A Taste of South Africa with Victoria Falls

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 Cape Town
• 3 Cape Town
• 4 Cape Town
• Optional Excursion: Cape Point & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• 5 Cape Town
• Optional Excursion: Cape Winelands & Robben Island
• 6 Cape Town & Greater Mabula Game Reserve
• 7 Greater Mabula Game Reserve
• 8 Greater Mabula Game Reserve & Johannesburg
• 9 Johannesburg & Victoria Falls
• 10 Victoria Falls
• Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park (purchased locally), $185
• 11 Depart Victoria Falls

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

• Depart New York on your overnight flight for Cape Town via Johannesburg

Day 2 Cape Town

• Arrive in Cape Town, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel
• Remainder of day at leisure

Radisson RED Cape Town

Full Day Itinerary

Sawubona (welcome)! Arrive today in Cape Town, a beautiful jewel nestled between stunning Table Mountain and a dramatic coastline. Cape Town is a modern, bustling and vibrant city boasting gorgeous scenery, fabulous restaurants, hotels and beaches, and is bursting with history and culture. Upon arrival at Cape Town's airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 3 Cape Town

• Morning township tour
• Enjoy a traditional Cape Malay lunch
• Afternoon panoramic city tour of the scenic and historic highlights
• Weather permitting, cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain

Radisson RED Cape Town Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

Your exploration of Cape Town begins with a morning tour to the townships of Langa, Bonteheuwel, and Gugulethu. Drive through Gugulethu and see the memorials dedicated to anti-apartheid activists, the Gugulethu Seven and Amy Biehl. Arrive in Langa for a walking tour with a local guide who will tell you about the community's cultural traditions and rituals. Meet a local in their home and hear their stories about daily life in the township. Visit a community center and learn about the programs they have in place. Stop at a former men's hostel that has been renovated to accommodate families. Previously 6 to 8 families would share a room, thanks to the renovations only 2 families share a room now. See what life here was like previously, and how it has been improved today. Then, drive through Bontheheuwel to a local cafe for a typical lunch full of local favorites such as samoosa - pastries with savory fillings, traditional Cape Malay curry, and koeksisters - a sticky donut treat often flavored with homemade sugar syrup and sprinkled with coconut. Afterwards, head to District Six, a former inner-city residential area that is now a mostly vacant lot. During the sixties and seventies, over 60,000 residents were forced to leave by the apartheid regime. Continue to the District Six Museum, where a former resident will guide you through the exhibit.

Return to Cape Town to enjoy a panoramic city tour showcasing the scenic and historic highlights of this vibrant city. Weather permitting, ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most striking landmark. Proceed to the country's oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, an imposing 17th century Dutch fort set against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain.

(If the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed due to maintenance or inclement weather, visit Signal Hill instead)

Continue to the Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap). Lined with brightly colored houses and decorative mosques, this historic neighborhood was founded by former slaves from Malaysia whose Islamic culture gives the neighborhood a distinct character and contributes to Cape Town's rich cultural diversity.

Day 4 Cape Town

• Day at leisure to explore Cape Town, or participate in an exciting optional tour of Cape Point

Radisson RED Cape Town Breakfast

Optional Excursion: Cape Point & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Your trip to Cape Point begins this morning with a scenic drive past secluded coves, beautiful beach towns and spectacular mountain scenery. Stop at famous Chapman's Peak. Enter the nature reserve that covers the southern part of the Peninsula, and drive through the unique scenery towards Cape Point. Travel by funicular railway to Cape Point where you can take in stunning views of the Cape of Good Hope. 

Later, make a brief stop to visit the African jackass penguins at Boulders Beach, and then continue to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you'll enjoy a magnificent display of indigenous South African flora.

Day 5 Cape Town

• Last day to explore Cape Town at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Cape Town's famous wine region and Robben Island

Radisson RED Cape Town Breakfast

Optional Excursion: Cape Winelands & Robben Island

This morning, depart by ferry from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years of his incarceration. See the island's facilities and learn its history on a tour, guided by a former political prisoner. This afternoon, head to the heart of the Cape Winelands. Explore fine art galleries, architecture, history, and curious and quaint shops. But first, take a leisurely drive to get acquainted with the beauty of this world-renowned region, before venturing into the wine-making process in a fascinating cellar tour with wine tasting. Depending on availability of the ferry tickets, the itinerary of this excursion may be reversed or the excursion may be operated on Day 4.

If the ferries to Robben Island are not operating due to poor weather conditions, a Township tour will be provided instead, followed by the above scheduled Cape Winelands tour.

Note: Ferry tickets to Robben Island are limited and may not be available locally. We strongly recommend prepaying for the optional excursions package, which includes Cape Winelands & Robben Island. Regretfully, we cannot pre-sell the excursions individually.  Prices for locally purchased tours are subject to change as park fees and fuel can increase without advance notice.

