Compare Cape Town to Johannesburg by Exodus Travels vs South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger with Victoria Falls by Cosmos
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5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 20 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 5,625 | $ 3,909 |
| Price Per Day | $ 281 | $ 244 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts, 16 lunches and 13 dinners are included. Your guide and driver/assistant generally prepare the meals included in this trip. A rough idea of what the meals consist of is as follows: Breakfast: Cereals, coffee, tea and toast. The occasional cooked breakfast too Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls, fresh fruit Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta with fresh vegetables. Most are generally cooked on the open fire. Please be aware, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies.) For this reason, if you did not indicate these on your booking form, please advise us as soon as possible. The tour leaders do all the shopping, meal planning and cooking for each group. They always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. We also supply the following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages are at your own expense. We do not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops if you want to buy it yourself. The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water, this will be at your expense. However, we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption. | N/A |
| Description |
This epic journey explores three very diverse countries. In South Africa, we go on game drives in Kruger National Park, walk in the spectacular Drakensberg mountains, travel along the Garden Route and enjoy wine tasting in renowned vineyards. We also visit exciting Cape Town and journey through the mountain kingdoms of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho. This three-week trip has something for everyone: prolific wildlife, incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring mountains and, of course, the rich culture that makes these countries what they are today.Enjoy safaris, mountain kingdoms, world-class wine and the dramatic coastline of southern Africa |
Enthralling game drives, stunning scenery, and fun experiences…this South Africa tour with Victoria Falls has it all!Have your camera ready as you ride in open-air, safari vehicles during game drives in Kruger National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves and home to impala, zebra, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more, and in Mkuze Game Reserve, where you’ll watch for lion, leopard, rhino, Cape buffalo, and giraffe. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Jozini home to hippo, Nile crocodile, and, if you’re lucky, elephant along the shore. At Stony Point Nature Reserve, observe the endangered African penguins engage in their daily activities.In addition to wildlife, you’ll also experience unique culture and spectacular scenery on this tour through South Africa. Learn about Zulu customs and life today during a fascinating village walk and interact with local artisans in eSwatini. Visit Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through its unique coastal forest. Drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most scenic drives skirting the rocky coastline, and the scenic Panorama Route, with its dramatic landscapes tracing the course of the mighty Blyde River. Marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites at the Cango Caves. Witness rugged rocks, sheer cliffs, crashing waves, and panoramic ocean views at Cape Point, Africa’s southwesternmost point.In Zimbabwe, stand in awe as you witness and hear the roar of stunning Victoria Falls, the world’s largest falls and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. All of this and more await you on this South Africa and Victoria Falls tour for savvy, value-minded travelers! |
Day 1 Arrive Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town any time today. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city. Cape Town sits in one of the most beautiful locations of any of the world’s major cities with the impressive bulk of Table Mountain as its backdrop and Table Bay in the foreground. The city is a mix of cultures as people from Europe, Africa and Asia have all settled here (either voluntarily or forcibly) over the centuries. The city is a blend of Europe and Africa and a great place to watch the world pass or visit various sites and museums. Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Cape Peninsula visit
After an early morning breakfast, we drive via the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay and then over Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to elands, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches. Rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We also visit the Cape Point lighthouse. In the afternoon, we take a one-hour walk that is almost entirely downhill. Our destination is the Cape of Good Hope with a detour to Diaz Beach. The trail ends at the Cape of Good Hope signboard. We then return to Cape Town, passing through the former Royal Navy base town of Simon’s Town and a visit to the resident penguin colony (optional). Our driving time today is approximately three to four hours (125mi/200km). Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 Cape Town
The day is free and an optional trip to Robben Island, site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration during the apartheid period, is highly recommended. Weather permitting, a cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain is a must. Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 Stellenbosch and Hermanus
Leaving Cape Town, we drive to the vineyard region of Stellenbosch where we have the option of visiting wineries and doing some wine tasting. We then continue towards Hermanus driving via Gordon’s Bay. There is always a good chance of seeing whales in season. Hermanus is an interesting little town, rightly famous for delicious seafood – a visit to one of the great restaurants in the evening is highly recommended. It is also widely regarded as the best place on Earth for land-based whale watching from August to November. Our drive time today is approximately three to four hours (120mi/190km). Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 Garden Route
Today we drive along the beautiful Garden Route coastline via the cultivated fields of the Western Cape Boland and the town of George towards the Tsitsikamma National Park. The route is stunning and follows the ragged coast passing through small fishing villages and seaside resort. This national park, at the mouth of the Storms River, protects the indigenous forests as well as the marine life 50km out to sea. We stay at a beautifully positioned camp with the waves breaking a stone's throw away. Our driving time today will be approximately 6-7hrs (500kms). Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)
Day 6 Tsitsikamma National Park
Our second day in Tsitsikamma is free to enjoy the beautiful setting. There are a range of optional activities including walks to the Storms River gorge and along the rocky coast, snorkelling, sea and river cruises and a tree canopy tour through the forests. In season, approximately August to October, the marine park is home to a population of migratory whales. Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)
Day 7 Graaff Reinet
We head over the Kouga and Baviaanskloof mountains as we head towards Graaff Reinet. This small 19th-century town is set in the middle of the Karoo National Reserve and is a stopover on our way to Lesotho. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (242mi/390km). Accommodation: Obesa Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 Long drive to Lesotho
Today is a long day’s drive as we traverse the Great Karoo and enter Lesotho. This mountainous kingdom has been shielded from outside influence over the generations and the Bastho people historically used this strategic location as a defence against events on the plains below. Our lodge in this rugged, mountainous region provides the ideal opportunity to experience Lesotho culture. Our driving time today is approximately seven to eight hours plus time at the border (330mi/530km). Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)
