Best of Africa's Wildlife: Cape Town, Kruger, Hwange, & Chobe
Best of Africa's Wildlife: Cape Town, Kruger, Hwange, & Chobe
$4699
Best of Africa's Wildlife: Cape Town, Kruger, Hwange, & Chobe
16 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Kasane, Botswana
Visiting: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Greater Kruger Area, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park, Kasane
Tour operator:
Tour code:
26397
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 18
Age range:
12-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Africa with the "Best of Africa's Wildlife" tour, exploring the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Begin your adventure in Cape Town, where you can marvel at the iconic Table Mountain and indulge in a farm-to-table feast. Experience the thrill of spotting the Big Five on safari drives in Kruger National Park and Hwange National Park. Feel the mist of the majestic Victoria Falls and cruise along the Chobe River, observing wildlife along the banks. This tour offers a perfect blend of luxury and wilderness, with stays in hotels, tented camps, and lodges. Enjoy cultural experiences, including a traditional bush dinner under the stars and a visit to the Painted Dog Rehabilitation Centre. With seamless travel arrangements and expert guides, this tour promises an immersive exploration of Africa's diverse wildlife and landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Inn on the Square
Arrive at any time. Attend an evening welcome meeting at the joining hotel before an optional group dinner.
ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Inn on the Square
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast and then depart for Table Mountain. Ride to the time on the cable car and explore the area on hiking trails leading to scenic views before riding back down. Spend the afternoon on your own partaking in one of the many optional activities in the area. Tonight, choose to attend another group dinner to celebrate your beautiful day in this vibrant city.
ACTIVITY: Take the five-minute cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain, 1,085m (3,562ft) above Cape Town, and explore the summit. This is a great spot to sit and soak up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the peaks of surrounding mountains, and the rest of Table Mountain National Park.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Enjoy a completely free afternoon and evening in Cape Town. Choose from a variety of optional activities that your CEO will recommend or simply walk around and see the city on foot. In the evening you can opt to join the group for dinner at a local spot.
Day 3: Cape Town/Johannesburg
Location: Cape Town, Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Onomo Johannesburg Sandton Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to the airport in the morning and fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Enjoy an included Braai dinner to get a taste of South African fare for the next leg of your adventure.
TRANSPORT: Sit back and relax on your included flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg for your bush camping part of the adventure.
FREE TIME: Spend free time in Johannesburg before tonight's included Braai dinner.
Day 4: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Location: Johannesburg, Greater Kruger Area
Accommodation Name: Awelani Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Johannesburg early to get a jump start on today's long drive. An included lunch along the way will break up the drive and give you a chance to stretch your legs. Arrive to your lodge accommodations in the late afternoon, just in time to freshen up for dinner with the group.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle on the way to the Greater Kruger Area and your accommodation for the night at the Awelani Conservancy.
Day 5: Greater Kruger Area
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: Awelani Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up bright and early today for an included bush walk. Take this opportunity to get up close and personal with the incredible nature that surrounds you. Enjoy a picnic lunch after the walk and then a few hours of well earned rest back at the lodge. In the later afternoon set off on a safari drive to the wildlife in Kruger National Park.
ACTIVITY: MORNING There are many ways to experience the African soil, but doing it on foot is one of the most exciting ways to immerse yourself in the Great Kruger area. Follow an expert guide into the bush. The area is surrounded with Baobab trees and other plants and bushes endemic to the area. This is a great place to visit for any avid birdwatchers.
ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Hop in a 4x4 safari vehicle and get yourself one step closer to the surrounding nature. Be ready to spot large herds of elephant roaming in the area as well as groups of buffalo, antelope, hyena, and more.
Day 6: Kruger National Park Area
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy an early start this morning to enter the park and enjoy the full-day safari drive through Kruger in search of the Big Five. After an exciting day out in the wild, arrive late afternoon to your lodge and enjoy some local fare during dinner this evening.
TRANSPORT: FULL DAY Spend the day in Kruger National Park, trying to spot the big five. Enjoy a full day safari drive en-route to our lodge.
Day 7: Kruger National Park Area
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Another full day in Kruger awaits. Hop into a 4x4 to enjoy a more intimate wildlife safari drive, one offering a fresh perspective of the scenery and animals around you. Finish the day with a delicious dinner with your fellow travelers.
ACTIVITY: FULL DAY Hop in a 4x4 safari vehicle and get yourself one step closer to the surrounding nature. Be ready to spot elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, zebras, and many other species in this impressive South African national park.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a cultural evening with the local community. Dive into local fare with a delicious traditional dinner, then watch a local dance performance.
