Itinerary Details
South Africa: From The Cape To Kruger With Victoria Falls
Day 1 ARRIVE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Welcome to South Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for a fascinating journey.
Day 2 CAPE TOWN This morning, visit Table Mountain for an aerial cable-car ride to the top for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape winelands. Then, take a scenic drive south via Chapman’s Peak Drive, which skirts the rocky coastline and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwestern most point on the African continent. Here, ride a funicular to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B)
Day 3 CAPE TOWN Enjoy a full day at leisure for free-time pursuits. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or go deeper with a whale-watching cruise in nearby Hermanus (June-December). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. May we recommend a glass-half-full kind of day in the stunning Cape Winelands for tastings and breathtaking scenery and cellars? Wine not! (B)
Day 4 CAPE TOWN–STONY POINT NATURE RESERVE–HERMANUS–MOSSEL BAY This morning, depart Cape Town and drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see a colony of endangered African Penguins. Known for the unique sound they make, these penguins grow to an average height of two feet and live in burrows and rock crevices along the beach. Stop in Hermanus for independent exploration. Enjoy lunch at a quaint café, visit the shops, or walk the coastal path in search of marine life, including whales that frequent the area. Continue along the Garden Route to Mossel Bay for the evening. Dinner tonight is at ‘Mossel Bay’s seafood House’, located at your harbor front hotel. (B,D)
Day 5 MOSSEL BAY–OUDTSHOORN–KNYSNA Continue north along the Garden Route to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. The caves, recognized as a cultural and natural landmark, are 20 million years old and have been inhabited since the early Stone Age. You will also visit a local ostrich farm for an interactive tour to learn about the world’s largest bird. See the South African Black, Kenyan Red, and Zimbabwean Blue ostriches and hear about their unique personalities. After lunch, continue along the Garden Route to Knysna, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. Tonight, your Tour Director will be on hand to recommend ways to fill your evening in this lovely seafront village. (B,L)
Day 6 KNYSNA–TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK RESERVE EXCURSION Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park on a walk through the indigenous coastal forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Cross the famous suspension bridge for views of the coastline and to see the Storms River Mouth Cave. Your visit here contributes to Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Project, focusing on monitoring species reproduction and overall count. Return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or make a splash with an optional whale-watching cruise off the coast to spy the migration of whales passing through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean (June - November; January – May departures offer an exciting Eco Marine Cruise to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife that call this stunning area home). Tonight, you may wish to walk to the waterfront for dinner and shopping. (B)
Day 7 KNYSNA–GEORGE–DURBAN–UMHLANGA This morning, drive to George for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the vibrant and bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening. (B)
Day 8 UMHLANGA–MKUZE Today, drive to Mkuze in the heart of Zululand. After lunch, travel to the Lebombo mountains for a memorable walk to interact with local Zulu people and learn about their customs and life today in this rural community. Spend 2-nights at the foot of legendary Ghost Mountain (Tshaneni), the site of epic battles and ceremonial burial ground of great Zulu chiefs. (B,L,D)
Day 9 MKUZE This morning, take a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed wildlife reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. You also have the chance to see giraffe, zebra, black and white rhino, and much more! After time to rest, embark on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Jozini. During the cruise, you are likely to spot hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of bird life. (B,L,D)
Day 10 MKUZE–MHLAMBANYATSI, ESWATINI Today, drive to eSwatini, formally known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, the smallest landlocked country in the Southern hemisphere. Stop at a local Swaziland market to view cultural arts and crafts. Continue through the last traditional kingdom of the proud and welcoming Swazi people. Tonight, stay in the beautiful countryside where you will enjoy dinner offering a menu of fresh cultural and international dishes. (B,D)
Day 11 ESWATINI–GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA Depart eSwatini, visiting a unique glass factory where skilled glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animal figures, and more. Then, head north for the Greater Kruger area visiting a traditional Swazi village en-route. Wander through the village with its many huts, each allocated for special social functions. Interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, experience folk songs and dance performances – maybe even join in the festivities. Continue towards Kruger National Park where South African hospitality reigns with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at one of the pools or day spa, and select from delightful dining choices. Your visit here contributes to Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Canine Project, aimed at training dogs to patrol, detect and track poachers and to the Lion Recovery Fund who works towards the rehabilitation of Lions and their habitats. (B,L,D)
Day 12 GREATER KRUGER AREA Rise early for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day watching wildlife from your balcony or on a guided nature or birding walk. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, the elusive wild dog, and more on your afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 13 GREATER KRUGER AREA–VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE Today, leave South Africa and fly north to Zimbabwe where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time. (B)
Please note: the Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary.
Day 14 VICTORIA FALLS Today, visit mighty Victoria Falls for an awe-inspiring experience. Enjoy a guided walk, learn the history of the falls, and hear fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna. Afterwards, enjoy a bit of free time. This evening, a cruise on the Zambezi River is a terrific opportunity to photograph wildlife and a spectacular African sunset! (B)
Day 15 VICTORIA FALLS Enjoy a full day at leisure or launch into adventure aboard an optional helicopter flightseeing tour for a bird’s-eye view above the magnificent falls. If you prefer your feet on terra firma, join an optional day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. (B)
Day 16 VICTORIA FALLS–JOHANNESBURG Your tour ends with a flight to Johannesburg. Schedule departing flights after 7:30 pm. (B)
Vacations by Lisa Scrimger
