Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, & Chobe National Park - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, City Tour & Table Mountain

Welcome to South Africa! Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to your accommodation to unpack and unwind. After you settle in, spend the rest of your day exploring the city. 

Known as the 'Rainbow Nation,' Cape Town and South Africa have a long and complicated history involving a multitude of ethnic and cultural groups. The area's history starts with the indigenous Khoisan and Bantu people, who were the primary residents of the area until the Portuguese and Dutch arrived in South Africa, beginning a centuries-long occupation.

These days, South Africa is home to a diverse population. Roughly 80% of South Africans are of Bantu ancestry from a variety of ethnic groups, each with a distinct language. The remainder of the community is made up primarily of European, Asian (Indian, Chinese, and others from the formerly enslaved and indentured population), and mixed-race (Cape Coloured) ancestry. 

Meet your local guide in the city center for a 4-hour walking tour of the historic city. You'll explore the different eras of Cape Town and learn about South Africa's history, as well as the people who shaped it. Stops along the tour include the Company's Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, The Castle of Good Hope, and the Slave Lodge.

The Company's Garden dates back to the 1650s when European settlers farmed the land to grow fresh produce to replenish ships rounding the cape. Around the corner is the Iziko Slave Lodge, a national history museum dedicated to exploring the history of slavery at the Cape. Since its construction in 1679, the building has functioned as a center for the bustling slave trade (primarily operated by the Dutch East India Company) as well as a government building and supreme court. 

Nearby sits the historic Green Market Square, which has served as a slave market, vegetable market, and center for political protests under Apartheid. These days it hosts a flea market with African souvenirs and crafts for sale.

Just down the street is the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa's oldest existing Dutch East India colonial building. On the way, you'll pass by several memorials and monuments, including the We Are Still Here Street Memorial to destitute children and the District Six Museum, which commemorates forced relocation under apartheid. 

After strolling the streets of Cape Town, stop for lunch in the city center. In the afternoon, give your legs a rest with a hop-on-hop-off tour aboard the distinctive red open-top bus. Start at the Cape Town City Center Terminal, then take the bus to Table Mountain. From the bus stop, continue to the summit on the cable car for spectacular views of the city, mountains, and ocean. Return to Cape Town in time for dinner at the bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where you'll find a variety of fine dining restaurants and pubs with views of the ocean.

Day 2: Cape Peninsula Tour, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Get an early start for your full-day Cape Peninsula tour. The Cape Peninsula is a rocky peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. On the northern end is Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town. The Cape Peninsula has outstanding flora and fauna and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cape Floral Region. 

Start the day on Chapman’s Peak Drive along the scenic roads of the Atlantic Seaboard. You'll pass by Llandudno and Camps Bay beaches before reaching Cape Point. Afterward, head to Simons Town and visit the penguin colony before breaking for lunch at a local seafood restaurant along the water in the sleepy fishing town.

End your day with a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, one of the world's most exceptional botanical gardens. Set against the slopes of Table Mountain, this lush paradise houses thousands of unique species of indigenous and exotic plants. Walk along the curved steel and timber Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway (informally known as the 'Boomslang') to see the views from the treetop canopy. 

End the day with dinner in the city before returning to your accommodation for a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Cheese, Wine, & Chocolate Tour

Enjoy a full-day cheese, wine, and chocolate tour—a heavenly combination. You'll sample dark chocolates, creamy cheeses, and superb wine while experiencing South Africa's stunning scenery and acclaimed hospitality. 

Start your day with a 1-hour drive to the Fairview Winery. With several hundred years of wine-making heritage originating on the farm, it's no wonder that Fairview wine has become a cornerstone of South African wine history. Enjoy a wine and goat cheese tasting in an intimate setting, then head outside to visit the winery's furry mascots (baby goats!) and take in the beautiful views. 

Your next stop is the Tokara winery in Stellenbosch for wine tasting, located on the southern slopes of Simonsberg Mountain about 20 minutes down the road. Round out your wine tour with a 20-minute drive to visit Bilton, on the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains. Here you can sample fine South African wines, accompanied by dark Belgian chocolates to complement the flavors of the wines.

Return to Cape Town in the evening.

Day 4: Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Get an early start today with a transfer to the Cape Town International Airport. Catch a flight to Livingstone Airport in Zambia, then transfer across the border to the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya in Lozi). From here continue to your hotel, where you'll spend the next few nights. 

