Compare Southern Africa Family Journey: In Search of the Big Five by G Adventures vs Wildlife Odyssey: South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe 2022 by Tauck

Day 1 Cape Town

Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included.

Day 2 Cape Town

This morning, set out on a daylong tour of the Cape Peninsula, a rocky headland jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. At Boulders Beach, watch thousands of African penguins waddle about their business. Then visit the notorious Cape of Good Hope—where many an unfortunate ship met its watery doom during the Age of Exploration—and climb up to the lighthouse at Cape Point for fantastic views. Head back to Cape Town via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, which snakes its way along the Atlantic.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is weather dependent, an alternate route will be driven should conditions appear poor.

Day 3 Cape Town

Spend the day at leisure, discovering the charms of Cape Town on a variety of optional excursions. Choose to hop on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for a quick ride to the summit, taking in incredible views of the Atlantic seaboard. Pay an eye-opening visit to the Iziko Slave Lodge—a museum devoted to the history of slavery in South Africa. Wildlife lovers can head to the Two Oceans Aquarium to gush over the variety of its marine residents—from adorable clownfish to translucent jellies.

If you are interested in visiting Robben Island - you must book it directly with the museum on their website prior to travel: http://www.robben-island.org.za Due to high demand, it is common that this tour can be sold out over one month in advance.

Day 4 Cape Town/Greater Kruger Area

Fly from Cape Town to the Greater Kruger National Park and settle into your lodge, located at the gateway to the famed wildlife reserve.

Day 5 Kruger National Park

Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a safari in Kruger National Park—home to a mindboggling array of large mammals. Spot trumpeting elephants, swaggering lions, graceful giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as you ride through this epic wilderness. We’ll criss-cross savanna, scrubland, and riverbanks on our daylong excursion, following the tracks of the majestic creatures that inhabit the park.

At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent.

Day 6 Greater Kruger Area

Venture out on another early morning safari drive, looking for the creatures you didn’t get a chance to spot the day before. The afternoon is free to explore the Kruger region as you choose. Relax by the pool at our lodge, or opt to experience the area by zip-line.

Day 7 Greater Kruger Area/Johannesburg

After breakfast, head to Chimp Eden for an encounter with our closest relatives in the animal world. Run by the Jane Goodall Institute of South Africa, Chimp Eden is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in the country, and harbors more than 30 rescued chimps. Legendary ethologist and National Geographic grantee Dr. Jane Goodall devoted her life to the study of chimpanzee behavior; at Chimp Eden, we’ll get an opportunity to see rescued chimps living in a safe and secure sanctuary and learn why Jane was so captivated by them when she first began her research in 1960. Later, settle in for the drive to Johannesburg, arriving in the evening.

Today is a long driving day; but we will make stops along the way at the Chimp Eden Sanctuary and for lunch.

Day 8 Cradle of Humankind

Step back millions of years in time on a visit to the Cradle of Humankind, where the fossils of some of our earliest known human ancestors were discovered. Here, National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Lee Berger excavated the Homo naledi, a recently defined species of hominin. Descend into the otherworldly Sterkfontein Caves, where the remains of “Mrs. Ples” and “Little Foot”—both more than two million years old—were found; then venture to the Maropeng Visitors Centre to gape at the actual skeletal remains and embark on an immersive journey through the evolution of our species. This evening, feast on a traditional South African braai (barbeque).

Day 9 Johannesburg/Victoria Falls

Catch a flight to Zimbabwe and check in to your hotel. Set out with a local guide for a tour of Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls on Earth. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” You can hear the falls’ mighty roar from up to 24 miles away; and standing at one of the cascade’s overlooks, you’ll be drenched by its powerful spray.

Day 10 Victoria Falls

The day is free to explore Victoria Falls and its surroundings. Embark on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; or embark on a canoeing excursion on the river. You can also take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana to seek out its resident elephants. This evening, celebrate your journey with fellow travelers at a farewell dinner featuring a performance of local music and dance.

If you plan to participate in the Full Day Chobe Excursion, you will be travelling into Botswana. Please be aware that for Botswana, minors under the age of 18 must present their unabridged birth certificates to travel into the country.  Any minor traveling with a non-legal guardian must also present an affidavit outlining consent for the minor to travel, in addition to the birth certificate.

Day 11 Victoria Falls

Depart at any time.

