Chobe Victoria Falls Sabi Sand Cape Town Rovos Rail Joburg Getaway – 1 night Johannesburg | 2 nights Chobe | 2 nights Victoria Falls | 1 night Hazyview | 3 nights Sabi Sand | 3 nights Cape Town | 2 nights Rovos Rail | 2 nights Johannesburg
Overview
Last year I wanted to organise a trip with my family to South Africa and Botswana. I searched for the best reviews and PemburyTours came out extremely highly rated and Tammy Harding was mentioned in many people’s reviews. I wrote to Tammy to get advice and from the moment I wrote to organise the trip to returning home afterwards I can not express how impressed I was with Tammy. She was absolutely unbelievable in her attention to details and making sure we were absolutely satisfied with what we were planning. Nothing was ever too much and Tammy was so responsive in replying to my questions that I truly enjoyed organizing the trip through her. We visited South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. We did 2 safaris, some time in city’s and took the Rovos rail from Cape Town to Pretoria. Every second of the trip was perfect. We were met and transferred at every stage, our accommodation was fabulous, food unbelievable and all the people we met were so friendly. We were so impressed that before we even finished our holiday I re contacted Tammy to organise a return trip next year. Tammy was quite honestly the best person I have ever booked a trip with. Her communication skills are impeccable, her attention to detail outstanding and her obvious love of what she does and making peoples trip incredibly special was obvious. We are now all excited for next year. If you want the best trip ever, use Pembury tours and I would always ask for Tammy.
Upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport you head through customs and are met in the arrivals hall by our representative. He will hand over your travel documents before transferring you to your hotel in the Sandton Area for the night. You check in and have time to relax and recuperate after your international flight. This afternoon you will be collected and taken on your Lesedi Cultural Village experience & dinner.
Transfer time: Johannesburg Airport to Sandton Hotel: approx. 45 minutes
Today you enjoy an early breakfast before you are collected and transferred to the Johannesburg Airport for your flight to Kasane. Upon arrival at Kasane Airport you disembark and make your way through passport control before you are collected in the arrivals hall by a representative and transferred to your camp in the Chobe area for a two night stay. There is leisure time before you depart on your first afternoon game drive activity.
The Chobe riverfront is most famous for its large herds of elephants and buffalo, which come down to the river in huge herds to drink during the dry winter months. During this season, one may see hundreds of elephants at one time. Other species include waterbuck, lechwe, puku (this is the only part of Botswana where they can be seen), giraffe, kudu, roan and sable, impala, warthog, bushbuck, monkeys and baboons, along with the accompanying predators lion, leopard, hyena and jackal. Over 460 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it one of Africa’s premier venues for bird Safaris. A highlight of Chobe is taking a river cruise, which allows you to get up close with hippo, crocodile and a mind-boggling array of water birds. You also get really close to animals that come down to the river.
Transfer time: Sandton Hotel to Johannesburg Airport: approx. 45 minutes
Flight time: Johannesburg to Kasane: approx. 1 hour 45 minuets
Transfer time: Kasane Airport to Chobe Elephant Camp: approx. 50 minutes
You have a full day in the area today and you will enjoy the activities on offer at Chobe Elephant Camp.
This morning you have an early breakfast before you are collected and transferred across the Kazungula Border to your hotel on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls.
Transfer time: Chobe Safari Lodge to Batonka Lodge : approx. 1 hour 45 minutes
Victoria Falls has so much to offer in the way of activities.
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.
This morning after breakfast you are collected and transferred across the border to the Livingstone Airport for your flight to Nelspruit. When you arrive at Nelspruit you are collected from the airport and transferred to nearby Hazyview where you check in for a one night stay. The afternoon is at leisure to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
This evening you might like to enjoy an African feast and an evening of local Shangaan song and dance. Follow the sound of the beating drums through a path of flaming torches to the atmospheric amphitheatre at Shangaan River Club at Hippo Hollow Country Estate. Here you will discover a cultural experience combining traditional storytelling and entertainment with a Shangaan feast.
Based at Hippo Hollow Country Estate Hazyview, the Shangaan River Club is one of the finest traditional restaurants in Hazyview Mpumalanga.
Transfer time: Batonka Lodge to Livingstone Airport: ± 1½ hours (excluding time at border)
Flight time: Livingstone to Nelspruit: ± 1 hour 40 minutes
Transfer time: Nelspruit airport to Hazyview: ± 1 hour
This morning you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your country lodge before you check out and are collected for your transfer to Kruger. You travel North to the Sabi Sand game reserve which is situated in an amazing game viewing area. Arriving at your lodge in the early afternoon, you are met by the lodge members and a refreshing welcome drink before you are taken to your safari chalet for your three night stay.
There is time to settle in and freshen up before you depart on your first afternoon game drive in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. 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 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. 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.
Transfer time: Hazyview to Sabi Sand Game Reserve: ±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 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. 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 have a total of three nights on safari in the Sabi Sand game reserve and during this time you will be taken on six game drives in total.
This morning you enjoy your last game drive and breakfast before you are collected and transferred to the Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you are met by our representative in the arrivals hall. They will transfer you to your accommodation at the V&A Waterfront for a three night stay. This evening you can head down to the waterfront for dinner and a walk around.
Transfer time: Northern Sabi Sand to Hoedspruit Airport: approx. 2 hours
Flight time: Hoedspruit to Cape Town: approx. 2½ hours
Transfer time: Cape Town Airport to V&A Waterfont: approx. 35 minutes
Set on a rugged peninsula between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans with iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop, the city of Cape Town sits in one of the world’s most spectacular settings. But the scenery isn’t restricted to the city alone: short drives take visitors to white sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages and wild mountain ranges while must-see destinations such as Cape Point, the Cape Winelands and the whale-watching capital of Hermanus are easy day trips.
Cape Town is a multi-faceted destination that deserves to be explored. From the oldest buildings in South Africa to trendy waterfront shopping. Cape Town regularly tops many lists of world must-visit destinations 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 check out and are collected and transferred to the Rovos Rail train station for check in and departure. This 1 600km meander is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Cape. Highlights of the north- and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein; this authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village – founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890 – also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.
Your extravagantly elegant rail experience continues today with a full day spent travelling through the countryside aboard one of the most luxurious steam trains in the world. The sleeper coaches are the epitome of luxury, with exquisite wood panelling and period Edwardian features, as well as every modern convenience. The superb cuisine served has an emphasis on fresh local ingredients
This morning you enjoy your last bit of time and breakfast on the train. The train continues travelling northwest through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Around midday the train arrives at journey’s end at Rovos Rail station, Pretoria. You are collected from the station and transferred to Johannesburg where you check into the Protea Hotel Balalaika in Sandton again.
Transfer time: Pretoria Station to Protea Hotel Balalaika: approx. 50 minutes
Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and is the financial and commercial capital of Africa. It is in this fast-paced metropolis that the country’s radical political and social transformation is most evident – this is the “Rainbow Nation” at work. This city has so much on the go. There are wonderful restaurants, relaxed sidewalk cafes, laughter-filled shebeens, gargantuan shopping malls, tranquil parks, emotive museums, thrilling casinos, busy townships and stunning galleries.
You have another day in Johannesburg to explore any sights you may still be interested in seeing. You are collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your respective flights home.
