Overview
South Africa’s Cape Town, with its legendary landscapes, is brimming with culture, art, and culinary delights. We begin our journey here, taking in the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, exploring the fabulous Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, and watching Africa’s rare penguins waddle along the beach. From Cape Town, we venture into two of Africa’s largest national parks: Greater Kruger and Hwange, with a stop at majestic Victoria Falls along the way. In the undulating savannas of Greater Kruger on Timbavati Private Reserve, we’ll search for elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, and wildebeest, and their attendant predators—lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and African wild dog. Our grand finale is Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe: we enter by vintage rail car and savor three exquisite days of fantastic wildlife viewing along with beautiful, remote lodges. Hwange is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets with some of the highest concentrations of elephants in the world—but far fewer tourists than other parks and some of the most highly-trained guides in Africa. Now is the time to go!
This is the best vacation I have ever taken. It was the perfect way to see totally different areas of Africa, and the way the itinerary and travel days are set up was great. We were busy all the time and it was fun, informative, and exciting!
— Jon L., Los Gatos, CA
Days 1-2
Cape Town, South Africa
Exploring spectacular Cape Coast landscapes and the renowned Kirstenbosch botanical garden fill our days, and the food and wine scene is superb.
Cape Town, South Africa - Days 1-2
The Victoria and Alfred Hotel
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Cape Town, South AfricaBuilt in 1904 as the North Quay Warehouse and converted in 1990 to a hotel, the V&A is just a few minutes’ walk from the shops, bars, and restaurants of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It offers well-appointed rooms, a spa, a small gym, and an outdoor pool and bar. Breakfast and lunch are served al fresco on the terrace.
Days 3-5
Timbavati Private Game Reserve
We fly to a private reserve, Timbavati, part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem. With open-sided 4WD vehicles and our Shangaan trackers, we look for lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard on the prowl.
Timbavati Private Game Reserve - Days 3-5
Kambaku River Sands
Days 3 to 5 (3 nights), Timbavati Game Reserve, South AfricaSet in the heart of Timbavati Game Reserve, Kambaku River Sands lies along the banks of a dry riverbed, and since the camp is unfenced, you'll enjoy watching a variety of wildlife as they amble through. Ten thatched cottages offer private viewing decks, canopy beds, and a private bath with spa tub and double shower (and outside shower!). The main lodge features a lounge with two huge fireplaces, ideal places to relax on cool winter nights. There's also a spa with swimming pool, sauna, and gym.
Days 6-7
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
From breathtaking Gorges Lodge, we’ll hike along the escarpment directly across from Victoria Falls, or set out for a cruise on the Zambezi to look for wildlife.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Days 6-7
Gorges Lodge
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Victoria Falls, ZimbabweStraddling the cliff face 650 feet above the roaring Zambezi River, Gorges Lodge lives life on the edge with a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Zimbabwe and Zambia’s enormous canyon walls and the great river below. Ten thatched chalets are set in gorgeous landscaped gardens, and each has open verandas with incredible panoramas, comfortable canopy beds, and spacious bathrooms with two rain shower heads. The property’s main lodge has an open floor plan and stilted deck so guests can enjoy a sundowner as they watch black eagles catch the thermals and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the area—without the roar of helicopters over Victoria Falls like most hotels near the falls. We love this place not only for its location, but also because the lodge was built on communal land so a portion of the profits are directly paid to surrounding communities to improve schools, clinics, and water supplies.
Days 8-11
Hwange National Park
The Elephant Express vintage train brings us into the park in style, with wildlife viewing and lunch en route (sometimes we see lions lazing along the tracks). Our beautiful lodge is a special one, set in the pristine woodlands on the edge of the game-rich Ngamo Plains. We’ll enjoy phenomenal wildlife viewing, thrilling game walks, night drives, sundowners in spectacular locations, and waterhole-level views from a unique “look up” blind. Our presence directly benefits the local community and we’ll have authentic encounters, walking to school with the children and having the chance to learn a bit of their “click” language. Depart on Day 11 via Victoria Falls.
Hwange National Park - Days 8-11
Bomani Tented Lodge
Days 8 to 10 (3 nights), Hwange National Park, ZimbabweBomani offers nine spacious tents set on wooden decks overlooking the Ngamo Plain and the lodge's waterhole. All have private en suite bathrooms, hot running water, and electricity by diesel/solar generator. The main lodge overlooking Bomani Pan has an open-air dining room and bar built on a spectacular viewing platform. Bomani is community-based, helping support local schools and water projects, and the lodge's atmosphere achieves the perfect mix of luxury and “wildness.”
Great Wildlife of Southern Africa
