There’s an indescribable magic to Southern Africa. Maybe because it’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, or the magnificent creators that have roamed its native lands for thousands of years. Either way, you have to see it to believe it, and on this journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana you absolutely will. From the vast landscapes of Kruger National Park to the thundering waters of Victoria Falls, your adventure will be filled with nothing but discovery. You’ll see the lush green of the Okavango Delta, and search for the African “big five” as you go on safari through the best wildlife reserves in the region. But Southern Africa is so much more than just its wilderness, and visits to its vibrant cities will show exactly that.
Day 1 Cape Town
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2 Cape Town
Get to know Cape Town as you wander through the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood in the morning. Embark on a guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and stop at Boulders Beach to see the resident penguins. Finish the day at the southwestern most point in Africa, the Cape of Good Hope.
Day 3 Cape Town
Take advantage of a free day in Cape Town, choose to hike up Table Mountain, or take a cable car to the summit for epic views of the city below. If you want more of a leisurely day head to Cape Winelands and visit Stellenbosch where you can indulge in wine tastings and pairings.
Day 4 Cape Town/Johannesburg
Board a flight to Johannesburg. Once there, take a guided tour of Soweto township, an important centre of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to Nelson Mandela. For dinner indulge in a traditional South African braai (barbecue) with your group.
Day 5 Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Enjoy a scenic drive along the famed Panorama Route with stops at Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and God's Window. Continue to our tented camp located near the Kruger National Park and this evening enjoy a delicious South African dinner in the boma.
Day 6 Kruger National Park
Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive through Kruger National Park in an open vehicle. Take in views of the abundant wildlife including elephants, lions, and giraffe. In the late afternoon, return to the lodge where you can relax on the deck with views of the surrounding area.
Day 7 Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Continue on to a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger area. This afternoon, meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project who will share fascinating information about their efforts to protect cheetahs and other carnivores. After, the researcher will join us on our evening wildlife safari drive.
Day 8 Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Enjoy early morning and afternoon safari drives with our local guides, searching for buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos – Africa's famed "big five". In our down time, relax at the camp, take a walk around the grounds, or enjoy a cool drink on the deck.
Day 9 Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg
After one last wildlife safari drive, head back to the city. In the evening, enjoy dinner at our local guest house.
Day 10 Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
Catch a flight to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Visit a nearby village and go grocery shopping in the bustling market. Then sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you picked out, and hear stories about local life and culture.
Day 11 Victoria Falls
Tour the magnificent Victoria Falls today, then opt for a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, soar above the falls in a helicopter, or take a day trip to Chobe National Park.
Day 12 Victoria Falls
Spend the day getting to know Victoria Falls with a variety of optional activities and adventures. Zip line over the Zambezi River, float down the river on a relaxing sunset cruise, or walk some of the surrounding paths and feel the spray of the fierce falls on your face.
Day 13 Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
The morning is yours to get to know Victoria Falls. Perhaps you’ll choose to go on a guided tour of these magnificent falls and UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, the group will travel to the headquarters of the Painted Dog Conservation where you’ll listen to a talk about the efforts of this organization to protect and rehabilitate injured African wild dogs. Then enjoy a safari into Hwange National Park which happened to be an important elephant sanctuary in Zimbabwe and one of the largest wildlife reserves.
Day 14 Hwange National Park
Enjoy a full-day safari through the grasslands of Hwange National Park. Spend time tracking elephant, buffalo herds, giraffes, lions, and zebras that call this place home. As the day comes to a close, take some time to unwind on the deck of the lodge and keep a lookout for more wild animals at the lodge’s watering hole.
Day 15 Hwange/Chobe NP
Leave Hwange and its animals behind to travel north where the group will cross the border into Botswana to arrive in Kasane. Kasane happens to be known as the entryway of Chobe National Park. Relax into the lodge you’ll be staying in before hopping on a boat safari along the Chobe River which winds through the park. Search for hippos and crocodiles hiding in the water, elephants taking a bath, and the variety of birdlife that call the banks of the river home. If you’re lucky the sunset over the river from the boat’s deck will be spectacular.
Day 16 Chobe NP
There’s always more to see in Chobe National Park which is why you’ll head out on another safari this morning along the banks of the river. See how many different kinds of wildlife you can spot before finishing back at the lodge. For the rest of the day you can choose to relax or embark on another river safari, but this time on a specialized photography boat.
Day 17 Kasane/Okavango Delta
Hop on a short flight to the heart of the Okavango Delta. You'll be transported to the remote camp by mokoro (dugout canoe). As you glide through the waterways search for the area's wildlife, then take some time to relax and get settled at the camp. Enjoy some lunch before embarking on a wildlife cruise through the delta. In the evening have a sundowner on the deck back at camp before a dinner beneath the stars.
Day 18 Okavango Delta
Today the group will set out into the Okavango Delta with expert local guides. Spot wildlife the mokoro navigates the channels of the river. In the evening relax and explore the bush camp before enjoying a three-course meal around the campfire as you listen to the sounds of the delta.
Day 19 Okavango Delta
The group will go on two wildlife excursions today in the afternoon and morning on foot, boat, or by jeep. In between take advantage of free time to swim, relax on the deck, or enjoy other camp amenities.
Day 20 Okavango Delta/Maun
Enjoy an early morning wildlife excursion and then board a short flight to Maun. Once there you will learn about the Okavango Wilderness Project. The group will watch the documentary, "Into the Okavango" and learn more about delta conservation projects in the area. In the evening experience a storytelling session given by celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Her work is preserving Botswana's literary heritage while providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Cap off the night with a meal of traditional foods around a warm fire.
Day 21 Maun
Depart at any time.
Southern Africa: Cape Town to Botswana
- Your Foodie Moment: Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue), Johannesburg Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls
- Arrival transfer
- Excursion to Cape Point and Boulders Beach
- Soweto tour
- Panorama Route scenic drive
- Private nature reserve wildlife safari drives in open vehicles
- Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks
- Tour of Victoria Falls
- Chobe boat safari
- Wildlife excursions by boat and on foot in the Okavango Delta
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- 20 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 15 dinners
|
Reference : GAH