21 Day Essential Africa Encompassed Small Group Tour
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.
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 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.
✓ Experience incredible game viewing at 5 iconic National Parks & Reserves across South and East Africa, including Kruger, Amboseli, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and the Masai Mara
✓ Immerse yourself with a city tour in the vibrant Cape Town
✓ Witness the majesty of Victoria Falls
✓ 20 nights in well located 3 and 4-star hotels, lodges and tented safari camps
✓ Breakfast daily, 9 Lunches & 11 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a local guide in each region
✓ Economy class internal flights at per itinerary
✓ Dedicated transportation throughout
✓ 7 Day cooling off period
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Southern and East Africa, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. Experience remarkable game viewing in diverse national parks and reserves. Discover the vibrant city of Cape Town and be mesmerised by the breathtaking Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, making this adventure truly exceptional.
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.
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
This morning you are free to relax before your afternoon flight to Nairobi. Late checkout is included to allow you to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and freshen up before your flight. At the appropriate time, a represenative will collect you and transfer you to the airport.
Welcome to Kenya! On your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) you will be met by a local representative in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight in preparation of your exciting adventure ahead!
Special Information
Please be advised that luggage restrictions limited to 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag applies for the flight from Serengeti to the Masai Mara on Day 18. If travelling with luggage that does not abide by these restrictions, we recommend taking an extra soft sided bag and packing essentials required for this trip. Excess luggage can be stored free of charge at your Nairobi hotel and collected on return to the hotel on Day 20.
After breakfast depart for Amboseli National Park. Here, you will be captivated by the magnificent presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Amboseli is renowned as one of Kenya's most iconic parks, offering breathtaking panoramic views. It is dotted with emerald-green swamps in which great herds of elephant wallow, half-submerged in the papyrus grasses. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the beauty of this remarkable landscape on a thrilling game drive.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 ½ hours.
Experience a full day of exploration in Amboseli, complete with morning and afternoon game drives. Witness the awe-inspiring sight of Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds during the early morning. Amboseli offers an array of wonders, from the ancient dried-up lake bed of Lake Amboseli to its expansive savannahs and verdant swamps. The plains are bustling with wildlife, including antelopes, spotted hyenas, jackals, warthogs, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys. If you're fortunate, you might even catch a glimpse of a lion, leopard, or cheetah
Inspiring Highlights
Today, you bid farewell to Amboseli National Park and journey towards Tanzania via Namanga border of Kenya/Tanzania for border formalities. You will change vehicles and guide at the border. Please keep your passport handy.
Continue to the town of Arusha with a stop for lunch before completing the journey to the town of Karatu. Nestled at the base of the famous Ngorongoro Crater, Karatu is surrounded by stunning green landscapes and coffee plantations. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or stretch your legs with a walk in the local area.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
This morning you descend into the Ngorongoro crater for a memorable game drive. This magnificent Crater is the world’s largest intact, un-flooded caldera, formed by a massive volcanic eruption. Your route downhill descends over the lush rainforests of the rim, 610m down to the grasslands of the crater floor, an area of about 260 square kilometres. This haven provides a year-round home to wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle, and lion. The rainforests shelter elephant, mountain buck, buffalo, hyena, wild dog, leopard, cheetah and some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino.
Spend your day game viewing and exploring the crater floor, stopping for a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon return to Karatu for overnight and relaxation at your tranquil lodge.
Inspiring Highlights
Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, a stunning arena concentrated with wildlife
After breakfast, you will head out for the legendary Serengeti - a place the Masai call Siringitu: “place where the land moves on forever”. Tanzania's first game reserve, the Serengeti National Park is one of the last remaining natural migration corridors and one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. Its climate, vegetation and fauna have remained mostly unchanged over the past million years. The natural instinct that drives the annual Great Migration of more than a million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra is so powerful that neither drought nor crocodile-infested rivers can halt it.
The drive to your accommodation wets your appetite for more. After settling in, you waste no time taking your place on the afternoon game drive. There is so much to see here that the drive lasts until sunset.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
You will have a full day of discovery in this vast park, rising early to make the most of your time.
An excellent all-year round game viewing destination, most famous for the great wildebeest migration, many other species call the Serengeti home, including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephants, hippos and more. No two game drives are alike, providing a sense of anticipation for what you might see next. With its vast plains, acacia trees and rocky outcrops, the Serengeti is a photographer's paradise, particularly as the sun sets.
Return to your tented camp to share stories of the day's sightings with your fellow travellers.
