South Africa & Zimbabwe: Best of Southern Africa tour 7 Days

cape town & Kruger national PArk
with an extension to victoria falls

ITINERARY & PRICES

Day 1 Arrive Cape Town (flight not included).
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The Commodore Hotel or similar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Cape Town - City tour
Take a trip to the top of Table Mountain [weather permitting] in the revolving cable car. Here, you'll see wildflowers and the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other. After descending Table Mountain, your drive to the city center takes you past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a baroque building and the Grand Parade. As you follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, you will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You will pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means "Above Cape" because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain. In the early 18th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town.  After slavery was abolished, their descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here.  

Table Mountain (weather permitting) - Guests will take a trip to the top of the world, high above the clouds on the famous Table Mountain. Table Mountain is an icon in Cape Town and is most likely the most photographed landmark in the country. Table Mountain has been named as on the seven wonders of nature and attracts millions over visitors from all across the globe, in fact, since the opening of the aerial cableway in 1929, more than 22 million people have taken the trip to the top. At the upper cable station, guests will find a restaurant and a curio shop as well as some footpaths for exploration. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 3 Cape Town
Day is at leisure to enjoy optional tours such as Full day winelands tour or a full day Cape Peninsula Tour. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 4 Cape Town
Day is at leisure to enjoy optional tours such as Full day winelands tour or a full day Cape Peninsula Tour. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 5 Cape Town - Kruger National Park by flight (flight not included) / Drive to your lodge
This morning travel to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the Kruger National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive inside the Kruger National Park. Overnight at Kapama River Lodge or similar on a Full board basis.
Includes: Three meals and two safaris daily and conservation levies.
Excludes: All brand beverages, any services not specified.
Overnight at the lodge. (BLD)

Day 6 Kapama Game Reserve
Enjoy the included safaris and enjoy the fusion of tranquility and excitement. Overnight at the lodge. (BLD)

Day 7 Kapama Game Reserve - Johannesburg by flight ((flight not included)/ Depart Johannesburg
Enjoy the included safaris and later transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Arrive and connect with your international flight. (B)

Extend your stay to include an optional extension to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Day 7 Kapama Game Reserve - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) by flight ((flight not included)
You will be met and transferred from airport to Ilala Lodge or similar. In the afternoon you will have an opportunity to enjoy a sun downer river cruise. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Victoria Falls
This morning enjoy a guided tour of the famous Victoria falls on the Zimbabwe side. Optional: Zambia side of the falls available for extra cost. Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy various activities in Victoria Falls. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 9 Depart Victoria Falls by flight ((flight not included)/ Depart Johannesburg
Today after breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Johannesburg. Arrive and connect with your international flight. (B)

Best time to visit south africa

Since South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, it’s summer down here when it’s winter in Europe and North America. Summer begins in November and lasts till February, which if you think about it, makes this the ideal time to visit if you want to escape the cold weather.

Depending on where you’re visiting, the average day temperature in summer ranges from a minimum of 15°C ( 59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F). In winter the average day temperatures are 19°C to 23°C (66°F to 73°F). Just ensure you have a jacket to put on as it can get chilly at night.

If you’re intending on going on a safari in Mpumalanga and Limpopo then the best time to visit would be in winter. Why? Because these two provinces are very pleasant as it’s sunny and warm during the day and dry and cool at night. Late winter is popular for game spotting because the vegetation is sparse and animals visit the waterholes to drink. Summer in the Lowveld can be extremely hot due to high humidity. Alternatively, you can go on a winter beach holiday in Durban or on the KwaZulu-Natal coast as average temperatures hover around the 26°C mark.

In Cape Town, the best time to visit is in spring and autumn, which is April and May or the beginning of September to October. Spring is particularly breathtaking as you’ll get to witness first-hand some of South Africa’s most beautiful indigenous flowers bloom. Autumn offers a relief from the summer heat while the vineyards of the Cape Winelands start to change colour. Winter in Cape Town is less attractive as it’s characterised by wet and windy spells when cold fronts pass through.   

SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS

The sardine run (May to July)

Aptly described as “The Greatest Shoal on Earth”, the sardine run takes place every South African winter when millions of small silvery sardines surge from the cold Cape waters up to the warmer sanctuary of the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The reason for this hasn’t been determined however there are many prominent theories that attempt to make sense of this phenomenon. Whatever the reason, it is quite the spectacle as the shoal is approximately 15km long, 4km wide and 40m deep. It’s a feeding frenzy for dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other marine life – making it a watching frenzy for people interesting in marine life.   

Whale watching (May to November): 

Every year, from late winter through to early summer, different breeds of whales migrate to mate and calve in sheltered bays off the Cape coast. One of the best places to see these majestic marine animals is from the coastal town of Hermanus. It’s well known for a reputation of offering the best shore-based whale watching in the world. When you do decide to go, make sure you have a fully charged camera as you might consider being a full-time photographer afterwards with a portfolio of stunning whale shots.

Namaqualand spring flowers (late July to October)

This dazzling display of spring flowers in an arid semi-desert area of the Northern Cape is regarded as one of the world’s most dramatic and vivid natural spectacles. Stretching 500km north up the Cape coast and 100km inland, carpets of the brilliant colour burst into vibrant life. You’ll find that over 4000 species of plants have been identified here, so you will be spoilt for choice.

The National Arts Festival (July)

One festival you should look forward to is the National Arts Festival. This festival takes place at the Eastern Cape’s cathedral and university city of Grahamstown. It has become one of the biggest annual celebrations of the arts in Africa. So if you make it, you’ll be surrounded by world-class dance, music, drama, film, jazz and visual arts.  

The Comrades Marathon (June)

What started off as a tribute to South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I has now become an event not to be missed in South Africa. The Comrades Marathon is a long-distance running race that has gained traction around the world. If you’re still not impressed, at around 90km long, it is one of the world’s oldest and longest ultramarathons.

The Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay Cycle Tour (March)

Billed as the world’s largest timed cycle race, this event attracts a field of around 35 000 cyclists. The vast majority are ordinary people who want to take on the challenge of cycling around one of the most beautiful peninsulas in the world. However, over the years the race has also attracted its fair share of celebrities, including former Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar, who in turn persuaded American actor Matt Damon (who played him in the film Invictus) to ride.

Why Travel to South Africa?

Experience South Africa's natural beauty, which is one of the best reasons to travel there. There are many different types of landscapes throughout the nation, including mountains, forests, grasslands, and coastlines. There are a number of national parks where you can see some of the most well-known species in the world, including lions, elephants, and rhinos. Here are a few additional justifications for why South Africa vacations are thrilling and why you ought to include it on your agenda.

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