Compare South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Private Charm by Exoticca vs 16 Day Classic South Africa with Victoria Falls & Botswana by Gate 1 Travel

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Trip	South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Private Charm by Exoticca 4.5 \| Great 22072 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer	16 Day Classic South Africa with Victoria Falls & Botswana by Gate 1 Travel 3.5 \| Average 746 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer

Duration	9 days	16 days
Price From	$ 2,199	$ 5,989
Price Per Day	$ 244	$ 374
Highlights	Blyde River Canyon Cape Town Johannesburg Kruger National Park Pretoria	Enjoy a tour of Cape Town, view the Castle of Good Hope, the Grande Parade and visit Table Mountain During the Cape Peninsula Tour, visit the Cape of Good Hope reserve and view the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach Game Viewing Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, a uniquely diverse ecosystem Game drive through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve A thrilling game drive in an open-vehicle through Kruger National Park In Soweto, the most metropolitan township, visit Nelson Mandela's former home Visit spectacular Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Enjoy a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River Game drive through Chobe National Park, in northern Botswana Sunset game viewing cruise on the Chobe River †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Trip Style	Small group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Standard	Premium
Physical Level	1- Very easy	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Cultural Nature & Wildlife 50 plus Local Immersion & Homestays National Parks	Nature & Wildlife 50 plus
Countries Visited	South Africa	Zambia South Africa
Cities and Attractions	Cape Town Johannesburg Kruger National Park Table Mountain	Cape Town Johannesburg Kruger National Park Livingstone Table Mountain
Flights & Transport	Airfare included	Ground transport included
Activities	Culture Historic sightseeing History Homestays & Cultural Immersion Nature Ruins & Archaeology	N/A
Meals Included	8 breakfasts and 3 dinners.	N/A
Description	Land in Johannesburg and admire its mixture of both historic and ultra-modern architecture. Get to know the wild side of South Africa as you embark on game drives in the Kruger National Park. Fall in love with Cape Town, explore the Cape of Good Hope and discover the beauty of the Cape Peninsula on an unforgettable journey through the most iconic destinations of this diverse nation.	4 Cape Town, 1 Hluhluwe, 1 eSwatini , 2 Hazyview, 2 Johannesburg, 2 Victoria Falls, 2 Chobe

Itinerary: South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Private Charm

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 its diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it is 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. (This excursion is included in our Adventure Package of 3 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

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 - 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 11: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.

Itinerary: 16 Day Classic South Africa with Victoria Falls & Botswana

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for South Africa
Depart for South Africa

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town. As you transfer to your hotel, you'll see the towering symbol of the city - Table Mountain. The rest of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Cape Town

