+44 1920 330750WhatsApp us

England in South Africa · 12 nights · Cape Town Test

Cape Town & Safari

The New Year Test at Newlands, then the Big Five: five days on safari, with a full winelands day trip included.

Prices from £4,895 pp

Choose your package ↓Talk to a consultant
Where
Cape Town & Pilanesberg
When
28 December 2026 to 9 January 2027
Availability
On sale
Protection
TTA & ATOL: 100%

Third Test + safari

Cape Town & Pilanesberg

England’s South African tour reaches Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, where Table Mountain provides one of sport’s most stunning backdrops and five days of Test cricket unfold in a city offering world-class everything.

Then extend your adventure beyond the boundary with three nights at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg: authentic Big Five game viewing in a malaria-free reserve, with game drives at dawn and a floodlit waterhole after dark.

Photographing elephants from the Kwa Maritane waterhole hide.

Beyond the boundary

Five days of Test cricket at Newlands first, then out to the bush: game drives at dawn, the Big Five, and elephants at the waterhole while you eat dinner.

  • A Test match in play at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape TownNew Year at NewlandsFive days of Test cricket beneath Table Mountain.
  • Elephants crossing, seen from the game-drive vehicle.The Big FivePilanesberg from the game-drive vehicle.
  • The Paarl winelands, mountains behind the vines.The winelandsA full winelands day trip is included: Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with extensive wine tasting experiences.

What’s included

Everything, handled

  • Guaranteed reserved match seating for all five days of the 3rd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground

  • Five-day access to a full-hospitality suite directly behind the seats

  • Your hotels, all included:

    • 7 nights at the 5★ Southern Sun The Cullinan, King Room, B&B

    • 3 nights at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge on Full Board, including two game drives

  • Direct flights London Heathrow to Cape Town and Johannesburg to London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic; Cape Town to Johannesburg with Airlink

  • Return airport and match-day transportation in South Africa

  • Our signature Elite Sports Travel Test Preview Evening in Cape Town. Enjoy a selection of exquisite bites together with your choice of premium drinks, all in the company of some of the legends from the cricketing world.

  • Stunning New Year’s Eve event at Marble rooftop restaurant in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, overlooking the crowds below and with a perfect elevated view of the fireworks and celebrations. Evening includes a champagne welcome reception, a four-course gourmet meal, an exclusive selection of SA wines with dinner and of course a champagne toast at midnight.

  • Exclusive Elite Sports Travel merchandise

  • Elite Sports Travel tour managers in South Africa, and our concierge service

  • Multi-layered trip protection with ATOL & the Travel Trust Association

  • Flight upgrades on request · extend before the Test, after the safari, or both

The trip

Cricket, then wilderness

Core Package

From £4,895 ppbased on two sharing

  • Indirect Return Flights from London to Cape Town

  • 7 nights accommodation at 4* Hotel Sky in a Superior Room on Bed & Breakfast basis

  • Guaranteed reserved match seating for all 5 days of the 3rd Test England v South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground

  • Three nights' accommodation at 4* Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in an Executive Room on Full Board basis

  • Two game drives per day (you will have one on the evening of arrival and one the morning before departure)

  • Return Match Day Transportation

  • Return Airport transportation

  • Our signature Elite Sports Travel Test Preview Evening in Cape Town

  • Exclusive Elite Sports Travel merchandise

  • Elite Sports Travel Tour Managers in South Africa

  • Multi-layered trip protection with ATOL & Travel Trust Association

Talk to a consultant

Signature

From £6,895 ppbased on two sharing

  • 7 nights accommodation at 5* Capital 15 on Orange in a King Room on Bed & Breakfast basis

  • Guaranteed reserved match seating for all 5 days of the 3rd Test England v South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground

  • Full 4 day access to an outdoor full-hospitality suite facility, including complimentary bar with premier beverages, upscale buffet style meals at breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea

  • Three nights' accommodation at 4* Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in an Executive Room on Full Board basis

  • Two game drives per day (you will have one on the evening of arrival and one the morning before departure)

  • Multi-layered trip protection with ATOL & Travel Trust Association

  • Our signature Elite Sports Travel Test Preview Evening in Cape Town

  • Return Airport transportation

  • Indirect Return Flights from London to Cape Town

  • Return Match Day Transportation

  • Exclusive Elite Sports Travel merchandise

  • Elite Sports Travel Tour Managers in South Africa

Talk to a consultant

Where you stay

The waterfront, then the waterhole

Seven nights at the Cullinan on Cape Town’s waterfront, three at Kwa Maritane inside the reserve.

  • A King Room at Southern Sun The Cullinan.

    ★★★★★

    5★ Southern Sun The Cullinan

    Located on Cape Town’s vibrant waterfront precinct, Southern Sun The Cullinan offers the perfect base for cricket fans looking to combine world-class sport with one of the world’s most spectacular destinations.

    Ideally situated just minutes from the famous V&A Waterfront and a short drive from Newlands Cricket Ground, with easy access to both the city’s iconic attractions and the cricket.

  • The terrace at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg.

    ★★★★

    4★ Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge

    Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge offers an authentic Big Five safari experience in the heart of Pilanesberg National Park: malaria-free, and one of South Africa’s most accessible and scenic game reserves.

    Rooms are traditionally styled with African-inspired décor and private balconies, many overlooking a floodlit waterhole where elephants, rhinos and other animals come to drink through the day and night.

    The lodge sits inside the reserve itself, so the wildlife starts at your door. Between morning and evening game drives, relax by the pool with uninterrupted views of the bush.

My wife and I went with Elite Sports Travel to watch the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne. Elite Sports Travel tailored the package to meet our specific needs, as they did for everyone else in the tour party. No mean feat! All in all Elite Sports Travel made a holiday of a lifetime truly memorable. We’re already saving for the next Ashes Tour!
Terry Mahoney · 2025/26 Ashes Series

From £4,895 pp

Talk to a consultant