People often ask what happens on Contiki Tours? Contiki is different offering over 350 trips to 6 continents. Contiki Travel is for people 18 to 35 years old. Guests from all over the World enjoy the cultures of every country they visit. Contiki Tours are stress free travel with like minded friends. While most of the trip is planned one is free to go out on your own. In short a guest builds the Contiki Trip that the've always dreamed about over the years. Contiki guests have been know to stay up late, party, sleep in and wear sun glasses in the morning on their coach. Pavlus Travel discounts the price of every Contiki Vacation. Never pay retail. Call 800.528.9300 for a free quote.
Start Cape Town
The adventure begins. Drop off your bags at the hotel and meet your Trip Manager and new Contiki fam in the lobby. Guess what? The V&A Waterfront is within arm's reach from our hotel, so you'll head out for a walkabout dinner with your brand new crew.
Cape Town
Our time in Cape Town is dedicated to sightseeing and today is no exception! We'll start at the very top with a cable car ride up Table Mountain, followed by a city tour of Cape Town’s key sights and historical attractions. After that, the rest of the day is yours. We recommend the V&A Waterfront (SA’s most visited attraction). You’ll also have the option to join our Township Tour & Amy Foundation Lunch, which gives you a locally guided insight into life during Apartheid. Tonight, you’ll get to know your new pals in the best way possible – with food, drinks and music in our MasterChef-style cooking class.
Cape Town
This is your day to take advantage of Cape Town’s myriad local excursions – after breakfast of course. Our fav is a scenic drive along the cliffs of Chapman's Peak and down to Cape Point – the South-Western tip of Africa. In the afternoon, we’ll stop off at Boulders Beach to admire a colony of adorable African penguins - with a chance to go kayaking with them too! What next? Well, you can't go wrong with wine tasting (and a view) to round off an incredible day touring the "fairest Cape in all the world."
Cape Town to Kruger National Park via Johannesburg
Rise and shine. Today, we have a (very early) flight to Johannesburg, the city of Gold, where our first port of call will be the Kruger National Park. The Savannah is calling. We've got no time to waste! We'll hop straight into our overland safari truck (with large windows for the perfect safari views) and begin our journey through South Africa's country side to Kruger. Yup, it’s safari time! We arrive at the gates to Kruger National Park this afternoon with binoculars at the ready. Rolling through this wildlife haven (the size of a small country) for a sunset game drive as we make our way to our exclusive Contiki Safari Camp. Set on the banks of the Sabie River, in the middle of Kruger, this Special Stay has us camping in canvas tents (the kind with mattresses and linen). All dotted around a roaring bonfire, listening to lions off in the distance, and under the African stars. That's right, its not 5 star accommodation...its 5000 star camping.
Kruger National Park
Today we're up bright and early for our first taste of the fresh morning air. We'll start with a sunrise safari – just in time to catch Africa’s elusive predators finishing off their nocturnal hunt. At midday, you’ll have the chance to relax back at the camp: you can visit the local shop, take a dip in the pool or visit the nearby restaurant where you can look out over the Sabie River and watch as the animals come to quench their thirst (yup, it's preddy special.) This afternoon, it’s back to the safari vehicles for a sunset game drive and another chance to see the Big Five and more. Tonight back at camp, we’ll tuck into a traditional South African braai or BBQ, complete with local sides and desserts.
Kruger National Park to Johannesburg
Rise & shine, explorers! Especially if you wanna choose to take the sunrise game drive (more game drives = more chances of ticking everything off that list). Or you could always choose to sleep in and catch a late brekkie. The game of hide and seek then continues one last time as we head back into the park, keeping our eyes open for any wildlife that's evaded us so far (come on cheetah... where are you) and bid farewell to Kruger. We’ll head off to Johannesburg this afternoon. Order of business? Crash at the hotel before we fly to Victoria Falls in the morning!
Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
This morning we'll drive to the airport to catch our flight up to Victoria Falls. We start off with the number one attraction around - the Falls themselves! Hike along the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and the largest waterfall in the world. You might want to pack your raincoat, as during certain times of the year you can get drenched from the rising spray, giving the falls its local name: 'The smoke that thunders'. This afternoon, you'll have the chance to jump, zipline or swing off the famous bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia over the Zambezi River. Please note: From January to June this trip puts you in the Waterfront Hotel, Zambia, with a riverside deck and bar that overlooks the spray of the thunderous falls. Travelling from July to December? Don't worry, you're not missing out: we'll put you up in the Shearwater Explorers Village, Zimbabwe, just 400m from the - with bohemian cafes, curio markets and swimming pools to explore. It's a win win, basically.
