Ultimate South Africa with Victoria Fall Add-On

Today you will fly to Cape Town.

On arrival in Cape Town, we'll transfer you to your hotel, with your sightseeing starting en route. Located on the shores of the Atlantic, with Table Mountain as a backdrop, Cape Town occupies a spectacular setting and you'll take in fabulous views as we approach it. You'll see many of the city's highlights including Table Mountain - on some days the top of the mountain is shrouded by clouds, a natural phenomenon known as the tablecloth - a beautiful sight. If the weather permits we'll even make the trip up Table Mountain by cable car.. Join your fellow guests for a welcome drink this evening.

There’s a great day ahead as we set off to explore the Cape Peninsula to take in some absolutely breath-taking views including the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and a drive along one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world, Chapman’s Peak (weather permitting), we’ll explore Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach, famous for its penguin colony, and travel into Simon’s Town before completing our travels with a visit to the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The choice is yours today, you can explore independently, or perhaps come on an optional excursion to Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. En route, you’ll visit Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter and drive through District Six.

Today we're going to discover the winelands of the Western Cape. A scenic drive takes us through lush farmland and vineyards, where our first stop will be in the town of Franschhoek. Here we will enjoy a tasting at a winery nestled against the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains. Next, we'll visit the Spice Route Destination in Paarl, where you will discover an array of artisans selling everything from chocolate and wine to cured meats and homeware. Finally we'll tour the charming, historic town of Stellenbosch. We'll wander along Dorp Street admiring fine examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, and take in fantastic views of the mountains and surrounding countryside.

Your next base is Oudtshoorn, and during our drive here we'll stop at Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. A tour will introduce its stunning architecture and you'll also have time to visit its fascinating museum. Back on the road, take in lovely views of ravines, gorges, cliffs and lush vegetation as we journey through the Huisrivier pass, set between two valleys.

Oudtshoorn is the 'ostrich capital of the world', and home to the world's largest population of these unique flightless birds. Before we make our way to Knysna, our base for two nights, we'll visit the Safari Ostrich Farm to see some of these fascinating creatures up close. You're also going to see the Cango Caves today. Located in a limestone ridge alongside the stunning Swatberg Mountains, this magnificent system of underground caverns is more than 20 million years old.

The quaint town of Knysna lies at the heart of the Garden Route and is surrounded by ancient forests. It's a delightful place with plenty of craft shops, boutiques and cafés. After a leisurely start today, we will visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve with a cruise across Knysna Lagoon, a walk through the forest past the ancient sea caves, and a buffet lunch.

Your journey to Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as it is now known, via Plettenberg Bay includes a stop at Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can walk across the 77-metre-long suspension bridge which hovers above the tumultuous water flowing into the Indian Ocean. Later, we will take in some highlights of Gqeberha en-route to our hotel for this evening.

On arrival in Johannesburg you'll discover a very different territory to that previously experienced, as we head into the heart of the Zulu kingdom, the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. The area is our base for two nights.

On today's guided tour you'll retrace history as you stand at the very spot where the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana and subsequent conflict at Rorke's Drift took place. A Local Guide will bring to life the events of the day when 20,000 Zulu warriors, armed with traditional weapons, confronted the firepower of the British army.

Your journey today takes you to the Mpumalanga Lowveld region of South Africa, 40 mins from the Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest game reserve. Your accommodation over the next few nights is spectacular and special. The luxury safari tents at Ndhula & Muluwa Lodge are ideally situated and built on wooden decks and enjoy a breath taking natural setting. An inviting open-air reception area adjoins a large, thatched-roof dining room where you can enjoy South African and international cuisine with beautiful views over the valley. Todays journey is long but packed full of rewards as you travel through a variety of landscapes and take in spectacular views.

Kruger National Park is home to the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. Today we'll take in the sights on a full-day game drive, which also includes a breakfast picnic. You'll travel in an open safari vehicle with an expert guide who will talk to other drivers and track down the best wildlife sightings - it's a wonderful way to experience the African wilderness. We will return later this afternoon and the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

You could relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge, or head out on an optional game drive and continue your search for wildlife.

Start your day with a drive along the breathtaking Panorama Route, which winds its way through some of South Africa's most beautiful scenery. The rainforest at God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels, are some of the highlights. We're also going to take an unforgettable journey on the Graskop Gorge Lift, which travels 51 metres down the face of the gorge and into the forest below. Here, a trail of wooden walkways and suspension bridges carves its way through the forest and interactive exhibits tell us more about the flora and fauna.
Tonight, if the weather is on our side, get to know one of South African's oldest traditions for dinner - the Boma. The lodge proudly features this amazing outdoor dinner facility in the traditional South African shape – round and protective like a traditional African village with a centralised fire place for ambiance and winter warmth and a chef's station that prepares those famous African barbecue meals.

Transfer by road to Johannesburg. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. Overnight accommodation has been reserved for you on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and prepare for your journey to Victoria Falls.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. On arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel where three nights' accommodation has been reserved on a bed and breakfast basis. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi river, enjoying an abundance of delicious drinks and snacks while keeping an eye on the water for sightings of hippo, elephant and crocodiles, is the perfect way to end today.

On today's guided tour you will see Victoria Falls, from the Zimbabwean side, and will be able to marvel at the might and magnificence of 'The Smoke that Thunders'. Tonight's event is a Dinner & Drum Show at the Boma. A “must do” Victoria Falls dining and entertainment experience, with traditional African food, drumming and dancing.

Today is at leisure, so why not relax by the pool, soak up the sunshine and enjoy these beautiful surroundings. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional excursion and experience even more of what Victoria Falls has to offer.

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, and your overnight accommodation.

Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK

You'll arrive in the UK today