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safari experts, since 1991

Southern Africa mega safari

SOUTH AFRICA + BOTSWANA + ZIMBABWE

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UNIQUE HANDCRAFTED SAFARIS

Safari experiences that you will not find with any other travel company. We know Africa best and will get you to the right place & time to enjoy the greatest shows on Earth!

This iconic southern African safari is the ultimate vacation, combining the following popular destinations:

- Greater Kruger National Park Big 5 (South Africa)
- Cape Town and the nearby Winelands (South Africa)
- Khwai Community Concession (Botswana)
- Chobe National Park (Botswana)
- Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Be prepared to be swept off your feet by this safari-to-end-all-safaris

Overview

Length: 19 days / 18 nights
Group Size: To suit you
Location: Greater Kruger, Cape Town & Winelands (South Africa) + Khwai & Chobe (Botswana) + Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Departure Dates: To suit you

from US$ 9,145 per person sharing (19 days)

Prices and dates

Lodges visited: Rhino Post Safari Lodge + Khaya Ndlovu Manor House + Senalala Safari Lodge + The Commodore Hotel + La Fontaine Boutique Hotel + Sango Safari Camp + Bakwena Lodge + Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

2024 RATES

7-31 January, March

Per person sharing

US$ 9,565

Per solo traveller

US$ 12,530

1-6 February

Per person sharing

US$ 9,265

Per solo traveller

US$ 12,230

7-29 February

Per person sharing

US$ 9,145

Per solo traveller

US$ 11,980

April

Per person sharing

US$ 9,850

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,445

May-June

Per person sharing

US$ 9,930

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,515

July-August

Per person sharing

US$ 10,680

Per solo traveller

US$ 14,465

September

Per person sharing

US$ 10,765

Per solo traveller

US$ 14,635

October

Per person sharing

US$ 10,860

Per solo traveller

US$ 14,815

1-14 November

Per person sharing

US$ 9,765

Per solo traveller

US$ 14,070

15- 30 November

Per person sharing

US$ 9,310

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,475

1-15 December

Per person sharing

US$ 9,340

Per solo traveller

US$ 12,410

16-21 December

Per person sharing

US$ 9,795

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,005

22-24 December

Per person sharing

US$ 10,095

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,305

25-31 December

Per person sharing

US$ 10,215

Per solo traveller

US$ 13,550

A portion of this safari is quoted in South African Rands, and so the above price is exchange rate dependant

Please enquire about our FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND GROUP SAFARIS.

Price includes:
Flights from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, from Cape Town to Maun, and from Khwai to Kasane, all accommodations, all airport meet-and-greet and transfers, daily activities as specified in the itinerary, all meals except for lunch and dinner while in Cape Town and Franschhoek, local drinks at Senalala, Sango and Chobe Bakwena, complimentary local drinks on afternoon/evening game drives at Rhino Post, WiFi at Khaya Ndlovu, Senalala, La Fontaine and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, laundry at Sango and Chobe Bakwena, park fees, conservation levies river usage fees, and gate entry fees (except at Klaserie Private Nature Reserve which is payable direct at gate), full day panorama tour, Cape Point private tour, dinner at the Gold restaurant, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch wine tour, hourly courtesy shuttle to Victoria Falls Rainforest and town centre from Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, 24-hour office support.

Price excludes:
International flights, flights to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, airport departure tax (if required), Visas or entry permits into South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, excess weight charges, telephone calls, travel cancellation and medical insurance (essential on all safaris), optional safari extension, any activities not specified in the itinerary, all charges of a personal nature, any other charges not indicated in the inclusions, tips and gratuities, Klaserie Entrance Fee (R230 per vehicle to be paid direct at gate), laundry unless otherwise specified, all premium drinks, lunch on the panoramic tour, all drinks at Rhino Post (except for the complimentary drink on evening game drive), Khaya Ndlovu Manor house, Victoria and Alfred, La Fontaine, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, lunches and dinners while in Cape Town and Franschhoek (unless specified), massages and spa activities, game drives & walks whilst at Khaya Ndlovu, transfers into Cape Town city centre and to The Gold Restaurant (shuttle can be arranged on site), 1 x lunch in Victoria falls.

Be prepared to be swept off your feet with wall-to-wall wildlife action in two private game reserves within Greater Kruger and a full-day road trip taking in the stunning scenery and cultural delights of the Lowveld.

After this immersion into South Africa’s famous bushveld, our mother city Cape Town (a mere 2-hour flight away), will romance you with her abundance of hip restaurants, sandy white beaches, outdoor activities, historic wine estates and iconic landmarks.

