18 Day Essential South Africa with Victoria Falls & Hwange Safari
This tour includes return international airfares. See the Fine Print section for further details.
You will be accompanied by various multi-lingual local guides during the tour, who will be responsible for guiding you through the various cities and attractions that you will be visiting. In each new city that you visit, you will likely be introduced to a new local guide who is an expert in that region. Depending on the itinerary chosen and your group size, your local guide may provide commentary in multiple languages.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Return international airfares included
✓ Experience the iconic Kruger National Park and see if you can spot the ‘Big 5’ on an open vehicle game drive
✓ Discover Cape Town with a tour through the vibrant city
✓ Explore the majesty of Victoria Falls
✓ Witness the largest Elephant population in the world at Hwange National Park
✓ 12 nights in well located 3 and 4-star hotels & lodges
✓ 3 nights under canvas staying in a furnished permanent Safari tents with air-conditioning & en-suite bathroom
✓ Breakfast daily, 5 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a local guide in each region
✓ Economy class internal flights at per itinerary
✓ Dedicated coach transportation
✓ 7 Day cooling off period
This itinerary offers the perfect balance of adventure and discovery. From Kruger’s abundant wildlife to Cape Town’s vibrant culture, Hwange’s stunning landscapes with diverse game drives, and the breathtaking Victoria Falls, every destination offers unforgettable experiences, guided by local experts, ensuring a truly enriching journey.
Prepare to be inspired. Depart today for your journey to South Africa.
Welcome to Johannesburg. After collecting your luggage, make your way to your hotel. The hotel is just a short walk from the airport terminal buildings, adjacent to the departure level of the airport via a sky bridge. Simply make your way to the departures floor and from there follow the signs to the City Lodge Hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
After breakfast you will be welcomed by your dedicated local guide at reception. Travel by comfortable vehicle to the Kruger National Park where adventure awaits. Along the way your informative guide will entertain you with fascinating information about South Africa. In the afternoon you will reach your accommodation which is conveniently located on the border of Kruger National Park. Your safari camp provides permanent en-suite safari tents which are tastefully decorated and provide comfort with an authentic bush ambience. The camp also features an outdoor pool plus a restaurant and bar overlooking a waterhole. Keep an eye out for the resident hippos.
The reminder of the day is free to relax and settle into your safari camp before enjoying an included dinner.
Special Information:
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
After an early breakfast, prepare for a full day of safari adventure in an open game drive vehicle at Kruger National Park. As South Africa's most renowned national park and the largest wildlife sanctuary, Kruger offers an unparalleled experience. Its remarkable biodiversity is unique on a global scale. The park is home to 147 mammal species, including the "Big Five" (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo), as well as around 507 bird species, 114 reptile species, 49 species of fish, and 34 amphibian species.
Start Time: 6am (Breakfast is available from 5:30am)
End Time: 4pm
Inspiring Highlights
Today you have a day at leisure to relax and enjoy your lodge or you can pre-book another full day game drive in an open vehicle in the Kruger National Park.
Immerse yourself in an extended safari experience with a full day in an open game drive vehicle at Kruger National Park. As South Africa's most renowned and largest wildlife sanctuary, Kruger offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness its extraordinary biodiversity.
Meeting Point: Hotel Reception
Includes: Park Entrance fees
Start Time: 6am (Breakfast is available from 5:30am)
After breakfast it is time to leave the Kruger Region. You will be transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and check-in for your flight to Cape Town. In Cape Town your local guide awaits you and will escort you to your hotel for the next 4 nights.
Special Information:
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader. Flight time will be approximately 3 hours
During a city tour through Cape Town you see the highlights of this vibrant city with the majestic Table Mountain at its back. You will drive past the stadium, see the colourful houses at the Bo-Kaap and drive past the Castle of Good Hope before you go for a stroll in Company’s Garden.
Inspiring Highlights
Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax, shop or continue exploring this dynamic city on your own.
Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour of the beautiful winelands region.
About 40 km to the east of Cape Town are the famous Winelands with historic towns, Cape Dutch farmsteads and of course great vineyards. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the most famous ones and are the backbone of the Winelands. These valleys are the largest winemaking region in the country with grape cultivation that dates back to the 1600s. You will visit Stellenbosch and during an orientation tour see the Cape Dutch houses and of course enjoy the South African wines during two wine tastings.
Meeting Point: Hotel Reception
Start Time: 9am
End Time: 5pm
Today you have time at leisure to discover Cape Town or you book our excursion to the Peninsula.
Start your day with a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak, where the road hugs the cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the ocean below. Weather permitting, this iconic coastal route will take you between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with plenty of opportunities to stop and soak in the scenery. Afterward, head to the Cape of Good Hope, where dramatic cliffs and the endless expanse of the ocean create a truly awe-inspiring experience. Be sure to capture the moment at the famous signboard.
On your way back to Cape Town, stop at Boulders Beach to visit the charming penguin colony. Here, you can get up close to the endangered African penguins as they wander freely among the granite boulders that give the beach its name. This stop offers a perfect chance to take some unforgettable photographs.
Meeting Point: Hotel Reception
Start Time: 9am
End Time: 5pm
Today you will be transferred to Cape Town Airport for your included flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
On arrival you will be met by your local guide for Zimbabwe and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Special Information:
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader. Flight time will be approximately 3 hours.
Please note: If you elect to add the optional day tour Chobe National Park in Botswana, please consider this when obtaining your visa (if applicable) as multiple entry into Zimbabwe will be required.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you join a guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side.
