Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls

Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls

48 Views
18 Days From

$8083

Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls

18 Days Starting in Johannesburg, South Africa and ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Visiting: Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Mbabane, Hluhluwe, Durban, Drakensberg Mountains, Drakensberg, Chintsa, Gqeberha, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park

Tour operator:

Trafalgar

Tour code:

AFSVZM119

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Safari Tours

From: $8083

NB: Prices correct on 24-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Southern Africa with the "Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls" tour. This adventure takes you from the vibrant city of Johannesburg to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, exploring the diverse landscapes and cultures of South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Experience the thrill of a safari in Kruger National Park, connect with local cultures in Eswatini and Knysna, and marvel at the natural beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains and the Garden Route. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Valley of 1000 Hills, explore the historic roots of Chintsa, and discover the iconic sights of Cape Town. The tour culminates with a breathtaking cruise on the Zambezi River and a visit to the majestic Victoria Falls. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and a blend of included meals and free time, this tour offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Highlights

  • Knysna: Experience a traditional Xhosa meal and cultural insights with host Ella.

  • Eswatini: Visit a local Swazi Chief's village and connect with Swazi culture.

  • Hazyview: Enjoy a scenic drive through the magnificent sights of Kruger National Park Area.

  • Kruger National Park: Explore South Africa's most iconic national park and its wildlife.

  • Victoria Falls: Admire the breathtaking cascading waters at Victoria Falls.

  • Chobe National Park: Discover Botswana's wildlife on a memorable exploration.

  • Cape Town: Visit the iconic Table Mountain by cable car.

  • Victoria Falls: Experience a Zambezi River Cruise and the beauty of Africa's islands.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Accommodation: The Maslow

Accommodation Name: The Maslow

Meals Included: Dinner

Your seamless South African journey begins with an airport transfer from O.R. Tambo International Airport to your hotel. Settle in to the pace of Africa’s most energetic city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Journey To The Kruger National Park Area

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort

Accommodation Name: Sabi River Sun Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The golden Highveld gives way to rolling green hills as we travel to South Africa's Lowveld. We admire the iconic sights along Mpumalanga's Panorama Route – the Blyde River Canyon, the heavenly landscapes of God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Before evening falls, we venture to our hotel near the famous Kruger National Park, our home for two nights.

Day 3: Safari In Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort

Accommodation Name: Sabi River Sun Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Connect with nature and explore South Africa's oldest and most iconic national park in the company of a Local Specialist. Uncover the secrets of the bushveld and keep a look out for the magnificent 'Big 5', the Little 5 and everything in between. See the glistening yellow Golden-orb spider waiting on her web, smell the damp scent of acacia trees in the early morning and keep your head down in search of animal spoor. Spend your afternoon at leisure.

Day 4: Onwards To Eswatini Dive Into Culture

Location: Mbabane

Accommodation: Royal Swazi Spa

Accommodation Name: Royal Swazi Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel to landlocked Eswatini. Dive Into Culture during a visit to a Swazi Chief’s village and gain insights into the community’s way of life, sampling some of the local pap and stew, and admiring their striking crimson traditional dress.

Day 5: Head To Hluhluwe

Location: Hluhluwe

Accommodation: Anew

Accommodation Name: Anew

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We venture to 'garden of province' of KwaZulu-Natal and its northern wilderness. Traversing rolling sugarcane fields and lush valleys, we arrive at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park where there is an opportunity to embark on an optional 4x4 game drive. This evening enjoy a delicious South African braai – a perfect way to end the day.

Day 6: Venture To Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) Stays With Stories

Location: Durban

Accommodation: The Oyster Box

Accommodation Name: The Oyster Box

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Board an optional morning cruise on Lake St. Lucia and get up close to the hippos, crocodiles and birdlife residing in the estuary. Alternatively, explore the town of St. Lucia. We continue south to Durban for an effortless encounter with this tropical east coast hub, which begins with a delicious Curry Buffet at the Oyster Box Hotel, one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – a seaside hotel that captures the nostalgia of a bygone era.

Day 7: Make Tracks For The Drakensberg Mountains

Location: Drakensberg Mountains

Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass

Accommodation Name: Premier Resort Sani Pass

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Venture through the scenic Valley of 1000 Hills bound for the spectacular escarpment that winds north from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. The Underberg’s vibrant arts and crafts scene and stunning setting provide a beautiful backdrop for a morning drive. You’ll continue to the foothills of the iconic Sani Pass where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure and stay overnight .

