14 Day Highlights Of South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
This tour is escorted by local city guides in each location. The local guides will join you during the included activities and local representatives will assist with transfer arrangements. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise, or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
✓ Small group tour, up to 18 guests only
✓ Unforgettable games drives through Africa’s prime parks and reserves such as Kruger, Hwange, Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve
✓ Incredible sightseeing including a full day delta safari by traditional mokoro canoe, a guided tour of Cape Town and witnessing the power of Victoria Falls in person
✓ 13 nights in boutique lodge accommodation, safari camps and hotels
✓ Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 8 dinners
✓ Internal flights from Cape Town to Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls and Kasane to Maun
✓ Professional, English-speaking local tour guides in each city
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout and 4x4 game drives
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Cape Town! On arrival at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), please make your way to your hotel located in the heart of the city and just a 10 minute walk to the famous V&A Waterfront.
Alternatively, you can pre book a private arrival transfer where a representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. Further details can be found under the ‘Extra Services’ tab.
This morning we depart for Table Mountain, a must-see for all visitors to Cape Town.
We’ll first take the cable car to the summit for panoramic views of the city below. Following this, we’ll retrace 350 years of Cape Town’s dramatic history on a guided three-hour walking tour. The route will take in historical sites such as the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, and significant historic slavery sites such as the Slave Lodge and Slave Tree. Stop out the front of the Parliament Building and District Six Museum, learn about apartheid and gain valuable insight into the effects of racism and discrimination on the lives of ordinary South Africans.
We’ll also follow the Footsteps to Freedom tour guides in Government Avenue and hear about Cape Town’s three Nobel Peace Prize-winners: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk. Then visit the building where the apartheid laws were passed, and where they were later repealed after De Klerk’s dramatic speech at the opening of Parliament in February 1990. After the tour, perhaps soak up the modern-day energy of the city in Greenmarket Square or St George's Mall.
Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
*Note: the Table Mountain visit is weather dependent and may be cancelled at short notice. If we are not able to visit Table Mountain due to inclement weather, your guide will include an alternate activity this morning.
Today is a free day for your to spend at leisure discovering Cape Town. Alternatively, you may wish to join one of the below optional tours.
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of the stunning Cape Peninsula with a focus on the region’s natural attractions. Visit Chapmans Peak, Cape Point Nature Reserve, and see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Also included is a visit to the incredible Kirstenbosch Gardens — the biggest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere. Includes hotel pick up and drop off.
Experience some of South Africa’s best wineries as you visit three of its most famous and picturesque towns; Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. Learn about how the combination of climate, soil, and grape varietals create the unique wines for which South Africa is known the world over. Includes visits to three wine farms for tastings and cellar tours, as well as hotel pick up and drop off.
Take the ferry to Robben Island from Cape Town and visit one of South Africa’s most visited museums: the prison where Nelson Mandela was kept during Apartheid. Learn about the dramatic history of South Africa from one of the former prisoners and the island’s long history from your guide, and see the cell that housed Nelson Mandela. Includes ferry tickets and hotel pick up and drop off.
This morning you will be transferred to Cape Town airport for your included flight to Kruger National Park. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide who will transfer you approximately one hour to your accommodation in Hazyview, just a short 10 minute drive to Kruger Park gate.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy a light afternoon lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Today is all about the wildlife as we venture on a full day game safari. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park, heading into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park, including the Big Five. Our entire day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes en route.
Today, transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where, on arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your accommodation.
Located only 400m from the Victoria Falls, Shearwater Village is so close to the Falls that it occasionally receives an early morning shower from the Falls spray. The property overlooks untouched African bush and a waterhole frequently visited by elephants and buffalo. Explore the area in your free time, with local craft markets only short walk away.
Today is yours to explore all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Optional activities can be booked on the ground, and your local guide is able to assist you with the bookings.
