Victoria Falls Kruger Cape Town Tour – 2 nights Victoria Falls | 3 nights Sabi Sand | 2 nights Timbavati | 4 nights Cape Town | 2 nights Franschhoek
Overview
A trip of a lifetime!
Words can’t describe the experiences we had on our South African vacation. Heidi, our tour consultant, was responsive and extremely helpful from the first point of contact. We emailed back and forth for months to ensure our itinerary was exactly the way we wanted it. Heidi also provided many itinerary options, made suggestions and took the time to get to know the kind of vacation we were expecting. She selected premium hotels, safari camps, tour guides and drivers. Careful attention was given to inter country flights, timing of activities and drivers between airports, hotels and longer drives within Kruger. The safari portion of the trip (six nights at two camps) was perfect! We saw the big five along with too many other amazing animals and birds to name. The camps were small and very comfortable with absolutely delicious food in an environment surrounded by watering holes and animal viewing via binoculars right in the middle of the bush. In summary, everything was absolutely perfect! We were amazed at Heidi’s attention to detail and selection of tours, hotels, drivers, guides and flights! You can’t go wrong with Pembury!
This morning you are met at your hotel by our representative and transferred to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport. You will connect to your flight to Victoria Falls airport. Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you met transferred to your hotel.
Transfer time: Hotel to Johannesburg Airport – approx. 45 minutes
Flight time: Johannesburg to Victoria Falls Airport – approx. 1¾ hours
Transfer time: Victoria Falls airport to Hotel – approx. 25 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 is at leisure to catch a last glimpse of the falls, until you are met by our representative at TBA and transferred to Livingstone Airport where you connect with your flight to Nelspruit. You are met at Nelspruit Airport by our representative and transferred to your lodge in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, forming part of the Greater Kruger Park.
Transfer time: Hotel to Livingstone Airport – approx. 1 hour
Flying time: Livingstone to Nelspruit – approx. 2 hours
Transfer time: Nelspruit Airport to Sabi Sand Lodge – approx. 2¾ 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.
You will head out on dawn and late afternoon game drives in the company of dedicated and highly knowledgeable rangers and trackers. The fact that the Sabi Sand is a private Kruger reserve means that guests can enjoy activities not normally permitted in the Kruger Park itself. Your ranger will go off road for close-up views of special sightings and once darkness falls, you’ll be treated to thrilling spot-lit night drives in search of rare nocturnal creatures and big cats on the move. Guided nature walks complete the spectrum of safari activities.
After your morning game drive, you are collected from your lodge and transferred by road northwards to the Timbavati Reserve, also part of the Greater Kruger National Park. There is time to settle in at your new lodge before setting off on the afternoon game drive.
Transfer time – Sabi Sand to Timbavati: approx 3 hours
The Timbavati forms part of the 2 million hectare Greater Kruger National Park. It was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and is part of one of Africa’s most innovative conservation partnership agreements. The Timbavati is 14 700 hectares (36 300 acres) and shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. Track the Big Five, as well as a rich variety of other game such as antelope, zebra, warthog, giraffe and hippo, in the company of an armed ranger and local Shangaan tracker. Bird viewing is spectacular, with over 360 recorded species including various eagles, vultures, kingfishers, woodpeckers, buzzards, herons, egrets, owls, weavers. The Timbavati is also home to the world-famous “White Lions of Timbavati”.
After your morning game drive, you bid farewell to this African wonderland. You are met and transferred by road to Hoedspruit Airport for your direct flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival at Cape Town airport you are met by our representative and are transferred to your hotel for a four night stay.
Transfer time: Timbavati to Hoedspruit Airport – approx 1 hour
Flight time: Hoedspruit to Cape Town – approx 2½ hours
Transfer time: Cape Town airport to Cape Town hotels – 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.
This morning you are met and taken on a Cape Winelands Tour, visiting some of South Africa’s finest wine farms. After your tour you are transferred to your Guest House for your one night stay in Franschhoek.
Enjoy all Franschhoek has to offer for your last two days in South Africa.
This morning you enjoy your breakfast and check out of your hotel. You bid farewell to The Mother City of Cape Town. You are met by our representative and transferred to Cape Town Airport for flight home.
Transfer time – Franschhoek hotel to Cape Town International Airport – approx. 45 minutes