Day 8: Kruger National Park Area
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a free day in the area and choose which optional activities are best for you. Possible options include a morning or afternoon safari drive in Kruger National Park, or a full-day tour along the Panorama Route to set those photography skills to the test. The route offers unbelievable views at every turn and traverses the Great Escarpment via thrilling mountain passes.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY With loads of optional activities to choose from, there's lots to see and do in Greater Kruger.
Day 9: Kruger/Johannesburg
Location: Kruger National Park, Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Onomo Johannesburg Sandton Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at the lodge, witness first-hand the large role conservation plays in Kruger and the surrounding areas on an educational visit to The Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, commonly referred to as Chimp Eden. This animal sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees is located in the Umhloti Nature Reserve and a tour here is the perfect way to celebrate a visit to South Africa. Arrive to the lively city of Johannesburg in the early evening and enjoy a group dinner at the hotel.
ACTIVITY: Chimp Eden, run by the Jane Goodall Institute, is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. This is a home for orphaned and rescued chimps as well as those displaced from their natural habitats in other parts of Africa. Tour the facility and visit viewing areas for two different 'camps' where a guide will introduce you to the chimps and tell you about their history and behaviour.
TRANSPORT: FULL DAY Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 10: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
Location: Johannesburg, Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: A Zambezi River Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave South Africa behind today and head to the epic wildlife and scenery of Zimbabwe. After breakfast the group will travel to the airport in Johannesburg and catch a flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival, there will be free time to get settled and relax before an included group dinner hosted by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a G Adventures-supported initiative.
TRANSPORT: Sit back and relax on your flight between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.
FREE TIME: Take advantage of some free time to get settled and explore the area around your lodge accommodations before dinner this evening.
ACTIVITY: Start your visit to Victoria Falls off on the right foot by sitting down to a traditional, Zimbabwean meal, cooked by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a group of women from a nearby township. A demonstration by the ladies will show you exactly how Zimbabweans traditionally eat their food, and you’ll be served a farm-to-table dinner made with traditional, local, in-season ingredients. This meal provides much-needed income to the cooperatives’ 20 members – changing their lives and families in the process.
Day 11: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It’s time for a free day of exploration in Victoria Falls, home to the world’s largest sheet of falling water, and considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders. There are many activities to choose from like white water rafting, bungee jumping, the Bamba tram, or you can prebook the Victoria Falls helicopter ride. Come back together with the group in the evening for the Simunye Theatrical Show for a captivating performance and where dinner will be served.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Spend a full free day in Victoria Falls and choose from a wide variety of optional activities offered locally. If you're feeling very adventurous there's a helicopter ride over the falls you can pre-book or other options include the Bamba Tram, ziplining, and white water rafting.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a lively theatre performance directed by the acclaimed handspring Puppeteer Mongiwekhaya, showcasing local professional artists in an intimate, open-air venue. This captivating fusion of dance, puppetry, music, and visuals delivers a powerful message of love and community and the universal spirit of togetherness.
Day 12: Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
Location: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park
Accommodation Name: Hwange Safari Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to Hwange National Park today with a stop along the way to the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre for a tour of the facilities. Learn about their efforts to save wild dogs in the area and reintroduce them to the wild. Then, continue on to your lodge stay where there will be free time to enjoy the property’s amenities or choose to join an optional afternoon or night safari drive into the national park.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Visit Painted Dog Conservancy and learn about the work being done to rehabilitate animals that have been injured from poaching. The ultimate goal of the project is to release rehabilitated wild dogs back into the wild and to work with local children and communities in an effort to educate and shift behaviors away from poaching.
FREE TIME: Spend a free afternoon enjoying the amenities at the lodge or opt for a daytime and/or night safari drive in open vehicles through the national park.
Day 13: Hwange National Park
Location: Hwange National Park
Accommodation Name: Hwange Safari Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning the group will set out early for a safari drive through Hwange National Park. The park boasts over 100 mammal and 400 bird species, and houses all of Zimbabwe’s specially protected wildlife. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring on your own. Choose between enjoying the lodge’s amenities or perhaps another afternoon safari drive into the park.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park, and home to elephant herds, lions, and the rare African wild dog. Get your cameras ready and keep an eye out for Africa's "big five," as well as other predators, over 300 bird species, and discover a remote portion of Hwange National Park where you will seldom see another vehicle.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Spend a free afternoon in the area. Choose to relax and enjoy the amenities at the lodge, or choose an optional safari drive back into the park to see more wildlife.
