South Africa and Botswana: 17-Day Sample Itinerary

Days 1 , 2: The City of Gold

South Africa’s commercial and financial capital, Johannesburg, was aptly nicknamed Egoli, or the City of Gold. Explore the wealthy northern suburbs, the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow, and Soweto, the largest black residential area in South Africa. Visit sites such as the Apartheid Museum. Serving as a beacon of hope, the Apartheid shows how South Africa is coming to terms with its past of racial disparity and violence, and is working towards a future all South Africans can call their own. The Apartheid Museum

Day 3, 4, 5: Rare Wildlife Sightings

Traverse the flood plains of the extreme north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta in Mekoros (dug-out canoes). Drive Open 4x4s up-close to lions, leopards, and other wildlife of the savannah and forested areas. Explore one of the only areas where Red Lachwe and Sable antelope can be seen on one game drive. Spend your nights in large, comfortable Tented Rooms raised off the ground on wooden platforms.

Days 6 , 7: Big Game Viewing from your Tented Room

Camp on Botswana’s Mombo Island in luxuriously furnished tents raised off the ground. Shaded by large mangosteen, ebony, and fig trees, these tents safely overlook open floodplains teeming with game. Tents are interconnected by walkways 2 meters (6.5 feet) off the ground, allowing wildlife to rest below. Take morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4s for the most abundant big game viewing in Botswana. Safely view lions, Buffalo herds, cheetahs, wild dogs, elephants, white and black rhinos, hyenas, giraffe, wildebeest, and zebra.

Days 8 , 9: The Cape Winelands

Stay in the heart of the Cape Winelands, located beneath the majestic Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains, and home to over thirty wine farms. Go on seemingly endless wine tastings and cellar tours. When you have sampled enough wine, go horse riding and hot-air ballooning.

Days 10 , 11: Observe Endangered Flora and Fauna Species

Visit Bushman’s Kloof, a South African National Heritage Site. This Wilderness Reserve protects seven species of plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, as well as one of the largest herds of Cape Mountain Zebra in the world. It also preserves prehistoric rock formations and 130 remarkable rock paintings.

Days 11, 12, and 13: One of the World’s Most Beautiful Cities: Cape Town

Stay in the historic heart of Cape Town’s working harbor, set against a backdrop of sea and mountain views. Ride a cable car to the top of the famed Table Mountain. Return via Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay quarter. See sites such as the Houses of Parliament, St. George’s Cathedral, and the moving District Six Museum.

Day 14: The Cape Peninsula

Take a scenic drive to the Twelve Apostles, the mountain range to the south of Table Mountain. Take a boat excursion to see Cape Fur seals and Southern Right Whales. Continue driving to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to magnificent flora and fauna such as fynbos (fine bush), and Bush Birds such as the Cape Sugarbird and Protea Canary. Proceed to Boulders Beach, home to the only penguins found on the continent of Africa.

Days 15, 16, 17: Sabi Sand Reserve

With no barrier to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Reserve has the greatest diversity of wildlife in Africa, including all big five animals. Enjoy dawn and dusk game drives. Take walking safaris under the guidance of skilled rangers and Shangaan trackers.

Diamonds in the Rough: 12-Day Sample Itinerary

Days 1, 2, 3, 4: Cape Town

Take a scenic drive to Table Mountain. Ascend in a cable car to the top so that you may walk around and gain magnificent views of the city. Your guide will then take you to multicultural Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay quarter. Visit the moving District Six Museum, a remembrance dedicated to the forced removal of over 60,000 citizens from their homes during the apartheid regime. Take a scenic drive to the Twelve Apostles, the mountain range to the south of Table Mountain. Continue along the rocky coast into the Cape of Good Hope National Park and see fauna such as the Cape Mountain Zebra and indigenous species of antelope. Climb Cape Point’s lighthouse for a views of Africa’s rugged southwestern tip.

Days 5, 6, 7: Namib Desert

The earth’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert is about 80 million years old and simply incredible. It features the almightly Sossusvlei dunes – mystical dunes tower over a thousand feet over the surrounding sands. There is simply no experience more rewarding than watching and photographing the dunes’ shimmering oranges, reds, and purples change from sunrise to sunset.

Days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: Okavango Delta

Traverse the flood plains of the extreme north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta in Mekoros (dug-out canoes). Drive Open 4x4s up-close to lions, leopards, and other wildlife of the savanna and forested areas. Explore one of the only areas where Red Lechwe and Sable Antelope can be seen in one game drive. Spend your nights in luxuriously spacious tented rooms raised off the ground on wooden platforms.

South Africa and Victoria Falls: 13-Day Sample Itinerary

Days 1 , 2: Table Mountain and Cape Town

Take a scenic drive to Table Mountain. Ascend in a cable car to the top so that you may walk around and gain magnificent views of the city. Your guide will then take you to multicultural Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay quarter. Visit the moving District Six Museum, a remembrance dedicated to the forced removal of over 60,000 citizens from their homes during the apartheid regime.

Take a ferry through Table Bay to UNESCO World Heritage Site Robben Island. Tour the prison block and limestone quarry, and see breathtaking views of the city across the bay. Visit the African Penguin colony on the island, as well as the resident antelope.

Day 3: Cape of Good Hope and Baboon Excursion

Take a private tour of the Cape Peninsula. Visit a troop of Chacma Baboons and observe them eat, play, and socialize in their natural mountain environment. Continue to the historic naval village of Simonstown, and the nearby white sand Boulders Beach, where you can visit another colony of African penguins.

Drive along the rocky coast into the Cape of Good Hope National Park and see fauna such as the Cape Mountain Zebra and indigenous species of antelope. Climb Cape Point’s lighthouse for a views of Africa’s rugged southwestern tip. Stop by the fishing community of Hout Bay for a chance to see Southern Right Whales from June-Nov.

Day 4: Cape Winelands

Take a private tour of the Wineland Region, set against the majestic backdrop of the Boland Mountains. In between wine tastings in Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, visit historic sites such as the Boschendal Estate, and the Huguenot Memorial and Museum.

Day 5 , 6: The Blue Train

Board the Blue Train bound for Pretoria. The Blue Train is fully inclusive and one of the most luxurious trains in the world, complete with butler service. Gaze out at vineyards, orchards, and the Great Karoo as you lounge in the observation car. Stop for an hour in Matjiesfontein and explore its splendid historical buildings, before continuing onto Pretoria.

Days 7, 8, 9: Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)

Fly from Johannesburg to Livingstone, Zambia. Take a guided tour into Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to magnificent Victoria Falls. As you hike back through tall riverine forest and miombo woodland observe wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, and warthog. While still in Zambia visit a local Lozi village or the Livingstone Museum, and partake in activities such as fishing or sunset boat trips. Fly back to Johannesburg.

Day 10, 11, 12: Sabi Sand Reserve

Take a charter flight into the Sabi Sand Reserve, a glorious landscape of broad, open savannas dotted with acacia thornveld, rocky outcrops, and riverine forest. Buffalo and elephant herds reside in this varied landscape, along with lion prides, leopards, numerous antelope species, and innumerable other wildlife. Follow your guide and tracker to enjoy superb game viewing from a 4WD vehicle or walking safari, or observe the game from the privacy of your balcony.

Day 13: Journey Home

Board your plane for a safe flight home.