Cape Town Victoria Falls And Madikwe Experience – 3 nights Cape Town | 3 nights Victoria Falls | 1 night Johannesburg | 4 nights Madikwe | 1 night Franschhoek
Overview
We could not be more satisfied with the arrangements made by Gail at Pembury. She was very responsive to all our questions before we arrived in South Africa. Gail correctly placed us in accommodations that perfectly fit our desires. Transfers were prompt and day trips were excellent. Our main safari at Impodimo in Madikwe was awesome. Their new comfortable waterhole hide provided us with up close viewing of elephants, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, and many varieties of antelope and birds. Our trip was everything we hoped for and more.
Upon arrival at Cape Town airport, you are met by our representative and are transferred to your hotel at the V&A Waterfront.
Transfer time – Cape Town airport to Cape Town hotel: approx 35 minutes
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.
It’s a very early departure this morning, you check out of your accommodation and are transferred to the Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls.
On arrival in Victoria Falls you will met and transferred by road to your lodge just outside the town. Your lodge has a free shuttle bus that travels on the hour between the lodge and the town of Victoria Falls and between your lodge and the falls themselves.
Transfer time – Hotel to Cape Town International Airport: approx 35 minutes
Flight time – Cape Town to Victoria Falls: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
Transfer time – Victoria Falls Airport to Victoria Falls hotels: approx. 20 minutes
Besides being one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is the unchallenged adventure capital of Africa with more than 50 activities available.
At 1708 metres wide, Victoria Falls is the most expansive curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, these Falls and the Zambezi River are the central points in an area of spectacular scenic beauty: from the Falls themselves to the broad, picturesque course of the Zambezi River upstream, the rainforest adjacent and the stark jagged gorge downstream, the power and timelessness of nature’s forces are evident throughout.
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.
This morning after a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred through to Victoria Falls Airport at for your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport you will be transferred by road to your hotel in Sandton.
Flight time: Victoria Falls to Johannesburg – approx 1½ hours
Transfer time: OR Tambo International Airport to Sandton – approx 35 minutes
This morning you will be transferred back to OR Tambo International Airport and the Federal Air terminal for your shuttle flight to Madikwe Game Reserve. You are met at the Madikwe airstrip and are transferred to your lodge.
Transfer time: Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport – approx 35 minutes
Flight time: OR Tambo International Airport to Madikwe Game Reserve – approx 1 hour
The 76,000 hectare Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries and is home to the Big 5 and over 340 bird species. It is especially famous for its packs of African Wild Dog – and it is malaria-free. It is about 4 hours by road from Johannesburg. Madikwe is situated in the transition region between two vegetation types: Lowveld bushveld and Kalahari thornveld. As a result, the region is able to host to an incredible diversity of species. In addition to wild dog, cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant, Madikwe is home to a wide range of plains game, such as giraffe, zebra and many antelope species. Madikwe’s game viewing is of a very high standard, aided by the fact that all game rangers are in radio contact with one another. There is a strict code of conduct and animal sightings are generally limited to a maximum of 3 vehicles at one time in order to maintain the feeling of exclusivity and to ensure the animals’ well-being.
After your morning game drive and brunch, you will bid this African wonderland goodbye and are transferred to the airstrip for your shuttle flight back to Johannesburg. On arrival at the Federal Air Lounge at OR Tambo, you will be transferred through to domestic departures to check in for your flight to Cape Town.
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred by road to Franschhoek, in the heart of the Winelands.
Flight time: Madikwe Game Reserve to OR Tambo International Airport – approx 1 hour
Flight time: Johannesburg to Cape Town – approx. 2 hours
Transfer time: Cape Town International Airport to Franschhoek – approx 1 hour
After breakfast you are collected from your guesthouse in Franschhoek and taken on a tour of the surrounding Winelands. You stop for wine tastings at two wineries and you have the chance to purchase some of the wines you have tasted. You will be taken on a short tour of the Franschhoek region and given a bit of insight into its fascinating history.
After the tour you will be taken back to your guest house to freshen up and collect your luggage before being transferred by road to Cape Town International Airport for your flight home.