First Time Travellers : Best of Southern Africa

12 Days/11

NightsDepartures: Daily

Taking in three of Africa's most exhilarating countries, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, this tour is the perfect introduction to the Southern region of this exotically mysterious continent.On this African journey discover the cultural diversity and splendour of Cape Town and its surrounding areas. Feast your eyes on palpitating game viewing when you visit South Africa's Kruger and Botswana's Chobe National Parks. Combine all of this with the legendary Colonial Victoria Falls for the encounter of a life time.
Day 1: Cape Town
On arrival in Cape Town transfer to your hotel. Overnight: Cape Town Lodge.
Day 2: Cape Town (B)
The tour begins with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (cable car fee not included). Enjoy a guided walk and learn about the varying Flora and fauna as well as taking in the amazing view of Cape Town and its surrounds. Continue on for a city tour which includes a visit to the Malay Quarter. Visit the Castle of Good Hope before driving through to Milnerton for a spectacular view of Table Mountain and the City. Stop at the Cape Town Diamond Works before returning to the hotel. Overnight: Cape Town Lodge.
Day 3: Cape Town - Winelands (B)
First stop on this full day tour will be Paarl then on to Franschhoek for some wine tasting at a local winery. Settled 300 years ago by the Hugueonots this beautiful mountainous valley is centred around a picturesque village, where art, craft and antique shops line the main street. Continue on to Stellenbosch for lunch. (not included). After a tour of this historical university town return to Cape Town. Overnight: Cape Town Lodge.
Day 4: Cape Town - Cape Point (B)
Begin this half day tour travelling via Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. After enjoying stunning views from the highest point continue towards Simonstown and Muizenberg, before returning to CapeTown. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Cape Town Lodge.
Day 5: Cape Town - Kruger National Park (B/L/D)
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Kruger National Park via Johannesburg (flights not included). On arrival transfer to the lodge. After lunch experience the excitement of tracking down the “Big 5” on an afternoon game drive. With no fences between the Private Game Reserves and the Kruger National Park and the opportunity to go off-road, exciting wildlife encounters in the open veld are the order of the day. Return to the lodge for dinner.Overnight: Akeru Lodge.
Day 6: Kruger National Park (B/L/D)
The untouched rugged Timbavati Bushveld, is home to Akeru Safari Lodge, a place of exquisite beauty and peace. Relax at the pool as you observe animals’ large and small make their way over to the Lodge’s waterhole and quench their thirst. Experience the mystical ancestry of the Timbavati wilderness where vehicle activity is kept to a minimum and radio contact is utilised to maximise sightings of interest.Overnight: Akeru Safari Lodge.
Day 7: Kruger National Park Johannesburg (B)
Awake to an early morning cup of tea before venturing back into the bush in an open 4wd vehicle. The experienced tracker and driver will ensure that the drive will not be disappointing. The sheer enjoyment of unspoilt nature and the invigorating air and open vistas will leave you relaxed and energized for when you return to civilization. In the afternoon you will be taken back to the airport for return flight to Johannesburg (not included). On arrival transfer to airport hotel. Overnight: Metcourt Laurel.
Day 8: Johannesburg – Victoria Falls (B)
This morning return to the airport for the flight to Victoria Falls (not included). On arrival transfer to hotel. One of the natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is a must for any visit to Africa. Discovered by Livingstone in 1855, Victoria Falls not only stands alone as a spectacular destination in its own right but is geographically the perfect gateway to many other fascinating areas. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the Falls, relax by the pool or explore the craft markets.Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel.
Day 9: Victoria Falls (B)
Victoria Falls is a spell binding natural phenomenon and being 1500 metres wide it is the largest curtain of water in the world. Today’s optional activities are endless. See the falls from an angels point of view – microlight, helicopter or seaplane – each a sublime experience with nothing but air between you and the chasm below. For the more adventurous experience a bunjee jump or ride the rapids of the Zambezi. Late afternoon enjoy a spectacular African sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel.
Day 10: Victoria Falls – Chobe National Park (B/L/D)
Travel across the border into one of Botswana’s most famous National Parks, Chobe. Renowned for its massive elephant herds, which roam the shores of the Chobe River, Chobe’s amazing diversity of other wildlife is only matched by the variety of ways to view it. Chobe National Park offers the option to see the game on foot, by 4wd vehicle or by boat. You will have the opportunity to experience them all as two activities per day are included.Overnight: Kubu Lodge.
Day 11: Chobe National Park (B/L/D)
Kubu has eleven wooden chalets on stilts which overlook a shaded lawn that spreads beneath ebony and fig trees and is ideally situated on the banks of the Chobe River. Enjoy a morning and afternoon game activity with time in between to relax by the pool or have a siesta. Overnight: Kubu Lodge.
Day 12: Chobe National Park – Victoria Falls (B)
After an early morning game activity and breakfast transfer back to Victoria Falls airport for onward flight. Alternatively continue on in Botswana to the unspoilt Okavango Delta or the remote and beautiful Selinda area.