Compare Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls by Audley Travel vs South Africa & Zimbabwe in 12 days - Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls - Luxury by Exoticca

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Cape Town.

Day 2 : Cape Town

On arrival into Cape Town, you're met airside by an Audley representative and assisted through immigration to where your driver is waiting to take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax at your hotel or explore the city. You could take a stroll along the V&A Waterfront, home to a variety of shops and high-quality restaurants overlooking the harbour.

Day 3 : Cape Town

For your first full day in Cape Town I have arranged a walking tour of the city with a private guide. You are lead through the historic city centre for an insight into its turbulent past. This afternoon you have free. You may like us to arrange a trip to Robben Island to learn more of the history of apartheid in the city. Alternatively you might prefer something less challenging this afternoon and could visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or enjoy afternoon tea at The Mount Nelson Hotel.

Day 4 : Cape Town

This morning we will arrange that you are met at you guesthouse for an excursion heading to the summit of Table Mountain. We will arrange for a private guide to lead you up one of the many hiking trails - they'll be able to select the most suitable route for you but all give you fantastic views over the city, ocean and surrounding landscape. Once at the top, you can take photographs and simply take in the panorama, gazing for miles in all directions. There's a restaurant and numerous walking trails you can follow along the mountain's distinctively flat top - look out for the hamster-like rock hyraxes that make the mountain their home.You'll also take a ferry over to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent much of his prison sentence.

Day 5 : Cape Town

A land tour of the Cape peninsula is arranged for today taking in Simon's Town, the penguins of Boulder's Beach and the spectacular scenery of Cape Point

Day 6 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

You have a half hour private transfer back to the airport this morning for your two and a half hour flight to the Kruger. On arrival, you're met by your private driver and transferred to your safari lodge in Sabi Sand Wildtuin. The two and a half hour journey takes you north through Mpumalanga's plantations and rural communities before reaching the reserve, where you have a chance of spotting game even before reaching your lodge. This afternoon, begin your safari adventure with a game drive out into the bush on the lookout for elephant, lion and rhino.

Day 7 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

Spend a full day on safari. You can join an early morning game drive to experience the reserve coming to life as animals such as leopard, wild dogs and rhino head out to feed. You then head back for a hearty breakfast and can relax at your lodge during the heat of the day, perhaps sitting on the deck to observe any passing wildlife. Another game drive in the late afternoon gives you a chance to see other wildlife and watch as the sun sets over the bush, enjoying a sundowner with your guide.

Day 8 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

Spend another day on the lookout for the reserve's game and other wildlife. As well as the two game drives, you may also wish to join a guided bush walk with an experienced ranger, who'll point out some of the reserve's smaller species such as reptiles, insects and birdlife as you follow animal tracks on the ground. Driving back from the afternoon game drive, spotlights help you to see nocturnal species such as bush babies and chameleons.

Day 9 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls

This morning you're collected and transferred by private vehicle to Kruger Airport. The journey takes around two hours through Mpumalanga's rural areas. At the airport, you board your hour and a half flight to Livingstone, Zambia ready for the final stretch of your adventure - Victoria Falls. Upon arrival, you're met by an Audley representative and driven in a shared vehicle to your lodge. The journey takes around an hour, cutting through Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, so keep your eyes peeled for any passing wildlife.You will arrive at the lodge in time for an afternoon activity and we would recommend a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi.

Day 10 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls

Today you can choose from a range of activities, from guided fishing and birdwatching trips to white water rafting or a guided walk through one of the local villages. However, a highlight should be visiting the Victoria Falls where you can use the knowledge of a local guide to learn all about the history of this natural wonder.

Day 11 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls

Enjoy your last day at the Falls - a great way to round off your trip is seeing them from the air, either on a helicopter or a micro light flight. It gives you a completely different perspective and a true sense of scale as you gaze over the largest waterfall in the world.

Day 12 : International return flight

Today you're driven for around an hour back to Livingstone airport in time for your onward flight.

Day 13 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight * to Johannesburg. Night on board. * If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and it's diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg. Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process! Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion. Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion. Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).

Day 3: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga - Kruger

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included). You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes!* Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner and overnight stay in Kruger. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Enjoy a Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park. Begin the day early on safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park and discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Kruger National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region. * Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa. Packed lunch included.

Day 6: Kruger - Johannesburg - Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Johannesburg, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of the South African government. Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, known as the 'Mother City', and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 7: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the ticket hop on hop off tour in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes.* Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town. *Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 25th of July until the 28th of August 2022. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.

Day 8: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour. (This excursion is included in our Gastronomic Package of 4 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

Day 9: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Full-Day tour of the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty, vineyards and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town and Muizenberg Beach.

Day 10: Cape Town - Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board a flight to Victoria Falls. Named after Queen Victoria of England by the explorer David Livingstone, these impressive waterfalls are just one of the gifts that nature has given to southern Africa. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Get comfortable at the hotel and perhaps explore the surroundings at your leisure. We recommend an optional Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River, an unforgettable way to spend your first night in Zimbabwe.* Overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Optional Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River: Transfer to the jetty for a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Includes drinks and snacks on board.

Day 11: Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the hotel. Today visit the Zimbabwe side of the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls. Described locally as 'The Smoke That Thunders', Victoria Falls sits at the south of the Zambezi River, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Spend some time being amazed by the power of the falls and visit different vantage points to discover the sheer scale of this natural wonder. During the afternoon we recommend the optional Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience * or the optional Guided Tour of the Falls from Zambia and Zimbabwe sides.** Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Optional Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience (13 Minutes): To put the Victoria Falls into a true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle become all the more clearer from above. The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zigzag funnel of the gorges. ** Optional Guided Tour of the Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe): A guided tour of the falls enables you to delve into the local customs and traditions while gaining insight into how such an exquisite creation came to be. An aura of excitement envelopes everyone who lays eyes on this incredible spectacle and guided tours are conducted from both Zambia and Zimbabwe sides.

Day 12: Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure or take our optional safari and river cruise in the Chobe National Park in Botswana, a must for nature lovers! Overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Optional Full-Day Excursion to the Chobe National Park: Embark on a safari game drive in the Chobe National Park, known for its large herds of elephants and wandering prides of lions. Cruise along the Chobe River, and spot the local game before enjoying lunch at a safari lodge. Take in the spectacular landscapes and wildlife before returning to Zimbabwe for an overnight stay. You will need to take your passport and Botswana visa with you on this trip to cross the border. Please note: If you choose this optional excursion you will need to obtain a double-entry visa-on-arrival at Victoria Falls airport when you first arrive. Cost approx $50-70.

Day 13: Victoria Falls - Night on board

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 14: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.