Victoria Falls
Today you have the chance to try white water rafting along the Zambezi river. There's also a locally guided village tour - get to know the locals and experience their way of life. End the evening with a magnificent sunset cruise including drinks and dinner.
Victoria Falls to Chobe
We start today on foot, to literally ‘walk on the wild side’ with a guided walking safari along the Zambezi’s National Park. This is a unique way to track wildlife on foot while learning about some of the smaller animals – plus plants and just generally anything we come across. Afterwards, we go from foot mode to flight mode with a helicopter ride above the thunderous waters below - the best way to see the falls in all their glory. Then it’s across the border to Botswana for more of what we love. I.e., safaris! This time, it’s the world-famous Chobe National Park, known for its huge elephant population. Tonight, you’ll truly experience the wilderness with a night out in the middle of the African bush. We have a private Contiki site just for us, with our own guides, cooks and a bonfire – all set under the stars. After dinner, you’ll get the chance to fall asleep to the sounds of Africa: a jackal calling in the distance, the loud whoop of a hyena, perhaps the roar of lions as they wake from a daytime slumber. Catch you later, city life!Please note: Overnight Camping in Chobe won't be available during the Summer from October to March. Instead, you'll spend two nights at our lodge with Chobe Sunset and Sunrise Game Drives still included plus a buffet dinner.
Chobe
This morning we'll wake up to watch the sunrise over the African bush with a light breakfast, before departing on a morning game drive to hopefully see some of the wildlife we may have heard the night before. We will arrive late morning to check into our new lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing around the pool and swapping stories from the night before. On our last evening together you can opt for a wildlife cruise on the Chobe river. Surrounded by pods of hippos, crocs basking on the banks and all forms of African animals coming down to drink, this is truly one African sunset you'll never forget followed by a buffet dinner tonight.
Chobe to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Dumela Botswana! We’ll head south today from Kasane to Gweta Lodge on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt pans. Opt to cruise the salt pans in open safari vehicles in search of a meerkat colony while getting some funky perspective photos in one of the largest salt flats in the world. Tonights treat is sundower drinks under an icon of Botswana before retiring to the lodge for dinner and drinks at the bar.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to Okavango Delta
We will say goodbye to the pans (for now) and head on to the wildlife haven that is the Okavango Delta Our minds already blown by this unique natural landscape, it's off to the Okavango Delta, where we'll take an awe-inspiring game drive before settling into our exclusive Contiki Safari Camp. We'll be greeted with luxe two person dome tents - pre-erected of course - with stretchers, mattresses and linen. Dinner? How about a campfire meal as we swap tales under a starswept sky?
Okavango Delta
Get your David Attenborough voice on, we're in the heart of Africa's iconic wildlife filming paradise. This sprawling wetland is home to some of Africa's most incredible species and after a quick bite to eat we're off on an early morning game drive in the Okavango Delta in hopes of spotting elephants, hippos and (if we're lucky) some predators. We'll head back to camp for a tasty lunch and siesta. Chill in the camp or opt for a Mokoro boat trip along the gorgeous waterways of the delta. In the afternoon we're back on another jaw-dropping game drive before our traditional campfire dinner. This evening we've a once in a lifetime opportunity - a night drive in the bush with spotlights seeking out elusive nocturnal animals you can't find during the day.
Okavango Delta to Maun
Another morning at the Delta (the struggle is real.) After coffee and breakfast at sunrise, it's time for another morning game drive – eyes peeled for elephants – as we make our way out of this wildlife paradise. Check into the lodge, chill by the pool and then take to the skies in an optional Okavango Delta helicopter flight. Hover just meters above the waterways or fly high for stunning views of this unique inland delta and of course, don’t forget your binocs for some wildlife spotting from the air. If you've got a head for heights, you won't find views more spectacular than this anywhere in the world. Tonight, you’ll polish off your last night in Botswana with a night in the town. The Okavango Delta Brewery calls, offering a tour, tasting and dinner for you to enjoy.
End Maun
After a last breakfast together its time to say goodbye to new found friends and an incredible time in Botswana.