No surprise why Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. You'll understand it instantly as we tour the Zimbabwean side, for there are numerous spectacular vantage points along the width of the falls, and the sight of this astounding gift of nature, simply takes your breath away. Walk through the permanent, beautifully misty rainforest which flanks the falls, stopping to marvel at the principal sites as it cascades to the depths below the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island and Livingstone Island. We'll stand and watch, feel and listen to the spray and thunderous noise, as millions of litres of water tumble over the Falls into a series of narrow gorges below. The seventh Natural Wonder of the World puts on the most dramatic show for you, and you'll be privileged to have watched it.
This afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively you may wish to join an optional sunset river cruise.
Inspiring Highlights
Put your feet up, sip a sundowner as the light gently fades, and let our tranquil wildlife cruise float you along the Zambezi River above the Falls. You'll have the finest vantage point from which to watch hippo, elephants, crocodiles and other animals which come down to the river's edge in the early evening, to slake their thirst. Enjoy your cocktail and snacks (included) while captivated by the sun's dying rays as they cast a burnt orange glow which shimmers on the river.
Start: 3:30pm
End: 6:30pm (pending sunset)
Note: Start and end times will vary according to the season. Exact pick up time will be advised locally
Inclusions: return transport to port, park entrance fees, beverages and snacks
Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax by the hotel pool, shop at the local markets or explore the quaint local township.
Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Victoria Falls between 07:00 and 07:30 and taken across the border to Kasane. Please remember to bring your passport with you. The journey time will be approximately 2 hours. Your adventure begins with a game drive in an open vehicle through Chobe National Park, the second largest national park in Botswana, covering 11,700 square kilometres. Chobe is renowned for its remarkable game concentrations and its impressive elephant population of over 50,000, often seen drinking or swimming in the Chobe River.
After your game drive, you'll enjoy lunch at a lodge in Kasane. The next highlight of your day is a boat cruise on the Chobe River, which winds through lush, green islands and swampland. This area attracts a variety of wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, and rare antelope like the red lechwe and puku. The river is also home to more than 90 species of fish. Following the boat cruise, you will return to Victoria Falls.
Meeting Point: Hotel Reception
Start: 7.00am
End: 5.00pm
(note pick up and drop off times vary according to the season and will be confirmed locally)
Inclusions: return transport, game drive, river cruise, park entrance fees, lunch
Note: this tour is a shared service and may include other guests
Today, get ready for more opportunities to witness Africa's wildlife. After breakfast, transfer by road to one of Zimbabwe's best game parks, Hwange National Park. Covering over 14,600 square kilometres, it is home to a vast array of animals, including one of the largest populations of elephants in the world. The park features stunning landscapes, from savannas to woodlands, and is renowned for its abundant wildlife, making it a prime destination for safari enthusiasts.
After settling into your lodge, head out on an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. As you traverse the park’s diverse terrains, you might spot majestic elephants lumbering through the savanna, graceful giraffes grazing on acacia leaves, or a pride of lions lounging in the shade. The park's waterholes attract a variety of animals, providing excellent opportunities for close encounters and photography.
Return to the lodge in the late afternoon with time to relax and enjoy an included dinner.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
After an early breakfast, head out on another thrilling game drive. The early morning can present different game viewing opportunities, as the bush comes to life for the day. From the many bird calls to witnessing wildlife head off in search of their own breakfast, anticipate the unexpected.
Return to the lodge in the late morning. The remainder of the day is free to relax. You may choose to relax by the pool or keep an eye out for wildlife visiting the nearby waterhole, all from the comfort of your lodge.
If you are keen to explore more of Hwange National Park, why not book an optional afternoon game drive.
In the mid afternoon, head out in an open safari vehicle for another thrilling game drive. The more time spent exploring this vast National Park the higher the chance of more incredible wildlife encounters. Your game drive will be approximately 3 hours in duration, returning to the lodge in the early evening.
Start Time: Approximately 3pm (seasonal - time confirmed locally)
End Time: Approximately 6pm (seasonal - time confirmed locally)
Wake to the sounds of the bush on your final morning on safari. You may choose to take the opportunity to relax over a leisurely breakfast and enjoy your final hours at your lodge before transferring back to Victoria Falls.
Alternatively, earlybirds may wish to book one final optional game drive for another morning in the bush.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Another morning game drive provides a chance to capture more wildlife sightings. Perhaps you will see a herd of elephants, or some lions sleeping off an evening of hunting. Each new dawn brings life to the bush as the wildlife go about their day.
Start Time: Approximately 6am (seasonal - time confirmed locally)
End Time: Approximately 9am (seasonal - time confirmed locally)
Today you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your included flight to Johannesburg.
On arrival please make your own way to your hotel, located adjacent to the airport.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Special Information
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader. Flight time will be approximately 2 hours
Depending on your flight details you have some time at leisure before it is time to head to the airport for your flight back home.
At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport, located adjacent to your hotel.
Check out: Check-out time is generally between 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Arrive home today.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This package is a Flight Inclusive package
This package includes international airfares and flights will be added to your booking at no additional cost. Select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’.
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
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 for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
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. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
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 travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,300.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
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.
Group Size
Minimum of 4 and maximum 20 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.
South Africa has implemented regulations for families travelling into or out of the country with children under the age of 18. Minors are required to have an unabridged birth certificate reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.
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:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
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.
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