Itinerary
Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
VIP Meet & Greet - South Africa
Your exciting adventure begins today, as you touch down in South Africa. On arrival you will receive a VIP meet and greet at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board. Should your aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal building, you will be transported to the terminal by bus where you meet and greet will be waiting for you as you step off the bus. You will then be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and on to your next service.
Private transfer to your hotel
Cape Town
The Mother City has a peculiar habit - once a day, Capetonians check their watches. Now, this in itself is not very unusual. The strangeness comes into the fact that everyone looks at their watches at exactly the same time without consciously thinking about it. At exactly 12:00 pm every day, a loud bang fired from cannon on Signal Hill announces to the city that midday has arrived.
The Cape was established by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a halfway house along the trade route between the East and Europe. This became a place to mend ships, rest and heal weary visitors and most importantly to collect fresh produce grown by farmers in the area in order to feed famished sailors and soldiers before heading off again for the second leg of their arduous sea voyage. Cape Town grew quickly and soon earned the reputation as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’. Today Cape Town is still a thriving port and never ceases to enthrall visitors with its unique beauty, ethnic diversity and energetic vibe.
With its iconic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects both the area’s history and the more pragmatic realities of the 21st century. The city’s Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been carefully preserved, and many excellent examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its environs.
The ability to make something that is both functional and beautiful has long been a proud aspect of the African culture. Cape Town boasts some of the most original and creative handmade arts and crafts and can be found at markets and shops all over Cape Town. You'll find something that caters for any taste or style at the V&A Waterfront or at one of the many shops that open their doors in the surrounding Cape Town area.
Being a coastal town, the ocean plays an important part in everyday lives, beyond the calming effect for which it's famous. There is an incredible diversity of marine life to be discovered and many fun-filled activities can be planned to make use of the bountiful Atlantic and Indian Oceans surrounding Cape Town.
Explore Table Mountain in the morning by cable car, and afternoon hotel inspections
Table Mountain
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby for your tour to Table Mountain, ascend the mountain by cable car. It is wise to enjoy the mountain during the early morning hours, when the clouds have not yet gathered over the mountain top (or, as the locals say, before the “white tablecloth has been spread over Table Mountain”.)
Cape Town half day city tour
Wander through the Company's Garden and as you travel through the city you will get a good feel for the city and the cultural melting pot that it is. Continue onto the Castle of Good Hope which was built by the Dutch East India Company, between 1666 and 1679, as a maritime replenishment station and is the oldest surviving building in the country. Visit the gardens, known as the Company Gardens and admire the beautiful buildings constructed. Learn more about the history of the Cape, its significant role historically and in modern times. A day filled with information on the one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Full day tour of the Cape Peninsula and evening at leisure
Cape Point & Boulders Penguins
Depart the hotel this morning to commence your tour of the Cape Peninsula. First you will travel via the 12 Apostles and Hout Bay, to Chapman’s Peak. This is one of the region’s most dramatic mountain drives and offers amazing panoramic views over the city and environs. Descend the mountain pass and continue on to the coastline.
This strip of the peninsula’s shoreline, commonly known as the Atlantic Seaboard, stretches some 34 miles from the waters of Table Bay along the western coast to the nature reserve at Cape Point. The exceptional beaches and rugged mountains along this coastline not only make this a popular drive, but also provide outstanding views across the Atlantic Ocean, with some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve comes to an end at majestic Cape Point. Situated at the junction of two of earth’s most contrasting water masses – the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. Take the funicular to the vantage point from where they will be able to witness the “meeting of the two oceans”.
