Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park & More - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town (South Africa), Half-Day City Tour

Welcome to South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to refresh before heading out on a four-hour tour of the city. Explore Cape Town's different eras and learn about the country's history, as well as the people who shaped it. Start at the Company's Garden, which was previously farmland dating back to the 17th century, that's been turned into a beloved park, offering a respite from the urban bustle. Around the corner is the Iziko Slave Lodge, a national history museum dedicated to exploring the history of slavery in the region. 

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. Your next stop 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, dedicated to destitute children, and the District Six Museum, which commemorates forced relocation under Apartheid. 

After visiting some of the city's landmarks, stop for lunch in the downtown core. 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 a cable car for spectacular views of the city, mountains, and ocean. Take the cable car back down the mountain in time for dinner at the V&A Waterfront, where you'll find a variety of fine-dining restaurants and pubs with views of the ocean.

Day 2: Cape Peninsula Tour, Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Get an early start for your full-day tour along the Cape Peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern extremity of Africa. At the southern end of the peninsula is Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. On the northern end is Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town. The southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula has outstanding flora and fauna and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cape Floristic Region. Start the day on Chapman's Peak Drive along the scenic roads of the Atlantic Seaboard. Pass by Llandudno and Camps Bay beaches before reaching Cape Point.

Afterward, head to Boulder's Beach and visit the penguin colony before breaking for lunch at a local seafood restaurant along the water in the sleepy Simon's Town. End your tour back in the city with a visit to the 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 species of indigenous and exotic plants. Walk along the elevated curved steel and timber Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway to enjoy panoramic views of the lush garden and surrounding mountains. 

Day 4: Fly to Johannesburg, Guided Tour of the Soweto Township

Say goodbye to Cape Town this morning as you head to the airport to catch a two-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. After checking into your hotel, head out on a half-day tour in the eastern township of Soweto. The neighborhood was once a segregated area for the city's Black population, igniting uprisings, with the most notable one occurring in 1976, when tens of thousands of black students took to the streets to protest the rule that Afrikaans should be the official language. Several hundred students were killed during the uprising, including 12-year-old Hector Pieterson.

The Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorates his and all the students' bravery. After stopping by the memorial, enjoy a quiet stroll down Vilazaki Street to see the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, then visit the Nelson Mandela Museum. Today's tour also includes a tapas-style lunch at a local joint and a visit to the Kliptown Youth Program, an after-school tutoring and personal development program for disadvantaged youth. After the tour, stop at a tavern for a beer or a soft drink to reflect on the day's experiences. 

Day 5: Fly to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive

After a restful night in the city, return to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The 160,600 acre (65,000 ha) reserve shares a border with Kruger National Park and is home to a remarkable number of wild animals, thanks to the careful conservation efforts of the reserve staff. The Sabi and Sand Rivers run through the reserve, adding to the ecology of the region. Upon arrival at the small airport, you'll be met by a preserve representative and transferred to your lodge, where you'll spend the night.

The lodge is all-inclusive, so you don't have to worry about a thing—besides taking in the views and relaxing. In the afternoon, set off on your first game drive to try and find the Big Five game animals, which include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. Watch the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and gold as you traverse the reserve's rugged terrain. When darkness starts to fall, return to the lodge and sit down to a homestyle meal as you listen to the nighttime sounds of the African bush around you.

Days 6-7: On Safari in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Spend the day next two days going on bush walks and game drives in the reserve. Sabi hosts a variety of wildlife, many of which also live across the reserve's border in Kruger National Park, as wildlife can roam freely between the two regions since the fence erected between them was demolished in the 1990s. Early European landowners used the land for recreation and hunting before transforming it into the luxurious Big Five safaris of today. Many inter-park projects ensure the ecological diversity and health of the plants and animals.

When exploring the reserve, keep your eyes open for the "Sabi Sands Secret Seven," which includes servals, African wildcats, aardvarks, pangolins, civets, porcupines, and large spotted genets—the park's most elusive nocturnal wildlife. Over 145 mammal species, 500+ bird species, and hundreds of amphibian, reptile species, fish, and plant species call the park home, so you're sure to see some interesting creatures. Between game drives and walks, relax at the lodge and enjoy delicious meals al fresco.

Day 8: Fly to Livingstone (Zambia), Transfer to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Get an early start today with a two-hour transfer to Mbombela, where you can catch a two-hour flight to Livingstone in Zambia. Then, transfer across the border to your hotel in the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, your gateway to the incredible 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 into the Boiling Pot (a permanent whirlpool) 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.

