Indulge in the senses with abandon as you travel to some of the most beautiful places South and Southern Africa have to offer. Soak-in breathtaking scenery while having mind-blowing wildlife experiences!
This Southern Africa Adventure begins with a few days in Cape Town where you’ll explore its iconic landscapes, amazing cuisine, and coast. From here you head through South Africa’s famous wine country before heading to the Elgin Valley to relax. Visiting thunderous Victoria Falls is definitely a bucket-list destination for travellers. This Southern Africa Tour ends with an amazing wildlife experience – a multi-day photo safari plus a luxury cruise on the Chobe River Front, Botswana.
Contact us for a curated adventure to this incredible part of the world. Looking for a different kind of experience? No problem, we are happy to create a unique experience in Southern Africa just for you.
Highlights
STARTS AT
USD per Person
THIS IS A CUSTOMIZABLE ITINERARY FOR GROUPS OF ALL SIZES.
DATES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Welcome to South Africa! Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and extraordinary architecture, while others boast breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders. Cape Town is lucky enough to be blessed with all these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit.
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will meet by your driver. Transfer to the hotel. Enjoy sweeping views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the cityscape as you drive to your hotel, close to the trendiest and best restaurants, bars, galleries, and other attractions in the City Bowl, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Overnight: Cape Town Hotel
Meals: -/-/-
DAY 2: CAPE PENINSULA & PENGUIN COLONY
This awe-inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point encompasses magnificent beaches, breathtaking views, and picturesque coastal villages. The Cape Peninsula is one of the world’s most scenic areas and stretches from the City centre to Cape Point.
Note: The drive via Chapman’s Peak is subject to the road being open. Ou Kaapse Weg will be used as an alternative route when necessary.
We take the scenic route along the Atlantic Seaboard towards the Southern Peninsula. We pass through beautiful coastal conservation villages and head along the world-renowned Chapman’s Peak coastal drive on our way to Cape of Good Hope.
We enter Cape Point National Park and enjoy its wonderful array of flowers from the Cape Floristic Kingdom, and if we are lucky some baboons, ostriches, or antelope. Enjoy a day of breathtaking scenery and endless beaches surrounded by the biodiversity of the Cape floristic kingdom.
We’ll visit the African Penguin colony in Simon’s Town, before continuing to one of the legendary wineries in the area, to reminisce over the beautiful day whilst sipping on wine in one of the oldest wine-producing regions in South Africa.
Overnight: Cape Town Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 3: TABLE MOUNTAIN + V&A WATERFRONT
After breakfast, we will make our way to the V&A Waterfront where you will have the choice to relax, shop, and enjoy the V&A Waterfront or to make your way to the Robben Island Museum which departs at 9.
Lunch will be had at the Food Market in V&A Waterfront where you will get to choose and experience numerous delicious artisanal street food stands serving a wonderful array of tastes within an authentic market environment. Please note lunch is at your own expense.
After lunch, we head towards Table Mountain for the five-minute cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, 1 089 metres above Cape Town, and explore the summit. This is a great spot to sit and soak up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains, and the rest of the Table Mountain National Park, in which the cableway is situated. Please bring a warm jacket, sun lotion, good walking shoes, water, sunglasses, and some spending money. And don’t forget your camera!
Never a dull moment in Cape Town, you’ll be transported after a change at the hotel to dinner and a show in the uber-trendy and popular leisure district of Green Point, at Rockwell Dinner Theatre.
Overnight: Cape Town Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 4: SHARK DIVING & ELGIN VALLEY
This morning you’ll transfer to Gansbaai, where you’ll take the plunge with Great White Sharks*! (Please note that you may replace this with another activity). Going Great White Shark Diving in South Africa and more specifically a trip on the Slashfin is a combination of goosebump thrills, education, and relaxation on a luxury boat in the company of experienced experts and researchers. They will show you
how to distinguish between a male and female shark and how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and scars.
The 20 – 25 minute boat trip to where the activity is to take place, is by itself an exhilarating adventure. On any given day, we also usually see at least two or more members of the Marine Big Five – sharks, dolphins, whales, seals, and penguins, as well as several bird species.
After shark cage diving, you’ll be transferred to the Elgin Valley to the Old Mac Daddy Luxury Trailer Park.
Located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the Elgin Valley stretches between the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and the Groenland Winery. It is one of South Africa’s top apple producers. The undulating landscape is characterized by deep valleys, forests, mountain streams, lakes and rivers, and lush hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards.
This outdoor adventure mecca offers visitors a wide selection of activities including swimming, apple-picking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, river cruises, ziplining, bird watching, and wine tasting. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample locally-made craft cider and visit the UNESCO-protected Kogelberg Reserve.
Overnight : Mac Daddy Luxury Trailer Park (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 5: FRANSCHHOEK – WINE TRAM
This morning head to the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape Winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine.
Upon arrival into Franschhoek, you’ll hop on the Wine Tram and have several hours to enjoy the surrounding wineries. A combination of tram and tram-bus transports you around a loop of stops allowing you to hop-off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch, or simply a stroll through the vineyards and when you are ready, hop-on to continue the tour.
