Highlights of Southern Africa: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town (South Africa), Explore at Your Own Pace

Welcome to the picturesque coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital and second-largest city. Upon arrival, meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After refreshing, the day is yours to spend as you wish. An excellent place to start is the V&A Waterfront, a bustling harbor area that blends historical charm with modern sophistication. Stroll along the promenade and browse the array of boutiques, eateries, and museums set against the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain.

Then, you might like to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium for a captivating journey into the marine worlds of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The aquarium is home to over 3,000 marine animals, including vibrant fish, mesmerizing jellyfish, and graceful rays. When you get hungry, wander down the waterfront and browse the world-class restaurants, markets, and bars to find somewhere for dinner. Whether you'd like to dine al fresco overlooking the marina or inside a stylish waterfront eatery, you'll find plenty of delicious dining options here.

Day 2: Visit Robben Island, Guided City Tour, Traditional African Dinner

At 8 am, your driver will meet you outside the hotel to transfer you to the V&A Waterfront for a 40-minute ferry ride to Robben Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an apartheid-era prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in captivity. Follow your guide, typically a former political prisoner, through the maximum-security prison and learn about the stories of the anti-apartheid activists who were once confined there. Back on the mainland, head with your driver through Bo-Kaap, Cape Town's colorful Malay quarter. 

Discover the deep-rooted history of the Cape Malay people, descendants of enslaved and exiled Malaysians and Indonesians who were brought to South Africa by Dutch colonizers in the late 18th century, as you sample their delicious cuisine. Then, continue to the green oasis of nearby Company's Garden for a leisurely stroll and a visit to the on-site Iziko South African Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts showcasing the country's rich biodiversity. Your next stop is the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving colonial building in the country. 

 

After snapping photos in front of the 17th-century castle, transfer to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for a ride to the summit. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the sprawling cityscape, the picturesque Cape Peninsula, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. End your day with a 14-course dinner with live music and Mali puppetry while learning about each course's origins, cooking techniques, and spices. Savor an array of dishes from across the continent, including fragrant tajines, spicy curries, and grilled meats, as you listen to the backdrop of djembe drums and marimba percussion.

Day 3: Full-Day Tour of the Cape Peninsula

Join your guide on a five-hour tour along the famous Cape Peninsula to Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The drive will take you through the upscale oceanfront area of Clifton, the lovely beach community of Camps Bay, and the laid-back harbor town of Hout Bay. Continue on the coastal Chapman's Peak Drive until you arrive at the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Here, you can take a ride on the Flying Dutchman Funicular to reach the Cape Point Lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the two shimmering oceans. 

Your next stop is Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins. Observe them waddling along the sand, swimming in the clear waters, and interacting with each other in their natural habitat while you stroll alongside via a network of boardwalks. Before returning to your hotel, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens back in Cape Town, renowned for its vast display of indigenous flora. For an elevated perspective of the lush garden, walk along the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway and enjoy uninterrupted views of the diverse plant collections and towering Table Mountain in the distance.

Day 4: Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tour in the Cape Winelands

Leave the city behind for the day as you transfer 45 minutes to the Cape Winelands, South Africa's renowned wine-producing region just outside the city. Spend the day visiting award-winning wineries, where you'll pair the different vintages you sample with artisanal cheeses and chocolates, starting at Fairview Wine and Cheese. The owners of this combined vineyard and goat farm pride themselves on growing sustainable produce and creating great artisanal products, which you'll experience with a tasting of eight different wines paired with cheese and olives.

Then, transfer 30 minutes to the food and wine connoisseur's town of Franschhoek for a stroll and lunch at a restaurant your guide recommends. After lunch, hit the road again for a 30-minute transfer to historic Stellenbosch. Admire the canal-lined avenues, Cape Dutch buildings, and towering oak trees as you head to your final destination, the Waterford Estate. Stroll through the vineyards and learn about the estate's viticulture practices and grape varieties. Then, step inside to savor a selection of the estate's signature blends and varietals paired with chocolates made by a master chocolatier.

Day 5: Fly to Hoedspruit, Transfer to Kruger National Park, Afternoon Safari

Say goodbye to Cape Town this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 2.5-hour flight to Hoedspruit. From there, you'll set off on a 2.5-hour land transfer to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, nestled within the private Sabi Sand Nature Reserve adjacent to the renowned Kruger National Park. This luxurious lodge provides an intimate and immersive encounter with the African wilderness, combining high-end comfort with authentic bush adventures. Settle into your opulent villa equipped with a private pool and get ready for a late afternoon safari in the national park. 

As the temperature begins to cool, many animals become more active, providing excellent chances to spot Africa's Big Five, which includes elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes. The park is also home to zebras, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, and impalas, so keep your eyes peeled as you traverse the open plains. After the safari, return to the lodge for a delicious dinner. Choose from an array of locally-inspired dishes and international favorites to enjoy in the high-arched, thatched dining room or the open-air bush kitchen.

Days 6-7: Game Drives & Bush Walks in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve

Spend the next two days exploring the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and neighboring Kruger National Park. There are no fences between the two, so wildlife can roam freely. Start your mornings with an early wake-up call from the ranger to get ready for a game drive or bush walk. Game drives offer the chance to spot predators like lions or leopards returning from their hunt or herds of elephants, rhinos, and antelope grazing or moving slowly toward a water source for a drink. On a bush walk, you have a better chance of spotting birds like martial eagles, lilac-breasted rollers, and saddle-billed storks.