Day 6 Cape Town & Greater Mabula Game Reserve

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg
• Transfer to the Greater Mabula Game Reserve
• Late afternoon head out for your first game drive
• Check in at hotel after game drive and enjoy dinner at the lodge

Safari Plains Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Once there, you will be met and transferred to the Greater Mabula Game Reserve. Upon arrival at Safari Plains in the late afternoon, switch to open vehicles for your first game drive with an expert ranger, ending at the lodge, in time for check-in and dinner. Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountains, this Big Five private game reserve is home to 300 bird species, 60 mammals, and numerous plants, reptile and insect species.

Day 7 Greater Mabula Game Reserve

• Early wake-up call and second game drive
• Return to lodge for breakfast and balance of day at leisure or optional excursions such as horseback riding, bush walks, or helicopter flights (available locally for extra cost)
• Later this afternoon set out on your third game drive

Safari Plains Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After an early wake-up call, depart on your second game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing at the lodge, or take part in other optional activities such as horse riding, bush walks, or helicopter flights, available for purchase locally. In the late afternoon, set off, once again, for your third game drive.

Day 8 Greater Mabula Game Reserve & Johannesburg

• Early wake-up call and fourth and final game drive
• Return to lodge for breakfast and some time to relax
• Late morning transfer to your hotel for check-in

Peermont Metcourt Hotel Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, wake up early for your fourth and final game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some time to relax. In the late morning, you will be transferred back to Johannesburg to check into your hotel. En route, enjoy a panoramic tour of Pretoria, passing by the Union Buildings and courts.

The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 9 Johannesburg & Victoria Falls

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• After customs formalities, local guide transfer to your hotel
• Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

A'Zambezi River Lodge Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer back to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Upon arrival and after customs formalities, you will be greeted by your local guide. Check into your hotel and later, experience the glorious falls from an up-close vantage point as you set sail on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Be on the look-out for hippos, monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles that frequent the waters and the surrounding areas.

Day 10 Victoria Falls

• Full day at leisure
• Recommended optional tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana purchased locally (requires a passport and double or multiple entry Zimbabwe visa)
• Other optional tours that can be purchased locally-including game drives, walking safaris, bungee jumping, and more

A'Zambezi River Lodge Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent natural wonder on your own via the well-marked trails through the rainforest that wind up to and around the falls. The trails allow for excellent picture-taking from a variety of vantage points (be sure to protect your camera if it's not waterproof). There are a wide range of optional excursions available locally on request basis including game drives, walking safaris, bungee jumping, and more. We recommend the full day tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park (purchased locally), $185

Take advantage of an optional full day excursion to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, renowned for its large elephant population. Begin the day with a safari boat cruise on the Chobe River. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge and end the day with an afternoon game drive in an open vehicle.  Purchased locally. (This excursion requires a passport and double-entry Zimbabwe visa.)

Note: Price is set locally and is subject to change without prior notice.

Day 11 Depart Victoria Falls

• Guided tour of the falls
• Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight home, via Johannesburg
• Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning

Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the falls. You'll soon discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the greatest natural wonders—and the largest curtain of falling water in the world! Located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls consists of numerous falls separated by islands in the river below. The Zambezi River spills more than 2 million gallons of water per second over the Bakota Gorge, creating multiple rainbows and resulting in an awe-inspiring display of raw power unrivaled by other natural wonders. The tremendous roar of the water and the ever-present cloud of spray give the falls their local moniker, "Smoke that Thunders."

Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your return flight home, via Johannesburg.

Hotels

Radisson RED Cape Town

Proposing a unique lifestyle experience within Silo district, the Radisson RED Hotel V&A Waterfront Cape Town is the first of its kind, focusing on art, fashion and music to connect people.  The hotel features a rooftop sun terrace and views of the sea.  Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

More information

Safari Plains

Deluxe

Safari Plains is set against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province. The exquisite beauty of its wide-open savannas, free roaming Big 5, and spectacular vistas make this a majestic wilderness destination. Safari Plains redefines luxury in the bush, with a magnificent high-ceiling dining room, elegant lounge, impressive bar, and relaxing spa.

More information

Peermont Metcourt Hotel

Tourist Class

The Peermont Metcourt at Emperors Palace offers contemporary convenience at its best through stylish and comfortable rooms. Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness facility. Both body and facial treatments are available at the spa.

More information

A'Zambezi River Lodge

First Class

The A’Zambezi River Lodge enjoys a wonderful location on the banks of the Zambezi River, within the protected Victoria Falls National Park and just minutes away from Victoria Falls town and the mighty falls themselves. The lodge features an African-style design, complete with thatched roofs blending into the natural environment. Other nearby attractions include a championship 18-hole golf course and fascinating Crocodile Sanctuary.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about South Africa? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Zimbabwe? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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