Gems of Botswana, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Cape Town & Winelands

If you have been considering your first trip to Africa; confused on where to go; let me share with you this outstanding safari itinerary I created for long time scuba dive guests who are ready to head to Africa!

This is an outstanding, well priced 16nt extravaganza covering the finest game rich areas in southern Africa, offering a ‘real bush’ experience that combines camps in both countries for an outstanding value. Ending on a high note in South Africa, my favorite city in the world, Cape Town, with a night in quaint Franschhoek in Winelands!

Botswana is one of those rare places in the world that has the ability to leave an impression to last a lifetime. Varied scenery, offering some of the highest concentrations of game in Africa.

Zimbabwe is a haven for intrepid travels and adventurers alike. Dramatic landscapes under a perfect climate; its warm and friendly people; endless activities and some of the best wildlife encounters in the world. Boasting two world heritage sites, Victoria Falls and Mana Pools, there are endless corners of natural beauty to explore.

In South Africa, you can stand in a desert, climb a mountain and relax on a sandy beach backed by tropical forest. In addition, there is a vast abundance of wildlife to view from land and sea, plus some of the best wine in the world, and a fascinating cultural heritage to discover. This is one exceptional country!

Highlights:

• 1 night in Johannesburg in South Africa
• 2 nights at Khwai Concession in Botswana
• 3 nights at Linyanti in Botswana
• 2 nights in town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
• 2 nights at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
• 2 nights at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe
• 3 nights in Cape Town in South Africa
• 1 night in Winelands in South Africa

Day 1	1 night at Southern Sun OR Tambo INT - 1 Standard Room
Day 2 - 3	2 nights at Khwai Tented Camp - 1 Tent
Day 4 - 6	3 nights at Linyanti Bush Camp - 1 Tent
Day 7 - 8	2 nights at Ilala Lodge Hotel - 1 Standard Room
Day 9 - 10	2 nights at Somalisa Expeditions - 1 Tent
Day 11 - 12	2 nights at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge - 1 Lake View Room
Day 13 - 15	3 nights at Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel - 1 Luxury Room
Day 16	1 night at Avondrood Guest House - 1 Superior Room
Day 17	Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa

Welcome to Johannesburg!

1 night at Southern Sun OR Tambo INT - 1 Standard Room/s

Your stay includes: Breakfast

Day 2 - 3: Khwai Concession, Botswana

VIP Meet & Greet: OR Tambo International Airport

Scheduled Flight- Regional Flight Johannesburg to Maun

Seat in Plane - 30 mins: Maun Airport to Khwai airstrip

2 nights at Khwai Tented Camp - 1 Tent/s

Your stay includes: All meals, local brand drinks, 2 scheduled camp activities daily, return shared transfers from Khwai airstrip, National Park fees and laundry.

Camp activities: morning, afternoon and nightgame drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions (subject to water levels) and a Khwai Village visit.

Day 4 - 6: Linyanti, Botswana

Seat in Plane: Khwai airstrip to Saile airstrip.

3 nights at Linyanti Bush Camp - 1 Tent

Your stay includes: All meals, local brand drinks, 2 scheduled camp activities daily, return shared transfers from Saile airstrip (during the rainy season the transfer will be from Savute airstrip), National Park fees and laundry.

Camp activities: morning, afternoon and night game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions (subject to water levels), and on a minimum 3 night stay a 30 minute scenic helicopter flight per stay between April and November only.

Day 7 - 8: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Seat in Plane: Saile airstrip to Kasane Airport

Private Transfer Min 4: Kasane Airport to Victoria Falls Town/Airport
Zambezi Explorer Luxury Sunset Cruise-Decks 1 & 2: Scheduled

Tour of the Falls: Private 2 Hours

Chinotimba Township Tour: Scheduled Min 2

Welcome to Victoria Falls...

When you wander through the lush rainforests above the Victoria Falls, newly baptised in the mist, your ears holding the echo of thundering waters, it isn’t hard to imagine that this is where it all began. Eden.

As the land cuts away beneath the ancient Zambezi River, the waters plummet dramatically into the Batoka Gorge, over 100 metres below. The angrily churned up spray shoots skyward, painting the landscape in billowing clouds. This striking ‘’smoke that thunders” can be seen for miles, a geographic pointer summoning visitors into its presence.

The vibrant town of Victoria Falls is known as the adventure capital of the world, and if your eyes light up at the thought of conquering the “Stairway to Heaven” or “The Terminator” in a raft, then this is the place for you. While the notorious Nyaminyami (Zambezi River God) watches from its mythical depths, and the majestic basalt cliffs allow your passage through the canyon’s exquisite landscape, adventure seekers are assured of a good time. From Grade 5 white-water rafting, bungee jumping and abseiling the amusement never ends.

