Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kruger National Park & Victoria Falls – Ten Days

Overview

Countries visited: South Africa and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls)

Your ten day expedition begins in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg and culminates in cosmopolitan Cape Town – the home of fine dining, beautiful wines and award-winning beaches.

Between visiting these diverse cities; you will travel north to Zimbabwe to witness the astounding views of the Victoria Falls and also to the Kruger National Park, with its untamed wilderness teeming with wildlife and of course home to the Big Five.

This tour is perfect for those wanting a diverse experience – perfect for couples, families, romantic getaways, groups of friends and photography enthusiasts. The order of destinations for this journey are also available in reverse.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Johannesburg

Today you arrive at Johannesburg’s’ OR Tambo Airport and you will be collected and transferred to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Standard Room at a 4 stars hotel or lodge near the airport.

Day 2 – Tour of Victoria Falls

After breakfast, you will be transferred to OR Tambo International Airport  for your flight to Victoria Falls.

Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you’ll be met by your guide and taken to the falls. If you’re travelling when the Zambezi River is in full flood (February to May) you’ll find out first hand why Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tuyna “The Smoke That Thunders”. The largest sheet of falling water in the world, you hear the falls before your see them; the roar accompanied by a drenching spray!

Around two thirds of Victoria Falls lies in Zimbabwe (the rest being in Zambia) so you’ll get to see the Main Falls, as well as the Devil’s Cataract, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls. As you wander through the surrounding rainforest your guide will give you a brief history of Victoria Falls, and share interesting facts about the plants, birds and even animals that you see along the way.

Having admired the falls from every possible viewpoint, you’ll be driven to Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge – a distance of around 70 km. Set on the bank of the Zambezi River, Imbabala is a small and welcoming lodge with nine thatched chalets each opening onto beautiful river views.

• Accommodation: Overnight at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge including scheduled activities
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3 – Game Drive & Zambezi River Safari

Wake up early and start your day with a game drive in the private wildlife concession surrounding Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge. Drives are led by the lodge’s highly skilled guides, who’ll go out of their way to get you good sightings of the park’s elephant, impala, warthog, giraffe and colourful collection of birds.

After the game drive brunch is served on the lodge lawns, then there’s time for a nap or laze in your hammock before the afternoon river safari. It’s wonderfully peaceful cruising the Zambezi River, drink in hand, as you drift up close to hippo, look for elephant at the water’s edge, and watch the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and fiery red.

Your day ends with drinks around the fire and dinner under the stars, before strolling back to your comfortable chalet with its king-size bed draped in white mosquito netting.

• Accommodation: Overnight at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge including scheduled activities
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 – Full Day Safari in Chobe National Park

After breakfast you cross over into next-door Botswana to spend a full day in Chobe National Park. Your game viewing begins with a cruise on the Chobe River, an incredible safari experience which delivers regular sightings of hippo, crocodile, zebra, impala and – the stars of the show – Chobe’s famous elephant herds drinking, bathing or even swimming across the river, trunks held high!

After the cruise enjoy a buffet lunch at Chobe Game Lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive. Taking you along the river and deeper into the park, the game drive offers up more sightings of elephant and buffalo as well as the chance of tracking the park’s predators including lion, leopard and even wild dog.

If you’d prefer, you can skip Chobe and spend the day relaxing at Imbabala Lodge or enjoying some of the other activities on offer: go fishing for toothy tiger fish or set off on a guided walking safari in the private concession.

• Accommodation: Overnight at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge including scheduled activities
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5 – Victoria Falls to Johannesburg

You’re transferred from Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival in Johannesburg you will be collected at the Airport and transferred to a nearby hotel. After check in the rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure. You can also arrange a taxi to take you to one of the local Malls or perhaps go enjoy the local nightlife.

• Accommodation: Standard Room at a mid range Hotel or Lodge
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast

Day 6 – Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park

You depart OR Tambo International Airport, heading in an easterly direction for a flight time of only 50 minutes.

You will be collected by your guide and transferred to your Kruger accommodation, through the Kruger National Park, in an open vehicle. The transfer from the airport to the camp takes about 15 minutes and is a leisurely drive stopping for wildlife en route.

After settling in to your accommodations, you go out on your first game drive which is a SAN PARKS sunset drive. A sunset drive affords you the opportunity to see nocturnal animals that are more active at night and the Park’s rangers are allowed to return after the normal gate closing times. Note that these drives take place in one of the Kruger Park’s vehicles with a Park’s ranger.

Dinner is a three course meal, served al fresco at your base camp. Wine is served with dinner but guests are welcome to bring along additional / alternative drinks which can be purchased at the shop.

• Accommodation: En Suite Chalet
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 & 8: Morning & Afternoon Safari Drives

Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there and seeing animals! The time you go on your Game Drive varies according to the seasons and camp gate opening times. Tea and cofffee is served with muffins and fruit before departing on the Game Drive which will take approximately 3-4 hours. Your guide has an intimate knowledge of the park, which contributes a great deal towards brilliant sightings!
On returning to camp, brunch will be ready.

You then have time to enjoy a swim, catch up on some sleep, visit the park shop which includes African curios, general food items and drinks, take a walk around the camp, or simply relax! Be sure to bring along your binoculars!

After a siesta set off on the afternoon Kruger Park game drive. All our game drives are conducted in specially adapted 4×4 open game drive vehicles to allow you the best possible vantage point.

Share African safari stories at the camp fire under the stars after a scrumptious dinner served at camp.

(On day 7 Or 8 you may choose an optional excursion to visit select attractions along the Panorama Route the excursion is from 08h15 to 18h00 which replaces your game drives for the day. This excursion is available free of charge and will be co-ordinated while you are on safari).

• Accommodation: En Suite Chalet
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9 – Kruger Park to Cape Town

The sun rises over your final day in the Park with one last chance to find the animals that have eluded us thus far. After breakfast you are transferred back to Skukuza Airport for your flight to Cape Town International Airport. The transfer to the airport will take about 15 minutes and your flight time to Cape Town is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes.

On arrival you will be collected at the airport and transferred to the Hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your own leisure.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast

Day 10 

After a leisurely breakfast you are expected to check out from the hotel by 10:00 am.

• Meals & drinks: Breakfast