Day 1 Arrive Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Old Drift Lodge. A transfer is included upon arrival from the airport to the Old Drift Lodge, a tented camp on the banks of the Zambezi River upstream from iconic Victoria Falls. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Old Drift Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 2 Natural Wonders of Victoria Falls

Join our local guide for a walking tour of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore trails that offer different perspectives of the magnificent falls, considered the largest waterfalls in the world. Have lunch with a view of the Zambezi River before heading to an elephant sanctuary for a private visit with a family of elephants out in the bush, patiently waiting for the treats you'll bring.  The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Clinic is renowned for promoting environmental conservation in Southern Africa, and operates a medical care facility and orphanage dedicated to the health and welfare of Africa's wildlife. Tour the facility and meet the naturalists and doctors who work here, learning about their efforts to protect animals injured by traps, snares and poachers and meeting the wildlife they have rescued. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish, dining at the hotel at your leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Old Drift Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 3 Chobe National Park

Cross into Botswana this morning en route to your lodge in Chobe National Park. An afternoon game drive with an expert safari guide introduces you to the locals, furred, feathered and fleet-footed. Botswana's first national park, Chobe attracts large herds of elephants and Cape Buffalo that frequent the Chobe River; lions, antelopes and hippos linger near lagoons; and numerous bird species and zebras favor the floodplains. Enjoy dinner at the lodge this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Chobe Game Lodge

Day 4 A Game Drive and a Motorboat Safari

Rise early for a game drive that spies wildlife starting their day in the bush as dawn breaks over the park. Wildlife whisperers, your guides follow tracks and interpret signs that lead to animal sightings out of nowhere and everywhere. See the ever-present impala, puku antelopes and majestic giraffes snacking on treetops more than 16 feet high, and look for lions, wild dogs and leopards on the hunt. Return to your lodge for lunch, then join us on a private motorboat safari aboard a skimmer boat along the Zambezi River. Watch for birds, elephants, hippos and herd animals stopping by for a drink while crocodiles lie in the water or on the shore, along with other thirsty predators. Dine indoors or out at your lodge tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Chobe Game Lodge

Day 5 Local life on the Chobe River

Meet the people native to Botswana when you visit a local village this morning. Learn about their daily lives and deep-rooted cultural traditions and see baskets hand woven to perfection. Depending on the season, ride aboard a safari vehicle or a skimmer boat in search of up close wildlife sightings that never get old. Enjoy panoramic views of the Chobe River from the elevated boardwalks at your lodge during your free time, a great spot to watch the ever-changing wildlife parade across the river, on the islands and the surrounding floodplains, before night falls with an awe-inspiring starlit sky, dining at your leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Chobe Game Lodge

Day 6 South Africa's Kruger National Park

Take a final morning game drive in Chobe National Park before driving to the airport for a flight to Johannesburg, followed by another flight to your safari lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Stay in a thatched roof cottage that has its own private verandah for animal sightings – a watering hole on property is a favorite gathering place for visiting wildlife – and enjoy dinner as you please.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Day 7 Game Drives in Kruger National Park

Set off in search of Africa's Big Five – lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos – along with wild dogs, hippos, cheetahs and herd animals with your expert guides. Morning and afternoon game drives offer ample opportunities to see predators and prey in their natural habitat. Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves, is world-renowned and is home to hundreds of species of animals and birds, including vultures, storks and eagles.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Day 8 Walk with the Animals

Rise early for a game drive followed by a nature walk unlike any you have experienced before. Join your safari guides on a walking safari that offers an opportunity to learn about the bush and its fascinating fauna and flora from the ground up. Follow in the tracks of Africa's wildlife as your guide shares tracking tips with you, seeking out signs and scents that reveal which animals have passed this way before you. Catch a glimpse of smaller game, like impalas or gazelles, or see elephants lumbering on distant landscapes. Walking safaris are only permitted on private lands and not in Africa's national parks. Enjoy an afternoon game drive and join us under the stars for a private dinner tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Day 9 Fly to Cape Town

Take a final game drive this morning before flying to Cape Town for a three-night stay. Your hotel, painted pink for peace in 1918, is nestled on a lush garden estate at the foot of Table Mountain. Dinner is at your leisure in the hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Cape Town, South Africa

Day 10 Choices in Cape Town

A choice of sightseeing excursions today includes a tour of the Cape Winelands with tastings at two prestigious wineries, along with a wine pairing luncheon that tempts with regional fare and time to explore the quaint streets of Franschhoek. Or, join us for an artisan and culinary tour of Cape Town, stopping to meet a jewelry designer who makes pieces from prison fences from Robben Island. Take a cooking lesson in making traditional Cape Malay appetizers before lunch at a hidden gem of a restaurant and visit an art gallery featuring the works of South African artists. Your local guide enriches your tour with insights about Cape Town's history and highlights. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Cape Town, South Africa

Day 11 Helicopter Highs over Cape Town

Experience a bird's-eye view of Cape Town as you soar over the city aboard a helicopter that follows the coast to see Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, Chapman's Peak and the bays and towns that line the shores of the Cape Peninsula. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the waterfront delights of Victoria & Albert Waterfront, a mecca for shopping, art galleries, restaurants and entertaining street performers. Tauck's shuttle will bring you back to the hotel at your convenience this afternoon. Tonight, join us for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, renowned for its local culinary fare.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Cape Town, South Africa

Day 12 Journey Home

Tour ends: Cape Town. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included to Cape Town Airport from Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Allow three hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Cape Town, South Africa