What makes this destination so memorable is the fact that it is perfectly combined with warmly hospitable people, exquisite scenery and an array of accommodation. Excellent game, historic ruins, fishing and luxury train travel are easily accessible from Victoria Falls, as are the neighbouring countries which border this fascinating town.

2 nights at Ilala Lodge Hotel - 1 Standard Room/s

Your stay includes: Breakfast

Day 9 - 10: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Private Transfer Min 4: Victoria Falls Town to Victoria Falls Airport

Seat in Plane - 45 mins: Victoria Falls International Airport to Manga airstrip

2 nights at Somalisa Expeditions - 1 Tent/s

Your stay includes: All meals, local brand drinks, 2 scheduled camp activities daily, return shared transfers from Manga airstrip and laundry.

Camp activities: morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris, Hwange Main Camp village visit (usually done as part of a road transfer from/to Victoria Falls). Mambanje Village visit requires a private vehicle to be booked at an additional cost.

Day 11 - 12: Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Seat in Plane - 1 hour 30 mins: Manga airstrip to Bumi Hills airstrip

2 nights at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge - 1 Lake View Room

Your stay includes: All meals, local brand drinks, 2 scheduled camp activities daily, return shared transfers from Bumi Hills airstrip and laundry.

Lodge activities: morning, afternoon and night game drives, walking safaris, village visits, boat cruises and fishing.

Day 13: Cape Town, South Africa

Seat in Plane - 1 hour 30 mins: Bumi Hills airstrip to Harare International Airport

Scheduled Flight - Regional Flight
Harare to Johannesburg
Johannesburg to Cape Town

VIP Meet & Greet: Cape Town International Airport

Private Transfer: Cape Town Airport to City Hotels

3 nights at Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel - 1 Luxury Room/s

Your stay includes: Breakfast, complimentary scheduled transfers to and from V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Day 14: Cape Town, South Africa

Sea Kayak & Cape Point: Private Full Day

Travel to the naval hamlet of Simon's Town, which is located on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula to embark on a sea kayaking experience from the Waterfront.

Paddle past the civilian and Naval Harbour and out to Boulders Beach. After visiting the penguins you stop (time & tide permitting) on a lovely semi-private beach for refreshments, swimming and snorkeling (equipment provided). The double kayaks are very stable and perfect for those with no paddling experience.

During the whale season from July to December, the Southern Right Whale frequents Cape Town's shores which allows you the possibility of seeing them in their natural habitat.

Stop for lunch at a seaside restaurant and then travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point is home to an array of fynbos, over 250 species of birds, buck, baboons and Cape mountain zebra. There are numerous picnic spots, paths and tidal pools on almost isolated beaches.

The tour continues with a drive along the coas via Noordhoek, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard back to your hotel.

Day 15: Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town City Tour: Private Half Day

The tour commences with a tour of Table Mountain (weather permitting; cable car fee not included). Enjoy panoramic views over the Mother City and the Atlantic Seaboard with Robben Island in the distance lying sleepily in Table Bay harbour. In the city itself, stop at the Company Gardens. Enjoy a walk throughthe garden and a visit to the South AfricanMuseum. This is followed by a visit to the Castle of Good Hope. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a maritime replenishment station, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa.The drive through the city centre would also take you past the Houses of Parliament, the Grand Parade and City Hall from where Nelson Mandela first addressed South Africans after his release in February 1990.Return to your hotel upon completion of the tour.

Day 16: Winelands, South Africa

Winelands Tour: Private Full Day

This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.

Head off to the wine country via the N2 to the heart of South Africa's wine industry, Stellenbosch, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. With the sheer vastness of wine estates on offer, we are truly spoilt for choice when we enjoy our first wine tasting of the day at the Waterford Estate or similar.

Travel over the Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek, historically dating back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town, in a most picturesque valley, retains a French Huguenot style.

We enjoy a wine tasting before taking time to enjoy the fabled culinary skills of the Franschhoek chefs at one of the many award winning restaurants (lunch not included in cost).

Onward to Paarl, one of the Cape’s first farming districts. The town is set at the foot of the cluster of remarkable granite domes from which it takes its name.

Our last stop for the day is at a wine estate on the Paarl wine route.

We return to the bustle of city life after an enthralling day in the countryside, arriving back at the hotels at approximately 17:30.

Note: Alternative estates may be visited over weekends and public holidays.

1 night at Avondrood Guest House - 1 Superior Room/s

Your stay includes: Breakfast

Day 17: Departure

Private Transfer: City Hotels to Cape Town Airport

Scheduled Flight- Domestic Flight
Cape Town to Johannesburg

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Southern Sun OR Tambo INT, Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 2 - 3: Khwai Tented Camp, Khwai Concession, Botswana
Day 4 - 6: Linyanti Bush Camp, Linyanti, Botswana
Day 7 - 8: Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 9 - 10: Somalisa Expeditions, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Day 11 - 12: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Day 13 - 15: Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
Day 16: Avondrood Guest House, Winelands, South Africa