South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana Adventure: Capetown, Kruger, Victoria Falls & Chobe - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town (South Africa), Explore at Leisure

Welcome to South Africa's oldest city, Cape Town, nestled between the dramatic peaks of Table Mountain and the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. The rest of the day is free, so you can explore the legislative capital at your own pace. A good place to start is the V&A Waterfront, named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This bustling harbor is home to an array of attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, where you can marvel at marine life from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Continue to The Watershed, a dynamic market space featuring over 150 stalls housed in a historic grain silo. Peruse the stalls lined with handcrafted jewelry, locally made home decor, and traditional crafts, then grab a cup of coffee from one of the on-site cafés. When the sun starts to set, take a ride on the Cape Town Wheel for panoramic views of the waterfront cast in a golden glow. As darkness falls, find a restaurant overlooking the water for a delicious dinner. The city's coastal location means abundant fresh seafood, so consider trying dishes like grilled snoek (a local fish), calamari, or mussels.

Day 2: Guided Tour of Cape Town & Table Mountain

Join your guide on a half-day private tour of Cape Town's highlights, starting with a ride on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. As the cable car rotates, enjoy 360-degree views of the cityscape below while you ascend. At the top, explore the different viewpoints overlooking the city, its rugged coastline, and the dramatic peaks of the Twelve Apostles. Ride the cable car back down the mountain and head to Bo-Kaap, the Malay quarter renowned for its brightly colored houses. After a leisurely stroll down the cobblestone streets, continue to Greenmarket Square in the heart of the city.

Wander through the historic square lined with colorful stalls selling everything from traditional crafts and intricate jewelry to handwoven textiles and wood carvings. Your next stop is the nearby Adderley Street Flower Market, where you can shop for fresh flowers like delicate orchids and seasonal blooms. End the tour at the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving colonial building in the country, built between 1666 and 1679 CE by the Dutch East India Company. Discover the castle's robust stone walls, bastions, and moat while learning about its rich history.

Day 3: Full-Day Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tour

You may want to opt for a light breakfast this morning before you transfer two hours to the Cape Winelands, South Africa's lush wine-producing region, for a cheese, wine, and chocolate tour. Explore the historic towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, each with an array of renowned wineries. In Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town, you'll discover whitewashed buildings and oak-lined streets. Sample some of the region's celebrated wines, from rich cabernet sauvignons to crisp chardonnays, paired with local cheeses and handmade chocolate. 

Continue eating and drinking at a winery in Franschhoek, known as the "French Corner" of the region, as it was founded by French Huguenot refugees in the late 17th century. Your last stop is Paarl, renowned for its elegant wine estates and vast vineyards. If you prefer a fruity wine, sample one of the town's celebrated chenin blanc wines, known for their flavors of apple, pear, and a touch of tropical fruit. After a full day in the Winelands, you'll arrive back at your hotel around 6 pm to enjoy a free evening. 

Day 4: Full-Day Cape Peninsula Tour 

Leave the city behind for the day as you join your guide on a full-day private tour of the surrounding Cape Peninsula. Head out along Chapman's Peak Drive, a scenic coastal road that will take you to Cape Point, the peninsula's tip. Here, you'll see the iconic Cape Point Lighthouse, which you can climb for panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and glittering ocean. Continue to Boulders Beach to meet the resident penguins. The beach's protected environment ensures the penguins are safe from predators, so you can enjoy an unobstructed view of their playful antics and social behaviors.

After marveling at the penguins, head to the nearby Simon's Town, known for its well-preserved naval base and colonial architecture. Stroll the picturesque streets lined with colorful Victorian buildings and find a restaurant for lunch. On your way back to Cape Town, stop at Hout Bay, nestled between the rugged Chapman's Peak and the Atlantic Ocean. Back in the city, make one last stop at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens to wander through the themed areas and traverse the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway.

Day 5: Free Day in Cape Town: Robben Island & Apartheid History

Your last day in Cape Town is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, you could soar above the city on a tandem paragliding flight or skydive. Those who want to dive deeper into the country's recent past can return to the V&A Waterfront to board a ferry to Robben Island, home to an Apartheid-era prison that was used to hold political prisoners like Nelson Mandela. Join a tour of the former prisoner facilities, where knowledgeable guides—many of whom were former inmates—share their personal stories and experiences.

The tour can be an emotional experience, but it allows you to understand the harsh conditions endured by prisoners and the resilience they showed in their fight for justice. Afterward, go for a stroll around the island, taking in views of Cape Town's skyline. If museums are more your thing, consider visiting the District Six Museum, dedicated to preserving the legacy of a neighborhood that was forcibly cleared during Apartheid. Through engaging displays and oral histories, you'll gain insight into the vibrant District Six before its demolition and the impact of Apartheid policies on its inhabitants.

