From Cape Town to Greater Kruger and Hwange National Park
South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Hwange Private Safari
Overview
Explore the rich culture of South Africa's Cape Town, the lush landscapes of Victoria Falls, and the astounding diversity of Greater Kruger and Hwange National Park on this private journey. Begin in colorful Cape Town with its rocky peaks, world-renowned wineries, and striking Cape Dutch architecture. Venture to an exclusive private game reserve in Greater Kruger for the ultimate in game-viewing and the chance to encounter leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. In Victoria Falls, walk along trails beneath the roaring thunder where optional activities include a helicopter trip over the falls and bungee jumping. Enter Hwange National Park on the Elephant Express rail car and savor some of the most incredible walking safaris in all of Africa, along with lantern-lit dinners and an optional visit to a nearby village and local school.
Arrive: Cape Town, South Africa
Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Highlights
- Explore the cuisine, culture, and stunning landscapes of South Africa's port city, Cape Town
- Track leopard and observe big game in famed Greater Kruger National Park
- Experience the thrill of Victoria Falls
- Game view by rail car, on foot, and by 4WD in Africa's hidden gem: Hwange National Park
- Wake up to birdsong in your choice of cozy accommodations
Itinerary
Join your private guide for fascinating explorations in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Your choice of tours include the Cape Peninsula, a township, historic Robben Island, Table Mountain, the National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch, or a tour of South Africa's centuries-old wine estates, with their beautiful Cape Dutch architecture.
With no restricting fences between private gamelands and renowned Kruger National Park, wildlife roams free throughout the open savannas and riverine thickets of this enormous conservancy. Two perennial rivers supply Sabi Sands Game Reserve with invaluable water sources, ensuring some of the largest and most biodiverse wildlife populations in Africa. With your safari guide, enjoy the best leopard viewing in Africa, and track lion, buffalo, and elephant on morning and evening game drives.
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This afternoon, enjoy the splendor of one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. Optional activities include a helicopter ride over the falls, a guided walk along the falls, and bungee jumping for the over-the-top thrill-seekers.
Magnificent Hwange National Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa, is home to some 40,000 elephants along with lion, hippo, cheetah, and more. We enter the park a unique way—aboard a vintage open-air railway car called the Elephant Express. The 2.5-hour train journey glides along the historic track as we enjoy exciting game viewing in comfort, along with snacks and drinks on board. Disembark at Ngamo and head to your lodge, Bomani Tented Camp or Camelthorn. Head out on game drives each day and night with the flexibility to get out and walk, savor sundowners in remote, exquisite locations at sunset, relax with lantern-lit dinners in the bush, and an have an optional visit to a nearby village and school classroom (you'll even learn a few words of their click language). Depart from Victoria Falls on Day 11.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip rating system. It is a luxury camping and lodge safari with game viewing by 4WD vehicle and can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. On safari, there are long driving days over rough roads and rugged dirt tracks. Guided bush walks are available and they take place at a moderate pace.
Review Trip Level Details
The lodges on this program offer excellent game viewing year round. Game viewing is often at its best from the end of March to the end of August, the drier season, when vegetation becomes sparser, causing greater animal congregations around waterholes. Most rainfall occurs usually between December and February in the form of afternoon or evening thunderstorms. In general, there is a warm climate with cool nights in “winter” (March-August in the Southern Hemisphere).
Cape Town's peak season is September to March, with highs of 65F in September up to 80F in February. September to February, there is little rain. Southeasterly winds occur in November and early December. In the cooler months, the daily highs are in the mid-60s. The highest rainfall is in July and August. For those who are interested in the shark diving option, the best season is May to August, and the intermediate season is March/April and September/October. At Victoria Falls, the months of May to September are like Mediterranean summers, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. Frosts at night are not uncommon. Most of the rain comes between October and April in the form of afternoon thunderstorms.
Client Testimonials
"Outstanding! Everything about the trip was first class, and exceeded (some very high) expectations!"
Ken K.
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.