Day 8: A Day In The Drakensberg

Location: Drakensberg

Accommodation: Resort, Premier Resort Sani Pass

Accommodation Name: Premier Resort Sani Pass

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Indulge in the freedom of a day spent exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your terms. Consider joining an optional 4x4 Sani Pass drive, ascending to a heavenly height of 2,876 metres for lunch at Africa’s highest pub in Lesotho, or alternatively relax down here on earth amidst the Drakensberg’s lofty peaks.

Day 9: On The Road To The Eastern Cape Beaches

Location: Chintsa

Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge

Accommodation Name: Crawfords Beach Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

From enigmatic mountain landscapes to South Africa’s untamed coastline, we venture through the Eastern Cape and the green hills of the Transkei, dotted with Xhosa kraals and homesteads. Discover the legacy of Nelson Mandela, at his birthplace in Xunu, then enjoy the unspoiled Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa, where the only footprints in the sand will be yours.

Day 10: Travel To Gqeberha

Location: Gqeberha

Accommodation: Boardwalk

Accommodation Name: Boardwalk

Meals Included: Breakfast

Wake to the sound of the ocean and spend time admiring pristine natural surrounds before we begin our journey to Gqeberha. Once a British settlement known as Port Elizabeth, this port city holds the distinction of being South Africa’s friendliest city, which you’ll encounter first-hand as you explore it on your own terms this evening.

Day 11: On To Tsitsikamma National Park And Knysna Connect With Locals

Location: Tsitsikamma National Park

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Accommodation Name: Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Meals Included: Breakfast

Walk beneath the tranquil canopy of Tsitsikamma's giant and ancient Yellowwoods, arriving at Storms River Mouth to peer into the depths of the gorge. Connect with locals during a Be My Guest experience in Knysna, where you’ll learn a few key Xhosa phrases and gain insights into Xhosa culture. Host Ella will share her life story and reveal the meaning behind some of the local songs that will accompany your traditional Xhosa meal. The visit also contributes towards supporting Ella's work in the local community and is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Our final stop today is the picturesque lagoon setting of Knysna, known as South Africa’s own Garden of Eden. Famed for its indigenous forests, fresh oysters and the two landmark Knysna Heads that stand as sentinels at the edge of the lagoon which shield the town from the Indian Ocean.

Day 12: Knysna Your Way

Location: Knysna

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Accommodation Name: Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Meals Included: Breakfast

You’ll have a free day to explore the jewel of the Garden Route. Start your day with a leisurely coffee in the Knysna Quays overlooking the lagoon, then consider an Optional Experience to Featherbed Nature Reserve including a drive through the reserve to the top of the lagoon’s Western Head. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads and see where the Indian Ocean crashes against their towering sandstone cliffs?

Day 13: Continue To Cape Town

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Location: Cape Town

Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan

Accommodation Name: Southern Sun The Cullinan

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave the Garden Route behind bound for the Mother City. You’ll wind your way through vibrant coastal towns and the Cape Winelands before arriving in Cape Town later this afternoon. Head straight to the most iconic site in the city and visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting).

Day 14: Cape Town Your Way

Ilse Wiespointner

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan

Accommodation Name: Southern Sun The Cullinan

Meals Included: Breakfast

Capture the cosmopolitan energy of South Africa’s Mother City. Spend the day exploring its streets and squares in search of a tucked-away restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences to tour around the scenic Cape Peninsula, sample the Cape’s finest wines in the Cape Winelands or visit infamous Robben Island. Spend your final evening at a Farewell Dinner with your travelling companions indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality dishes.

Day 15: Welcome To Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Accommodation Name: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Welcome to Zimbabwe! Meet your Trafalgar representative on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport and transfer to your accommodation. Buckle up for an exhilarating small group encounter with Victoria Falls, an untamed natural wonder that has captured the imagination of explorers and adventurers since David Livingstone declared it the most wonderful sight he had seen in Africa. Board a cruise and navigate one of Africa’s mightiest rivers, cruising past islands of basking crocodile and hippo pods lazing in the waning African sun, before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Day 16: Discover Majestic Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Accommodation Name: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Join a Local Specialist on a guided tour of the world's largest waterfall. Admire the powerful curtain of water from various vantage points in Zimbabwe – feel the fine spray and hear the thunderous roar as water crashes over a hundred metres into a swirling mass in the gorge below. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure with the sound of the 'Smoke that Thunders' never far from your ears. Tonight you may choose to join an Optional Experience Boma dinner and interactive drum show.

