Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Start Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town and check in near the V&A Waterfront. Meet your Trip Manager for an introduction to the tour, then enjoy a walkabout dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Day 2: Cape Town
Take a cable car up Table Mountain, followed by a city tour of Cape Town’s key sights and historical attractions. The rest of the day is free. An optional Township Tour and Amy Foundation lunch offers a locally guided insight into life during Apartheid. An optional cooking class with food, drinks and music is available in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Day 3: Cape Town
Enjoy a free day for local excursions. Suggested activities include a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point, a stop at Boulders Beach to see African penguins, kayaking, and wine tasting.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Day 4: Cape Town to Kruger National Park via Johannesburg
Take an early flight to Johannesburg, then travel by coach through the countryside to Kruger National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and take a sunset game drive through the park en route to camp. Stay in canvas tents with mattresses and linen at the Contiki Safari Camp on the banks of the Sabie River.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Day 5: Kruger National Park
Start with an optional sunrise safari. At midday, relax at camp, visit the shop or pool, or go to the nearby restaurant overlooking the Sabie River. An optional sunset game drive offers another chance to look for wildlife, including the Big Five. In the evening, you can choose to join a traditional South African braai or BBQ.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Day 6: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg
Choose an optional sunrise game drive or sleep in and have a late breakfast. Take a final game drive through Kruger before travelling to Johannesburg in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Johannesburg ahead of the flight to Victoria Falls the next morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Day 7: Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
Drive to the airport and fly to Victoria Falls. Hike along the falls, then choose an optional jump, zipline or swing from the bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia over the Zambezi River. From January to June, accommodation is at Victoria Falls Waterfront Hotel in Zambia; from July to December, it is at Shearwater Explorers Village in Zimbabwe.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Day 8: Victoria Falls
Optional activities include white-water rafting on the Zambezi River and a locally guided village tour. An optional sunset cruise with drinks is available in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Day 9: Victoria Falls to Chobe
Choose an optional guided walking safari in the Zambezi National Park or an optional helicopter ride over the falls. Travel across the border to Botswana and Chobe National Park. Spend the night at a private Contiki bush camp with guides, cooks and a bonfire. From October to March, camping is unavailable and the group instead stays two nights at a lodge; Chobe sunset and sunrise game drives and a buffet dinner are still included.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 10
Day 10: Chobe
Watch the sunrise over the African bush with a light breakfast, then take a morning game drive. Arrive at the lodge in the late morning and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool. An optional wildlife cruise on the Chobe River is available in the evening, followed by a buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11
Day 11: Chobe
Have breakfast, then choose to end the tour in Kasane, Botswana, or take the included transfer back to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Say goodbye to the group.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Dining Summary
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- Marrakesh: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
- Cape Town: The Cape, Safari & Falls trip ticks off all the major attractions in Southern Africa. This includes everything you’d want to see in a multi-country trip around Africa. We’ll visit the top attractions in Cape Town like Table Mountain, Cape Point, and even the penguins of Boulders Beach. Then we’ll go on plenty of game drives in top wildlife destinations such as Kruger and Chobe. And to satisfy our adventure-hungry souls, this trip includes a variety of activities. Does it get better than this? We sure don’t think so.
- Cape Town: It’ll change slightly depending on what time of year you’re visiting, but some essentials will include: Your camera Comfortable shoes & clothes for walking (including a beanie, gloves and warm jacket for open-top safari drives in the winter) Your swimming costume?& towel Sun cream, a hat, sunglasses Insect repellent A portable phone charger Binoculars (crucial for game drives to see animals in the distance) Day bag for daily activities Torch/Headlight Reusable water bottle Read our full guide to visiting Africa here.
- Cape Town: No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’re guaranteed to have an incredible trip. Traditionally, the best time to go on safari in Africa is over the non-summer months – March to October. The vegetation is not as dense and wildlife come to waterholes to drink during the dry winter months. But the best time to visit Cape Town is in the summer! So you could say that it’s an all-year trip that’s great for both wildlife and adventure lovers.
- Cape Town: Pretty darn good. The Cape, Safari & Falls trip has multiple game drives on offer (some of which are included)! These will be in the ‘Big 5’ mega Game Reserves of Kruger and Chobe (both are the size of a small country). On top of that, we’ll go on a walking safari close to the Victoria Falls. But it doesn’t end there. A riverside boat cruise or two in the National Park will give us direct views to spot hippos, crocs and other wildlife coming down to drink. Will you get your wildlife fix? We definitely think so.