Today’s attractions include Boulders beach, which is home to a colony of endangered "jackass" penguins. Technically, these are African penguins, but early settlers thought that their braying sound was more like a four-footed pack animal than a two-footed bird! Visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares, of which 36 ha is cultivated and the rest is a protected area supporting natural forest and fynbos, and a wide variety of indigenous birds, animals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates. Birds are abundant at Kirstenbosch, particularly in the Garden – more than 125 species have been recorded. The natural area can be explored via a number of walks and trails. Kirstenbosch is adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park, and both form part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area that was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
Chapmans Peak
Chapman's Peak is a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town, South Africa. The western flank of the mountain falls sharply for hundreds of meters into the Atlantic Ocean, and a road, known as Chapman's Peak Drive, hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain, linking Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Tourists and locals often stop at viewpoints along this road, which offer views of Hout Bay, The Sentinel Peak and surrounds, as well as over Noordhoek Beach. Chapman's Peak Drive is part of the route of two of South Africa's biggest mass-participation races, the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon.
Explore the V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront, which attracts roughly 24 million visitors each year, is South Africa’s most-visited destination. This is hardly surprising when you think about how much it has to offer!
While it is still technically a working harbour – you’ll no doubt catch a glimpse of fishing boats and container ships – the V&A Waterfront is more frequently thought of as a shopping destination. Covering 123 acres, the V&A Waterfront is divided up into five shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, the Watershed, The Alfred Mall and Pierhead, The Clock Tower, and Breakwater Point. With more than 450 stores, you’ll find everything from local designers to big international brands. For crafts and local talent, make sure you pop into the Watershed, and, if it’s art or jewellery you’re after, head over to The Alfred Mall and Pierhead.
All that shopping is likely to work up an appetite, and the myriad restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets will keep you fuelled. Of course, some of the restaurants and bars are reason enough to visit the V&A Waterfront. The majority of the restaurants at the V&A Waterfront have excellent views of the harbour, and those that don’t – such as Willoughby & Co – make up for it with top-notch food. (Really, the sushi is hard to beat!) If you after something a little more relaxed, head over to the V&A Food Market where you’ll find regional delicacies, artisanal breads and cheeses, craft beers, vegan treats, and biltong. It’s foodie heaven! If it’s a hot day – or even if it’s not – make sure you swing by The Creamery for a scoop of the best ice-cream in town.
For sundowners, you’ll want to try the Grand Café & Beach or the trendy Shimmy Beach Club, where the beautiful views vie with the gorgeous patrons for your attention. Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace hotel offers a sophisticated whisky-tasting experience, and Belthezar on Victoria Wharf reputedly has the widest selection of wine by the glass in the world!
Explore the V&A waterfront at your own pace, and enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants (own account)
Tour the winelands including wine tastings. Hotel inspections in the winelands
Stellenbosch wine tour for a full day
Explore the fascinating town of Stellenbosch, browsing through appealing shops and museums, and awaken your senses with wine tasting experiences at an iconic wine estates. Soak up the scenery of this wonderful region, admire a contemporary art collection, see the highest-growing vines and take in breath-taking vistas from an elevated vantage point. Discover the town of Franschhoek, established by the French Huguenots in 1688, where historic charm blends with a contemporary ambiance. The town boasts a host of boutiques, gourmet restaurants and galleries. Continue to some family-owned, off-the-beaten-track estates for a more intimate, boutique wine tasting experience.
Explore the V&A waterfront at your own pace, and enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants (own account)
Fly to Botswana, and onwards to the lodge in Chobe National Park
Private transfer to the Airport
Internal flight from Cape Town to Maun
After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Maun in Botswana.
Internal Flight from Maun Airport to Savute airstrip
Upon arrival in Maun you will be assisted to your connecting flight to the Lodge. Your first glimpse of Botswana’s interior bush is from a bird’s eye view; a delightful introduction to the flora and fauna that has earned Botswana the reputation of ‘African’s Last Wildlife Refuge’.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be warmly greeted by the staff and escorted to your luxurious tented accommodation. You will have some leisure time to enjoy the camp facilities or espy game at the waterhole from the comfort of your veranda. Later in the afternoon guests will congregate for refreshments as the guides prepare for the afternoon / evening game drive.
