The best of Southern Africa in 18 days

Your journey begins with a pickup from O.R. Tambo International Airport and a transfer to your guest lodge. Johannesburg is South Africa’s economic powerhouse, a city that started life in 1886 as a gold mining boomtown. While the city itself is unashamedly modern, the area has deep roots; abundant fossils unearthed in the nearby Cradle of Humankind indicate that our hominid ancestors have inhabited this region for at least four million years. After checking in, you can relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Today is dedicated to exploring the complex history and modern creativity of the city. In the morning, an expert guide will lead you through Soweto, where you will follow in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and his Passive Resistance (Satyagraha) Movement, as well as Nelson Mandela and his Defiance Campaign. You will hear about these two famous liberation heroes in the very place where they began their legal and political careers. In the afternoon, you visit Maboneng, an innovative urban environment that encourages diversity across races, ages, and income levels. Now one of the most renowned creative districts in the world, it offers a glimpse into the city’s artistic future.

The morning starts with a visit to the Apartheid Museum, which provides a detailed look at the racist policies enforced by the regime prior to the mid-1990s. From there, the route takes you to Pilgrim’s Rest, a historic museum town protected as a provincial heritage site. It was the site of a major gold rush in 1873, and much of that atmosphere remains today. You will drive through God’s Window, an area of canyons and rock formations known as “Paradise Country,” before reaching the Blyde River Canyon. This 26km-long, 800m-deep gorge is the third largest in the world and is home to samango monkeys, bushbuck, and colorful Knysna turacos.

Leaving the highlands of the Panorama Route, you head toward the lowveld. You will enter Kruger National Park today, using your transfer vehicle for a mini game drive while heading to your camp. This is one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, covering almost 20,000km². You’ll want to have your camera ready the moment you enter the gates, as you never know what might be waiting around the next corner—perhaps a lion basking in the shade or an elephant bull parading its tusks.

Day 5 is spent on a guided game drive in an open safari vehicle, led by a professional ranger. Kruger is home to an incredible number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals. You will learn about the wildlife you are seeing and the park’s world-leading environmental management policies. Whether it is a leopard dragging its prey up a tree or a herd of buffalo crossing the road, the diversity of life here is unrivalled.

Cross the border into Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and travel to the capital, Mbabane. Founded in 1887 as a trading post on the route between Pretoria and Maputo, it now serves as a base for exploring the kingdom. In the afternoon, you visit Matsamo Cultural Village for a traditional lunch and a chance to learn local Swazi dances. You will also have time to browse the local craft markets for handmade goods and experience the warm hospitality of the Swazi people.

Today you head to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, a 960km² reserve famous for its white rhino conservation. In the early 20th century, this area held the last remaining population of these mammals; today, you are almost certain to see them here. You will join an afternoon guided game drive to look for rhino, elephant, buffalo, and giraffe. If you are fortunate, you may also encounter lion, leopard, or even the resident pack of African wild dogs.

A flight from Durban brings you to Cape Town, a city situated between the Atlantic waterfront and Table Mountain. Your stay begins with a scenic drive up Signal Hill. Over the next few days, you will take the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain and enjoy a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, traveling to the cliffs of Cape Point. You will also visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held, and the historic Groot Constantia wine estate. Your time includes a visit to the V&A Waterfront, a busy harbor filled with shops, restaurants, and the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Today you fly from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your lodge to settle in before encountering one of Africa’s greatest rivers. In the afternoon, you join a boat excursion on the Zambezi River. Seeing the Zambezi from the water offers a unique perspective you simply cannot get from land. As you float along the riverine landscape, you will see large pods of hippos and crocodiles along the banks. The birdlife is spectacular, and as the sun sets, you may be fortunate enough to see elephants crossing the river or giraffes coming down to the water’s edge to drink in the golden hour light.

After breakfast, a knowledgeable guide leads you through the Victoria Falls Rainforest. Known to locals as Mosi-Oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders), this journey provides more than just a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; you will learn about the geology, wildlife, and history of this famous landmark while feeling the spray of the falls.

In the afternoon, you visit Monde Village for an authentic glimpse into rural life. The experience begins with a drive through Chinotimba, the oldest township in Victoria Falls, before heading to the village to meet local inhabitants. You will learn about their culture, customs, and daily routines, and see how a traditional homestead is set up. The evening concludes with the Boma Dinner, a four-course feast of Zimbabwean cuisine. The night includes traditional Amakwezi dancers, a local storyteller, and a drumming extravaganza where you are invited to join the performance.

Today features a full-day safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park. After crossing the border at Kazungula, you start with a three-hour morning boat cruise along the Chobe River. This area is praised for its immense concentration of elephants, as well as hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. Following a buffet lunch on the riverbanks, you head out for an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. Exploring the Chobe Riverfront offers a high chance of seeing predators and large herds of plains game, making it one of the most celebrated wildlife experiences in Southern Africa.

Your final day in Victoria Falls is open for a variety of experiences. You may choose to take a helicopter flight for an extraordinary aerial view of the falls, or join a lion walk to learn about the conservation and pre-release training of cubs. Other options include an elephant-back safari through the national park or the “Feast of Beasts” lion feeding experience.

In the evening, you will be taken to a mesmerizing production titled SIMUNYE – We Are One. Presented by the Victoria Falls Theatre Company, this show combines stunning visuals, music, puppetry, and traditional African dance to tell the story of Bomani and his loyal elephant companion, Ndlovu. It is a powerful cultural finale to your time in Zimbabwe.

Today, you transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sandton, the city’s premier financial and shopping hub.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to relax at the hotel or explore the nearby Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City. This modern precinct is famous for its massive bronze statue of Nelson Mandela and offers a wide array of high-end shops, diverse restaurants, and cafes. It is the perfect environment to enjoy a final South African dinner or pick up last-minute mementos of your journey across the subcontinent.

After what we are sure will be an amazing trip, your Southern Africa safari comes to a close. Depending on your flight schedule, a driver will provide a final transfer from your hotel to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your onward journey home.