Highlights of Southern Africa Safari

You will be met at the gate of your aircraft on arrival to Africa in Johannesburg and assisted through customs and immigration and on to the scheduled flight to Cape Town, where you will be met and transferred to your boutique B&B, Abbey Manor Guesthouse in the city bowl. The old and established neighborhoods of Gardens, Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof merge into each other as they line the foothills of Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The area enjoys convenient proximity to the city, the Table Mountain cable way, as well as the beaches. The narrow little streets are lined by original Cape buildings, many of which have been beautifully restored, some now housing museums and art galleries, as well as lively sidewalk cafés and highly acclaimed restaurants. Now known for its trendy and modern vibe, this area is often visited on foot, encompassing the historic parliament buildings, the Company Gardens and the unique boutique shops.

This morning venture out on a shared tour of the city. Enjoy the ultimate ‘Mother City’ experience, designed to orientate and give you a full-color insight into the extraordinary magic of Cape Town, South Africa. We’ve chosen iconic buildings, snatches of its history, and experiences unique to this City, starting with iconic Table Mountain. We visit the country’s oldest building, The Castle, and a short distance away, the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well conserved. Our drive continues past Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the Slave Lodge, and you’ll sense the depth of history in unique architecture. Colonial surrounding then change as we move up the cobble stoned hills to the Malay Quarter, and marvel at the ice-cream colors of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes. You will be dropped off at the Waterfront for an afternoon exploring or back at your guesthouse. This afternoon is on your own to explore or relax. Overnight Abbey Manor. Breakfast included.

You will be picked up at your hotel by your guide and small group embark on an exploration of the Cape Peninsula which starts with the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, before crossing over to Hout Bay, where you may choose to join an optional boat cruise to Seal Island. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve via Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, where a funicular takes you to the top of the Peninsula to witness the symbolic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and enjoy spectacular views over False Bay. Stop for lunch in the area (own account) before continuing to Simonstown, the naval base, and then visit the African Penguin breeding colony at Boulders Beach. On the return trip, enjoy a stop at the world renowned Kirstenbosch Gardens before arriving at your hotel late this afternoon. Overnight Abbey Manor. Breakfast included.

Today’s adventure begins with a delightful drive that winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Head off to the wine country with your guide and small group via the N2 to the heart of South Africa’s wine industry, Stellenbosch, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings.

Travel over the Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town, in a most picturesque valley, retains a French Huguenot style. Enjoy a wine tasting before taking in the fabled culinary skills of the Franschhoek chefs at one of the many award winning restaurants (lunch not included in cost). Onward to Paarl, one of the Cape’s first farming districts, set at the foot of the cluster of remarkable granite domes from which it takes its name. The last stop for the day is at a wine estate on the Paarl wine route.

You will return to the bustle of city life after an enthralling day in the countryside, arriving back at the hotels at approximately 5:30 PM. Overnight Abbey Manor. Breakfast and wine-tastings included.

Today fly to Skukuza in Kruger National Park to begin the African safari leg of your trip. Transfer to Notten’s Bush Camp in the famous Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, a 65,000 hectare private, wildlife rich, reserve. Today, many of these families are now third and fourth generation land owners, their legacy being the successful conservation of the highest density of big game in South Africa. You will arrive in time to refresh before the afternoon game drive.

The wildlife in the Sabi Sands reserve is well habituated resulting in unforgettable close encounters and prolific sightings, particularly of the elusive leopard. The Sabi and the Sand Rivers run through the reserve, which add further dimension to the bio-diversity of this area. Game drives, in an open safari vehicle, are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon every day in search of animals – both large and small. Experienced, knowledgeable and personable, rangers are paired with local trackers and together they ensure a first class African safari experience.

Close encounters are every day occurrences, and the animals are not threatened by our presence thanks to the sound conservation management policies. Expect one-of-a-kind photographic opportunities of The Big Five, and much more – including over 300 bird species.

This morning you will be transferred about 3 hours to the Nelspruit Airport to meet the scheduled flight to Livingstone, Zambia. After passing through customs and immigration, proceed out of the terminal to meet your transfer driver and head out to your lodge on the river.

Your stay at Ilala Lodge includes a visit to the Victoria Falls (entry fee is payable directly). The Falls are one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and are the largest sheet of falling water on earth – a spellbinding and mesmerizing spectacle. The sheer mass of water cascading down the 100m drop across nearly 2km makes a thunderous roar in full flood and creates a magnificent spray of water that can be seen for miles – hence the local name ‘Mosi oa Tunya’ meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’. Water flow over the Falls varies throughout the year. The river’s annual flood season is February to May when the spray can reach a height of over 400m, this is spectacular from above but it can be difficult to see the Falls at ground level as it is under a heavy shower/mist around April. Water levels start dropping in August and are at their driest just before the rains in October/November. Also included in your stay at Ilala Lodge is an African sunset boat trip on the Zambezi and guided tour of Victoria Falls.

You will be picked up and transferred about two hours by road and boat to your final safari destination, Chobe Elephant Camp. The Chobe National Park is to the north of the country and is home to the largest elephant herds in the world. This Park boasts four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area to the northeast, the Savute Marsh in the west and the Linyanti Swamps in the northwest, with the hot, dry hinterland in between. Activities here include walking safaris in the private reserve adjacent to Chobe National Park thus allowing you to explore the intricacies of the African bush, plants, insects and big game. Safari game drives, both in the reserve surrounding the lodge as well as into the Chobe National Park, are conducted in open 4×4 safari vehicles with qualified professional guides. Alternatively you can experience game viewing by motorboat on the Chobe River past bathing herds of elephant, hippos, crocodiles and amazing bird life.

Enjoy one last safari before it’s time for the transfer to Kasane Airport to meet the scheduled flights to Johannesburg and on home. Breakfast included.