Itinerary Expand all Day 1 Start Victoria Falls; to Hwange NP Our South African adventure starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Those not on the group flights can either meet the leader and the rest of the group at Victoria Falls airport (the arrival time of the group flights will be confirmed in the joining instructions) or if staying at the pre tour hotel it may be possible to get picked up from there. Once the group flight have landed we transfer directly to Hwange National Park (approx. 3hrs/200km plus stops). We should arrive in the late afternoon, in time to enjoy a bit of action at a local watering hole. Hwange Safari Lodge or similar Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Hwange NP: Morning Game drive; afternoon visit of Painted Dog Facility Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and, arguably, best safari destination and is known for its populations of elephant and Wild dog. The park is also home to lion, rhino, giraffe, leopard and over 400 species of bird. We start our day early and head out for our first game drive in a 4WD open safari vehicle. We spend about three hours in the park looking for wildlife in the early light when animals tend to be more active. Returning to our lodge for breakfast we have some free time during the hottest part of the day to enjoy the watering hole or relax by the pool. Later this afternoon head out again and visit the nearby Painted Dog Research Facility. Painted dog is an alternative name for Wild dog and the research facility has been involved in research, conservation and rehabilitation of these dogs for over 25 years in Zimbabwe and beyond. Wild dogs are one of the most fascinating animals in the African bush but are endangered with their numbers dwindling from about 500,000 to less than 5,000 across Africa. Visiting the centre we learn more about these fascinating dogs, and may see rescued animals being cared for, normally to then be released back into the wild though some individuals are too old or sick to be rehabilitated. The number of animals present at the centre depends on what work is being done. Hwange Safari Lodge Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Morning game drive in Hwange NP; on to Chobe NP in Botswana Go out into Hwange National Park for an early morning game drive exploring the savannah in search of more wildlife before returning in time for breakfast. After check-out we make our way back via Victoria Falls Town (where we make a stop for a late lunch (not included) to the Kasangula border with Botswana. From here it’s only a short drive to our lodge in Chobe National Park, where we expect to arrive in the late afternoon. Total drive time from Hwange to Chobe is about 4hrs/300kms plus stops and border crossing. Kwalape Lodge or similar Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 Chobe game drive and river cruise Chobe is probably best known for having an estimated population of 30,000 elephants, the highest concentration in Africa. Beyond elephants, the park is also home to a wide array of animals such as zebra or cheetah. An early rise has us out in the national park at the best time of day again. We spend 2 to 3 hrs (depending on sightings) exploring Chobe for its best encounters by 4WD open safari vehicle before returning to the lodge to rest during the hottest time of day. This afternoon we take a cruise on the Chobe River in order to discover the park from a different vantage point, the water. We take a boat safari when herds of elephant are often seen coming down for a drink and a wash. eventually returning to the lodge after sunset. Kwalape Lodge or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 To Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe; visit the falls The return drive to Victoria Falls takes approximately 2hrs (plus border crossing). One of the most impressive natural wonders anywhere and a definite emblem of Africa, the mighty Victoria Falls were created by the Zambezi River. Some 1,708m wide, tumbling 108m over a cliff. Depending on the time of year the volume of water creates a spray which typically rises 400m into the air but can, on occasion rise twice as high and be seen up to 48kms away. The waters are normally at their fullest from February to May, peaking in April (and the lowest levels being in November). Upon arrival we visit Victoria Falls National Park for fantastic views of Mosi ‘o’ Tunya’ (the Smoke that Thunders), as the locals call the falls, the largest in the world. The rest of the day is free to explore town, spend more time at the falls, go for high tea in the gardens of the Victoria Falls Hotel or plan tomorrow's activities. Rainbow Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Free day for optional activities at Victoria Falls. A free day to partake in the various optional activities on offer in and around Victoria Falls from white water rafting to crossing the border to see the falls from the Zambian side (a visa will be needed) or going on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Rainbow Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Fly to Cape Town in South Africa; to Stellenbosch After breakfast we transfer to the airport and say goodbye to our Zimbabwe/Botswana leader as we fly to South Africa’s Cape region for the second part of our Southern African adventure. Our South Africa leader will be waiting for us upon arrival in Cape Town from where they take us to the world renowned wine region of Stellenbosch, a short distance from the Mother City (Cape Town). Flight schedules will dictate what time we arrive at our guest house in Stellenbosch. The rest of the day is free to discover the area, quite a contrast from Botswana. Rosenview Guest House or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Explore the Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch A more leisurely start today as we start by drive the short distance to the centre of the attractive Afrikans university town of Stellenbosh which we have a little time in to explore before heading out to the wineries. Our