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Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls 2026
12 Day Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Tour Description:
Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 24 guests in Africa, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours. Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Africa with a lion’s share of captivating cities, private game reserves, natural wonders, and wondrous wildlife? Point your compass south for the diverse and enchanting sights of South Africa and Zimbabwe. The glorious panoramas from Cape Town’s Table Mountain and the candy-hued streets of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood set the stage for the sweet sights to come. Six open-air private game reserve drives near Kruger National Park offer a fascinating glimpse of up to 42 mammal species and 350 bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo—before branching out in Johannesburg. Here, you’ll explore Soweto, the city’s largest township, including the former home of Nelson Mandela and the significant sites of the anti-apartheid movement. Your South Africa vacation crescendos at Victoria Falls, called Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) on the Zambezi River. Twice the height of Niagara Falls, this breathtaking waterfall spanning the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia offers twice the photo ops. A Small Group Discovery tour for the wild mannered!
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Sunday 31 May 26 — Friday 12 Jun 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 06 Jun 26 — Thursday 18 Jun 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 14 Jun 26 — Friday 26 Jun 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 28 Jun 26 — Friday 10 Jul 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 12 Jul 26 — Friday 24 Jul 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 26 Jul 26 — Friday 07 Aug 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 09 Aug 26 — Friday 21 Aug 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 15 Aug 26 — Thursday 27 Aug 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Aug 26 — Friday 04 Sep 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 06 Sep 26 — Friday 18 Sep 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,609 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 20 Sep 26 — Friday 02 Oct 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,609 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 04 Oct 26 — Friday 16 Oct 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,629 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 10 Oct 26 — Thursday 22 Oct 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,629 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 18 Oct 26 — Friday 30 Oct 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,629 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 24 Oct 26 — Thursday 05 Nov 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,639 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 01 Nov 26 — Friday 13 Nov 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,639 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 07 Nov 26 — Thursday 19 Nov 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,639 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 21 Nov 26 — Thursday 03 Dec 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,639 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 28 Nov 26 — Thursday 10 Dec 26
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,639 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingSpecial features included on this tour:•Guided sightseeing in Cape Town includes a stroll along the Grand Parade past the landmarks of St. George’s Cathedral, Parliament, and more •Learn about the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood on a walk with a Local Guide and enjoy a traditional lunch •Speed past the lines with the Fast Track pass up Table Mountain •Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and ride the funicular to the steps of the old lighthouse •View the endangered Africa penguins at Boulders Beach •6 game drives, nightly Sundowners, and an astronomy stargazing experience in Makalali Private Game Reserve •Sightseeing in Johannesburg includes a walk with a Local Guide through Soweto, a visit to the Mandela House, and the Constitution Hill Museum •Enjoy an evening cruise with drinks and canapés on the Zambezi •Take a guided walk at thrilling Victoria Falls! •4-wheel-drive safari vehicle, limited to just 9 guests and equipped with an open roof for unfettered game viewing •Hand selected hotels and safari lodge •All internal flights!
Notes:
For approximately one month each year (typically late July to mid-September), Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place. During the dry season (September-December) and particularly dry years, water flow to Victoria Falls may be low. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
For approximately one month each year (typically late July to mid-September), Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place. During the dry season (September-December) and particularly dry years, water flow to Victoria Falls may be low. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins!
Welcome to Cape Town, commonly referred to as the “Mother City” by locals, as it was home to the first European settlement in South Africa. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon
Day 2 CAPE TOWN
City Sights & Soaring Heights
Start at the Grand Parade to see the Castle of Good Hope and City Hall. Walk to see more of Cape Town’s landmarks including St. George’s Cathedral, Parliament, and The Company’s Garden. Then, join a local community leader to explore the [LF] Bo-Kaap neighborhood, also known as the Malay Quarter, including a visit to the Bo-Kaap Community Center. After a traditional Malay lunch, enjoy a scenic cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain for stunning 360-degree views over the city. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant!
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Explore Cape Town’s neighborhood that was founded by former slaves in the 1750s. Today, Bo-Kaap is a melting pot of cultures within its National Heritage sites. Stroll past vibrantly hued houses ranging from lime-green and pink to orange, reflective of Dutch and British architecture. Your Local Guide shares fascinating stories of this lively neighborhood where the aromas of fragrant spices waft from local restaurants and spice shops. Enjoy lunch with your small group, followed by a cable-car ride to take in the 360-degree views from the top of Table Mountain
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3 CAPE TOWN–CAPE PENINSULA EXCURSION
Rocky Coast & Beach Life
Take a scenic drive along stunning Chapman’s Peak Drive en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve. Stop at the Cape of Good Hope before arriving at Cape Point. Ride a funicular to the steps of the old lighthouse with panoramic views of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. After lunch at a local seafront restaurant, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African penguins. Free time this evening.
(B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TUXEDO JUNCTION Jackets aren’t required on Boulders Beach, even though the residents look dressed to the hilt. The only penguins found on the continent, African penguins are known for the unique sound they make. Colonies can be found from southern Namibia all the way around the South African coast, and Boulders Beach is the premiere viewing spot
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 4 CAPE TOWN
Free to Wander
Full day at leisure for your own discoveries in this beautiful city.