Overnight: Cape Town Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 6: FLY TO VICTORIA FALLS
Take an international flight from Cape Town to Livingstone, Zambia. Shortly after arrival, we will board the Lady Livingstone for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi while sipping away on a drink and watching the hippos, crocs, and birds.
One of the original natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump, and arguably the best commercial whitewater rafting in the world.
Overnight: Livingstone Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 7: VICTORIA FALLS
Today is yours to explore the falls. There is a free shuttle that takes you from your property to the falls every hour, and the entrance is approx $20. In the afternoon, relax by the pool and soak up that African sun.
Option: get an INCREDIBLE view of the falls from the air by doing a helicopter ride. Approx $200 USD per person.
Overnight: Livingstone Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 8: TRANSFER TO CHOBE, BOTSWANA
Today you’ll be transferred approx. 2.5 hours to Chobe. Chobe National Park is in northern Botswana near the vast, inland Okavango Delta. It’s known for its large herds of elephants and cape buffalo, which converge along the Chobe Riverfront in the dry months. Lions, antelopes, and hippos inhabit the woods and lagoons around Linyanti Marsh.
Upon arrival, you’ll do a photographic sunset safari.
Overnight: Pangolin Chobe Lodge (all-inclusive)
Meals: B/-/D
DAY 9: PHOTO SAFARI – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
This morning you’ll wake up early and do a morning safari (either by boat or car). You will be shown how the Canon 80D camera fitted with a 150-600mm Sigma zoom lens functions. As you get more comfortable with the device, we will show you some expert techniques and tips to get the best image at that moment. With the Chobe being such a game-rich environment and the D7000 being such a great camera you will be taking superb images in no time!
In the afternoon you’ll enjoy lunch and relax by the pool, before heading back out in the afternoon for another photo safari.
Overnight: Pangolin Chobe Lodge (all-inclusive)
Meals: B/L/D
DAY 10: CHOBE PRINCESS
Early this morning, head out on another wildlife photo safari. Afterward, head straight to the Chobe Princess Houseboat.
With only a small number of guests per boat staying in one of the three Chobe Princesses is like being on your very own houseboat. As you drift down the Chobe River and spot incredible wildlife scenes, you’ll be able to completely relax in an intimate river safari experience.
Each houseboat has a minimum of three smaller boats for use on daily excursions that take your fancy: mark off over 450 bird species found in this wetland paradise, try your hand at landing a tiger fish or capture Africa’s unique beauty on a photographic safari. Whatever you choose to do, your day trips will be personal and flexible because you’ll be sharing the tender boats with a small number of guests.
Each cabin on board the Chobe Princess is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, and each has its own private view of the ever-changing landscapes beyond. On the upper entertainment deck, a spacious lounge and bar area encourages you to take time out while there’s also a plunge pool that’s perfect for a refreshing dip.
Overnight: Chobe Princess
Meals: B/L/D
DAY 11: CHOBE PRINCESS
Spend the day on the Chobe Princess, spotting wildlife along the river with a glass of wine or G&T in hand.
The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its diverse and abundant game viewing opportunities. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them. A visit to this area guarantees close encounters with an array of African wildlife.
Overnight: Chobe Princess
Meals: B/L/D
DAY 12: WILDLIFE LODGE
After a morning boat cruise off the Chobe Princess, you’ll disembark and head back to the Pangolin Lodge, where you’ll do an afternoon photo safari.
Overnight: Pangolin Chobe Lodge (all-inclusive)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 13: DEPARTURE DAY
Today is your last day in Africa. Get in one last photo safari (try to shoot something you haven’t yet) and then head to the airport in Kasane for your flight back to Johannesburg, to catch your international flight home.
OR Option to extend to Kruger National Park or elsewhere.
Thanks for travelling with Finisterra!
Tour Exclusions
IMPORTANT NOTES
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Southern Africa, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
FLIGHTS: Please do not purchase your flights until this tour is confirmed.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS & VACCINATIONS: (responsibility of the traveller)
Date: Custom Departures
$4995 USD per participant Double / Twin
*Please note, the hotels and routing of this tour can be altered to best suit your needs. Prices may vary.
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
Please note that these are just sample hotels and all accommodation is subject to change. We can upgrade hotels for an additional fee.
Cape Town – Radisson Blu or Similar
Elgin Valley – Old Mac Daddy Trailer Park
Livingstone (Victoria Falls) – David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
Chobe Riverfront – Chobe Princess (houseboat)
Chobe National Park – Pangolin Lodge
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS
Travel with confidence knowing that you’re covered with Manulife Insurance.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS – JOHN HANCOCK
Explore the world, stress-free, when you book travel insurance with John Hancock International.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading.No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
Our unique itineraries are designed to best showcase some of our favourite destinations around Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. All itineraries are fully-customizable.Not your typical online travel agency, nor are we quite a tour operator, we are international travel designers with a flair for unique experiences. We’d love to hear from you!
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