Zimbabwe and South Africa: Victoria Falls, Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope

The journey begins at Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi drops into a narrow basalt gorge and raises a cloud of spray above the canyon. The route then moves to game viewing and on into South Africa, where the savannahs of KwaZulu-Natal give way to the humid shores of Lake St Lucia.

The southern part of the trip is devoted to Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain, the ocean roads, the Cape of Good Hope and the seabird colonies create an entirely different image of Africa: cool, windy and facing two oceans at once.

Game drives, cruises and boat trips depend on natural conditions. Animals do not appear to a timetable, and the trip out to the white sharks is run only when the specialist marine operator confirms it, when the weather is suitable and when its safety rules are followed.

Day 1. Arrival at Victoria Falls.

Arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe. Meeting at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. In the evening the group meets the guide and discusses the trip, the additional activities and the safety rules. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Victoria Falls and a game drive.

After breakfast the group travels to Victoria Falls. The Zambezi falls into a narrow system of basalt gorges, and the spray forms a cloud of mist and rainbows above the canyon. The maximum drop of the water reaches 108 m. On the paths beside the falls a rain jacket and waterproof protection for equipment are useful. A game drive with a local guide is planned for the afternoon. The particular protected area and the time of departure are confirmed before the trip begins. Night at the hotel.

Day 3. A free day at Victoria Falls.

The day is left free for rest or for additional activities. Depending on the season, the water level, the weather and availability, a helicopter flight, a Zambezi cruise, rafting or a visit to the falls from the Zambian side can be requested in advance. Each activity is booked separately and is run under the rules of the specialist operator. To cross the border into Zambia you must check the visa conditions in advance. Night at the hotel.

Day 4. Flight to South Africa.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa and the country’s main aviation hub. After arrival the group checks into a lodge and rests before the long transfer to KwaZulu-Natal. Night at the lodge.

Day 5. Transfer to St Lucia.

After breakfast the group sets out on a long transfer to St Lucia on the Indian Ocean coast. The town lies beside the iSimangaliso wetlands. After check-in the guide holds a briefing: wild animals may appear close to the roads and to buildings, so you must not approach them on your own. Night at the lodge.

Day 6. Game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.

An early start for a game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. The route runs through hilly savannah and river valleys, where elephants, buffalo, rhinos, large predators and numerous species of antelope are found. Sightings depend on the season, the weather and the movement of the animals, so particular encounters are not guaranteed. In the evening the group returns to St Lucia. Night at the lodge.

Day 7. Lake St Lucia and a night drive.

A boat trip on the St Lucia estuary system is run by a licensed crew. Hippos, crocodiles and water birds can be observed while keeping the distance set by the captain. A night game drive in the evening shows another side of the iSimangaliso ecosystem. The route and the length of each drive depend on the rules of the protected area and on the conditions of the day. Night at the lodge.

Day 8. Flight to Cape Town.

After breakfast, transfer to King Shaka airport in Durban and flight to Cape Town. Meeting at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is for recovering from the journey and a first look at the city. Night at the hotel.

Day 9. Marine excursion.

In suitable weather a marine excursion with a protective cage descent is run. The area, the duration and the format are set by the specialist operator, taking account of wind, swell and current sightings of marine animals. An encounter with a shark of any particular species is not guaranteed. If the trip is cancelled, the substitution or refund policy stated in the booking confirmation applies. Night at the hotel.

Day 10. Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula.

The day is devoted to the main natural sights of Cape Town. If the cableway is running and the weather is suitable, the group goes up Table Mountain. The route then continues along the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and the African penguin colony in the Simon’s Town area. The order of visits may change because of wind, cloud and the opening hours of the sites. Night at the hotel.

Day 11. A free day in Cape Town.

A free day can be given to the V&A Waterfront, the museums, Kirstenbosch garden, the beaches of the Atlantic coast or an excursion to Robben Island. Popular excursions should be booked in advance. Walking routes on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head should be followed only on open trails, taking account of the weather and the current safety guidance. Night at the hotel.

Day 12. End of the trip.

