South Africa and Victoria Falls: A Tailor-Made Journey

Arrive in Cape Town, where you’ll be met by a private driver for the transfer to your hotel in the city. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax or start exploring. We suggest a walk on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where shops and cafés share space with the new Zeitz MOCAA, a contemporary art museum housed in architecturally striking grain silo. (B)

In the morning, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car, taking in 360˚ views of the city and its extraordinary setting between sea and slopes. From the top, explore some of the many trails and viewpoints, looking out for wildlife such as the rock hyrax, or dassie, as well as some 8,200 types of plants, including many endemic fynbos species. Return to the V & A Waterfront in the afternoon to catch the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment. Here join a local guide for a shared tour of the old prison and gain insight into the life of political prisoners during apartheid. (B)

Set out on a full-day excursion to the Cape Peninsula with your private driver-guide. Stop at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to admire the diverse range of native flora, including a range of proteas and other fynbos that make South Africa’s Western Cape one of the world’s six floral kingdoms. At Boulders Bay, see the resident African penguin colony, and ride the funicular to the wild and windswept Cape Point. Along the way,  spot wildlife such as baboons, antelope and a variety of birdlife in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. You’ll have many opportunities to make photo stops in these magnificent landscapes. (B)

Your private driver-guide will pick you up this morning for an excursion into the Cape Winelands region to visit the three main towns. Your first stop is Stellenbosch, the second-oldest town in South Africa. Admire its canals and Cape Dutch architecture, and sample wines paired with desserts and chocolates. Then travel over the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, renowned as a culinary capital in South Africa, and enjoy a tour and tasting at a wine estate. Your final stop is Paarl, set at the foot of dramatic granite domes. Here, enjoy a final wine tasting before heading back to Cape Town. (B)

Your private driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Skukuza Airport, inside Kruger National Park. You’ll be met by a private driver for the transfer to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a private reserve within the Greater Kruger region. Watch for wildlife along the way to your lodge. Time permitting, set out on a game drive in the late afternoon, stopping for sundowner drinks to toast the days’ end. (B,L,D)

During two full days in this legendary wilderness, awaken early and head out on safari with fellow guests and your knowledgeable tracker and guide, observing wildlife at one of their most active times from an open vehicle.  Among the many species you may encounter are the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo—as well as wild dogs, monkeys, numerous ungulate species, and colorful birds. Return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast and time to relax. You may wish to join a guided bush walk to identify and learn about the smaller creatures of the bush, including insects, reptiles and birds, as well as the local plant life. Embark on another game drive this afternoon, tracking wildlife until after dark. Stop for a sundowner as the sun sets, and then watch for nocturnal species, such as chameleons and porcupines, under the vehicle's spotlights. (B,L,D daily)

Transfer by private vehicle to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, watching for wildlife along the way. Catch a flight to Livingstone, the gateway to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. A private driver will be waiting to bring you to your hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River. We recommend joining a guided sunset cruise along the Zambezi this evening for a wonderful introduction to the local landscape and wildlife, including birds, hippos, and crocodiles. (B)

Enjoy a full day to discover Victoria Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the world. Here, the Zambezi drops suddenly into a narrow chasm, plummeting some 350 feet. The roar of the crashing water when the river is at its fullest gave the falls their local name, “the smoke that thunders.” You’ll have a range of opportunities to explore this World Heritage site as you wish, from a guided walk into the chasm, where you can feel the spray, to a scenic micro light flight for a spectacular bird’s-eye view. Canoeing, fishing and white water rafting are also options. The falls are within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where you can take a walk on one of the trails. Alternatively, meander through the bustling market and a fascinating museum in Livingstone, or take a trip across the bridge into Zimbabwe for an elegant afternoon tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel. (B)

After breakfast, your private driver will escort you to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, where you’ll connect to your international flight home. (B)