This afternoon, enjoy a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, the perfect way to end the day. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to your vessel where you can relax as the sun sets across the calm waters. Keep an eye on the water for sightings of hippo, elephants and crocodiles as you enjoy an abundance of delicious canapes throughout the cruise, as well as a selection of cocktails, premium drinks, beers, juice, water and soft drinks. Following your cruise you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Please note, your sunset cruise does not include a local National Park fee of USD10pp which can not be paid in advance and must be paid in cash locally.
After breakfast you will be met by your local guide and transferred approximately two hours to Hwange National Park — Zimbabwe’s largest natural reserve. Arrive at your safari lodge located on the border of the national park in time for lunch.
Have time to relax before departing on an afternoon safari in Hwange National Park. Hwange National Park became the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and was set aside as a national park in 1929. Today, Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. The elephants of Hwange are world famous – here you'll find one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. The park also boasts an abundance of other wildlife including buffalo, lion, leopard and a host of other species.
This morning we take a visit to the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre. Painted dogs (also known as African wild dog) are one of the most endangered species in the whole of Africa with fewer than 7,000 painted dogs left across the entire continent. Here, we learn of their plight and the conversation efforts that are ensuring their survival.
This afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to book one of the optional tours below.
Spend another afternoon traversing the wide savannas of the Hwange National Park on an additional afternoon game drive.
This tour facilitates education and understanding to visitors passing through Zimbabwe as we visit a local African village and learn about daily life in the village for men, women, and children. Discover local traditions and customs and enjoy a personalised experience with your local guide.
After breakfast we leave Zimbabwe and travel approximately 3.5 hours across the border of Botswana to the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, just a ten-minute drive to the entrance to the celebrated Chobe National Park.
This afternoon, embark on a safari cruise along the picturesque Chobe River. Here is the ideal location for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters as well as hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants that are often seen crossing the river between the boats.
Early this morning we head out and enjoy a game drive in the celebrated Chobe National Park. An estimated 70,000 Kalahari elephants roam the park. These majestic beasts are the largest known subspecies of elephant in the world. Be sure to also watch out for zebra, impala, wildebeest, giraffe, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and much, much more.
Return to the lodge for breakfast then transfer to Kasane Airport for your included flight to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta and famed Mornei Game Reserve. On arrival you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your lodge located on the banks of the Thamalakane River where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Today we venture into the Okavango Delta as we explore its waterways in a traditional mokoro (canoe) led by an experienced local guide. Home to a truly amazing variety of birds, on a mokoro you are perfectly placed right in their habitat to witness their nest making, feeding, mating behaviour and foraging.
Enjoy a picnic breakfast and later, a picnic lunch as you learn of its ecosystem and its functioning, how and why the delta works and floods, the importance of flooding to the ecosystem, the effect of this on all animal life and the various species that need the flood to survive. Following lunch, your guide will showcase the cultural aspect and life of the tribes and how they survived in this watery wilderness.
We return to the lodge in the later afternoon in time to relax before dinner.
Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve for a full day 4x4 safari adventure in the company of an experienced naturalist guide. The Moremi is home to the most endangered species of large mammals: the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion. Over 500 bird species, from water birds to forest dwellers, and over a 1,000 species of plants are also recognized in the Moremi. This ecosystem is amongst the richest in Africa and thanks to effective protection, the flora and fauna is relatively undisturbed.
Return late afternoon to enjoy dinner at the lodge.
After breakfast, transfer to Maun airport where our adventure comes to an end.
We hope you’ve been inspired.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
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We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
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Booking Process
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry and is a welcome way to show your appreciation. If you feel that your guide/s and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
The suggested tipping amounts for Africa is AUD$5-7 per person per day for the guide and AUD$3 per person person day for your driver, to be paid in either local currency or USD, so you will need to convert your currency depending on your preference. Please note that this information is to be used as a guideline only and is subject to change based on the recommendations that we receive from our ground operator. Tipping is not compulsory and should be done at your discretion.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,220.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
4-18 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
For more information on the weather in South Africa, click HERE.
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