- Cape Town: The question should be – what transport don’t we use on this trip? Coaches in Cape Town, safari trucks in Kruger, minivans for airport transfers, open-top safari jeeps, flights to and from Johannesburg with the chance to enjoy boat and helicopter rides.
- Cape Town: Only the most visited tourist attraction in the whole of Africa! That’s right. In Cape Town, we’ll stay at the legendary V&A Waterfront. You’ll have access to a myriad of shops, bars, food markets, attractions and restaurants (all within 500m of our hotel). In Kruger and Chobe, we’re doing something special. We won’t stay outside the park (where all the hotels are located). Instead, we’ll spend our nights in the park, LITERALLY glamping under the stars, around a fire. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the rush of the river with hippos calling, lions roaring and hyenas whooping all around us. Now that’s a true African wildlife experience. In Victoria Falls, we’ll either stay on the Zambezi River in Zambia or within Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe. Both are within view of the spray from the falls (plus the wildlife that roam freely through the towns).
- Chobe National Park: As the name suggests, a Special Stay ain’t your ordinary accommodation – it’s much more than that. Think of it as an experience in its own right. On this trip, you’ll be able to camp under the stars (all while being surrounded by wildlife) at your Special Stay.
- Amboseli: Nope, you’re all good! All equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc) will be provided for you.
- Amboseli: You don’t have to. Your road crew will set up camp, cook meals, and clean up afterwards – but you’re always welcome to help!
- Amboseli: You’ll have access to proper bathrooms with real toilets, hot showers and everything you need – just shared with the crew.
Included Experience
- Cape Town: Stroll around the scenic harbour and enjoy some Insta-worthy views, at South Africa’s most-visited attraction.
- Cape Town: Cable the Table! Take a scenic ride to the top of one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’ for 360° views of Cape Town.
- Cape Town: Bo-Kaap. The City Centre. V&A Waterfront. This tour takes in all the historical sites & attractions of the Mother City.
- Kruger: Our Special Stay is located right inside one of Africa’s most famous Wildlife Reserves (that’s also within one of its most popular Main Camps – Lower Sabie!). The camp is perched on the banks of the incredible Sabie River with a shop, swimming pool and riverside restaurant, where you can to look out for wildlife coming down to drink. Our exclusive camp comprises of canvas dome tents with stretchers, mattresses, linen, towels and charging outlets. Plus, there’s a communal firepit to sit around late into the night, gazing at the stars and listening to the calls of nocturnal animals.
- Kruger National Park: We’ll head into Kruger National Park, one of the most famous wildlife parks in the whole of Africa, to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Kruger National Park: Wanna know how K9 Dogs protect wildlife? Come meet one of our Rangers who’ll tell you all about the K9 Watchdog Project, their fight against poachers, and how your donations from the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps them save Africa’s wildlife from extinction.
- Kruger National Park: Keep your eyes peeled and those binoculars close. We’re heading out to spot more magnificent wildlife (cross those fingers for rhino’s!) and stunning scenery with our last game drive as we say goodbye to Kruger.
- Victoria Falls: See the epic waterfall of your Insta dreams. Take a stroll along the edge and see this ‘the smoke that thunders’ in all its glory.
- Chobe: Ready for a night you’ll never forget? Our Special Stay in Chobe is a serene camp that’s surrounded by nature. You’ll find dome tents with stretcher beds, linen and mattress pre-setup in our accommodation for the night. Plus, there’s a dining tent and fire to sit around late into the night under millions of stars. Note: Camping in Chobe is only available from April to October, the rest of the year will be at a lodge accommodation outside the park.
- Chobe: Coast along the banks of the Chobe River in search of thirsty wildlife coming down to drink.
- Chobe: Be on the lookout for any wildlife we may have heard the night before!
Cape Town Township Tour & Amy Foundation Lunch
Join a locally guided township tour for insight into community life in Cape Town, alongside a visit connected with the Amy Foundation and lunch. Hear local perspectives on apartheid and its continuing legacy rather than viewing the city only through its best-known landmarks.
The experience centres on people, history and conversation, offering context for contemporary South Africa. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Table Mountain Cable Car
Ride the Table Mountain cable car to the summit of Cape Town’s defining landmark. From the top, take in wide views of the city, Atlantic coast and surrounding mountains, with the shoreline laid out far below.
The mountain forms part of a distinctive natural landscape known for its rich plant life and changeable weather. On clear days, its flat summit makes the geography of the Cape especially vivid; when cloud rolls in, the famous “tablecloth” gives the mountain an entirely different character.
Lower Sabie Safari Camp Experience
Experience camping inside Kruger National Park at an exclusive camp in Lower Sabie. Canvas dome tents provide mattresses and linen, while a communal firepit offers a place to gather beneath the stars.
