Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls – 3 nights Cape Town | 3 nights Sabi Sand Game Reserve | 1 night White River | 3 nights Victoria Falls
Overview
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Itinerary
Upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met in the arrivals hall by our representative. He will hand over your travel packs and from here, transfer you to your hotel in Cape Town, where you spend 3 nights. Check-in to your room and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Welcome to Cape Town, Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north.
The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil’s Peak and historical Signal Hill, stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the Winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn.
Transfer time: Cape Town Airport to Hotel: ± 30 to 45 minutes
You have three full days to explore the Mother City and the Fairest Cape – from the oldest buildings in South Africa to trendy waterfront shopping; from majestic Table Mountain to sun drenched beaches; and from dramatic seascapes to verdant vineyards. Cape Town regularly tops many lists of world must-visit destinations and Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain has recently been voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Cosmopolitan and fashionable, the relaxed atmosphere and pavement café culture give Cape Town a Southern European feel – but with a distinctive African twist.
The activities are totally flexible and there are many to choose from – they can easily be tailored to your specific interests.
Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel. Your driver will meet you in reception and from here you are transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your direct flight to Hoedspruit.
Upon arrival in Hoedspruit, you are met by your driver and transferred by road to your luxury safari lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Arriving at your lodge in the afternoon, you are met by the lodge members and a refreshing welcome drink before you are taken to your bungalow for your three night stay. After High Tea, you set off on your first afternoon game drive in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and return to the lodge for a hearty dinner.
Transfer time: Hotel to Cape Town Airport: ± 30 to 45 minutes
Flight time: Cape Town to Hoedspruit: ± 2 hours
Transfer time: Hoedspruit Airport to Arathusa Safari Lodge: ± 2 hours
Forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Reserve has no fences and the wildlife is able to cross freely between the Sabi Sands and the rest of the Greater Kruger National Park. The safari experience in the Sabi Sand is highly personalised because game drive vehicles have exclusive traversing rights in their area. The Sabi Sand Reserve is a remarkable natural sanctuary known for its exceptionally high concentration of animal and bird life. Close contact encounters are guaranteed as the animals are not threatened by the presence of vehicles thanks to sound conservation management policies. Safaris are led by experienced rangers coupled with local Shangaan trackers. With exceptional sightings of leopard (usually the most elusive of cats), lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo during game drives – visitors are never lacking in exciting photographic content.
After your morning game drive, you bid farewell to this African wonderland. You are met at reception and from here transferred to your hotel in White River, where you spend the night. The afternoon is at leisure and you can enjoy a lovely dinner at the hotel restaurant.
The little town of White River – an important farming and tourism centre – was founded around 1890. The farming tradition of the people that settled in White River after the Anglo-Boer War, has remained practically the same to this day and still attracts many who wish to witness this culture first hand and learn more about a place such as this which is virtually untouched. Agriculture in this area relies largely on the production of tropical fruit, flowers and timber. It is one of the largest in the Mpumalanga province and is therefore extremely important to the economy of the Region.
Transfer time: Arathusa Safari Lodge to Nut Grove Manor: ± 2½ to 3 hours
This morning you have an early breakfast before you are collected by your driver who will transfer you to Nelspruit Airport. On arrival you will be met by your driver from and transferred across the border into Zimbabwe and onto your hotel, where you spend 3 nights.
The Victoria Falls is considered to be the largest waterfall in the world. See the mighty Zambezi River as it thunders over the 1700-metre-wide Victoria Falls and plunges 100 metres into a narrow gorge below. The great columns of spray rising from the tumultuous falls can be seen from 80 kilometres away on a clear day.
