12-Day South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana

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12-Day South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana

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Trip Details

  • Itinerary
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • FAQ
  • We provide three tour options: 8- Day trip, 10-Day, and 12-Day
  • This tour starts in Cape Town, South Africa (for 10-day and 12-day trip options).
  • *This tour starts at Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe for an 8-day option.
  • We can book your international flights.
  • Fly to Cape Town Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.
  • Fly back from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA).
  • A transfer from and back to the airport is included.
  • We can arrange additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour for an extra cost.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival to South Africa. Cape Town

Upon arrival at Cape Town airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the city.
You will have the rest of the day free to settle in and relax.

About Cape Town:
Cape Town is a rare cultural gem, the result of the fusion of different nationalities and local people.

Alongside the high-rise office blocks, a harmonious blend of architectural styles, including Edwardian, Victorian, and Cape Dutch, has been meticulously preserved. The narrow, cobbled streets and the Islamic character of the Bo-Kaap area enhance the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Accommodation: The Cape Milner Hotel or similar.
Meals included today: None.

Day 2

Cape Town

After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up for an exciting half-day excursion with one of our experienced guides. You will have the opportunity to discover and explore the contrasted and charming nooks of this colorful city.

The day will take you to the City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope: this pentagonal fort is the oldest surviving building in South Africa; the Company's Garden – a large public park, originally Jan van Riebeeck's orchard, which he cultivated to feed the original colony as early as 1652; and Signal Hill which has spectacular views of the city and the famous Noon Gun plus various other interesting locations.

At the end of your excursion through the city, we will transfer you back to your hotel and you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city at your leisure.

Accommodation: The Cape Milner Hotel or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast.

Day 3

Cape Town

After an early breakfast, we will pick you up at your hotel and proceed to your full day excursion to the Cape Peninsula—the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts.

The first stop is in the charming fishing village of Hout Bay. Afterward, you will continue along the Atlantic coast to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, the most southern tip of Africa and the mythical meeting place of the two great oceans.

On the return journey you will pass through the naval town of Simon's Town and then through the fishing port of Kalk Bay and the lush suburb of Constantia. End the day with a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation: The Cape Milner Hotel or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast.

Day 4

Cape Town – Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe)

Today you will head to Zimbabwe to begin your safari experience at the spectacular Matobo National Park.

You will take a flight from Cape Town to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (flight not included in the price as it is an international flight). Upon arrival in Bulawayo, a driver will be waiting to take you to the nearby Matobo National Park.

After checking in at the lodge, you can rest, relax by the pool and enjoy the spectacular surroundings of this geological wonder during the day, and its impressive star-sprinkled sky at night.

About Matobo National Park:

The park is one of the largest parks in the world, which are dominated by the signature balancing rocks. This small, easily accessible national park contains some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region.

The Matobo Hills are located south of Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. The Hills cover an area of about 3,000 km2, of which about 400 km2 is protected by Matobo National Park, formerly Matobo Hills National Park and formerly Rhodes Matopos National Park.

Matobo's landscape is magnificent, consisting of many small hills, massive granite outcrops, and boulders that balance on each other, creating spectacular shapes, known as kopjes (pronounced copies). Looking at these kopjes you can see figures resembling clouds.

This rugged landscape receives better rainfall than the surrounding areas; as a result, it can support an expansive diversity of vegetation and a variety of mammals, such as Kudu, Waterbuck, Zebra, White Rhino and other medium-sized animals.

Accommodation: Matobo Hills Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5

Matobo National Park

In the morning, you will have the chance to enjoy any activity included in your stay. A popular one is a game and sightseeing drive, in an open safari vehicle, to the famous “Silozwane” caves. There, you will discover the ancient cave paintings that give one the feeling of travelling back in time to ancient Zimbabwe.

Afterward you will hike up the mountain (light climbing) to enjoy the impressive views of the surroundings of the park, an almost aerial experience.

You will return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime; after which you can either spend the day relaxing by the pool or in your room, or you can go out for another safari and sightseeing adventure.

Just after sunset, those who have gone out will return to the lodge for dinner.

Accommodation: Matobo Hills Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6

Matobo National Park - Hwange National Park

Early in the morning, you will head to your next safari experience, in the famous Hwange National Park.

The road trip is approximately 4 hours (for those departing from Matobo) and 3 hours (for those departing from Victoria Falls), you will likely arrive at your destination around lunchtime.

After lunch and a short rest, an experienced safari guide will take you on a 3 to 4-hour game drive through the area and maybe the Park, in search of its diverse and abundant wildlife.

You will return to the lodge, freshen up and enjoy a delicious dinner in the tranquility of the wild and remote surroundings.

*Optional night safaris can be done if the lodge offers this activity—not included.

About Hwange National Park:

Bordering Botswana and spanning an area of 14,600 km² (approx. Size of Belgium), this is the largest national park in Zimbabwe and comprises a variety of habitats from the Kalahari sandveld to Mopane forests.

Its sheer size and diverse landscape of semidesert scrub on the edge of the Kalahari in the South and granite foothills and Mopane forest valleys in the North, makes it an ideal home to equally diverse vegetation and wildlife.

The national park is home to over 470 bird species and more than 100 species of mammals, including lion, leopard, and rhino, and is famous for its large population of elephant and buffalo. There is also an expansive population of other antelope and smaller mammals.

This safari area is very accessible and many of the safari lodges here offer day and night safaris and most also offer walking safaris.

