Itinerary | 16 Day South Africa, Victoria Falls and Northern Botswana Safari | African Ubuntu Safaris

16 Day South Africa, Victoria Falls and Northern Botswana Safari

Countries: South Africa , Zambia , Botswana

Destinations: Cape Town , Cape Winelands , Kruger Park & Surrounding Area , Livingstone , Chobe National Park , Okavango Delta

Group Size: 2

Duration (days): 16

Number of Adults: 2

Number of Children: 0

Visit some well known areas of Southern Africa to get a comprehensive experience of the vastly different locations, habitats, and activities in Cape Town,the Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta

Itinerary Outline

Day Location Accommodation
1 Cape Town The Cape Grace
2 Cape Town The Cape Grace
3 Cape Town The Cape Grace
4 Cape Winelands Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards
5 Cape Winelands Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards
6 Kruger Park & Surrounding Area Dulini Leadwood
7 Kruger Park & Surrounding Area Dulini Leadwood
8 Kruger Park & Surrounding Area Dulini Leadwood
9 Livingstone Thorntree River Lodge
10 Livingstone Thorntree River Lodge
11 Chobe National Park The Chobe Princesses by Mantis
12 Chobe National Park The Chobe Princesses by Mantis
13 Okavango Delta Khwai Lediba
14 Okavango Delta Khwai Lediba
15 Okavango Delta Khwai Lediba
16 Day of Departure

Day 1 : Cape Town

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport (arrival flight not included in quotation) you will be met and transferred to The Cape Grace to spend 3 nights on a bed andbreakfast basis.

South Africa

For a varied, diverse, exciting and fulfilling holiday, one would  be hard pressed to find a country in Africa, or the world, which offers more. South Africa has it all, including wildlife, mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, numerous cultures, first world cities, untouched landscapes, casinos, amusement parks, exciting activities, excellent roads and infrastructure, off road 4 x 4 routes, fantastic food, good wine, great sports stadiums, incredible people and a triumphant history.

Cape Town

Scenically spectacular, with an array of activities on offer, Cape Town is great for an extended holiday on its own, or for an add on to a safari in South Africa, or any other countries.

As an easy 2 hour hop from Johannesburg, with numerous daily flights, as well as some international flights from and to various countries, Cape Town is easily accessible, and an enjoyable way to ease into, or wind down, an African itinerary.

Cape Town has regularly been voted amongst the world's most popular holiday destinations, with many visitors returning year after year.

The Cape Grace

Welcome to Cape Grace. Situated on a private quay between Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront and the tranquil yacht marina, there is no better position from where to soak in the natural beauty of our Mother City and the very essence of Cape Town living at its best.

Our elegant and warm atmosphere, evident in every fine detail, begins at the welcoming reception lounge and extends to our spacious harbour and mountain-facing rooms.

Stories of the Cape’s colourful past present themselves in our exquisite furniture, rare fabrics, intriguing artefacts and original antiques. Local paintings and sculptures lend a contemporary flair to our décor and feel, while fresh displays of Proteas that hint at the wonder of our natural botanical kingdom enrich each room.

We invite you to share in tailor-made experiences that include our sumptuous tasting menus, rare whisky pairings, luxurious spa treatments, and indulgent Afternoon Teas – all thoughtfully created to enhance your journey in the Cape and with us.

Day 2 - 3 : Cape Town

During these two days you are able to experience some of the many features Cape Town. Included in your stay, on one will be collected morning for a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula.

Day 4 : Cape Winelands

Late morning you will be collected and taken on a guided tour of the beautiful and historical Winelands region, visiting one of the fine vineyards and having the opportunity to sample some of the produce of the area. At the end of your tour you will be transferred to Mont Rochelle Hotel, where you will spend the next 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis

Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands District stretches from Stellenbosch to Paarl and through majestic mountain passes to Tulbagh, Ceres or Op-die-Berg, or via the Huguenot Tunnel to Worcester and into the Hex River Valley, along the N1 Touwsrivier. For the return drive, one could take a leisurely wind through the backroads to Montagu, taking the long way to Stellenbosch. These destinations are all accessible within 30 to 120 minute's drive from Cape Town.

The district offers something for everyone, whether you are a family of thrill-seeking mountain bikers, a multi-generational group of foodies, birders, campers, glampers or wine (or gin, beer or brandy) connoisseurs, a bunch of festivegoers, a solo traveller interested in our history or a couple searching for that perfect wedding spot, the CWD has options that will suit your needs and your pockets.

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards

Mont Rochelle is a stunning 26-bedroom hotel and vineyard just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the town of Franschhoek in South Africa. Franschhoek is a traditional vineyard town in the Western Cape Province famously known as the French Corner of the Cape and is considered to be the food and wine capital of South Africa. Escape to this picturesque corner of South Africa at the foot of the Klein Dassenberg Mountain Range for relaxation and a superb culinary experience accompanied by some outstanding wines.

Day 5 : Cape Winelands

Today you will explore the winelands on the fabulous Wine Tram.

