Compare Southern African Cruise Safari: South Africa & Botswana by Aurora Expeditions vs 12-Day Best of Southern Africa by Ker & Downey Africa

Days 1-3

Arrive into Cape Town at your leisure and meet your Expedition Leader and fellow expeditions for a sumptuous welcome dinner. Enjoy a full day exploration of the Cape Winelands region, sampling a wide range of local produced wines and cheeses. We’ll spend time exploring Cape Town’s colourful Malay quarter and Milnerton Lagoon’s spectacular views of Table Mountain as well as enjoy a cultural dining experience at one of Cape Town’s finest African restaurants.

Days 4-6

We take a mid-morning flight to Hoedspruit and transfer to our lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, situated in South Africa’s northern most province of Limpopo and renowned for its prolific and diverse wildlife, including over 40 different mammal species (including the famous Big Five), over 350 bird species and a myriad smaller species. Predawn safaris feature the departure of night predators, the dawn chorus and visits to many local waterholes. We rest during the hottest part of the day then board our open-sided Land Rovers for a night safari before returning for dinner and entertaining talks.

Days 7-8

Our charter flight to Botswana offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view across the African landscape. Arriving into Kasane we travel to luxury Mowana Safari Lodge, set amongst baobab trees with magnificent views to where the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers meet. In the surrounding Chobe Game Reserve, some 45,000 elephants share their lands with lion, leopard, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, buffalo and more than 450 species of bird. As in Kapana, our our overland safaris will be early in the morning and early evening, with a rest in the middle of the day.

Days 9-11

Today we board Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River. Over three days we delight in viewing Chobe National Park’s teeming wildlife from the open air lounge or from watercraft that allows close views of the wildlife that has come to bathe and drink. Generator free evenings allow us darkness for stargazing and the stillness to enjoy sounds of the Africa night.

Days 12-14

Disembarking the Zambezi Queen, we make our way to Victoria Falls and the elegant Victoria Falls Hotel for three nights, delighting in the magnificent views over the Fall’s Bridge to Zambia. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River reveals crocodiles, hippos and birdlife, while on a trek through the rainforest, we learn local legends of ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Enjoy a traditional Boma dinner, featuring kudu, warthog, crocodile and the local delicacies like Mopani worms, while being entertained by tribal dancing and storytelling.

Day 15

Today we transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for our flight to Johannesburg and our trip’s end.

Day 1: Cape Town

We may be biased but we can think of nowhere better to start your dream trip than Cape Town. Offering the very best in cuisine, culture, entertainment, art and adventure and framed by the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is riding high right now as one of the world’s best cities.

After arrival at Cape Town International Airport, where you will be met by your Ker & Downey local representative, you will be transferred to the Clarendon Bantry Bay, situated in the affluent and exclusive Bantry Bay area of Cape Town on the Atlantic Seaboard.

Your second day in Cape Town includes a half day guide at your disposal. You will be chauffeured to the historical and colorful Bo-Kaap area to partake in a homely Cape Malay Cooking experience - a truly unique South African experience.

The rest of your time is to be spent at your own leisurely pace, however, our dedicated staff are on standby to offer advice and help plan out your in between time in our lively city.

CT Aerial

Included:

Park fees

All activities

All accommodation

A professional driver/guide

All transportation

All flights during the tour

All Taxes/VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals

Drinks

Excluded:

International flights

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips

Personal items

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Some meals

Day 2: Cape Town

Table Mountain CablewayTable MountainRobben Island

Day 3: Cape Town

PanoramaGreen Point Stadium

Day 4: Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

On your fourth day you will be transferred from your hotel in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport where you will depart on the internal flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

Hidden among a cluster of indigenous trees on the banks of the Msuthlu River, Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp offers its guests superior exclusivity in an intimate environment. This enchanting camp is found in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, whose gates open onto the unsurpassed wilderness of the Kruger National Park. It is the smallest of the Sabi Sabi lodges, providing you with a homely ambiance in a fairy-tale setting of seclusion.

Explore the plains on game drives, standing the chance to see the Big 5 among an assortment of other safari animals. A nature walk through the park led by a professional guide will give you a different perspective of the wilderness.

Included in your stay is the chance to observe the unobstructed splendor of the Milky Way and other constellations of stars.

Day 5: Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

Day 6: Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

Day 7: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

On the 7th day you will be transferred back to the Sabi Sabi lodge airstrip for you scheduled flight to OR Tambo Intl for your flight to Victoria Falls Intl.

Once landing at Victoria Falls Intl you will be met and transferred to Victoria Falls River Lodge. Built on raised wooden decks, the 13 luxurious tents all boast beautiful views of a river and the African bush and come with their own private plunge pools. The luxuriously furnished rooms are a fusion of European and African decor and make for an excellent location to explore the quaint town of Victoria Falls and the impressive Falls themselves.

Included in your stay is a rain forest canopy tour. This memorable canopy tour consists of 9 different slides that will take you through thick riverine vegetation over the Zambezi River. Zip over gorges and above the trees as you explore this beautiful region in a thrilling and breathtaking way.

Day 8: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Victoria Falls River Lodge - Luxury Tented SuitesVictoria Falls River Lodge

Day 9: Chobe River Front

Head to Kasane for your 4 days Chobe National Park experience. The lodge is located on the western side of the Chobe National Park and offers panoramic views over the wildlife-rich Chobe River and flood plain.

This luxurious and intimate luxury lodge only has eight suites and with the new jetty at Ihaha in Western Chobe, allows for optional breakfast and lunch cruises (subject to river level). As the lodge is in the Chobe Forest Reserve it can offer night game drives.

Day 10: Chobe River Front

Suite Room with a viewChobe Activities

Day 11: Chobe River Front

Private dinner at lodgeBush DinnerSunset at end of game drive

Day 12: End of Itinerary

On your last day of the tour, you will wake early for your final game drive and African bush sunrise, before returning to camp to begin your transfer to Kasane, along with all your unforgettable memories, for your onward journey.