The town of Victoria Falls in western Zimbabwe is a gateway to the incredible nearby waterfall of the same name. The native Lozi name for the falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means "The Smoke that Thunders". Here, the Zambezi River plunges over a cliff and into the Boiling Pot before rushing through a series of steep gorges. The incredible Devil's Pool, a natural infinity pool, sits on the edge of a sheer drop. 

The Victoria Falls Bridge, which was built in 1905, spans the river. Nearby, the Zambezi National Park is home to spectacular Africa wildlife like white rhinos, elephants, and more. 

In the late afternoon transfer to the jetty for a dinner cruise along the Upper Zambezi. Relax on deck as you take in the views of the surrounding landscapes, then sit down to dinner as you experience an incredible African sunset. After dinner, cruise back to the jetty and transfer to the hotel.

Day 5: Guided Tour of Victoria Falls & Sunset Cruise

In the morning, depart for a guided tour of the falls. Your first stop is the Big Tree—a  massive several-hundred-year-old baobab tree with a 72-foot (22 m) circumference. From here the tour continues to the falls themselves. Start at the statue of Livingstone, the Scottish explorer who gave the falls their European name.

Continue to Devil's Cataract, the lowest of the five falls, and proceed through the rainforest toward Danger Point—an exposed, rocky promontory. Devil's Cataract sits apart from the rest of the falls, separated by Boaruka Island, the Tonga name for "divider of waters" (the island is also known as Cataract Island). The walk to reach the point is approximately 1.9 miles (3 km) with plenty of spectacular views along the way. Please note: due to the seasonal rains, the falls are fullest in June and lowest in November. 

In the afternoon, head out for another sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Take in the sights and relax as you enjoy drinks and snacks on board. In the evening, return to the jetty and transfer to your hotel.

Day 6: Victoria Falls to Chobe Safari, Zambezi Queen Houseboat

Start your morning with a transfer to the northern border of Zimbabwe and Botswana, where you will clear customs and continue to Kasane Immigration. Here you'll transfer to Namibian Immigrations via a boat transfer, then continue to the Zambezi Queen Houseboat for the next three nights. 

The boat is separated into three decks, with a souvenir shop on the lower deck and leisure areas on the top deck. The top deck also features the dining area, and open-plan lounge for wildlife viewing, and a well-stocked bar. The outside areas on the top deck include a plunge pool and sunbathing area. On the top deck, both the dining room and lounge area are fully enclosed with mosquito screens. 

Your stay on the Zambezi Houseboat is fully inclusive and includes game viewing, a local village tour, and catch-and-release fishing. Please note that the Zambezi Queen operates on set departure dates.

Day 7: Houseboat Safari in Chobe National Park

Spend the day on safari in the Chobe area, enjoying the beauty of the river and its surroundings. Kick back and relax as you drift down the river and watch the scenery pass you by. With a small number of guests per boat, the setting is quiet and intimate. If you're vacationing with a large group, book the entire boat for your very own private villa on the water. 

When it comes to game viewing, the Chobe National Park does not disappoint. With the world's largest concentration of African elephants and other animals, there's always something to see. Within the park, your wildlife viewing will be greatly affected by the ecosystem you visit—the Chobe Riverfront in the northeast, the Savute Marsh in the west, Linyanti Swamps in the northwest, and the dry hinterland in between. 

The Chobe Riverfront is a popular destination with travelers. Safari boats travel along the river, giving guests unparalleled looks at the vast herds of elephants on the banks. By mid-morning, zebra and a variety of antelope replace the elephants. In the afternoons, massive herds of several thousand cape buffalo congregate on the riverfront. Where there are buffalo, there are predators, so look out for lions, leopards, and hyenas in action. In the water, large pods of hippos gather along the shore while African fish eagles fly over the river, hunting for their next meal. 

The Zambezi Houseboat is a paradise for wildlife viewing. Rise at sunrise to sip coffee on the deck, or enjoy a leisurely morning lie-in. During the day, choose from activities like bird watching and up-close wildlife viewing from a small boat. In the evenings fall asleep to the sound of the river outside your window.

Day 8: Depart Namibia via Johannesburg

Get an early start for your day of travel. Transfer back to the airstrip and board your flight to Maun Airport, then connect with your flight to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. From here you can catch your flight home.