You will visit two of the best safari destinations in the unfenced wilderness of northern Botswana; each with very different ecosystems and wildlife experiences. Khwai Community Concession is a wildlife haven with a good population of predators and just about every other species that northern Botswana has to offer. The famous Chobe River Waterfront in Chobe National Park has that big-river vibe about it, with massive concentrations of wildlife on the river shore.

Finally, expect to be romanced by the awe-inspiring Zambezi River as it plunges 108m into the misty gorges and deep pools below, in a thunderous display of power. This is Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls – the ‘smoke that thunders’.

From bush to beach, Pinotage to predators and the biggest curtain of falling water in the world, this 19-day safari showcases the best that southern Africa has to offer

Itinerary

You will be met at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit by an Africa Geographic representative and transferred by vehicle to Rhino Post Safari Lodge, in the Kruger National Park. You will arrive at Rhino Post in time to settle in and head out for an evening game drive.

From the moment you arrive in this Big 5 paradise, you will be overwhelmed by the raw energy of the Kruger bushveld. Your day will be taken up by morning and evening game drives in search of the incredible variety of species that thrive in Kruger and the daily drama as the wildlife battles it out for survival in this raw, primal ecosystem.

Expect to see not only the Big 5 (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes) but also plenty more – from plum-coloured starlings flashing iridescence to massive regal martial eagles and busy banded mongooses. Get close to the ground to watch dung beetles roll their prizes away, and learn from your guide and tracker as they interpret alarm calls and other bush signals to make your safari a thoroughly absorbing experience.

Between game drives, you can choose to go for a bush walk, or simply relax at the lodge pool, or catch up on some sleep in your room. Meals are scrumptious, and the chef is likely to surprise you with various delectable offerings. Expect cakes and pastries for mid-afternoon tea, and don’t forget to save space for the snacks and drinks on the game drives and early morning coffee with rusks.

Days two and three will follow pretty much the same ‘routine’ of an early morning wake-up and coffee with a light snack before heading out on game drive. You will return to your lodge mid-morning for a huge breakfast cook-up. Lunch (optional of course) is usually served a few hours later, and tea with cake just before you depart on your later afternoon game drive, which will include a stop for sundowner drinks and snacks. You will return in the evening for drinks around the crackling fire, followed by dinner and bed. You are free to skip meals and game drives, and to request a bush walk.

Make the most of your last morning in the Kruger National Park, with a short morning game drive followed by breakfast and check-out. An Africa Geographic representative will collect you from the lodge, for a full day slow-paced road trip that ends at the bushveld town of Hoedspruit – gateway to the Greater Kruger private reserves of Timbavati and Klaserie. This spectacular route follows the Drakensberg mountain range escarpment, which looms over the Lowveld below. Your route will take you through the towns of Hazyview, Sabie and Graskop and you will enjoy spectacular views of the iconic landmarks of God’s Window, Wonderview, the famous Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondawels and the Blyde River Canyon – with splashing waterfalls and views that go on forever. You will enjoy a scrumptious lunch en-route (for own account) and arrive in Hoedspruit late afternoon or early evening to check in to Khaya Ndlovu Manor House. After freshening up you could enjoy drinks on the deck overlooking a waterhole, followed by dinner and bed.

There are many early-morning activities in and around Hoedspruit (including hot air ballooning, microlight flights and visits to nearby landmarks), or you may choose to enjoy a bushwalk or game drive in the private Khaya Ndlovu game reserve. After that a leisurely breakfast a stroll around the magnificent sub-tropical gardens at Khaya Ndlovu you will then be collected by an Africa Geographic representative and transferred to Senalala Safari Lodge, which is about an hour’s drive from Hoedspruit, in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Klaserie is about 100 km north of Sabi Sand (as the crow flies), and experiences lower rainfall, resulting in a different game drive experience.

You will arrive at Senalala in time to enjoy another wholesome lunch, relax and head out for an evening game drive.

Your days at Senalala will follow pretty much the same daily ‘routine’ as they did at Rhino Post – plenty of fantastic wildlife encounters, scrumptious meals and plenty of time to relax in-between activities.

Your last game drive in the Greater Kruger will be a relaxed affair, with plenty of time for breakfast afterwards and to pack and check out. An Africa Geographic representative will collect you in the late morning for your early afternoon flight to Cape Town from Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, a 40-minute drive from your lodge.

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by an Africa Geographic representative, who will transfer you to the Commodore Hotel in the Victoria & Albert Waterfront – the drive will take about 45 minutes, depending on traffic flow. After settling in you, enjoy your own time strolling around the nearby V&A Waterfront and dine at any of the many restaurants.