Inspiring Highlights
This morning, you’ll be transferred to the airstrip where you will bid farewell to your Tanazinan guide. A light aircraft flight will take you across the plains when you will be met by your Kenyan tour guide and transferred to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Note, as you will cross the border at Isebania, please keep your passport handy.
Spending the next two nights in the reserve will allow plenty of time to discover and experience the magic of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is home to the “Big-Five” Lion, Rhino, Buffaloes, Leopard and Elephant so keep your eyes peeled. From July to September, the wildebeest migration from the Serengeti congregates in the Masai Mara.
Special Information
Please note: Luggage restrictions of 15kg per person in a soft sided suitcase apply for the flight to the Mara today. Your journey will include two flights, with a change at the Tanzania-Kenya border crossing at Isebania. The border crossing will be conducted by a short shuttle bus transfer. Please keep your passport handy. Note, there will be a change of guide when you return to Kenya.
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader.
Early this morning you will have the option of taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. See below for further details. Note that due to the popularity of this activity, pre-booking is essential.
Today will be a full day spent exploring the park in search of the big 5. The Mara is one of the most famous ecosystems in the world and with reason, this huge expansion is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, difficult to believe, over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You might be lucky to see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes, and elephant.
Birding can also be done throughout the year with the reserve having a record of over 570 species of birds, with more than 50 bird species of prey which include: Eagles, vultures, storks and many others.
This is the ultimate way to view wildlife in Africa. You will be woken before dawn and then driven to a remote location. Taking off as the sun rises, drift quietly above plains, rivers and forests while gazing at spectacular scenery. The flight is approximately one hour and gives a ‘birds-eye’ experience to game watching which many find to be the pinnacle of their safari experience. Upon landing, there will be a full "champagne" bush-style breakfast with fresh Kenyan coffee, tea and fruits. It is a truly magical experience not to be missed!
Start Time: Pre-dawn - exact time will be advised locally
End Time: Return to your lodge around mid morning
After breakfast, we’ll begin the journey back to Nairobi, with opportunities to stop to take in the views of the Rift Valley and enjoy an included lunch.
Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon where you will check-in to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure as you relive your safari highlights.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 ½ hours.
After a final breakfast, the tour concludes, and it's time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.
We hope the memories and experiences from this journey will stay with you as you continue on your future adventures.
Special Information
Post tour accommodation information can be found under “Extra Services” and can be purchased at time of booking. Rates include breakfast PLUS transfer from your hotel to Nairobi Airport.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
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 is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveler'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.
Travelling in Africa
Travelling by road in Africa can include some long travel days. Road quality can vary from comfortable sealed roads to rough & bumpy dirt roads. Distances covered can be in excess of 300 km (180 miles) per day or more than 6 hours journey time, subject to the road conditions.
Luggage
Due to limited storage capacity of your safari vehicle and aircraft size from Serengeti to Masai Mara, we ask that luggage is kept to a manageable amount in a small soft bag – 15kg (33 pounds) max. Hard suitcases are not suitable. It is also recommended to bring a day pack for use throughout the day.
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”
3 - Balanced
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.
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. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
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, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with three options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,395.00 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 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 recommended 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 group size: 4
Maximum group size: 20
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.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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.
Click HERE for more information on weather in South Africa.
16 Sep 2020
Whether you love feasting on local delicacies and wine, or sightseeing from a great height, South Africa is just the ticket Only in recent years has South Africa’s gems – beyond safaris and braai – come to the attention of the savvy traveller. With an eclectic mix of culture, homegrown wines and more outdoor activiti...
16 Sep 2020
South Africa is a gastronomic tour de force with fresh fish, wild meats and world-class wine all on the menu. We look at some of the best local food and wine pairings to try Ever since the Dutch settled in South Africa back in the 17th century, bringing French Muscadet grapes with them, the country has been making fi...
16 Sep 2020
The ultimate nature reserve in South Africa is a dream destination for animal lovers who want to see it all Kruger National Park covers an enormous area – almost 20,000 sq km of different landscapes and biodiverse eco-zones ranging from wetlands to grasslands and tropical forests. It has an ancient history of human occ...
16 Sep 2020
A trip to Southern Africa is a true adventure. Astonishing landscapes, incredible wildlife, ancient cultures. But, when is the best time to go? Southern Africa is nothing short of mind-blowing. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe all boast some of the most memorable experiences and sights on the planet. A...
16 Sep 2020
South Africa is an incredibly diverse country – its landscape, people and culture are like nowhere else. Here’s what you need to know before you go on a holiday to South Africa If there is one word that sums up South Africa, it is diverse. What other country has 11 official languages, ever-changing, dramatic landscapes...
