Under African Skies - Victoria Falls to the Cape - Wildlife, waterfalls & the winelands

Wildlife, waterfalls & the winelands

This is southern Africa in a nutshell, from the tumult of Victoria Falls and the serenity of Lake Kariba to the pristine landscapes of Hwange National Park and South Africa’s magnificent Winelands. Take in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, renowned for its elephant and African-painted dog populations, then enjoy a blissful three-night cruise on Lake Kariba, famed for its striking red sunsets. Marvel at the spectacular Victoria Falls before you fly to South Africa for a two-night stay in Franschhoek. Conclude your trip with two nights in Cape Town, where a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain provides a fitting finale to an African adventure.

Highlights

Experience two game drives in Hwange National Park, famous for its elephant and African-painted dog populations
Watch the sunset with sundowners and snacks in the evenings
Set off on a three-night cruise on Lake Kariba, with a range of daily activities included, such as fishing, water safaris, birdwatching, and sundowners
Venture on a guided tour of the spectacular Victoria Falls
Follow your guide on a walking tour of charming Franschhoek, surrounded by vineyards
Board the Franschhoek Wine Tram and enjoy a wine tasting and a visit to Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, with a two-course lunch
Discover Cape Town on a tour and travel to Table Mountain in a cable car
Travel around the Cape Peninsula, with stops at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach
Choose to soar over Cape Town with an optional helicopter ride to conclude your trip

Inclusions

11 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft
25 meals (11 breakfasts, six lunches and eight evening meals, including a picnic lunch in Hwange National Park, a beach barbeque dinner by Lake Kariba and a farewell dinner on the last night at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront)
Two game drives in Hwange National Park with sundowners and snacks
Tender boat rides with fishing, water safaris, birdwatching, and sundowners
Franschhoek Wine Tram excursion with wine tasting and two-course lunch
Tour of Victoria Falls
Tour of Cape Town
Cable car ride up Table Mountain
Cape Peninsula tour
Flights from London via Nairobi to Victoria Falls, returning from Cape Town via Nairobi
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

You’ll fly overnight to Victoria Falls via Nairobi.

Day 2

Upon arrival in Victoria Falls, you’ll travel to Hwange, where you’ll meet your tour manager and make the two-hour transfer to a luxurious private tented bush camp, bordering the famous Hwange National Park. Lunch will be enjoyed with some time to settle in before you set off on a game drive, followed by a sundowner with snacks, overlooking a scenic viewpoint. You’ll return for dinner at the camp.

Day 3

You’ll wake up early this morning and have a light breakfast before joining your guide for a full-day excursion into the park. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s biggest national park, and home to over 100 species of mammals, including the ‘Big Five’, African painted dogs and 45,000 elephants. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the heart of the bush, and you’ll then continue with the game drive. Later in the afternoon, you’ll return to the camp to relax, perhaps in your tent looking out over the dried riverbed or on the main open deck with an outdoor swimming pool. A final dinner with be served at the camp.

Day 4

Rise and shine early this morning for breakfast and a final game drive. Later, you'll travel to Hwange airport for the short flight to Kariba. From Kariba airport, you'll continue to Lake Kariba. You’ll then arrive at Milibizi harbour and board a well-equipped houseboat for your three-night cruise. Lake Kariba was created by damming the Zambezi River to flood the Kariba Gorge and is the largest manmade lake in the world. Lunch will be served on board as you take in the surrounding views before you journey on a tender boat. During this trip, you can keep an eye out for the wildlife on the banks and try your hand at fishing. As the sun sets, you’ll stop for sundowners and return to the houseboat for dinner.

Day 5

After a light breakfast, a tender boat will take you back out onto the waters of Matusadona National Park to traverse the inlets and bays, teeming with wildlife. You’ll then return to the houseboat and cruise to the next destination, Gordon's Bay. As you travel, you’ll have lunch on board. Once you’ve arrived in Gordon's Bay, you’ll once again have the chance to board the tender boat for game viewing or fishing. Sundowners will be enjoyed out on the river before you head back to the houseboat. Dinner will be served back on the houseboat.