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up by an Africa Geographic representative for a private full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, in a luxury sedan. The tour will include visits to the trendy Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Hout Bay Harbour (with an optional boat trip to Seal Island), Chapmans Peak and Cape Point (lunch for own account) where you may see baboon, rhebok, Cape mountain zebra, rare bontebok, ostrich and eland. You will continue on to Boulders Beach for the famous African (jackass) penguins, the navel and harbour town of Simon’s Town and the quaint seaside village of Kalk Bay with its art shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. You will then be dropped off at your hotel, and have the rest of the day to stroll around the V&A Waterfront and dine at any of the many restaurants.

After another leisurely breakfast at your hotel you will have the entire day to explore the vibrant, cosmopolitan Mother City. A brief stroll from your hotel will find you immersed in the shops and restaurants of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

All other destinations mentioned below are easily accessed via taxi / Uber, and convenient online bookings will secure your place (where applicable).

Nestled between a rugged mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s also one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Africa. This multicultural city enjoys a superb natural setting, pristine beaches, sophisticated infrastructure and a mild, Mediterranean climate. And there is no shortage of world-class trendy restaurants and a vibrant nightlife for all tastes. It’s no wonder that Cape Town is the crown jewel of the country.

A few city and peninsula headline acts include Table Mountain (cable car to the top is weather permitting) and Lion’s Head; the most iconic landmark in South Africa, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, , Castle of Good Hope, Bo-Kaap, the Noon-day Gun, Greenmarket Square and the famous Robben Island (ferry is weather-permitting); where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were imprisoned during the apartheid years. For those with an interest in history and culture, we offer tours to visit the District Six Museum and Slave Lodge to explore how the Dutch and British colonised Cape Town, and a walking tour of Langa township.

For the active traveller, the Cape Town peninsula is a treasure trove of hiking and mountain biking trails, kayaking and wind-surfing spots – in fact just about every physical outdoor pursuit is catered for within a relatively short radius of the city.

After a full day exploring Cape Town a shuttle can be arranged from the hotel (paid directly) to Gold Restaurant for a fun evening that kick starts with a Djembe drumming session and a 14-dish feast from various African countries. After dinner and loads of fun you can catch the shuttle back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up by an Africa Geographic representative for a private full-day tour of the Cape Winelands, with historic vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. Your slow safari will meander through Stellenbosch, where your first stop will be a cellar tour and wine & chocolate paring. The chocolate is artisanal and Fair Trade accredited. After more beautiful scenery of rolling vineyards and historic homesteads, your second stop will be a boutique Stellenbosch wine estate for an intimate cheese & wine paring with the wine maker.  From there your tour heads over the pass to Franschhoek where you will learn about the influence of the French Huguenots on the local wine industry. In this, the cuisine capital of South Africa, you will enjoy lunch on an award-winning wine estate and stroll down the main road of this quaint town with its restaurants and gift shops. Your last stop on this gastronomic celebration is a wine estate at the foot of the craggy Franschhoek Mountains, for another session of world class wine tasting. You will then be dropped off at La Fontaine Boutique Hotel, which is a brief stroll from the Franschhoek main road shops and restaurants.

Today you will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at La Fontaine, before an Africa Geographic representative arrives to transfer you to Cape Town International Airport for your international flight to Maun, Botswana.

You will be met at Maun International Airport by an Africa Geographic representative and transferred by vehicle (ask about flight options) to Sango Safari Camp in Khwai Community Concession. This 3-4 hour transfer by dirt road skirts the southern concessions of the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, and you can expect wildlife encounters along the way.

The Khwai Community Concession is a wildlife-rich 180,000 ha gem on the fringes of the Okavango Delta – sandwiched between Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. This unfenced paradise is one of the best places in Botswana to see predators such as painted wolf (African wild dog), leopard and lion.

The Khwai River, which flows through the concession, is usually a narrow channel in the dry season that animals can step across. Still, in some areas, it spreads out to form marshy wetlands. The water channels have good populations of hippo, crocodile, waterbuck and lechwe, and the dry woodlands away from the river host good populations of sable and roan antelope, zebra, impala, giraffe, buffalo and other species. As is the case with most of northern Botswana, elephant can be found everywhere, and lion, leopard and hyena are commonly seen. Painted wolves often den in the area during the winter months and can then be seen with pups.

Khwai is a good story for community empowerment as the entire concession is owned by the local community, and leased to safari camps.

Your time in Khwai will be taken up by morning and evening game drives, in search of wildlife encounters and the daily drama as the wildlife battles it out for survival in this raw, primal ecosystem.

Another fantastic way to explore this haven is by mokoro, a dugout canoe favoured by the local people to navigate the winding waterways of the Khwai channel and the Okavango Delta. Mokoro activities are dependent on water levels. Video: Mokoro

Between game drives, you can choose to go for a bushwalk, or relax at the lodge pool, or catch up on some sleep in your room. Meals are delicious, and the chef is likely to surprise you with a variety of delectable offerings. Expect cakes and pastries for mid-afternoon tea, and don't forget to save space for the snacks and drinks on the game drives and early morning coffee with rusks.