Return to camp just after sundown, when the nocturnal species emerge and the big cats start the nighttime prowl. Enjoy a delicious dinner and the camaraderie of other travelers, as game rangers regale guests with stories and tales of the African bush. Your first night in the bush is serenaded by the sounds of Botswana’s wildlife – both big and small – as they eat, hunt and sleep under star-studded African skies.
Chobe National Park
Famed for some of the world's largest herds of massive elephants, Chobe National Park in Botswana's far northeastern corner is one of the great wildlife destinations of Africa. In addition to the mighty pachyderms, a full suite of predators and more than 440 recorded bird species are present; watch for roan antelope and the rare oribi antelope.
Chobe was first set aside as a wildlife reserve in the 1930s and became Botswana’s first national park in 1968. It encompasses three iconic wildlife areas that all carry a whiff of safari legend: Chobe Riverfront, which supports the park's largest wildlife concentration; the newly accessible and Okavango-like Linyanti Marshes; and the remote and soulful Savuti, with wildlife to rival anywhere.
Morning and Afternoon game drives in Chobe National Park
Game drives in Savute - Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is a dynamic wilderness with sweeping expanse of savannah dotted by rocky outcrops, semi-surrounding by a marshland and the Savute Channel. Unpredictable wet and dry cycles shape the landscape and wildlife. The Savute Channel began to flow after nearly 30 years of lying dormant, but has since dried up again. The channel can change without warning, becoming one of Northern Botswana’s greatest mysteries.
During your morning and afternoon game drives, you can expect to see elephants - there are 130,000 elephants in Botswana. Guests are still amazed when they see a dust cloud appear on the horizon that eventually turns into a thundering herd. The range of animals and birds is outstanding, including the famous Savute lion pride, the only pride in the world that has mastered the skill to hunt elephants. Close to the lodge is a Hyena den, and if in luck you might just see the pups.
The Gubatsa Hills shelter leopard and klipspringer, with rare rock paintings drawn by San Bushmen depicting early man's animal encounters. Enjoy a sunset drink behind giant baobab trees, also known as the upside-down tree.
Enjoy a scenic flight to the Okavango Delta
Internal flight from Chobe to Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta
This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes.
The wildlife of the Okavango Delta is varied and plentiful thanks to the rich ecosystems and protection. The Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals on both a permanent and seasonal basis. Through careful wildlife management it has become perhaps one of the best places to see wildlife in Africa. There is a dynamic seasonal shift of animals between the arid region that surrounds the delta and the Okavango Delta itself. During the wet season most large animals move away from the delta to take advantage of the lush grazing that surrounds it. As this grazing begins to die in the winter animals move back to the delta.
Wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes a myriad of species including African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Topi, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog still survives within the Okavango Delta and exhibits one of the richest pack densities in Africa. In addition to the large animals the wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes over 500 species of birds and 85 recorded species of fish including Tigerfish, Tilapia and Catfish.
Morning and Afternoon game activities in the Okavango Delta, including a Helicopter ride over the Delta
Helicopter scenic flight - Okavango Delta
Start the day with a 35-minute helicopter ride over the delta with a qualified pilot that will also be your guide during this aerial tour. See wildlife in their natural habitat and some of the most remote place in this UNESCO world heritage site. Without a doubt an unforgettable flight.
Guided Walk and Mokoro Ride - Okavango Delta
Go on a guided walking safari through the delta where you are totally enveloped in nature. This enables you to see amazing insects, animal tracks, game droppings, and learn the secrets from the bush. These small, unexpected aspects of life often make the biggest impression. If a game drive is like reading a book: a walking safari is actually becoming a character in that book.
Tranquility is best experience on a mokoro ride, floating soundlessly on the waterways. A mokoro, or traditional dugout canoe, takes you over shallow waters to areas inaccessible by regular boat. Luminous dragonflies hover with whirring wings. Game such as red lechwe antelope, reed bucks and giraffes come to drink. For many it is the birds that truly dazzle - egrets, storks and even fishing eagles swoop overhead.
Game Drives in Okavango Delta
Game drives in the Okavango Delta are remote and secluded, with very few safari vehicles sharing the same areas. Professionally trained guides tailor drives to your preferences, promising up-close views of unique wildlife and flourishing vegetation.