Transfer time: Nut Grove Manor to KMIA (Nelspruit Airport): ± 15 to 20 minutes
Flight time: Nelspruit to Livingstone Airport: ± 2 hours
Transfer time: Livingstone Airport to Ilala Lodge: ± 1 hour (with border crossing)
The Falls’ local name, Mosi-Oa-Tunya – “the Smoke that Thunders” – more accurately defines the essence of the place: the rising, shining spray that can be seen 30km away. This vapour has the effect of adding moisture in the form of humidity to the air in the “splash zone”, so that a unique, small rainforest ecosystem clings to the edge of the Falls, providing a toehold for no less than 70 shrub and 150 herbaceous species, as well as trees such as pod and Natal mahogany, ebony, Cape and strangler fig and Transvaal red milkwood. There are two National Parks in the vicinity: the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Zoological Park in Zambia, which means that herds of big game such as elephant and buffalo, as well as smaller species and even predators such as lion persist in the area.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. From here you are transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your departure flight.
Accommodation
INCLUDED IN PRICE South Africa | Cape Town | The Commodore Hotel
The Commodore Hotel is a nautically themed, 4-star hotel at Cape Town’s popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. With views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean, The Commodore is Legacy Hotels’ flagship hotel in Cape Town. Stylish accommodation, quality service and a tranquil setting have ensured that guests return year after year.
As the name suggests, the nautical theme is carried throughout the hotel, including the 150-seater Clipper Restaurant, which offers an array of seafood dishes. The menu is varied, with influences from around the globe. There is also a stylish cocktail bar & lounge. The Commodore is spacious enough to accommodate 236 rooms. They have a fully-equipped gymnasium with a sauna and steam room, as well as a pool deck and terrace. Wellness and rejuvenating treatments are on offer in the in-house spa. The Commodore is in the heart of the bustling Waterfront precinct and is an easy stroll from a host of fine restaurants and trendy shops.
INCLUDED IN PRICE South Africa | Sabi Sand Game Reserve | Arathusa Safari Lodge
Arathusa Safari Lodge is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve. The camp is an intimate one, completely open-plan and designed to harmoniously blend with the adjacent waterhole and African bush.
The lodge flanks the bank of a large waterhole (approximately 250m x 150m), allowing for a 180-degree view of the water. An infinity swimming pool overlooks the waterhole and is the perfect spot for wildlife viewing on a smouldering African summer’s afternoon. Massive herds of buffalo, antelope and elephant families gather at the waterhole, and there is also a resident herd of hippos.
13 thatched suites are within the camp’s perimeter. Each has a bathroom en-suite (with bath and separate indoor and outdoor showers), and a verandah. Meal times at Arathusa are a sociable affair. Guests are treated to sumptuous dishes, fresh produce and home-baked confectionery.
INCLUDED IN PRICE South Africa | White River | Nut Grove Manor
Nut Grove Manor is a hidden gem in the Lowveld where you can unwind in a laid-back, private family atmosphere steeped in history. Set in a colonial farmhouse from 1924 and nestled on a 2.3 hectare estate featuring lush gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and a children’s playground. Its location is conveniently close to the best that the region offers – whether you are a leisure or business traveller – and yet is just far enough from the beaten path to offer peace and quiet.
The lovely subtropical garden is quite legendary for its tranquillity, and the panoramic views surrounding the property make this hideaway something truly special.
Nut Grove Manor offers both bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation. It is close to many Lowveld attractions like the Kruger National Park and world-class facilities like the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Click here for a taste of all the attractions that await you in the area.
At Nut Grove Manor, they strive to give their guests so much more than just a room for the night. We believe in personal service and attention to the little details that will make your stay unforgettable.
INCLUDED IN PRICE Zimbabwe | Victoria Falls | Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge offers distinguished yet affordable accommodation in a gracious and secluded ambience. The decor evokes a bygone era of adventure and the quest for discovery in Africa. This small hotel is ideally situated and is the closest to Victoria Falls as well as the town centre. The Victoria Falls National Park borders the front of the property, and wild animals often graze on the hotel lawns with the spray of the falls in the background.
Ilala Lodge offers 32 standard rooms and 2 deluxe suites. The rooms are all spacious with railway sleeper teak furnishings and patio doors leading onto either an open lawn or a balcony where you are afforded a view of the spray of the falls from the upper-level rooms. All standard rooms at Ilala Lodge have 2 x ¾ beds, an ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and an overhead fan. The deluxe suites have a king-size bed and have room for a child’s bed.