Days thirteen and fourteen will be all about getting out there and searching for exciting or interesting wildlife experiences with your guide, whether you choose to explore via game drive vehicle, mokoro or on foot. Of course nothing in Africa is scripted, and every day will produce something different - perhaps a hunting leopard, fighting hippos or a fish eagle that has caught a barbel (catfish). Or perhaps you will hit the jackpot and encounter painted wolves (African wild dogs) with pups. Your guides know the area well, and will work hard to meet your expectations; but of course nature makes the final call about what you get to see. Expect early-morning wake-ups, afternoon snoozes back in camp and evening drinks around the crackling fire, followed by dinner and bed.

You will make the most of your last morning in Khwai with an early morning game drive or bush walk followed by another delicious breakfast and check-out. You will then be transferred to the nearby Khwai airstrip for a short scenic flight to the town of Kasane on the Chobe River, and gateway to Chobe National Park. You will be met in Kasane by an Africa Geographic representative, for the short road transfer to Bakwena Lodge, your lodge on the Chobe River.

Later that afternoon you will climb aboard a 24-seater motorboat for a sunset cruise on the river. Time stands still as you drift past herds of elephant coming down to drink, pods of honking hippo and islands of water birds. Salute the setting sun with your gin & tonic as another magnificent day in Africa comes to an end.

Today you will be woken up for an early breakfast and coffee, before leaving on a full-day game drive in Chobe National Park, with packed lunch.

Your game drive will wind along the Chobe River, with forays into the nearby bushveld and teak woodland. The river attracts massive herds of elephant and buffalo in the dry season, offering fantastic photographic opportunities as they bathe and drink in the river.

Wildlife includes four of the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo – only rhino being absent. Also expect to see many antelope species (including the only population of puku in Botswana), zebra, giraffe and good populations of cheetah, hyena and painted wolf (African wild dog), and a plethora of smaller species such as serval, aardwolf, pangolin, aardvark and bat-eared fox.

Birding in Chobe can be rewarding, with over 450 species (with seasonal variation). Look out for slaty egret, Bradfield's hornbill, wattled crane, pennant-winged nightjar, broad-tailed paradise whydah, collared palm-thrush, miombo rock-thrush, Allen’s gallinule, lesser jacana, rock pratincole, Schalow’s turaco, racket-tailed roller and rosy-throated longclaw.

There will be time for early risers for one last activity – possibly a short walk or cycle to a local village, to learn about local culture. This will be followed by breakfast, check out and a 90-minute road transfer to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Your Victoria Falls adventure will kick-off today with a guided tour of the Falls, followed by a sunset cruise on the tranquil waters upstream of the Falls, and finally dinner at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River is one of Africa's most iconic destinations and deservedly on many bucket lists. That awe-inspiring vertical drop of 108m into the gorge below and the mist spray curtain during full flood that can be seen and heard from afar make for a truly unforgettable experience. The local name for the Falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya', which means 'the smoke that thunders'. Just wandering the streets of this quaint town is a special experience as you negotiate for souvenirs, dodge warthogs (and elephants!), hang out with locals and sample a range of restaurants and bars.

Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s also an adventure centre of note. You could stay for ages and enjoy a different activity every day, from bungee jumping, gorge swinging and white water rafting to helicopter and microlight flights (a.k.a the flight of angels), sunset boat and steam train cruises, horse riding, game drives, canoe trips down the Zambezi River, and so much more.

WHAT TO DO in Vic Falls: click here and scroll down to 'Things to do in Victoria Falls'.

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the waterhole at your lodge, you will have the full day to enjoy the many sights and experiences of Africa’s adventure capital. Activities are for your own account, but booking them at your lodge will ensure a 5% discount. Lunch at your lodge is included in your package. Also included in your package is dinner and entertainment that night at The Boma Restaurant. The Boma is not just another ethnic restaurant, it is a unique cultural experience. You will be invited to take part in a hand washing ceremony before sampling traditional beer and snacks, as a prelude to dinner. The eat-as-much-as-you-can buffet food is excellent and varied, including venison, traditional Zimbabwean dishes, and even mopane worms!

Your dining is accompanied by entertainment from traditional Shangaan dancers, storytellers and other entertainers. You may even have your face painted, learn how to drum and be encouraged onto the busy dance-floor to show off your moves. This fantastic cultural cuisine experience starts at 7:00pm and goes on till late…

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the waterhole at your lodge, you will have time for one more activity (for your own account, but booking at your lodge will ensure a 5% discount) before your transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport and your onward plans.

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Why us

We live here, in Africa, and have been doing this since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?

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