Day 6 : Kruger Park & Surrounding Area

You iwill be transferred this morning to Cape Town Airport in time for your flight to Nelspruit, where you will be met and driven into the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, to Dulini Leadwood where you will spend the next 3 nights on a fully inclusive basis.   The afternoon will be spent on your first game viewing activity.

Kruger Park & Surrounding Area

About a 6 hour drive, or a 1 hour flight, from Johannesburg, Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest and most famous national park.  With nearly 2 million hectares, and an enormous variety of species (336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals), you can ensconce yourself in Africa's wilderness with ease.   Bordering the park to the west is a number of private game reserves, with luxury lodges and exceptional game viewing.   Inside the main park, visitors can drive themselves, and have access to remarkably low priced accommodation options.

Dulini Leadwood

Much like the giant trees after which it is named, Dulini Leadwood takes deep root in the heart of all those who linger here. This is the ultimate safari choice for the discerning traveler in search of exclusive solitude. Tucked secretively in the confluence of the Sand and Mabrak Rivers, Dulini Leadwood offers intimate and serene solace in a lodge that is completely at peace with its verdant setting. Four exclusive suites whisper of lavish luxury: an idyllic honeymoon setting as well as an appealing venue for soirees of friends and families who relish exclusivity. With alluring views over the granite boulders of the Sand River, each suite is stylishly appointed in contemporary style with every creature comfort imaginable.

Day 7 - 8 : Kruger Park & Surrounding Area

These 2 days will be spent on morning and afternoon / night game drives, as well as enjoying the luxurious lodge facilities.

Day 9 : Livingstone

You will be transferred this morning back to Nelspruit Airport in time for your flight to Livingstone, where you will be met and driven to Thorntree River Lodge, on the banks of the Zambezi River.   You will spend the next 2 nights here on a fully inclusive basis.

Zambia

A land competing with the best when it comes to wild and action packed safaris, Zambia offers a world of exploration and adventure.

While sharing the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls with Zimbabwe, Zambia also has some truly wild and spectacular destinations of its own.   With some magical national parks offering great wildlife experiences, Zambia has developed a name for its excellent guides, and exciting safari activities.

Accessed by air via either South Africa or Kenya, or by road from Botswana or Zimbabwe, Zambia offers full safari itineraries, or can be a great combination with other East or Southern African countries.

In general, due to the remoteness of the parks in Zambia, fly-in safaris are popular, although mobile road safaris are available.  A major highlight of a Zambian safari is the isolation of many of the luxurious camps.

Livingstone

"Mosi Oa Tunya," or "The Smoke That Thunders," Victoria Falls are as magnificent on the 10th visit as they are on the 1st, and their thundering roar makes everything else seem strangely quiet once you leave them behind.

As the mighty Zambezi flows over a chasm of 1 mile wide, and 110 metres high, to violently crash on the rocks below, the resultant spray is sent tens of metres up into the air, before it lands back down in a continuous rainfall.   The water then rushes through an opening of only 50 metres, as the Zambezi races further along, over churning rapids and through the deep Batoka Gorge.

While the Falls are the major drawcard, there is a thriving tourist industry developed around them, with adventure activities of all forms being available.  

Tourism has been evident here ever since David Livingstone was the first European guided by the local tribes to this remarkable natural wonder.

Thorntree River Lodge

Beautifully designed Thorntree River Lodge graces the banks of Zambia’s glorious Zambezi River in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. Find perfect respite after a day of activities by relaxing in the infinity pool that seamlessly blends into the river horizon. Thorntree River Lodge celebrates the spirit of community. After a refreshing sundowner drink while watching an exquisite African sunset, spend your evening sharing stories of your safari around the fire from within the comfort of the sunken boma before enjoying our African inspired fine-dining experience.

Just twenty minutes upstream from Victoria Falls and accessed via the international airports of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia Thorntree River Lodge is the perfectly positioned lodge from which to enjoy the cascading spectacle, of the Victoria Falls nearby.  Children of all ages are most welcome and our celebrated kids’ club, the Ngwana Club will ensure hours of fun for your kids of all ages.

Among the Zambia safari lodges, Thorntree River Lodge blends a tranquil riverside setting with an eco-conscious approach. Drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of local African culture accented by contemporary influences, your experience at our lodge in Livingstone Zambia is elevated by African Bush Camps’ mindful ethos.

Thorntree River Lodge offers a tranquil base from which to explore a plethora of awe-inspiring activities, all within easy access of our lodge in Livingstone Zambia.  Showcasing incredible river panoramas from its unique vantage, the shared areas are fluid hubs of relaxation; the lounge flows seamlessly into the dining area, and the library hosts WIFI connectivity. The communal deck is set on the edge of the stunning riverside and is home to a sunken boma area and an infinity pool. There is also a gym and spa which promote a sense of holistic wellbeing at Thorntree River Lodge.

From our lodge in Livingstone Zambia, we offer daily excursions to the Zambian side (and Zimbabwean side – in the dry season) side of The Victoria Falls, private river cruises, cultural visits, fishing expeditions, canoeing, rhino tracking and game drives, all included in your stay. Additionally, we can book external activities such as guided rainforest walks, bungee jumping and helicopter flips over ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ on your behalf.

