Journeys: Explore Southern Africa - 12 Days



Who is this trip for
Genders
- Female51%
- Male49%
Average age
Start / End
- Cape Town
- Victoria Falls
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 16Meals included
20Highlights
- Go for a wildlife safari drive with a researcher and expert on carnivores
- Enjoy a traditional South African barbecue
- Visit the Kirstenbosch botanical garden with an expert botanist
- Help prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal with a family in their home
- Spot wildlife in world-famous Kruger National Park
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Summary
On this extraordinary adventure through southern Africa, journey from glittering Cape Town to the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park—home of the legendary "big five". Visit Soweto township, where Nelson Mandela once lived; enjoy a homemade dinner with a local family in a Zimbabwean village; and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Itinerary
Day 1
Cape Town
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2
Cape Town
Begin the day with an exploration of vibrant Cape Town, wandering through the multicultural Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Then enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named by National Geographic Travel as one of the world’s 10 most magnificent gardens. Later, stop by Boulders Beach to see the resident population of African penguins, and continue to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point in Africa.
Day 3
Cape Town
There is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go, abseiling. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres.
Day 4
Cape Town/Johannesburg
Fly to Johannesburg, then take a guided tour of Soweto township. Soweto was an important center of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to its leader, Nelson Mandela. Visit the Mandela House Museum and learn about this painful chapter in the country’s history.
Day 5
Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.
Day 6
Kruger National Park
At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent.
Day 7
Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve, searching for Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing.
We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).
Day 8
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Wake up before the sun (around 5am) and sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning wildlife safari drive. Return to the lodge for brunch and some leisure time. Converse on the deck, walk the grounds and gardens, and enjoy high tea. Following tea, it's time for a late afternoon safari drive. After spotting tons of wildlife, it’s time to return to camp and freshen up before dinner, a traditional braai.
Day 9
Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg
Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our lodge.
Day 10
Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
The mist off Victoria Falls can rise to a height of more than 400m (1312 ft). Local tribes used to call the falls Mosi-o-Tunya or “the smoke that thunders.” Explorer and missionary David Livingstone renamed the falls after Queen Victoria when he first saw them in 1855.
Day 11
Victoria Falls
Set out for a tour of magnificent Victoria Falls. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” Opt to take an evening sunset cruise.
Day 12
Victoria Falls
Depart at any time.
What's Included
Accommodation
Hotel (5 nts), Lodge (4 nts), Comfortable tent or chalets (2 nts).
Meals
Breakfasts: 11, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 7
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Airport Transfers
Arrival OnlyAn airport transfer to the start of the tour is included. Please contact our team if you require a quote for a return transfer.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Aug 25
from £3,395Sep 25
from £3,621Oct 25
from £4,370Nov 25
from £3,464Dec 25
from £3,464Jan 26
from £4,370Feb 26
from £3,772Mar 26
from £3,772Apr 26
from £4,076May 26
from £4,076Jun 26
from £4,076Jul 26
from £4,370Aug 26
from £4,370Sep 26
from £4,370Oct 26
from £4,370Nov 26
from £4,076Dec 26
from £4,076Jan 27
from £3,772Feb 27
from £3,772Mar 27
from £3,772Apr 27
from £3,772May 27
from £3,772Jun 27
from £3,772Jul 27
from £3,772Aug 27
from £3,772Sep 27
from £3,772Oct 27
from £3,772Nov 27
from £3,772Dec 27
from £3,772
- Save 2%Wed 20 Aug 2025 > Sun 31 Aug 2025Guaranteed Departure🔥2 spaces of 16 left£4,619£4,527
- Save 26%Sat 23 Aug 2025 > Wed 3 Sep 2025Guaranteed Departure🔥1 space of 16 left£4,619Best offer£3,395
- Save 2%Fri 29 Aug 2025 > Tue 9 Sep 2025Guaranteed Departure🔥2 spaces of 16 left£4,619£4,527
Customer reviews & ratings
My safari in Africa with G adventures was one of my most memorable holidays. I really enjoyed the variety of experiences in each destination over the 12 days. The highlight was Karongwe and the early morning and late afternoon safaris?especially walking with the cheetahs! Thank you for this opportunity and lifetime experience. I loved it and would definitely do it again, but it may be a little expensive for the family?especially with all the tipping as extra expense.
Lynette Oct, 2024 VerifiedIt was a fabulous trip and I would recommend it and Gadventures to anyone. We got to see a lot of different areas and cultures and were educated on history and expectations for Africa and the people going forward. Seeing the animals in a natural habitat was great and the hustle and bustle of the waterfront in Capetown was fun too I loved the small group aspect of this trip. The places we visited didn't disappoint with the exception of one which I will address shortly. The location of the hotel in Capetown was great to be able to walk to the waterfront, take the bus to view all the areas of the city. I was thankful that the rest of the trip was not in all hotels and we were housed in lodges because hotels are so impersonal and the staff at the lodges really went above and beyond to meet all needs and comforts. It was very disturbing to hear that Gadventures will no longer be housing guests at Malikana Guesthouse and have chosen to make use of hotel instead. Before we left on our trip we researched how much money we would need for daily tipping etc. The guidelines in the info package from Gadventures website was sorely wrong and we were ill prepared for the extra money required from us. It was a constant stress and really took away from our enjoyment. Our CEO communicated to us amounts for tipping guides, drivers etc that were more than double what the website said and we found ourselves going to ATM several times. I understand that tipping is a personal decision but this was our first time in Africa and we were told that the workers really depended on their tips so we didn't want to disappoint. That was a very stressful aspect of the trip. We were also not aware that Zimbabwe had changed their currency and did not use Rand so we were not prepared for that either or the fact that we HAD TO have US cash for the Visa to enter Zimbabwe. We were under the impression we could pay with credit card. Luckily another member of our group was willing to lend us the US cash otherwise we were going to be denied entry into that country. This is something that should be made known in your literature and by the CEO, that it has to be cash!! When we stayed at Karongwe Private Game reserve we were so lucky to be upgraded in our accommodation and stay at the fabulous Becks lodge. It was absolutely fabulous and the staff went above and beyond with a couple of celebrations in our group. The safaris here were disappointing. It felt like the sightings of the large game were staged and as a matter of fact the day we saw the cheetah it was the one that had the tracker on it's neck. So we would be driven around for hours while they supposedly looked for game but all the while they knew where to find them. I was disappointed in that aspect of the safaris. All said, a good trip and the pros outw...
Janice Oct, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
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