Day 14: Hwange NP to Chobe NP via Kasane
Location: Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave for Hwange National Park in the morning with a stop in Victoria Falls where you’ll be able to grab a quick lunch on your own before crossing the border into Botswana. Arrive at the lodge near Chobe National Park in the afternoon. There will then be free time to get settled and relax. Or you could choose to join the optional Chobe River Sunset Cruise for a taste of what’s to come on this next leg of your adventure.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. Your transfer today involves the Kazangula Border crossing into Botswana.
FREE TIME: Take advantage of free time in Chobe. Get settled at the lodge and opt to book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise for a taste of the magnificent wildlife in this area of Botswana.
Day 15: Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Savour breakfast at the lodge before a morning safari drive through the wild landscape of Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa and boasting some herds numbering in the hundreds. Other animals you may see while on safari here are lions, leopards, hippos, gazelles, and large herds of buffalo. Return to the lodge for lunch on your own before a free afternoon for optional activities in the area. Choose to prebook the Four Corners of Africa River cruise for a unique experience in the water where four countries meet. Dinner is included at the lodge this evening.
ACTIVITY: Immerse yourself in Chobe National Park in an open-backed, open-seated safari vehicle, and experience the stunning wilderness of the game-rich park in the care of a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Explore with your eyes as the tour drives along routes that overlook the beautiful Chobe River and keep an eye out for the remarkable variety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.
During the safari drives it is not uncommon to spot several of Africa’s “big five” in the greater Chobe area and the early morning drive lasting 3 hours is a wonderful opportunity to have some unique sightings.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON The afternoon will be free for travellers to partake in optional activities in the area or to simply relax in the cozy setting of the lodge.
Day 16: Chobe National Park/Kasane
Location: Chobe National Park, Kasane
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart at any time.
ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
What's Included
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G for Good Moment
Experience a Lusumpuko Women's Club Dinner in Victoria Falls.
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Welcome Moment
Meet Your CEO and Group upon arrival.
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Discover Moment
Explore Victoria Falls.
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Table Mountain
Enjoy a cable car ride and visit Table Mountain.
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Nature Walk
Participate in a guided nature walk.
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Wildlife Safari Drive
Spot wildlife on thrilling safari drives.
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Traditional Dinner and Local Dancing
Enjoy a traditional dinner with local dancing.
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Kruger National Park Safari
Experience an open vehicle wildlife safari drive in Kruger National Park.
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Chimp Eden Tour
Visit the Chimp Eden sanctuary.
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Simunye Theatre Show
Attend the Simunye Theatre Show.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities during free time are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and additional meals are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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International Flights
International flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel seamlessly with a combination of plane, private vehicles, safari vehicles, and walking, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive exploration of Africa's diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of comfort and adventure with stays in hotels for 4 nights, tented camps for 2 nights, and lodges for 9 nights, offering a unique mix of luxury and wilderness immersion.
Meals Included
15 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 12 dinners
Group Size
Max 18, avg. 14
Minimum Age
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Check out our Q&As
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What types of accommodation are included in the tour?
The tour includes a blend of comfort and adventure with stays in hotels for 4 nights, tented camps for 2 nights, and lodges for 9 nights, offering a unique mix of luxury and wilderness immersion.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses a combination of plane, private vehicles, safari vehicles, and walking to ensure a comprehensive and immersive exploration of Africa's diverse landscapes and wildlife.
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Are internal flights included in the tour package?
Yes, all internal flights are included in the tour package.
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What is the role of the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) on this tour?
The Chief Experience Officer (CEO) accompanies the group to take the hassle out of travels and help you have the best trip possible. They provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to local friends. They are not traditional guides but have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.
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What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors traveling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 15 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 12 dinners.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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What activities are included in the tour?
Included activities are a Lusumpuko Women's Club Dinner in Victoria Falls, a cable car ride and visit to Table Mountain, a guided nature walk, thrilling safari drives, a traditional dinner with local dancing, an open vehicle wildlife safari drive in Kruger National Park, a visit to the Chimp Eden sanctuary, the Simunye Theatre Show, a tour of the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre, an early morning safari drive in Hwange National Park, a Chobe River sunset cruise, and a morning safari drive in Chobe National Park.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
G Adventures was established in 1990
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own room.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult us before you book.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/core-values/
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Free Date Changes
G Adventures allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
G Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of g adventures charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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