Return to the lodge around midday to eat, take shelter from the heat, and relax by the pool. As evening falls and temperatures cool, you'll set off on another game drive to look for nocturnal creatures like leopards, hyenas, bush babies, and aardvarks. Just before sunset, your guide will choose a spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a sundowner (a break for snacks and drinks while you watch the sunset). Watch in awe as the sky turns to the sensational vibrant reds, golds, and oranges typical of an African sunset. On your way back to the lodge, your guide will use a spotlight to point out more wildlife.

Day 8: Transfer to Johannesburg via the Three Rondavels

Consider waking up early for a sunrise walk before breakfast to take advantage of your final moments within the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Afterward, join your driver for a six-hour transfer to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. The drive will take you along the Panorama Route, renowned for its dramatic mountain views, waterfalls, and lush valleys. As you leave the bush behind, you'll pass through the Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world, stopping at the Three Rondavels, colossal rock formations that resemble traditional African huts. 

Take in views of the mountain peaks, vast canyon, and Blyde River far below before completing the drive to Johannesburg. You'll arrive around 5 pm, with time to check in at your hotel and freshen up for dinner. Head to the Maboneng Precinct, one of the city's most artistic and lively neighborhoods. Choose from a range of stylish eateries offering everything from local delights to international cuisine, all while taking in the bustling street art and live music. If you choose a local restaurant, try bunny chow (a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with spicy curry).

Day 9: Transfer to Pretoria, Rovos Rail Train (Day 1): Into Zimbabwe

After a restful night in Johannesburg, transfer 45 minutes to the train station in Pretoria to start your three-night journey aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Depart at 10 am and freshen up in your suite before heading to the lounge car for a drink or the observation car with an open-air balcony at the rear of the train. Around 1 pm, make your way to the dining car for a gourmet lunch. Keep an eye on the windows as you pass through Bela-Bela (a quaint town known for its hot springs) and historic Nylstroom, surrounded by the scenic Waterberg Mountains. 

You'll also pass the edge of the escarpment, where the landscape transforms dramatically, with the Highveld region's flat terrain giving way to steep cliffs and plunging drops. Enjoy a hot cup of tea in the lounge or observation car around 4:30 pm as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn, one of the five major circles of latitude that mark the transition from the temperate to the tropical zones of Earth. At 7:30 pm, dinner will be served in the elegant dining car while crossing the Limpopo River to Beitbridge, a bustling border town in Zimbabwe.

Day 10: Rovos Rail Train (Day 2): Matobo Hills & Mpopoma

Start the second day of your journey with breakfast in the dining car, available until 10 am. As you look out the window, you're sure to see ancient baobab trees standing sentinel across the African plains. Sit down for lunch around 1 pm and watch Zimbabwe's second-largest city, Bulawayo, come into view. Sneak a peak at the colonial architecture and the UNESCO-listed Matobo Hills. Tea will be available again in the lounge and observation cars around 4:30 pm. Then, you can indulge in a delicious dinner as you make your way to Mpopoma, a vibrant suburb offering a look at traditional Zimbabwean architecture.

Day 11: Rovos Rail Train (Day 3): Game Drive in Hwange National Park

Today, you'll have the chance to disembark around 3 pm for a game drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest natural reserve. Traverse the park's diverse landscapes, ranging from vast savannas to dense woodlands, in search of wildlife. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, allowing you to see these majestic creatures up close. You may also see various other animals, including lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and an impressive array of bird species. Return to the train in time for your final dinner on board en route to Thomson Junction.

Day 12: Rovos Rail Train (Day 4): Arrive in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Head to the dining car between 7 am and 9:30 am for your last breakfast on board, then prepare your luggage for collection as you'll disembark around 10 am. Bid farewell to the train and transfer to the Victoria Falls River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park. This luxury lodge features spacious safari tents and exclusive villas that seamlessly blend with the natural environment. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge and enjoying its amenities. Grab a drink at the bar, enjoy uninterrupted river views, or go for a dip in the pool. 

Day 13: Activities at Victoria Falls River Lodge

Your stay at Victoria Falls River Lodge includes two game activities. Choose from a sunrise or sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, a morning or afternoon game drive, or a bird-watching tour. There are over 100 species of mammals and 400 bird species in the national park, so you're sure to see incredible wildlife no matter which excursion you choose. If there's time, you can combine these activities with a tour of Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to "The Smoke That Thunders."

Before arriving at the falls, you'll visit the Big Tree, an iconic baobab tree known for its immense size and age. Then, it's onto the cascade that straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, creating a dramatic curtain of water that plunges over 328 feet (100 m) into the Zambezi Gorge below. Admire the falls from a range of viewing platforms, feeling the refreshing spray as you try to snap photos in the mist. Before returning to the lodge for dinner, stop at Danger Point for a close-up look at the turbulent waters as they thunder, churn, and plummet into the depths. 

Day 14: Depart Victoria Falls

Wake up early for one last look at the Zambezi River while you enjoy your final breakfast at the lodge. When it's time, a driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Try to snag a window seat as you might catch a glimpse of Victoria Falls from above. Safe travels!