The in-house Palm Restaurant is recognised as one of the finest at the Falls. Relax around the swimming pool or enjoy a drink at the open-air bar.
Experiences
INCLUDED IN PRICE Cape Town | Half Day City Tour & Table Mountain
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. You will visit the historic Castle, District Six and the Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and colourful mosques. During your city tour, you will view the Houses of Parliament, the City Hall and the Slave Lodge and will enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens. Weather Permitting: Enjoy the scenic cable car ride up Table Mountain, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
INCLUDED IN PRICE Cape Town | Full Day Cape Point Tour
You are collected from your hotel by a tour guide. You are taken on a drive along the Atlantic seaboard via glamorous Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay. We continue via the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point. Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives one an idea of why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. We then follow the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you will visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach. We also visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is dedicated to the extraordinary variety of plants found in the Cape Floral Kingdom. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs will bring us back to the city bowl in the late afternoon.
SUGGESTED Cape Town | Two Oceans Aquarium & Robben Island Tour
Two Oceans Aquarium – Home to more than 8000 creatures and 288 species, the aquatic entertainment and educational centre gives you the chance to come face-to-face with parts of the ecosystems found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The award-winning aquarium boasts breathtaking exhibits.
Robben Island Tour – The tour starts with a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, the limestone quarry and the old leper colony. (This must be booked in advance).
SUGGESTED Cape Town | Full Day Cape Winelands Tour
You are collected from the hotel this morning and are taken on a Full-day tour of the Cape Winelands, with its backdrop of majestic mountain ranges and lush valleys. We stop for wine tastings at a minimum of two wineries, and you have the chance to purchase some of the wines you have tasted. We visit Stellenbosch, the “town of oaks”, for a short guided tour of South Africa’s second-oldest town. A scenic drive over the Helshoogte Pass (Hell’s Heights) takes us to the Franschhoek Valley. French Huguenots settled in the Franschhoek Valley in the late seventeenth century, seeking refuge from religious persecution in Europe and bringing with them precious root stock to establish the wine-growing industry in South Africa. After the tour, you are dropped off at your hotel.
INCLUDED IN PRICE Sabi Sand Game Reserve | Daily Safari Programme at Arathusa Safari Lodge
The Sabi Sand Reserve is part of the largest conservation area in South Africa, and it is the oldest of all the private reserves. It was formed in 1950 and comprises many privately owned game lodges, covering an area of 65,000 hectares (153,000 acres) of savannah thornveld. It is now part of the Greater Kruger National Park, and there are no fences between them, so the game moves freely through this enormous natural reserve. This is one of South Africa’s most treasured natural sanctuaries. The Sabi Sand Reserve enjoys good quality viewing of the Big 5, a vast variety of antelope and other species. In fact, there are more than 330 tree species, 45 fish species, 30 amphibian species, 110 reptile species, 500 bird species and 145 mammal species, including the Big Five. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active.
In the morning, after a light snack, you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. There is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck, read a book in the peace of your room’s private verandah or go on a unique walking safari with an armed game ranger knowledgeable in all aspects of conservation, ecology and the environment of the bush.
After High Tea, you set off on your afternoon/evening game drive – providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators, particularly the leopard for which this area is renowned. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner.
SUGGESTED Victoria Falls | Full-Day Chobe Tour
After an early breakfast, your driver will meet you in reception for your Full Day Chobe Day Trip. Chobe National Park is approximately two hours from Livingstone. Your transfer is by road & ferry via the Kazungula Border Post. As you are crossing into Botswana, you will need your passport. Your safari begins with a river game viewing cruise on the Chobe River with soft drinks and water provided while the boat takes you close up to the wildlife and waterfowl along the river. The cruise ends at around 12h30 and you are taken to one of the riverbank hotels for lunch. After lunch, spend the afternoon on 4×4 safari vehicles game viewing in the Chobe National Park, an opportunity to see the abundance and variety of wildlife that Chobe is renowned for. Return to the border post at approximately 17h00 and from there transfer back to your hotel to arrive at around 18h00.