After breakfast, transfer to Cape Town airport and the flight home. The departure time is set by the schedule of the confirmed flight.

• A Mountain Guide team leader accompanying the group
• The international flight from Zimbabwe to South Africa
• The domestic flight from Durban to Cape Town
• The services of rangers
• The services of drivers
• Hotel or lodge accommodation in twin rooms, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• All the comfortable transfers set out in the itinerary, from airport to airport
• Breakfasts at the hotels
• Tickets to the national parks and reserves set out in the itinerary
• The game drives and safaris set out in the itinerary
• A first-aid kit
• The entry ticket to Victoria Falls on day 2 of the trip
• The jeeps required for the game drives
• White shark feeding

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Single occupancy
• Lunches and dinners in hotels and cities
• Any departure from the itinerary
• Any costs arising from change to the itinerary
• Tips
• Souvenirs
• Additional leisure activities

The trip can be run privately for a single participant, a family, a group of friends, photographers or a corporate team. Dates, pace, accommodation category and any permitted additions are discussed before booking.

You can add safari days or change the standard of accommodation. The sea trips and the activities at the falls are confirmed separately and depend on the season and the weather.

A private format does not override national park rules, visa requirements, ranger decisions or carrier restrictions. We confirm the final trip in writing once all the key services are secured.

Entry rules depend on your nationality, your country of residence and your transit airports. Before buying non-refundable tickets, check the current requirements of the consulates, immigration services and airlines yourself. The passport details on your tickets, visas and permits must match exactly.

• A passport valid for the whole trip and for the entry requirements in force
• International and domestic air tickets
• Medical insurance valid in every country on the route and covering the planned activities
• Emergency evacuation cover for remote areas, if this is not part of your main insurance policy
• The documents needed to cross into Zimbabwe and South Africa, and any transit countries on your actual routing
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate, where one is required because of your country of departure or transit
• Digital and paper copies of your passport, insurance, tickets, visas and emergency contacts

Documents for a child, consent from legal guardians and the requirements for under-18s are checked separately. Keep originals and copies separately.

The route crosses several climate zones, so there is no single ideal month for all of it. At Victoria Falls the water is usually highest at the end of the rainy season, while the drier months show the shape of the gorge more clearly. For game viewing the dry period is often easier, because animals concentrate around water.

In Cape Town the southern hemisphere summer is usually warmer and drier, while winter brings more rain and wind and more rescheduling of the sea trips. The falls, the game drives, the boat trips, Table Mountain and the shark trip can all change time or be cancelled according to the conditions on the day.

You stay in hotels and lodges along the route, in twin rooms. The category and the specific properties are confirmed before departure, and may be swapped for comparable ones if the logistics change.

Breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners in the towns and hotels are paid separately unless a particular meal is named in your confirmation. Early game drives and transfers sometimes call for a packed breakfast.

The tour includes early game drives, internal flights, border formalities and long drives. Your baggage must meet the limits of every internal flight, and documents and medication should be in your hand luggage.

On safari you may not leave the vehicle without permission. On boats and at sea you must follow the crew’s instructions. Internet can be weak in the lodges and wildlife areas, and the actual time you get back depends on the animals, the roads and the weather.

The final list is confirmed once the season, transport and accommodation are settled. Check everything in advance, and carry medication in its original packaging together with a prescription where one is needed.

Documents and baggage

• Passport, tickets, insurance and permits
• A soft suitcase or holdall that meets the limits for internal flights
• Day pack of 20-30 litres
• Dry bags for documents, electronics and spare clothing

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in trekking shoes or light boots
• Light, covering, long-sleeved clothing
• Quick-drying trousers and T-shirts
• Waterproof shell jacket or a reliable rain jacket
• Fleece top
• Sun hat
• Binoculars for the safari
• A waterproof cover for your camera gear at the falls
• A warm windproof jacket for the open safari vehicle and the coast
• Swimming things

Useful extras

• Sunglasses
• SPF 50 sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle
• Power bank and charging cables
• Personal first-aid kit and any medication you take regularly
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
• Earplugs
• Camera and spare memory cards, if you want them