SOUTHERN AFRICA ADVENTURE
WILDLIFE & VICToria FALLS
South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana: A Southern Africa Adventure
Indulge your senses as you journey through some of the most breathtaking corners of South and Southern Africa. From sweeping coastlines to soul-stirring wildlife encounters, this adventure is packed with unforgettable moments.
Your journey begins in Cape Town, where iconic landscapes, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine set the tone. Continue into South Africa’s famed wine country for a dose of relaxation in charming Franschhoek.
Next, feel the power of the legendary Victoria Falls—one of the world’s great natural wonders and a true bucket-list highlight.
Your adventure concludes in Botswana with an extraordinary wildlife experience: a multi-day photo safari paired with a luxurious Chobe River Front cruise, offering front-row views of Africa’s incredible animals.
Ready to explore this remarkable region? Contact us to craft your curated Southern Africa adventure. Looking for something different? We’re always delighted to design a one-of-a-kind journey 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: The Three Boutique Hotel (or similar)
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: The Three Boutique Hotel (or similar)
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: FRANSCHHOEK – WESTERN CAPE
Today we’re going to discover the Winelands of the Western Cape.
We’ll first visit Stellenbosch for a tour of the charming, historic town of Stellenbosch. We’ll wander along Dorp Street admiring fine examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, and take in fantastic views of the mountains and surrounding countryside.
We stop and visit Spice Route Destination in Paarl, where an array of artisans sell everything from chocolate, wine, beers to spices and homewares. During our time here, we’ll taste a selection of wines paired with cured meats and then indulge in a chocolate-tasting. Allow yourself approximately 2 hours to savour the 5 artisanal tastings.
Included:
6 Spice Route wines,
6 Jewell’s charcuterie,
4 CBC premium beers,
A Fynbos & a Rose Water Wilderer Gin with Tonic water; and
A selection of Beyers chocolate.
Thereafter a scenic drive takes us through lush farmland and vineyards to the town of Franschhoek, for a view of the Huguenot Monument and an amble down the main road.
Enjoy a tasting at a wine estate in the area, nestled against the hillside overlooking vineyards and the majestic Wemmershoek Mountains. (wine tasting included).
Excluded: Lunch: not included – for your own account.
Thereafter we depart to our overnight accommodation.
Overnight : Lion’s Roar (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: Overnight : Lion’s Roar (or similar)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 6: FLY TO VICTORIA FALLS
Take an international flight from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Shortly after arrival, we will board a lovely boat 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: The Palm River 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: The Palm River 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 (or similar)
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 (or similar)
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 (or similar)
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
*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 – The Three Boutique Hotel
Franschhoek – Lion Roars
Victoria Falls – The Palm River Hotel
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!
JOIN OUR FINISTERRA TRAVEL COMMUNITY
Stay up-to-date with us when you sign up for our newsletter.