Day 9 Lesotho
The day is free to relax and experience the unique culture of Lesotho. Mountain ridges protrude into the town and an optional day pony trek to a local village is recommended. Alternatively, the craft shops and markets can be an enjoyable way to pick up African souvenirs. Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)
Day 10 Drakensberg mountains
Today is a long day’s drive as we travel through Lesotho and exit at the Maseru border post. We then travel through the eastern farmlands of the Free State before driving through Golden Gate National Park. We continue to the Northern Drakensberg, our base for the next two nights. The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa Zulu-Natal and Lesotho and continuing into the Free State. It means Dragon Mountains, but the Zulu named it Ukhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears). Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km). Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)
Day 11 Drakensberg: the Amphitheatre
We spend a full day in the mountains where our route has us walking for approximately five to six hours into a natural amphitheatre, following the Tugela River past protea trees. The protea is the national flower of South Africa and the nickname of their cricket team. Our driving time today is approximately one hour (31mi/50km). Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)
Day 12 Rorke's Drift and Dundee
Today we drive through the Natal midlands and to Dundee. En route, we stop at Rorke’s Drift to learn about the famous battle that took place here and featured in the Michael Caine film Zulu (1964). The small cluster of buildings isolated in the enormity of the African Bush is a moving reminder of this troubled time. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (155mi/250km). Accommodation: Battlefields Country Lodge (or similar)
Day 13 To St Lucia
Today we head for the Indian Ocean and the small town of St Lucia on the shores of a lake renowned for hippos, crocs and birds. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (195mi/315km). Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)
Day 14 St Lucia
In the early morning, we spend two hours exploring Lake St Lucia by boat, with an excellent chance of seeing some of the many resident hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. From here, it’s a short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of beach along the Indian Ocean where we spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or walking to Mission Rocks (please note, the walk to Mission Rocks is only possible at low tide and can take about four hours’ return). Alternatively, there are several optional activities available, including whale watching (in season: June to November) or sunset and night game drives on the western shores of the lake. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (47mi/75km). Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)
Day 15 To Eswatini (Swaziland)
Today we head into our third country, Eswatini (Swaziland), and overnight in the king’s old hunting grounds, now the beautiful Hlane Royal National Park. In the afternoon, we can leave the vehicle for a nature walk (optional). Seeing animals and tracks outside the confines of a vehicle is a thrilling experience and gives us the chance to see and hear the variety of smaller animals and birds that are often passed by on game drives. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km). Accommodation: Hlane Lodge (or similar)
Day 16 - 17 Kruger National Park
We cross back into South Africa and head towards Kruger, the most famous national park in Africa. It was established by president Paul Kruger in 1898 and has arguably the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, black and white rhinos, plus cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and many species of antelopes and smaller plains game. The total census includes 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 different trees. The camps are also excellent and the general infrastructure good. If you see all the predators, you are very lucky; however, you will almost certainly see some of the classic safari giants and a huge variety of smaller mammals. We game drive through the park to the camps, where there is a chance for a swim and hot shower. We have two days in the park. On Day 17, morning and afternoon game drives are included to maximise our chances of seeing the plentiful fauna of this great park. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (87mi/140km) to the park entrance plus time on safari inside the park. Accommodation: Kruger Park Huts or permanent tented camp
Day 18 Morning and afternoon game drives
After game driving out of Kruger National Park, we continue to this evening’s camp for an afternoon game drive in a private concession of Kruger National Park. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km). Accommodation: Nkambeni Tented Camp (or similar)
Day 19 Bourke's Luck potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Graskop
We head out of the park and make our way towards Graskop (Mpumalanga). En route, we drive through some spectacular countryside and stop at scenic places, such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km). Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)
Day 20 Drive to Johannesburg
On our final day, we drive along good roads towards Johannesburg. The tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport and we begin our return journeys home. Drive time is around five to six hours (235mi/380km)
Day 1: 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 southwesternmost point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (Breakfast)
Day 3: CAPE TOWN
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion to the stunning Cape winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (Jun.-Oct.) Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. (Breakfast)
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 before reaching Mossel Bay for the evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 5: MOSSEL BAY–OUDTSHOORN–KNYSNA
Drive north to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. You will also visit a local ostrich farm. Continue to Knysna. (Breakfast,Lunch)
Day 6: KNYSNA–TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK RESERVE EXCURSION
Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park for 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. Afterwards, return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or consider an optional cruise to see local marine life. (Breakfast)
Day 7: KNYSNA–GQEBERHA–DURBAN–UMHLANGA
This morning, drive to Gqeberha for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening. (Breakfast)
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. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 10: MKUZE–MHLAMBANYATSI, ESWATINI
Today, drive to eSwatini. En route, stop at a local market and visit a unique glass factory where talented glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animals, and more. (Breakfast,Lunch)
Day 11: ESWATINI–GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
Depart eSwatini and head north for the Greater Kruger area. South African hospitality reigns today with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at the pool and day spa, and select from delightful dining choices. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 13: GREATER KRUGER AREA–VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Today, leave South Africa and fly north to Zimbabwe. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time. (Breakfast)
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! (Breakfast)
Day 15: VICTORIA FALLS
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider a helicopter flight over the falls or day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana. (Breakfast)
Day 16: VICTORIA FALLS–JOHANNESBURG
Your tour ends with a flight to Johannesburg. Schedule departing flights after 7:30 pm. (Breakfast)