Victoria Falls Bridge, which was built in 1905, spans the river. Nearby, Zambezi National Park is home to spectacular African wildlife like white rhinos, elephants, and more. In the late afternoon, transfer to the jetty for a dinner cruise along the Zambezi, the fourth-longest river in Africa. Relax on deck as you take in the views of the surrounding landscapes, looking out for crocodiles basking in the sun or hippos lounging in the water. Sit down for dinner as you experience an African sunset over the tranquil waters. When you're done eating, cruise back to the jetty and transfer to the hotel.

Day 9: Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Sunset Dinner Cruise

In the morning, depart on 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 David Livingstone Statue, depicting the Scottish explorer who played a pivotal role in the exploration and mapping of Africa during the 19th century and 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, a Tongan name meaning the "Divider of Waters." The walk to reach the point is approximately 1.9 miles (3 km), with plenty of spectacular views along the way. When you arrive, take in the panoramic views of the rugged coastline and the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. 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 10: Transfer to the Zambezi Queen Houseboat via Kasane (Botswana)

Bid farewell to the falls this morning as you transfer to the northern border of Zimbabwe and Kasane in Botswana, where you'll clear customs and transfer to Namibia via a boat transfer. Once in Namibia, you can board the Zambezi Queen, a luxury houseboat, to cruise down the Chobe River for the next three nights. The boat is separated into three decks, with a souvenir shop on the lower deck, accommodation on the middle deck, and leisure areas on the top deck, featuring a dining area, an open-plan lounge for wildlife viewing, and a well-stocked bar.

The outside areas on the top deck also include a plunge pool and sunbathing area, so you have plenty to do on board. Don't worry about being disturbed by insects when you eat, as both the dining room and lounge area are fully enclosed with mosquito screens. Your stay on the houseboat is fully inclusive and includes game viewing, a local village tour, and catch-and-release fishing. Spend your first evening enjoying a delicious meal from the buffet overlooking the river and setting sun, then grab a glass of wine, ice-cold beer, or colorful cocktail to end the night.

Days 11-12: Explore Chobe National Park

Spend the next two days on a river 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. When it comes to game viewing, the Chobe National Park won't disappoint, as it has the world's largest concentration of African elephants, as well as a thriving population of buffalo and other herbivores, such as giraffes, zebras, and impalas. Where there are herbivores, there are predators, so look out for lions, leopards, and hyenas in action. 

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, the Linyanti Swamps in the northwest, and the dry hinterland in between. Spend your days looking out at the wildlife from the top deck or switching to a small boat for an up-close encounter with the park's residents. You can also choose from activities like bird watching, fishing, and cultural tours of nearby villages. In the evenings, enjoy dinner and a drink on the top deck, then fall asleep to the sound of the river outside your window.

Day 13: Transfer to Kasane, Fly to the Moremi Game Reserve 

After three nights on the houseboat, it's time to transfer back to Namibian immigration by boat, then continue to Kasane. From here, you can board a small aircraft for a 40-minute flight to the Moremi Game Reserve on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. Land at camp, then check in for your fully inclusive stay. The protected area is one of Botswana's prime game-viewing regions, so you can spend the next three days looking for wildlife on game drives, bush walks, and motorboat trips. If you're too tired today, spend the afternoon relaxing by the swimming pool. 

The delta is home to a variety of both permanent and seasonal wildlife. African elephants, giraffes, hippos, tsessebe, sitatunga, blue wildebeest, black and white rhinos, buffalo warthogs, and chacma baboons all call the area home. Several hundred species of birds also live here, including Pel's fishing owl, crested cranes, lilac-breasted roller, hammerkop, and sacred ibis, so keep your eyes peeled as you explore the reserve. In the evening, unwind at camp and enjoy dinner al fresco. Don't forget to look up at the sky full of stars uninterrupted by city lights. 

Days 14-15: Explore the Moremi Game Reserve

Discover more of the reserve over the next two days, exploring the combination of year-round swamps and seasonal floodplains, which leads to unexpected wildlife and geographic features. Mopane woodlands and acacia forests give way to floodplains and lagoons. Most prominent in the area, Chiefs Island and Moremi Tongue lie in the middle of the delta. The bulk of the reserve—roughly 70%—is situated in the Okavango Delta, with only 30% located on the mainland, so you can spend time exploring the waterways by motorboat to see thousands of breeding herons and storks.

You'll also go on game drives through the thickly forested upland savannas to see wildlife like African wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, impalas, zebras, and red lechwes. Don't miss the guided bush walks, which offer intimate encounters with the reserve's smaller inhabitants, from elusive antelope species to colorful birds. Break up the wildlife spotting with visits to nearby villages to meet the Indigenous San people. Learn about their customs, traditions, and daily activities, such as basket weaving, traditional dance performances, and storytelling sessions.