Day 10 : Livingstone

Numerous activities are available and included at Thorntree River Lodge, with visits to the Victoria Falls themselves, boat cruises, game drives, village visits and more all being enjoyed.

Day 11 : Chobe National Park

You will cross into Botswana today, before crossing by boat into Namibia, and boarding the Chobe Princess, to spend the next 2 nights cruising the river, on a fully inclusive basis.

Botswana

Well known as one of the great safari destinations in Africa, Botswana offers some of the most beautiful, luxurious, and active safari experiences in Africa.

A Botswanan safari can never be long enough, and never experienced often enough.   Although one of the flattest countries you will ever visit, Botswana is blessed with an incredible variety of landscapes and eco-systems.  

It is the very flatness of Botswana which has created some of the world's most special wilderness areas, and exploring the Kalahari, Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans rewards you with memories for a lifetime.

Easily accessible from Johannesburg, and simply combined with Victoria Falls, Botswana needs to be on your safari list if you are planning a visit to Southern Africa.

As soon as you land in Maun or Kasane, you will know that you have arrived in a country which operates like nothing you have experienced before.

With the warthogs running through the streets of Kasane, and the hippos grunting in the Chobe River, your welcome to Botswana is one which tells you straight away you are in Africa's wilds.

Chobe National Park

Accessed easily via a 1.5 hour flight from Johannesburg, or a 1 hour drive from Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park is the most visited park on a Boswana safari itinerary.

With an enormous elephant population, as well as magnificent birdlife and a huge array of herbivores and aquatic animals, it is often hard to believe that Chobe National Park is for real.

The game viewing starts from the moment you land at Kasane Airport, or drive across the border from Zambia or Zimbabwe, with warthogs foraging in the streets, buffalo being habitual visitors to the town, and hippos lazing around in the river.

The Chobe Princesses by Mantis

Departing from Botswana and crossing over to the Namibian side of the Chobe River, the Chobe Princess houseboats cruise along the edge of the Chobe National Park while you relax and watch exceptional wilderness views.

Your days on the Chobe Princess houseboats are tailored to your interests and you can experience the natural beauty and wildlife while relaxing onboard or participating in activities such as catch-and-release fishing and bird watching, waterbased game viewing and photographic excursions.

Two of the 18-metre Chobe Princesses houseboats contain four cabins, while the third is slightly larger with five cabins.

Day 12 : Chobe National Park

Your time on the Chobe Princess will be spent enjoying the landscape and wildlife sightings while the boat drifts along, and also by experiencing further boat cruises on the tender boats, and trying your luck at fishing.

Day 13 : Okavango Delta

By boat you will return to the Botswana immigration office, from where you will be transferred to Kasane Airport in time for your light aircraft flight into the Okavango Delta.   You will be met at your Khwai Airstrip, and taken by your guide to Khwai Lediba, to spend the next 3 nights on a fully inclusive basis.

Okavango Delta

The very word "Okavango" evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, and this is exactly what the Okavango Delta is about.   Often called the Okavango Swamps, this intricate maze of waterways and sandy islands is an explorer's dream, and the destination should be on the wishlist of anyone looking for a unique travel experience.

The geology of the Delta is fascinating, with its creation being attributed to tectonic plate action from thousands of years ago causing the Kavango River to flow from Angola into the Kalahari Desert as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean.

So while the vegetation is lush, and the wildlife plentiful, the waterways are actually cutting through Kalahari Desert sand, and the entire delta is an enormous oasis.  

Termites are credited with the creation of the many islands around which the water slowly flows, as their mounds, common features of the landscape, are responsible for the formation of sand and foliage around them.
There is a continuous scurry of life in the Delta, from the smallest of creatures to the largest of elephants, and every twist and turn of the channels brings some new form of  life into view.   The Okavango Delta is truly one of nature's greatest creations.

Khwai Lediba

African Bush Camps is excited to announce the opening of Khwai Lediba, a luxury tented safari camp located along the banks of the Khwai River in the Khwai Concession of Botswana.

Indulge in a breathtaking African safari experience at Khwai Lediba, where you’ll witness the incredible wildlife of Moremi National Park, the oldest protected section of the Okavango Delta. Imagine spotting lions, leopards, elephants, and giraffes roaming free in their natural habitat, all while immersed in the beauty of the African wilderness.

At Khwai Lediba, you’ll have access to an array of thrilling activities such as morning, afternoon, and night game drives, as well as walking and moroko safaris (depending on water levels), allowing you to get up close and personal with the incredible wildlife of the region.

As part of the African Bush Camps Foundation’s community empowerment projects, you’ll also have the chance to visit the nearby Khwai village preschool and witness the positive impact of purpose-led travel firsthand.

So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, Khwai Lediba offers a safari experience like no other!

Day 14 - 15 : Okavango Delta

These 2 days will be spent exploring the Okavango Delta on game drives, boat cruises and mokoro excursions (water based activities are water level dependent).

Day 16 - Day of Departure

From your camp you will be driven to the airstrip today for your light aircraft flight to International Airport. You will arrive at Maun in time to board the connecting flight for your onward journey. (flight from the International Airport not included in quotation).