DAY 3, Sunday - Cape Town City Tour
After an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, depart on a half day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour. Drive past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, the Grand Parade, and St. George's Cathedral. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and Table Mountain. Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car.* Later, descend and proceed to the Milnerton Lighthouse. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to learn the three-billion-year-old story of diamonds while touring the prominent Shimansky Jewelers. Following the tour (or for those who do not wish to participate) stroll through the V & A Shopping Mall before returning to your hotel. Conclude the day with dinner
*Table Mountain Aerial Cableway closes for annual maintenance in July & August. Exact dates will be advised in early 2023.
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Monday - Cape Peninsula Tour
Depart on a full day Cape Peninsula Tour with lunch along the way. After a stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. After lunch, follow the coastline along False Bay and stop in Simon's Town to visit the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach. Lastly, visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens before arriving to Cape Town. Tonight, experience local culture at the optional Home Hosted Dinner
Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Cape Town
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Tuesday - Full Day in Cape Town
Enjoy the day at leisure in Cape Town. Perhaps join the optional South African Wine Tour* which takes you along the country's principal wine route to the towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch with tastings along the way. Alternatively, thrill seekers will not want to miss the optional excursion to "Shark Alley" to experience great white shark cage diving.* Tonight, attend the optional Traditional African Dinner Experience
*The South African Wine Tour and Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving operate simultaneously. Passengers may opt to participate in only one of these tours
Optional: South African Wine Tour
Optional: Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving
Optional: Traditional African Dinner Experience
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Wednesday - Flight to Durban, Game Viewing Cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, drive to St. Lucia. Later, embark on a game viewing cruise that takes you on the St. Lucia Estuary, home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, sea turtles, and even sharks. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Hluhluwe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Thursday - Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, Travel to eSwatini
After an early breakfast, travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, situated in northern KwaZulu Natal, which is famous for its conservation of black and white rhinos. Home to Africa's "Big Five." You may have a chance to see elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino during your morning game drive through the reserve. Following the safari, continue to the border of the Kingdom of eSwatini,* an independent kingdom within the borders of South Africa. Stop at a handicraft market this afternoon before arriving at your hotel in the early evening
*eSwatini is an independent country from South Africa and therefore has different entry requirements. Non-US passport holders are responsible to check if a visa is required for eSwatini in addition to all other countries on their itinerary
Overnight: Mbabane (eSwatini)
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Friday - eSwatini Sightseeing and Matsamo Village Visit
After breakfast visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch glass blowers create a range of African animals, and tableware made from recycled glass that is collected by the children of eSwatini. Transfer to the South African border and visit Matsamo Cultural Village where you can learn more about the Swati traditions and customs. Enjoy traditional Swati cuisine along with dance and song performances. Later, continue to the hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Kruger National Park Game Drive
Upon departure from the hotel, a pre-packed breakfast will be provided for you. Then, on to Kruger National Park for a full day open-vehicle game drive. You may have a chance to see lion, elephant, giraffe, or zebra in their natural habitat. After stopping at a rest camp for lunch, continue your game drive. End the day with dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Sunday - Panorama Route to Johannesburg
Depart after breakfast and travel to Mpumalanga Province. Stop to admire the scenery along the 16-mile-long Blyde River Canyon, cut deep into red sandstone, and God's Window (weather permitting), overlooking Kruger National Park. Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, before proceeding this afternoon to Johannesburg. Stop at a family-run curio shop before arriving at the hotel
Overnight: Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Monday - Soweto Tour
Depart on a half day tour of Soweto. Drive by the former residence of Bishop Desmond Tutu and visit Nelson Mandela's former home. Continue to the Apartheid Museum, where you will journey through the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans. Cap off the day with dinner tonight
Overnight: Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Fly to Victoria Falls & Sundowner Cruise
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Victoria Falls,* named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can still encounter herds of buffalo and elephant on their way to the Zambezi River. Continue to the hotel. Tonight, attend the optional Boma Dinner & Drum Show, featuring dance performances, lively songs, and an interactive drumming show
*Flights to Victoria Falls will arrive into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia. The Livingstone airport is a 30-minute drive to the hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Optional: The Boma Dinner & Drum Show
Overnight: Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Wednesday - Guided Tour of Victoria Falls
This morning, take a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World". The walking safari takes you through the magnificent rainforest to view the Cataracts, Livingstone's statue and a wide variety of birds and plants. The rest of the day is yours to discover this beautiful area independently
Overnight: Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14, Thursday - Sunset Game Viewing Cruise in Chobe, Botswana
Spend a leisurely morning or awake early for another chance to view the falls by joining the optional Victoria Falls Sunrise Walk through the rainforest with your guide. See Victoria Falls as the sun rises over the Zambezi River, providing great photo opportunities. After breakfast, travel from Victoria Falls over the border into Botswana. Upon arrival at the hotel, lunch will be served. Spend time at leisure before departing on a sunset cruise where you will be introduced to a totally different game viewing experience
Optional: Victoria Falls Sunrise Walk
Overnight: Chobe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Friday - Morning Game Drive in Chobe National Park
During your morning game drive, be on the lookout for lion, wild dog, giraffe, sable, and roan antelope, frequently seen in this area. Time on your own in the afternoon before departing on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Tonight at dinner, share memories of your trip on your last night in Botswana
Overnight: Chobe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16, Saturday - Depart South Africa
This morning bid farewell to Botswana and transfer to the airport in Kasane. Fly to Johannesburg and connect to your international departure flight this evening. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 7:30 PM
Meals: Breakfast

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