Day 17: Explore Botswana's Chobe National Park

Location: Chobe National Park

Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Accommodation Name: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the Botswana border for a day-trip into Chobe National Park, where large herds of African elephant roam. Board your Chobe River cruise, watching herds of elephant and buffalo come to the edge of the river to drink. See the flash of a kingfisher hovering over the water to catch its next meal, then enjoy an included lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the mighty Chobe River. Later return to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for your last night in Zimbabwe.

Day 18: Farewell Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast

We bid farewell to the 'Smoke that Thunders' and return to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls Airport for your onward journey. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

What's Included

  • All transport and transfers shown

    All transport and transfers as shown in the itinerary are included.

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

    An expert Travel Director and professional Driver will accompany you throughout the tour.

  • Cherry-picked hotels and safari lodges, all tried and trusted

    Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels and safari lodges that are tried and trusted is included.

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

    All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

    All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour package.

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

    Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

    The tour includes must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.

  • Air-conditioned coach or Quantum bus

    Travel in an air-conditioned coach or Quantum bus is included.

  • Optional Experiences and free time

    The tour includes optional experiences and free time for personal exploration.

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

    Hotels of similar standard and location may be used if necessary.

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What's Not Included

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • Optional activities

    Optional activities and experiences not listed in the itinerary are not included.

  • International flights

    International flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.

  • Visa fees

    Visa fees for entry into the countries visited are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with all transport and transfers included, featuring air-conditioned coaches or Quantum buses. Enjoy a flight from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, and explore the scenic routes and national parks with an expert Travel Director and professional Driver.

Accommodation

Experience a variety of accommodations including the luxurious Maslow in Johannesburg, the scenic Sabi River Sun Resort near Kruger National Park, and the charming Knysna Hollow Country Estate. Enjoy stays at the Royal Swazi Spa, the Oyster Box in Durban, and the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, each offering unique local experiences.

Check out our Q&As

  • What cultural experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a visit to a Swazi Chief's village in Eswatini to learn about the local culture, including sampling local pap and stew and admiring traditional dress. In Knysna, there is a 'Be My Guest' experience where you can learn Xhosa phrases, enjoy a traditional Xhosa meal, and listen to local songs.

  • What wildlife experiences can I expect on this tour?

    You will have the opportunity to explore Kruger National Park with a Local Specialist, where you can look out for the 'Big 5' and other wildlife. There is also a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, where you can see large herds of elephants and other wildlife during a river cruise.

  • Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

    Yes, there are several optional activities available, including a 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, a morning cruise on Lake St. Lucia, a 4x4 Sani Pass drive in the Drakensberg, and a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads.

  • What is the significance of the 'Be My Guest' experience in Knysna?

    The 'Be My Guest' experience in Knysna allows you to connect with locals and learn about Xhosa culture. Host Ella shares her life story and the meaning behind local songs, and the visit supports her work in the local community as part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Victoria Falls?

    At Victoria Falls, you will join a Local Specialist for a guided tour of the world's largest waterfall, experiencing the powerful curtain of water from various vantage points. You can also choose to join an optional Boma dinner and interactive drum show.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1947

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Renato Arrieta  

Best tour I joined so far

14-Jan-2023

My first time with Trafalgar and I see no reason why I should not join them again.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
King Ng, Lafayette, California  

Very well planned trip with timely breaks during the coach ride..

08-Nov-2021

It was a well organized tour group and we hit lots of interesting and beautiful scenes. Like our previous trips with Trafalgar, tourists were treated with well manner and professional tour guide/director, making our trip very enjoyable and delightful!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Best of Egypt

14-Jan-2023

We really did see the best of Egypt and beyond. Our tour guide, Mohammad, guided us through the rich history and the urban and rural life of such a unique and delightful country. We felt very safe and pampered.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Marshal Daguio  

Wonderful Best Of Turkey

06-Nov-2021

It was my first time with Trafalgar Tour and I had a wonderful trip from day 1 till the last day. The Tour Director, Yocel Atik is very knowledgeable and Excellent. The health director and coach driver are helpful and supportive as well. The hotels selected were comfortable especially Rixos Hotel and Movenpick Hotel. The Best of Turkey is better than I expected.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Barbara, Canada  

Irish Experience

09-Nov-2021

I am single and travel alone. I always feel secure and well-looked after when I travel with Trafalgar

Feefo Trusted Reviews

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    Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

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