The camp sits beside the Sabie River, an important water source for wildlife. Listen for nocturnal calls around the fire and look towards the river for animals arriving to drink. This hosted Special Stay makes the park’s sounds and setting part of the experience.
Chobe Bush Camp Special Stay
Spend a night at a private Chobe bush camp, with guides, cooks, pre-set dome tents and a fire beneath the stars. Gather for dinner and listen for the calls of nocturnal wildlife beyond the camp.
This Special Stay places the sounds of the African bush at the centre of the evening. Bush camping operates from April to October; from November to March, the trip uses lodge accommodation instead, with Chobe sunset and sunrise game drives still included.
Kayaking Near the Boulders Beach Penguins
Kayak along the Cape Peninsula coast near the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. From the water, take in the sheltered coves and granite boulders that define this part of the shoreline.
The paddling experience offers a different vantage point on the coastal environment, with opportunities to observe wildlife without approaching or disturbing it. Conditions and sightings vary, as they do on any wildlife outing. This optional activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Cape Wine Tasting
Sample South African wine during an optional tasting in the Cape region, with scenery providing a backdrop to the experience. Compare what is poured and spend time enjoying a local tradition beyond Cape Town’s city sights.
Winemaking has deep roots in the Western Cape, where vineyards form part of the region’s cultural as well as agricultural landscape. The tasting offers a relaxed way to explore that heritage through the wines themselves. It is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Kruger Sunrise Safari
Set out on an optional sunrise game drive in Kruger National Park, when the air is cool and the bush is beginning to stir. Scan for predators returning from nocturnal activity as well as the many other animals that use the park’s roadsides and open areas.
Early light changes both the look of the landscape and the chances of observing wildlife, though no particular sighting can be promised. This safari is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Kruger Sunset Game Drive
Return to the safari vehicles for an optional sunset game drive in Kruger National Park. Search for members of the Big Five and other wildlife as afternoon light softens across the bush.
Changes in temperature can bring different animal activity from a daytime drive, making an additional outing worthwhile for travellers keen to spend more time observing the park. Each encounter remains a matter of chance. This optional drive is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Traditional South African Braai
Gather at the Kruger camp for an optional South African braai, a barbecue-style meal served with local sides and desserts. Share food and conversation in the open-air setting of the safari camp.
A braai is as much a social occasion as a cooking method, built around time spent together by the fire. Against the backdrop of the park, it offers a distinctively South African way to end an evening. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Victoria Falls Bridge Adventure Activities
Choose an adrenaline activity at the Victoria Falls Bridge, with options to jump, zipline or swing above the Zambezi gorge. The bridge connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, giving these activities a striking setting high over the river.
The deep gorge was carved by the Zambezi downstream of the falls, and its sheer sides make the height an unmistakable part of the experience. Activities are optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour; choose the one that suits your comfort level.
Zambezi White-Water Rafting
Take on white-water rafting on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. Paddle through a stretch known for powerful rapids and the steep rock walls of the gorge, with the river’s movement making this an active, hands-on outing.
Conditions on the Zambezi change with water levels, so the route and availability can vary by season. It is a demanding contrast to viewing the falls from shore. This optional adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Cruise the Zambezi River at sunset near Victoria Falls, with drinks included in the optional outing. Watch the light shift across the water and riverbanks from the deck.
Upstream of the falls, the broad river offers a calmer perspective on the Zambezi than the thundering viewpoints or rapids below. The cruise makes space to appreciate the riverside setting as evening arrives. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Zambezi National Park Walking Safari
Explore Zambezi National Park on a guided walking safari, tracking signs of wildlife on foot near the river. Look beyond the largest animals as your guide draws attention to smaller creatures, plants and whatever the bush reveals.
Walking changes the scale of a safari: tracks, textures and sounds become as important as distant sightings. It is an opportunity to learn about the landscape at ground level under a guide’s supervision. This optional activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight
Take an optional helicopter flight over Victoria Falls for an aerial view of the waterfall and the Zambezi’s winding gorges. From above, see the breadth of the falling water and how the river cuts through the surrounding landscape.
The flight offers a perspective impossible to gain from the walking paths, especially when spray obscures sections of the falls at ground level. Views depend on weather and seasonal water conditions. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Cape Town Waterfront Walkabout Dinner
Explore the V&A Waterfront on a hosted walkabout dinner, getting to know your fellow travellers beside Cape Town’s working harbour. Its restaurants and public spaces sit between historic dock buildings, the Atlantic and views of Table Mountain.