next stop is the Lanzerac Wine Estate that dates back to 1692, where we go on a guided tour of the estate’s cellar before taking part in our first of two wine tasting sessions. Following the tasting we have lunch at the estate (own expense). It’s only a short transfer to the next winery: the Stark-Conde Estate. We have a second wine tasting session here amidst the views of the picturesque Jonkershoek Valley. After a day of wine discovery at historic estates set amidst beautiful views we return to our guesthouse where you may want to enjoy another glass of wine in the garden. Please note that we may, at times, have to swap the wineries visited. Rosenview Guest House or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Franschoek and Hermanus Transfer to the quaint town of Franschoek, named after the French Huguenots who initially brought wine production to South Africa at the end of the 17th century. From here we continue up the Franschoek Pass from where we embark on a two-hour leisurely walk in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. The walk is not demanding and offers wonderful views over the winelands stretching all the way towards Table Mountain. We continue towards the Garden Route and the town of Hermanus, the whale capital of the world. We stop on the way for a late lunch (at own expense) at the Peregrine Farm Stall. Upon arriving in the Hermanus area we head for the Ferkloof Nature Reserve, known for its fynbos (a native plant common in the Garden Route), where we enjoy another walk before going to our hotel in the town centre right by the waterfront. Today’s total driving time is about 3hrs/150kms plus stops. Windsor Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Free morning in Hermanus; on to Simonstown This morning is free to explore Hermanus, take a walk along the waterfront or go out on a boat trip. During whale-watching season, which roughly stretches August to November, Hermanus transforms itself into the best place in the world for spotting whales right from the cliffs near town. Southern Right whales calve in the bay and are often spotted just off shore. There’s even a ‘whale crier’ who keeps an eye out and blows his kelp horn to inform of approaching whales. It is possible to do boat trips to look for the whales or, when not in season, other marine life such as sea lions. We leave Hermanus after lunch and drive via Kleinmond, Clarence drive and Gordon’s Bay to Simonstown on the Cape Peninsula, home of the famous African penguin colony of Boulders Beach. The drive takes about 3hrs/150kms plus stops and we aim to arrive late afternoon at the hotel. Quayside Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Explore the Cape Peninsula, on to Cape Town Our first stop this morning is at Bourlders Beach to visit the local 2-3,000 strong penguin colony. We should have much of the beach’s boardwalks and penguins to ourselves as day trippers from Cape Town tend to arrive later in the day. From here we travel to Cape Point Nature Reserve and the tip of the Cape Peninsula where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans violently crash into each other. Here we walk to the old and new lighthouse and follow the boardwalk to the Cape of Good Hope. After lunch follow the coastal road to Kommetjie before taking the mountain pass, Ou Kaapse Weg, to Hout Bay and on to our hotel in Cape Town, possibly Africa’s greatest city. Total driving time about 3hrs/150kms plus stops. Sweetest Guesthouse or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Full day in Cape Town Weather depending, the plan for this morning is to catch the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. Not only are there spectacular views from the top but there are as many plant species on Table Mountain as there are in the whole of the United Kingdom. We have time to explore the paths at the top before returning to the base of the mountain. The rest of the day is free to explore this fascinating city at your own pace. The leader can advise on some of the possible options, whether it’s going to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, watching the world go by from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, learning about apartheid at the District Six Museum or an optional tour to Robben Island or a township. (Please note it is recommended to pre-arrange a Robben Island tour, it is possible to arrange beforehand via Exodus; your leader can arrange a township tour once in South Africa). Sweetest Guesthouse or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 End Cape Town Free morning for more optional activities. Later those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport in time for their flight. For those not on the group flights the tour officially ends after breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Arrive London Arrive London
Botswana Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary if you are coming from a country with Yellow Fever, and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
South Africa There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential if travelling in the greater Kruger area and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. The rest of South Africa, including the Garden Route, has a low risk of Malaria. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Zimbabwe There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
Safari Lodges, Hotels and Guesthouses We spend 4 nights in safari lodges in Hwange and Chobe National Parks and the rest of the time in hotels and guesthouses. Rooms are all either en suite or you have private use of a bathroom for your room. All properties are generally 2 and 3 star properties. In Cape Town we stay in guesthouses located in the neighbourhood of Seapoint. These guesthouses are actually spread over neighbouring streets but are all managed by the same people and of the same standard. The group may, however, be split over a couple buildings in nearby streets. Single supplement available.
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