Explore Southern Africa
12 days
From $ 3999
Duration12 days
book now
  • Etepia
  • Explore Southern Africa

Experience southern Africa's diverse wonders on this 12-day adventure. Journey from the glittering beauty of Cape Town to the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park — home of the "big five" and countless photo ops. Then it’s onward to spectacular Victoria Falls, where the thundering roar only heightens the rush of experiencing Africa so up close.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 12 days
    Service level: Upgraded
  • Physical Grading: Light
  • Ages: 12+
Explore Southern Africa - Tour Map

Itinerary

Expand all
Day 1: Cape Town
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Day 2: Cape Town
Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden with an expert guide on a tour exclusively designed for our groups — the garden has been named one of the top gardens in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. Continue on to explore vibrant Cape Town and Cape Point, with a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach.
Meals: B
Day 3: Cape Town
There is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go skydiving, abseiling, or, if you're really brave, cage diving for a close encounter with a great white shark. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres.
Enjoy a day of leisure and choose from a variety of optional activities including a visit to Table Mountain or a Stellenbosch wine tour. If you are interested in visiting Robben Island - you must book it directly with the museum on their website prior to travel: http://www.robben-island.org.za Due to high demand, it is common that this tour can be sold out over one month in advance.
Meals: B
Day 4: Cape Town/Johannesburg
Depending on the flight schedule from Cape Town, there may be time for a short tour of Soweto, to see Nelson Mandela's house, and other interesting sites of the anti-apartheid struggle.
Fly to Johannesburg. Enjoy a traditional South Africa Braai (barbecue) for dinner with your local CEO and fellow travellers. Traditional South African Braai.
Meals: B, D
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. Today is a very long driving day; however, we will make many stops along the way at sites along the Panorama Route.
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Kruger National Park
At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent.
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.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve. Search for buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos – Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing.

We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).
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 information about their efforts to protect cheetahs and other carnivores. This National Geographic-sponsored project is part of the Big Cats Initiative. After, the researcher will join us on our evening wildlife safari drive. Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and Shangaan trackers who will share their vast experience of the African bush.

On some occasions, if space is unavailable, we may need to change accommodations or even use a different private reserve. In such a case, be assured we will choose other lodges or comfort camps (of equal quality) within the Greater Kruger area.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Wake up before the sun (around 5am) and sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning wildlife safari drive. Return to the lodge for brunch and some leisure time. Converse on the deck, walk the grounds and gardens, and enjoy high tea. Following tea, it's time for a late afternoon safari drive. After spotting tons of wildlife, it’s time to return to camp and freshen up before dinner.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
Meals: B, D
Day 10: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
The mist off Victoria Falls can rise to a height of more than 400m (1312 ft). Local tribes used to call the falls Mosi-o-Tunya or “the smoke that thunders.” Explorer and missionary David Livingstone renamed the falls after Queen Victoria when he first saw them in 1855.
Fly to Zimbabwe and meet our local CEO. Gain insight into what life is like here with a walk through a local market and dinner at a family homestead. Meet our host, learn their history, and discuss daily life and culture in Zimbabwe. Share stories as you enjoy a traditional Zimbabwean dinner.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Victoria Falls
Enjoy a morning tour of the beautiful Victoria Falls, then the rest of the day is free to explore the area. Take part in a river safari, cultural tours, whitewater rafting, canoeing, or a helicopter ride over the falls. If you have an activity planned for this morning, we will reschedule your Falls tour for this afternoon, or tomorrow morning.
Meals: B
Day 12: Victoria Falls
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Download brochure

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Guided Tour, Cape Town Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience, Karongwe Private Game Reserve Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Zimbabwean Family Dinner, Victoria Falls Your Foodie Moment: Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue), Johannesburg
  • Arrival transfer
  • Orientation tour of Cape Town
  • Excursion to Cape Point including the penguins at Boulders Beach
  • Soweto tour
  • Panorama Route scenic drive
  • Kruger National Park wildlife safari drive in open vehicle
  • Private nature reserve wildlife safari drive in open safari vehicles
  • Tour of Victoria Falls
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Air-conditioned touring vehicle, Open safari vehicle, Walking, Plane

  • Accommodation

    Guest house (2 nts), Hotel (5 nts), Comfortable safari camp (2 nts), Comfortable tent or chalet (2 nts)

Save up to 50% on tours! Get exclusive access to members-only deals by email.

Subscribe to our newsletter