Accommodation: Sable Valley Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7

Hwange National Park

Today you have choices to do a full day game drive in the park, a morning and/or a late afternoon game drive through a private concession or the park, a walking safari, a cultural tour. Or maybe you would prefer to stay at the lodge and simply relax in the beautifully wild surroundings.

Whatever your choice, breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the lodge unless you are out on a game drive during meal times, in which case you will have a packed meal.

Accommodation: Sable Valley Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8

Your PlanHwange National Park – Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Today you will depart for Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) in the morning, which is approximately 3 hours by road.

Upon arrival in Victoria Falls, you will have the morning at leisure and be free to walk around the town, do some shopping, try out one of the many restaurants, or simply relax at your accommodation. You may also opt for any of the other activities offered in Victoria Falls this afternoon. Note: these extra activities are not included.

In the evening, the dinner will be in pure "Zimbo" style at the exceptionally unique and charming “Dusty Road” restaurant. You will have the chance to sample some of the most typically traditional Zimbabwean dishes in an ambiance inspired by the African township vibe. In this case, those of Chinotimba and Mkhosana, the two main residential suburbs of the city of Victoria Falls. Moreover, the restaurant is in "Chinotimba Township”, making the experience even more authentic if that is possible.

After dinner, each guest can either return to the accommodation or enjoy the city's nightlife.

Accommodation: Shearwaters Explorers Village or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast and dinner (at Dusty Road).

Day 9

Victoria Falls

An early morning breakfast cruise on the Zambezi River is highly recommended and can be added as an optional activity, hence it is not included. Bookings can be arranged the day before if travelers are keen.

Finally, today you will experience the majestic Victoria Falls after a reasonable walk from your accommodation to the park entrance of the Falls. During this breathtaking experience, you will see the Zambezi River fall from 108 m into the Gorge from various viewpoints situated along the cobbled pathways.

You will have the morning and afternoon at leisure and free to walk around the town, do some shopping, try out one of the many restaurants for lunch or simply relax at your accommodation. You may also opt for any of the other activities offered in Victoria Falls to fill the gap this afternoon. Note: these extra activities are not included.

Extra activity options: Helicopter flight over the falls; bungee jumping; rafting; zip line; and many more!

A little later in the afternoon, you will take a trip to the local markets to buy some ingredients for dinner, while experiencing the local township and traditional foods of the area.

You will return to a selected location for a "braai" – the local term for a barbeque - and with the help of the tour leader, everyone will take part in the preparation and cooking of the typical African braai dishes. Limited local wines, beers, sodas included, other beverages as per request and on guests own account.

Tonight coincides with Africa Day and often there will be different live concerts and events which you can join to celebrate this magical land after the braai or return to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Shearwaters Explorers Village or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast and dinner (braai).

Day 10

Victoria Falls – Chobe National Park

After breakfast, you will hit the road for a 1 hour’s drive to Kazungula, the Zimbabwe-Botswana border. Upon entry into Botswana, you will head in the direction of Chobe National Park to your lodge.

After check-in and lunch, you can choose between a game drive in the Chobe National Park or a game cruise on the Chobe River—both highly recommended experiences.

Suggestion: Game cruise first and save the game drive for a full day safari tomorrow.

Whether exploring the Park from land or from the River, incredible sightings of wildlife and beautiful landscapes are abundant and vast. You will not tire of enjoying one of the best safaris experiences and scenery in Africa.

After your safari, you will return to your accommodation for a delicious dinner and a good first night, close to such an impressive stretch of River.

About Chobe National Park:

From fertile floodplains to open expanses of swamp, Chobe is an irresistible magnet for wildlife. Even in the height of the dry season, when vegetation withers across most of the Kalahari, the permanent waters of the Chobe River provide sustenance for hungry animals.

Near Kasane town, the gateway to the national park, herds of elephants frequently swim across the river, a sight which guests can enjoy from a boat. There are also regular sightings of pods of “yawning” hippos, congregations of crocodiles basking in the sun and a motley assortment of birdlife including cranes, herons, and storks along the shores.

Above the river, dense thickets of bush conceal prides of lions alert for a stray zebra or even a giraffe, while leopards lurk, hidden in the trees awaiting their nocturnal patrol.

The riverbank can be a crowded area for safari lovers, but the rewards are many. At its western end, where the exclusive lodges and safari vehicles are fewer, the feeling of complete isolation is an added bonus.

To drive from the riverbank to Savuti is to experience the full range of the Kalahari: dunes amid thorny bushes culminating in wide, seemingly empty plains, where occasional rock outcroppings are branded with ancient rock paintings. When the erratic Savuti Channel flows, its waters flood the plains, creating a swamp that is as beautiful as it is abundant for wildlife; even when dry, the seemingly hostile environment teems with new births early in the year. As the area dries up, the pools shrink, and the last vestiges of water draw predators to their wary prey. And so the cycle continues.

Accommodation: Mowana Safari Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11

Chobe National Park

Today you can choose a combination: Two game drives (morning and afternoon) or two game cruises on the river (morning and afternoon), or combined drive and cruise (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). And of course you can also just relax at your lodge.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the lodge after the activities.

Accommodation: Mowana Safari Lodge or similar.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12

Chobe National Park – Victoria Falls International Airport

After breakfast and depending on your flight’s departure time, your driver will pick you up at the lodge to transfer you to the Victoria Falls Airport. The time has come to say goodbye to this unforgettable experience and leave with your soul bursting with unforgettable memories.

Tozoonana kuno zvakare!! (“We will see each other back here again” in Shona).

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • International flights (From/ home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

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