In this untamed landscape, sensitive off-road driving practices allow you to get up close to the area’s exceptional wildlife. Each game drive is an adventure, balancing along narrow wooden bridges and splashing through shallow crossings in a rugged open safari vehicle.
Set out in search of the Okavango Delta's rich wildlife, including its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Search from the area’s predators, from lion prides to cheetah, leopard and African wild dog. Explore the open woodlands in search of roan and sable antelope or keep an eye out for graceful giraffes and frisky zebras on the floodplains. On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, marvel at breeding herds of elephant as they splash gently through the shallow channels.
Afternoon drives continue into the night, allowing for nocturnal wildlife encounters. Look out for the rarely spotted serval and pangolin or watch the moon reflect off the backs of a family of hippo coming out of the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.
*** Activities might be influenced by the water levels
Fly to Kasane followed by a private transfer to Victoria Falls and an afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi
Internal flight from Okavango Delta to Kasane
Enjoy a scenic flight over the vast plains of Botswana to the Kasane Airport
Land transfer from Kasane to Victoria falls
Enjoy a private transfer from Kasane in Botswana via the Kazangula Border to Victoria Falls. Expect to see wildlife on this 1h20m drive as you travel through the Chobe area.
Victoria Falls Town
A genuine bucket-list destination, Victoria Falls remains one of Africa's most famous tourist towns in Zimbabwe. Known world-wide as one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, there’s much more to the Victoria Falls than one of the world’s greatest waterfalls. The town is situated within the wider Victoria Falls National Park, while a short distance upstream lies the Zambezi National Park, and elephant, buffalo and various antelope species, including impala, kudu and waterbuck are common in the area, where residents co-existing with free roaming wildlife.
Many safari options are available from the town, including game drives, walking safaris and river boat safaris, with specialist birdwatching and fishing options. The Zambezi River above and below the Victoria Falls offers a variety of activity options, from scenic upstream river cruses to racing white-water rapids in the Batoka Gorge. Victoria Falls also makes the perfect base for exploring the wider region, with tours to prime safari viewing areas such as Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe), Chobe National Park (Botswana) and extended activity options in Livingstone (Zambia).
Or, meander through the vibrant town. Explore the Elephant’s Walk shopping village peppered with a variety of curio shops, a popular café with a peaceful indoor courtyard surrounded by beautiful flowers. Discover local craft markets showcasing the range of local artists and their talented handmade stone and wood carvings. A little further beyond you’ll find the award-winning Tammy Walker Gallery, a local artist known for her exceptional photography. The town centre offers delicious restaurants and coffee shops including a craft brewery, The Lookout Café offering unmissable views of the Victoria Falls bridge and supporting gorges with the chance to spot guests taking part in the adrenaline-rushing gorge swing or bungee jump!
Ra-Ikane Sunset cruise
The Ra-Ikane I, II and III, offer a variety of cruises, including breakfast, lunch and sunset, as well as private charters. These boats represent the grace of a bygone era and honour the rich history of Victoria Falls and its explorers, adventurers and heroes. The Ra-Ikane fleet is owned and operated by Ilala Lodge Hotel, and provides unique and unsurpassed river cruises on the mighty Zambezi River.
Fashioned after David Livingstone’s exploration boat, the Ma-Robert, the Ra-Ikane boats are named after the instrumental guide, Lazarus Ra-Ikane, who accompanied and assisted Livingstone in his monumental discovery of the natural wonder, Victoria Falls. The monohull design of the Ra-Ikane boats enables them to navigate further up the Zambezi River and bring guests closer to the banks in the shallow water and, therefore, closer to all the action! With lots of space on the flat deck and a maximum of 16 passengers, there is plenty room to make yourself comfortable.
