South Africa & Victoria Falls Itinerary
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Introduction
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through South Africa and Victoria Falls, where stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultures await. This travel itinerary offers a perfect blend of thrilling safaris, breathtaking natural wonders, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re exploring South Africa or the majestic Victoria Falls, this journey promises to be an experience of a lifetime. This South Africa & Victoria Falls itinerary is sure to help you organize your trip and ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights!
South Africa & Victoria Falls Itinerary Overview
Start your trip in Cape Town, ascending Table Mountain via cable car for spectacular views. Visit Boulders Beach to observe an endangered penguin colony, then explore Cape Point Nature Reserve and the Cape of Good Hope, located at the continent’s southwestern tip. Next, journey to Kruger National Park for multiple game drives with an expert Ranger, searching for Africa’s “Big 5”. Include a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe for an amazing off-roading safari on land and water. Visit Johannesburg’s Soweto Township to learn about its turbulent past and hopeful future. Also, you don’t miss the thought-provoking Apartheid Museum and Mandela House, once home to Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
South Africa & Victoria Falls Itinerary
| Day | Excursion |
| Day #1 | Fly into Cape Town and enjoy your day (depending on what time you arrive). Some excursions I recommend: Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus or Lion’s Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike from Cape Town. |
| Day #2 | Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands. Next, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African Penguins, known for their unique sound. After free time for lunch, continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. On your return journey back to Cape Town, skirt the rocky coastline as you ascend Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. In the evening, enjoy an African Dinner and Drumming Experience. |
| Day #3 | Take in any of the activities mentioned above. |
| Day #4 | Fly from Cape Town to Kruger |
| Day #5 | Your skilled tracker and professional Ranger work together as a team during your early morning game drive, so you can learn more about the ecosystem as you view wildlife up close. Beyond the “Big 5,” you’ll have the chance to see kudu, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more! Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax and enjoy the lodge and its surroundings. In the mid-afternoon, tea will be served prior to your afternoon game drive. Step out of your safari vehicle for a refreshing drink and watch as the sun sets over the Mountains. Return to your lodge in time to freshen up for dinner. |
| Day #6 | Rise early for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day. Perhaps take a swim in the pool, visit the wellness center for one of its many spa treatments, or simply sit back and watch the animals. Your afternoon game drive concludes with a refreshing drink as the sun sets over the bushveld! Take in a night game drive this night as well. I was fortunate enough to see the lions eating and the hyenas out in full force. |
| Day #7 | Enjoy one more morning game drive and then from Kruger, fly out to Johannesburg. |
| Day #8 | Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest township in the country. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. After lunch, visit the Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era. Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson Mandela president. |
| Day #9 | Today, leave South Africa and fly north to Zimbabwe. Later this afternoon, a cruise on the Zambezi River affords you a wonderful opportunity to photograph wildlife and a spectacular African sunset! |
| Day #10 | Today, visit mighty Victoria Falls for an awe-inspiring experience. Enjoy a guided walk, where you will learn the history of the falls and hear fascinating details about the surrounding flora and fauna. Afterwards, enjoy free time for independent exploration. |
| Day #11 | From Victoria Falls, take a day trip to Chobe National Park. |
| Day #12 | Fly home |
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