Chobe National Park is well known for its large herds of elephants that frequent the Chobe River on a daily basis. In the dry season, an estimate of up to 85,000 elephants can be dispersed within the Chobe National Park, where the majority of them can be found along the river. Apart from the herds of elephants, Chobe also has lots more to offer. The Park has lion, leopard, buffalo and a whole host of antelope like sable, puku, kudu, eland, roan and many others which you can get to see. The river is filled with big pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa.
SUGGESTED Victoria Falls | Adventure Activities
Victoria Falls is the unchallenged adventure capital of Africa, with more than 50 activities available. Here is our selection of the best:
Tiger fishing:
Spend a half day on the Zambezi River fishing for one of the great freshwater game fish – The Tigerfish. These powerful, swift predators are truly thrilling to catch.
Canoeing:
Paddle slowly down the Zambezi River in a canoe with some of the best wildlife guides in Africa and enjoy the beauty, peace and wildlife of this unique place. Explore islands and waterways and learn about the birds and animals you come across along the route.
Flight of Angels Helicopter Flip over the Falls:
At ground level, you can feel the enormous power of the Victoria Falls as tremendous volumes of water pound into the chasm below. But it is only when you take to the air that you can take in the whole panorama and enormity of this mighty spectacle.
Bungee Jumping:
Bungee jump off the 111-metre-high railway bridge into the Zambezi gorge, stopping just metres from the rushing water of the Zambezi River. This is a wild jump! There are two bungee options: A single jump on your own or a tandem jump with a partner.
White Water Rafting:
White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River is acclaimed as the best one-day white water rafting trip available in the world. There are different options for rafting depending on the time of year and the level of water in the river.
Jet Boat Extreme:
Speedboats powered by huge jet engines shoot down the rapids below the Victoria Falls at 100 km an hour. Enjoy a thrilling half-hour spent “flying” over the water.
SUGGESTED Victoria Falls | Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
Your guide will meet you in reception, and from here you depart for the Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls is considered to be the largest waterfall in the world. See the mighty Zambezi River as it thunders over the 1700-metre-wide Victoria Falls and plunges 100 metres into a narrow gorge below. The great columns of spray rising from the tumultuous falls can be seen from 80 kilometres away on a clear day. If you are lucky enough to be there at full moon, a “moonbow” can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow. (It is not necessary to have a guided tour – you can easily pay the entrance fee, enter the national park and view the falls at your own leisure.
SUGGESTED Victoria Falls | Sunset Cruise on the Ra-Ikane
Enjoy a brief history of the river with a cocktail in hand as you set out on the Sunset Cruise. Snack on delicacies from the high tea selection, as well as other delectable snacks, and be treated to any of the thirst-quenching beverages from the fully-stocked bar, while you take in the wild Zambezi.
Fashioned after David Livingstone’s exploration boat, the Ma-Robert, the Ra-Ikane boats are named after the instrumental guide, Lazarus Ra-Ikane, who accompanied and assisted Livingstone in his monumental discovery of the natural wonder, Victoria Falls. The monohull design of the Ra-Ikane boats enables them to navigate further up the Zambezi River and bring guests closer to the banks in the shallow water and, therefore, closer to all the action! With lots of space on the flat deck and a maximum of 16 passengers, there is plenty of room to make yourself comfortable.
The well-appointed Ra-Ikane fleet was built to ensure that each guest is able to experience the wild beauty of the Zambezi River with ease and style. Our boats take a circular route around the islands to provide guests with a panoramic view of the upper and lower Zambezi River and the wildlife and birdlife it offers. Each Ra-Ikane boat has its own crew, made up of a friendly and knowledgeable captain, guide and waiter to ensure that you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