Day 6

Another early morning awaits as you’ll have breakfast while cruising along the river. You can then choose to do some more game viewing or fishing from the tender boat. Back on board, lunch will be served, and during the afternoon, you can relax. Later in the day, you'll travel to Sampakaruma. When the sun starts to dip beyond the banks, you can savour once last sundowners. A special beach barbecue will be enjoyed along with some star gazing for your last night.

Day 7

This morning, the houseboat will return to the harbour, and breakfast will be served as you cruise. It’s then time to disembark and travel to Kariba airport for the short flight to Victoria Falls, a resort town and city in Zimbabwe. You'll journey to the boutique guest lodge to check in and have lunch. The rest of the day will be at your leisure, so perhaps lounge by the outdoor swimming pool or wander around the nearby town.

Day 8

After breakfast, a wish-list highlight is on the itinerary: a visit to Victoria Falls. With your guide, wander the jungle-clad walkways to make the most of the different viewpoints. Explorer David Livingstone rightly said of the falls: “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England.” After the tour, return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you can choose from several optional activities, including a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River or a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls.

Day 9

Rise and shine early this morning to catch your flight to Cape Town in South Africa. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Franschhoek, famed for its centuries-old vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. Check into your hotel in the centre of this compact, walkable town, perhaps heading to one of the French-style cafés for a glass of local wine on the patio.

Day 10

Join your guide for a walk around the town, passing by the art galleries, boutique shops, and world-class eateries. You’ll then board the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a double-decker, open-air tram that will take you through the rolling patchwork of vineyards that make up Franschhoek Valley. A two-course lunch and a wine tasting will be experienced at the award-winning Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, enhanced by views of the majestic surrounding mountains, cloaked with vineyards. This evening, you’ll be free to have dinner at your leisure in the town, perhaps followed by listening to some live music in one of the bars.

Day 11

When you’ve checked out of the hotel, you’ll travel back to Cape Town. An included orientation tour will bring this incredible port city to life, followed by a cable car ride up Table Mountain. This flat-topped sandstone mountain is an iconic landmark, serving as a striking backdrop to the city. Once at the peak, you can add an optional glass of sparkling wine to celebrate your visit. After the tour, you’ll check into your next hotel, situated close to the V&A Waterfront and historic centre. Embrace an afternoon at leisure, perhaps by the outdoor swimming pool or in the bar facing Table Mountain. Please note: The cable car ride to Table Mountain is weather-dependent and may be offered on another day if required.

Day 12

Today, you’ll join your tour manager for a tour of the Cape Peninsula, a stunning stretch of coast dotted with picturesque villages. Call at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, where you can choose to paddle with these wonderful animals, then make a photo stop at Llandudno lookout point, before (weather permitting) continuing to Chapman’s Peak, on one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives. This evening, a farewell dinner with mark the end of your African adventure at the V&A Waterfront.

Day 13

It’s your final day to take in the must-sees of Cape Town, perhaps visiting a nearby wine farm, doing some shopping, or simply relaxing at the hotel. Alternatively, you can opt for a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride over Cape Town, its shores, and mountains. You’ll then head to the airport for your overnight flight via Nairobi.

Day 14

You’ll land in the UK early this morning.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and visas

A visa is not required for UK citizens travelling to South Africa, but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to the country and have two adjacent blank pages. A Kaza Unvisa is required to obtain entry to Zambia and can be used for entry into Zimbabwe. This can be obtained upon arrival in Livingstone at a cost of 50 US dollars per person. This must be paid for in cash - ensure you have the correct amount handy in US$ when you arrive. The visa is valid for up to 30 days.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Travel vaccinations

Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road Conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure. The order of the itinerary may vary, but the overall content and tour duration in Africa will always be maintained.