On this extraordinary adventure through southern Africa, journey from glittering Cape Town to the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park—home of the legendary "big five". Visit Soweto township, where Nelson Mandela once lived; enjoy a homemade dinner with a local family in a Zimbabwean village; and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Physical Grading:
2 - LightLight walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging
Travel Style:
National Geographic JourneysGreater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Trip Type:
Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
Additional Information:
Tour-only price based on double occupancy is $5,999 CAD per person
If you are a solo traveller you have the option of being matched with another traveller to pay the double occupancy price or pay an additional $859 CAD to have your own room - limited number of solo rooms available.
Book and pay a deposit of $350 CAD per person by June 30, 2023, and receive $50 CAD off as an early booking bonus per person (applied to final payment).
Additional nights can be added at the beginning in Cape Town and at the end in Victoria Falls.
Accommodations:
Cape Town - The Portswood Hotel (or similar) Johannesburg - Nkanga Lodge (or similar)
Greater Kruger Area - Umbhaba Eco Lodge (or similar)
Private Game Lodge - Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Lodges (or similar) Victoria Falls - Explorers Village Lodge (or similar)
TRAVEL DATE | PRICE | TYPE |
---|---|---|
March 9, 2024 | from $5,999 CAD Per Person | Per Person |
DAY | DATE | PLACE |
---|---|---|
1 | Sat Mar 9 | CAPE TOWN |
2 | Sun Mar 10 | CAPE TOWN |
3 | Mon Mar 11 | CAPE TOWN |
4 | Tue Mar 12 | CAPE TOWN/JOHANNESBURG |
5 | Wed Mar 13 | JOHANNESBURG/GREATER KRUGER AREA |
6 | Thu Mar 14 | KRUGER NATIONAL PARK |
7 | Fri Mar 15 | GREATER KRUGER AREA/KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE |
8 | Sat Mar 16 | KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE |
9 | Sun Mar 17 | KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE/JOHANNESBURG |
10 | Mon Mar 18 | JOHANNESBURG/VICTORIA FALLS |
11 | Tue Mar 19 | VICTORIA FALLS |
12 | Wed Mar 20 | VICTORIA FALLS |
DAY 1 – CAPE TOWN
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
DAY 2 – CAPE TOWN
Begin the day with an exploration of vibrant Cape Town, wandering through the multicultural Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Then enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named by National Geographic Travel as one of the world’s 10 most magnificent gardens. Later, stop by Boulders Beach to see the resident population of African penguins, and continue to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwestern most point in Africa.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment Kirstenbosch Entrance fees
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3 – CAPE TOWN
Enjoy a day of leisure in Cape Town, choosing from a variety of optional activities. Hike up iconic Table Mountain or hop on a cable car to the summit, taking in extraordinary views of the city and the Atlantic seaboard. Or explore the Cape Winelands, visiting the historical city of Stellenbosch, touring wine estates with expert guides, and indulging in a variety of tastings and pairings.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 – CAPE TOWN/JOHANNESBURG
Fly to Johannesburg, then take a guided tour of Soweto township. Soweto was an important center of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to its leader, Nelson Mandela. Visit the Mandela House Museum and learn about this painful chapter in the country’s history. In the evening, enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue) with your fellow travellers.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Foodie Moment Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
DAY 5 – JOHANNESBURG/GREATER KRUGER AREA
Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God’s Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
DAY 6 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps elusive
leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
DAY 7 – GREATER KRUGER AREA/KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project—a program funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative—and learn about efforts to protect the region’s cheetahs and other carnivores. The researcher then joins us for a wildlife-viewing excursion through the reserve.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment Carnivore Conservation Experience
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
DAY 8 – KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Spend the day exploring Karongwe on morning and afternoon safaris with our local guides. Search for Africa’s famed “big five” as we drive through the shrublands of the bushveld. Back at camp, relax on deck or take a walk around the grounds.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
DAY 9 – KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE/JOHANNESBURG
Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our family run lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
DAY 10 – JOHANNESBURG/VICTORIA FALLS
Catch a flight to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, named after one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. Visit a nearby village and go grocery shopping in the bustling market. Then sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you picked out, and hear stories about local life and culture.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment Zimbabwean Family Dinner
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
DAY 11 – VICTORIA FALLS
Set out for a tour of magnificent Victoria Falls. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” Opt for a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; soar above the roaring falls in a helicopter; and much more.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12 – VICTORIA FALLS
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
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