(B)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Today, consider exploring the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion to the stunning Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (June-December). Optional excursions are available for purchase with MyGlobus
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 5 CAPE TOWN–HOEDSPRUIT–MAKALALI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (Greater Kruger National Park Area)
Operation Safari
Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Makalali Private Game Reserve. Arrive in the home to an abundance of wildlife for a game drive to spot the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Sip sundowner drinks before returning to your lodge for dinner. Your visit here contributes to Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Canine Project, aimed at training dogs to patrol, detect and track poachers and to the Lion Recovery Fund who works towards the rehabilitation of Lions and their habitats.
(B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Staying in a private game reserve is the ultimate safari experience in South Africa. Go off-road to get close to the wildlife at Makalali Main Lodge, a stylish lodge featuring regional African cuisine, bar/lounge, pool, and spa facilities. Each spacious room features views from a private balcony, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, safe, and a large ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers!
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 6 MAKALALI (Greater Kruger National Park Area)
Makalali Magic
Rise early for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. Keep an eye out for big cats after their night of hunting. Other animals you may see include kudu, impala, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, wildebeest, and more. Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax at your lodge. Afternoon game drive with sundowner drinks.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE As the sun sets over the majestic landscape, enjoy a memorable happy hour in the bush in the nostalgic tradition of early safari explorers
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7 MAKALALI (Greater Kruger National Park Area)
Spotting Skills Sharpen your game-spotting skills on your morning and afternoon game drives. Watch for African buffalo, reintroduced to the area after an absence of more than 50 years, reuniting the “Big Five” to roam freely in the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve. Tonight, join a private astronomy chat and stargazing experience with a local expert. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
STARRY EYED The night skies above the Kruger National Park area are a sight to behold, with vivid constellations that cover the sky with a blanket of twinkling stars against Africa’s dark skies. Join a local expert for a private astronomy talk and look upward as we unveil the stellar secrets of the African night sky.
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE When not on a game drive, do as the lions do with a rest in the heat of the day. Enjoy your lodge amenities, swim in the pool, pamper yourself with a wellness treatment, kick back on a viewing deck or your private balcony to watch nearby wildlife
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8 MAKALALI–HOEDSPRUIT–JOHANNESBURG
A Jaunt to Joburg
Enjoy a final game drive this morning before boarding your flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg. Free time late afternoon and evening.
(B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 9 JOHANNESBURG
From the Dark Enters Light
Guided sightseeing includes a visit to [LF] Soweto (Southwestern Township) with a local community member. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived with his family from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. Also learn about the impact of his wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, known as the “Mother of the Nation” and a formidable anti-apartheid activists. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Constitution Hill, a museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy.
(B,L)
LOCAL FAVORITE
A BEACON OF LIGHT Soweto, the largest township in the country, is a part of South Africa’s turbulent past, but this multicultural area is also a reflection of today and hope for tomorrow. Your Local Guide shares insightful stories as you see the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the former neighborhoods of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela, featuring the Mandela House—former home of the legendary human rights leader
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 10 JOHANNESBURG–VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Zoom to Zimbabwe & Sunset Sensations
Fly to Zimbabwe and transfer to your hotel. Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
(B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE RIVER WILD Transfer to the Zambezi River’s edge and board the cruise boat. You’ll be treated like royalty as you take in the scenery and watch for wildlife while sipping and sampling from a selection of included drinks and canapés. Your cruise culminates in a spectacular African sunset!
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 11 VICTORIA FALLS
Smoke on the Water
Take a guided walk at Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), as the locals call it, due to the clouds of mist produced by the cascading cataracts. Learn about the history of the falls and fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna with plentiful photo opportunities. Free time late morning and early afternoon. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River, featuring a menu of African-fusion dishes using fresh local ingredients.
(B,D)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Soar high above the falls on an optional helicopter ride or visit a nearby village to experience the local culture. Optional excursions are available for purchase at MyGlobus
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 12 VICTORIA FALLS–JOHANNESBURG
Safe travels until we meet again!
Fly to Johannesburg. Schedule departing flights after 7:30 pm.
(B)
Accommodations
Accommodations| Cape Town | Kruger National Park Area | Johannesburg | Victoria Falls |
Southern Sun The Cullinan
Superior First-Class
1 Cullinan Street Cape Town South Africa
Southern Sun The Cullinan offers travelers easy access to all that Cape Town has to offer including the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Complementing the rich, cultural heritage of Cape Town through timeless architecture, the opulent décor creates a mood that is a world away from home, while service and attention to detail ensure your every need is taken care of.
Superior First-Class
1 Cullinan Street Cape Town South Africa
Southern Sun The Cullinan offers travelers easy access to all that Cape Town has to offer including the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Complementing the rich, cultural heritage of Cape Town through timeless architecture, the opulent décor creates a mood that is a world away from home, while service and attention to detail ensure your every need is taken care of.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