Day 6: Fly to Hoedspruit, Transfer to a Private Game Reserve

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 transfer to a private game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. There are no fences between the private game reserve and the national park, so the animals can roam freely. After settling into your safari lodge, take some time to freshen up and relax. Have a drink at the bar, go for a swim, or stretch your legs on a stroll around the property. 

In the evening, board an open Land Cruiser for your first game drive in the national park. The cool evening air brings out wildlife preparing for the night, such as lions beginning their hunt, elephants moving through the brush, and nocturnal creatures emerging from their daytime shelter. When darkness falls, your guide will use spotlights to scan the horizon for any reflective eyes shining in the darkness. After three hours in the park, return to the lodge for a delicious dinner. 

Days 7-8: Explore Kruger National Park on Game Drives & Walks

Spend the next two days exploring the national park and private reserve on safari walks and game drives in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Nothing is predictable in the bush, so each walk and game drive offers new opportunities to spot wildlife and learn about local folklore, basic tracking, traditional survival techniques, and medicinal plants. While you traverse the vast open grasslands, be sure to look up as over 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including the African fish eagle, southern ground hornbill, and lilac-breasted roller. 

After your morning excursions, return to the lodge in time for brunch and free time to relax by the pool during the hottest time of the day when the animals also seek shelter. On your evening game drives or walks, look out for nocturnal animals like bushbabies, civets, genets, African wild cats, and porcupines. Then, stop for a sundowner, a tradition where a drink is enjoyed while watching the sunset, before returning to the lodge for dinner. 

Day 9: Fly to Johannesburg, Explore South Africa's Largest City

Set off on one last game drive before transferring to the airport for a one-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. Transfer to your hotel to check in, then enjoy some free time to explore the city at your own pace. If you want to learn about the country's turbulent past, head to the Apartheid Museum and peruse the thoughtfully curated exhibits. As you walk through the museum, you'll encounter displays depicting oppressive laws, the resistance movements, and the country's remarkable journey toward equality and justice. 

Learn more about Apartheid and its impact at the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct, a former prison complex where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were held. Then, head to the Maboneng Precinct, a once-neglected neighborhood that has transformed into a cultural hub buzzing with energy and artistic expression. Stroll past colorful murals, art galleries, and quirky boutiques, stopping to look for souvenirs to commemorate your trip. The area is also known for its eclectic mix of eateries, where you can sample everything from gourmet cuisine to street food. 

Day 10: Fly to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Victoria Falls, a small town in Zimbabwe that serves as the gateway to the iconic waterfall of the same name. When you arrive, meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish, so you could browse the local markets for handmade goods or opt for a helicopter ride over the falls. Adventure seekers can tackle the rapids of the Zambezi River on a whitewater rafting expedition or bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Day 11: Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River

Start your day with a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to "The Smoke that Thunders." Head to the Big Tree first, an ancient baobab tree estimated to be over a thousand years old. Then, continue to the Statue of David Livingstone, which is dedicated to the Scottish explorer and missionary who traveled across Africa to map uncharted regions. Finally, it's onto the falls themselves for a 1.8-mile (3 km) walk from Devil's Cataract (the westernmost part of the falls) to Danger Point, named for its proximity to the edge of the cascade. 

After admiring the falls from different viewpoints, dry off and transfer to the jetty in the late afternoon for a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Watch the sun begin to set, casting a golden glow across the river while you enjoy local wine, beer, or soft drinks with a snack. Before it gets too dark, try to spot elephants and hippos coming down to the river for a drink or the occasional crocodile sunning itself on the banks. When the sun disappears below the horizon, cruise back to the jetty and transfer to your hotel for the evening. 

Day 12: Full-Day Tour of Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Trade one natural wonder for another as you leave the falls behind for the day and transfer one hour to Chobe National Park in Botswana. When you arrive at the border, a local guide will meet you and take you to the Chobe River, where you'll board a cruise to search for wildlife. The park is known for its large herds of elephants, as the river attracts up to 85,000 during the dry season. But you may also see hippos wading in the river's shallows, Nile crocodiles basking on the riverbanks, or large herds of African buffalo coming down for a drink. 

Around 12:30 pm, head to a hotel on the riverbank for lunch before boarding a safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive through the national park. Traverse the diverse landscapes, from open savannas to dense woodlands, where you'll have a chance to see more elephants and predators like lions and leopards on the move. The park is also home to over 450 bird species, so keep your eyes peeled for secretary birds, white-backed vultures, and African jacanas. After the game drive, return to the border to meet your Zimbabwean guide and transfer back to Victoria Falls.

Day 13: Fly to Johannesburg, Depart

Now that you've spent 13 days exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park, it's time to head home. Enjoy your breakfast, then transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight back to Johannesburg. From here, you can continue on your journey home. Safe travels!