wildlife
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* Skydiving above the bushveld – a once-in-a-lifetime thrill in the open skies of Limpopo
Optional add-ons: stargazing safaris, conservation talks, bushveld yoga, or just pure relaxation
Here, you’ll feel both grounded and elevated, moved by silence and stirred by the primal rhythm of Africa’s wild.
Day 10: Departure
After one final bush breakfast and morning game drive, you’ll be escorted back to Johannesburg for your international departure — changed, elevated and carrying far more than you came with.
Why Wild at Heart?
Because adventure doesn’t need to be noisy.
Because luxury doesn’t mean excess.
Because true connection — to culture, to nature, to yourself — lives in the places that challenge and nourish in equal measure.
Wild at Heart is for the curious, the bold and the grounded.
It’s not about escape. It’s about arrival — to your senses, to your surroundings, to your self.
You don’t just visit South Africa. You feel it. Deeply. Wildly. Honestly.
Your Luxury Accommodation
Depending on the size of the group we have the following options for your stay at the private game reserve.
Some basic info to be aware of...
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Itinerary is subject to change for unforeseen circumstances that may be out of our control like the weather, for skydiving or hot air ballooning.
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Minimum booking group number of four (4) people.
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Maximum Group booking of sixteen (16) people
What's included:
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All accommodation during your stay with us
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All catered meals and available local soft drinks and alcohol at the venues where you staying - except when dining out)
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All listed included activities in the package
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All transfers associated with the package. i.e collection from the airport, travel to the activates and transferred to each location included in the package
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Minimum booking group number of four people.
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Maximum Group booking of 16 people
What's NOT included:
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Flights to and from South Africa
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Travel insurance (Wild Bear Adventures are full insured as a tour operator and our activity partners are insured too. * see terms and conditions)
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Meals and Drinks that outside of board basis
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Tips and Gratuities:These are not included and are at the traveler's discretion