Essential Southern Africa Itinerary

At the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. It is blessed with a rich history and culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, breath-taking landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders. The bustling harbor, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings and diverse flora and fauna consistently captivates all who visit.

Arrive into Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

Transfer to the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands.

Enjoy a visit to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Nelson Mandela spent years in incarceration, or a walking food tour to introduce some essentials of South African food and drink. Forage for lunch at the V & A Food Market, before setting off on a tour of the city and Bo-Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, on the slopes of Signal Hill, where your day ends with a cocktail watching the sun set over the Mother City and Table Bay.

Enjoy a day trip around the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point, taking in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, picking up a picnic lunch in the fishing village of Kalk Bay before visiting the famous penguins of Boulders Beach. Time permitting, take the breath-takingly beautiful hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope, before returning to the city via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak drive, which snakes along the coast in the shadow of Table Mountain.

Day is at leisure. Activities at your hotel include spa treatments, guided garden walks, wine tastings and more. Top local experiences are within walking distance or a short drive away.

Transfer to Cape Town airport. Take a scheduled flight to Skukuza Airport. Transfer to Savanna Lodge In the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is a private premier game viewing destination. It was the first ever private nature reserve established in South Africa. The landscape features 65,000 hectares of savannah-covered land interspersed with watering holes, dry riverbeds, lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers.

This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities with frequent sightings of the renowned Big Five as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of antelope. Visitors can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, dining under the stars, guided bush walks and enjoying a stay in some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges.

Transfer to Skukuza Airport. Take a scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

Transfer to the Maslow Hotel.

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater to all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.

Take a full day tour of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

Private transfer to Johannesburg Airport. Scheduled flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Private Transfer to Victoria Falls Safari Club.

Upon settling in, you will find complimentary afternoon tea and pastries, or sundowners and canapés served before your evening meal at the Boma, which begins with a mouth-watering platter of starters while the buffet includes soup from the campfire, a range of salads, game meat cooked on a braai (barbecue), followed by desserts. You can also look forward to outstanding performances by traditional singers and dancers, and enjoy an energizing interactive drumming show. A face painter, storyteller, hair braider and fortune teller also form part of this festive evening.

Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travelers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two-thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or microlights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodations and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

Take a private tour of Victoria Falls.

Lunch will be at the Look-Out Café.

Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Dinner is at Makuwa-Kuwa Restaurant.

Take a private transfer to the Botswana border post at Kazungula and then take the
lodge vehicle transfer to Chobe Forest Reserve.

The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, and borders the western boundary of the park. The Chobe Forest Reserve is renowned for its outstanding wildlife, in particular the famous Chobe Elephants.

Due to its location in the Chobe Forest Reserve, the lodge can offer night drives. Activities include a full day safari comprising a drive in the Chobe National Park, a cruise and a picnic lunch, day or night drives, walks and birding. Visits to the local village may also be arranged. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them.

Lodge vehicle transfer to Kasane Airport (BBK).