The well-appointed Ra-Ikane fleet was built to ensure that each guest is able to experience the wild beauty of the Zambezi River with ease and style. Our boats take a circular route around the islands to provide guests with a panoramic view of the upper and lower Zambezi River and the wildlife and birdlife it offers. Each Ra-Ikane boat has its own crew, made up of a friendly and knowledgeable captain, guide and waiter to ensure that you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
Private tour of the Falls, Elephant encounter and Boma Drum and Dinner show
Elephant Encounter
The Elephant Encounter affords guests the opportunity to unobtrusively observe some of the biggest personalities in Africa, in a pristine wilderness environment overflowing with raw natural beauty. Guests spend between 2.5 - 3 hours on this tour, learning and connecting with elephants in the most positive and natural way possible.
An open-design thatch Boma gives guests an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Masuwe River, and against this breath-taking back drop, guests will be given an insightful and educational presentation on the Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage. The sanctuary was founded on the principle of conservation, and one of the most effective ways to evoke a sense of environmental responsibility is to show what stands to be lost.
Guests will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephants and the sight of the gentle mammals up close and personal will be remembered long after they have returned home. Witness the special relationship the elephant keepers share with the animals and become a part of it. You will have the opportunity to take photographs with the elephants, marvel at their size and watch them behaving normally; browsing and interacting with one another.
After the encounter with these amazing creatures guests will be offered a selection of refreshments, followed by the a transfer back to your hotel/lodge.
Tour of Victoria Falls
After breakfast, depart on a guided tour of Victoria Falls through the Rainforest. The guide will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird, wildlife and other points of interest as you walk along the ravine. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed, though it is recommended to take a small poncho with you.
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.
It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.
The Lookout Café Victoria Falls
The Lookout Café is an iconic restaurant in Victoria Falls where casual dining is a decadent affair. Menus range from cocktails and canapes to diverse meal options for seated dinners.
Imported wine from South African vineyards and flavors foraged from nature make the ‘place on a plate’ sentiment a reality. Delicious food, staggering views and exceptional service make the Lookout Café a must-try place to eat out in Victoria Falls. The Cafe’s simplistic design creates a flow through, connecting indoor and outdoor dining space, offering diners a unique experience with breathtaking views. If you are looking for a fresh, vibrant menu with traditional as well as new flavors like local game meats and crocodile, situated in a great location then the Lookout Café is the place for you.
The Boma Drum & Dinner Show
In the afternoon you will be transferred to The Boma. An evening of song, dance and cultural interaction – a place of feasting and celebrating African lifestyles. This is not just another ethnic restaurant but a rather unique cultural experience. Excellent cuisine, including a variety of game meats and traditional Zimbabwean dishes are accompanied by entertainment throughout your meal.
The Boma specializes in a superb selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes and is renowned for its warthog fillet. Tuck into a four-course meal of mouthwatering starters from the kitchen, soup from the campfire, a substantial barbeque buffet served on cast iron plates with a selection of salads, followed by a choice of delicious desserts. Everyone’s tastes are catered for, and whilst the adventurous are enticed with local delicacies such as Mopani worms and game stews, those wishing to enjoy beef, pork, fish and chicken or a variety of vegetarian meals are welcome to do so.
Guests are welcomed with a traditional greeting in Shona and Ndebele, the local languages. After dinner, guests are invited to spend some time with the restaurants very own Sangoma - a traditional storyteller to learn more about the country's folklore, culture and heritage. The highlight of the evening is the interactive drumming and dancing!
Lodge visits and lunch will in between the activities.
Fly to Johannesburg / Cape Town, and onwards home
Private transfer to the Airport
Internal flight from Victoria Falls to OR Tambo International Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Departure Flight from OR Tambo International Airport - Johannesburg
Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari!
Internal Flights from Victoria Falls Airport to Cape Town
After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Cape Town International Airport.
Departure Flight from Cape Town
Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari!
Accommodation:
- Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel / Deluxe Room
- The Table Bay Hotel / Luxury Mountain Room
- Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge / Luxury Tented Room
- Eagle Island Lodge / Deluxe Tented Room
- Palm River Hotel / Deluxe Room