The waterfront’s maritime setting offers a lively introduction to the city: boats move through the harbour while local food and conversation bring the group together. It is an organised evening experience, rather than an unstructured stop for dinner.
Cape Town Historical City Tour
Join a guided tour of Cape Town’s key sights, taking in the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, the city centre and the V&A Waterfront. See how a busy contemporary city has grown around its harbour and beneath Table Mountain.
Bo-Kaap is closely associated with Cape Malay heritage, while the central streets reflect layers of colonial history and modern South African life. The tour offers a grounded introduction to the people, places and stories that shape the Mother City.
Kruger National Park Wildlife Drives
Search for wildlife on included game drives through Kruger National Park, including a drive towards camp and a final opportunity to spot animals before leaving the park. Keep binoculars ready for elephants, antelope, giraffes and, with luck, members of the Big Five.
Kruger’s rivers, open grasslands and woodland support a remarkable variety of species. Sightings are never guaranteed: watching the landscape closely, noticing tracks and listening for calls are all part of the safari experience.
Kruger K9 Watchdog Project Ranger Encounter
Meet a Kruger ranger to learn how the K9 Watchdog Project uses trained dogs in the fight against wildlife poaching. Hear about the work behind protecting animals in one of Africa’s best-known national parks.
This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience adds a conservation perspective to the safari. It focuses on the people and practical efforts involved in safeguarding wildlife, and explains how traveller donations support the project’s work.
Victoria Falls Walking Visit
Walk beside Victoria Falls to experience the scale and sound of the Zambezi River plunging into the gorge. Follow the paths to viewpoints where rising spray can soak visitors during high-water periods.
Locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”, the falls are celebrated as one of the world’s great natural spectacles. Water levels change with the seasons, giving each visit a different combination of visible rock face, billowing mist and roaring water.
Chobe Riverbank Wildlife Viewing
Travel along the banks of the Chobe River in search of wildlife drawn to the water. Watch for elephants, antelope and other animals approaching the shoreline to drink, and keep an eye on the river itself for aquatic life.
Water shapes the wildlife experience in this part of Botswana, particularly when the surrounding landscape is dry. Observing the riverbanks offers a different perspective from searching the bush: animal movements often converge at the water’s edge.
Chobe Morning Game Drive
Head into Chobe National Park on an included morning game drive, scanning the bush for animals active in the cooler hours. Look out for elephants and other wildlife, including species whose calls may have carried through the night.
Chobe is especially known for its large elephant population. A game drive offers time to observe the park’s varied habitats and the behaviour of animals in the wild, where every sighting depends on the conditions and the animals themselves.
Cape Town Cooking Class
Take part in a MasterChef-style cooking class in Cape Town, preparing food with fellow travellers in a lively group setting. The evening brings together cooking, drinks and music for a hands-on alternative to a restaurant meal.
Sharing the work of making a meal gives the group a chance to connect through food and conversation. The emphasis is on participation and atmosphere rather than a standard served dinner. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Chapman’s Peak Drive & Cape Point
Follow the cliff-hugging Chapman’s Peak Drive and explore the dramatic coastal scenery around Cape Point. Look out across the Atlantic from one of the Cape Peninsula’s most striking stretches of shoreline.
The route reveals steep mountains, exposed headlands and ocean views that make the peninsula distinct from central Cape Town. Cape Point lies near Africa’s south-western extremity, though the continent’s southernmost point is farther east at Cape Agulhas. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Boulders Beach Penguin Visit
Visit Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula to observe its colony of African penguins. Watch the birds moving between sheltered sand, granite boulders and the water, keeping a respectful distance from this protected wildlife.
The colony offers a close look at a seabird species native to the southern African coast. Seeing penguins in their coastal habitat adds a very different wildlife encounter to the trip’s inland safaris. This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Locally Guided Village Tour
Join a locally guided village tour near Victoria Falls to meet residents and learn about everyday life in the area. Listen to local perspectives and take time to understand a community beyond the destination’s headline natural attraction.
The value of the visit lies in conversation and context: a local guide can explain aspects of home life and community traditions in their own words. Approach the experience with curiosity and respect. It is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Chobe River Sunset Wildlife Cruise
Opt for a sunset wildlife cruise on the Chobe River, watching for hippos in the water, crocodiles on the banks and animals arriving to drink. The boat offers a water-level view of a landscape shaped by the river.
As daylight fades, the shoreline can become a gathering place for wildlife, though sightings are never guaranteed. This cruise is separate from the included Chobe riverbank wildlife viewing and offers a different way to observe the park. It is at additional cost and bookable on tour.