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Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls with Chobe River Cruise 2027
15 Day Tour from Capetown 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, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. 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 game drives in a Private Game Reserve 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. Treat yourself to the royal treatment to end your Africa adventure. A relaxing 3-night Chobe River cruise aboard the Chobe Princess houseboat is just the ticket. This intimate safari experience offers exclusivity and a unique glimpse at wildlife and local village life. Friendly staff are always available and hearty meals ensure you have the energy to make the most of each day. Unwind in your spacious cabin with panoramic windows or on the viewing deck for a dip in the plunge pool for continued opportunities for outstanding views. You’ll feel at one with nature throughout your cruise! 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 14 Mar 27 — Monday 29 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $8,849 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 03 Oct 27 — Monday 18 Oct 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $8,969 | Get a Quote |
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 [LF] 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 in a Private Game Reserve with [LF] nightly Sundowners
- Sightseeing in Johannesburg includes a [LF] 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
- 3-night cruise onboard the stunning Chobe Princess with a choice of game activities on water and land
- 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. The safari vehicles are not air conditioned and have high ground clearance, requiring some agility when getting in and out.Charter flights in Botswana have a strict maximum guest weight limit of 220 lbs. / 99kgs. Any guests weighing more than the limit may be required to purchase an additional seat. Globus Tour Operations must be advised of any guests weighing more than the limit prior to final payment to ensure space can be confirmed.
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. The safari vehicles are not air conditioned and have high ground clearance, requiring some agility when getting in and out.Charter flights in Botswana have a strict maximum guest weight limit of 220 lbs. / 99kgs. Any guests weighing more than the limit may be required to purchase an additional seat. Globus Tour Operations must be advised of any guests weighing more than the limit prior to final payment to ensure space can be confirmed.
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 continue to the Makalali Private Game Reserve, a wildlife‑rich haven ideal for spotting Africa’s famed “Big Five”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo—on guided game drives. Sip sundowner drinks as the sky blazes with color before returning to your lodge for a delicious dinner. As part of the Globus family of brands’ Lighthouse Project, your stay also supports the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Canine Project—training dogs to track and deter poachers—as well as the Lion Recovery Fund, dedicated to restoring lion populations and their natural habitats. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Climb aboard your custom safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive with a skilled tracker and professional Ranger who share fascinating facts about this wildlife paradise, while helping to spot the majestic creatures who call Makalali Private Game Reserve their home. Quench your thirst after today’s safari with a traditional sundowner experience with cocktails in true safari tradition with your small group.
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 evening settles softly over the wilderness, follow your guide into the open bush for a sundowner experience steeped in the haunting beauty and daring spirit of Africa’s earliest adventurers. The air cools and fills with the earthy scent of acacia and wild sage, mingling with the faint sweetness of sun‑warmed grasses. Lantern light flickers against the gathering shadows as you raise a glass, the horizon glowing in its final amber hues. In this moment—bathed in wild scents, ancient sounds, and fading day—you’ll feel the timeless thrill of those who once roamed these untamed lands with nothing but courage and curiosity as their compass
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. After Sundowners, enjoy dinner prepared by a skilled chef featuring African cuisine representing cooking styles left behind by centuries of exploration on this great continent. (B,L,D)
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, kick back on a viewing deck or your private balcony to watch nearby wildlife
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8 MAKALALI–HOEDSPRUIT–JOHANNESBURG
Jaunt to Joburg Savor one last game drive at dawn, as the wilderness stirs to life in the soft morning light. Your ranger leads you across open plains and through acacia dotted bushveld, offering a final opportunity to spot iconic wildlife and soak in the magic of the reserve before you say farewell. Return to the lodge for breakfast before transferring to the airstrip for your flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg. Arriving in the city by afternoon, enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure—relax at your hotel, explore nearby shops and restaurants, or simply unwind as you transition from the bush to the urban rhythm of Johannesburg. (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–KASANE, BOTSWANA–CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA
Embarkation Elation Transfer by road to Botswana, then by tender boat across the river into Namibia at the Impalila Border Post, before embarking on your Chobe River cruise. Lunch is served onboard the beautiful Chobe Princess prior to a sunset cruise to spot big game.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Carrying a maximum of just 8 guests, the cruising on the Chobe Princess’ all-inclusive and intimate river safari experience is like being on your very own intimate houseboat. On board, knowledgeable river guides and attentive staff deliver exceptional insights and experience. Each cabin is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style and features its own private view onto the river and landscapes beyond. You’ll also enjoy comfortable spaces on board, including spacious lounge, bar, outdoor viewing deck, and plunge pool!
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 13 CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER
Relaxed Adventure Choice of morning activities include a water safari by tender boat, tour of a Namibian village, bird watching, or tiger fishing excursion. Return to the ship for lunch and time to relax. This afternoon, embark on a water safari and get up close to a wide array of wildlife including crocodiles, hippo, and elephant, for which Chobe National Park is known.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
REVERIE ON THE RIVER An extraordinary experience awaits on the Chobe River. A wealth of wildlife gathers here, where herds of elephants may be seen crossing the river, as well as hippos and crocs. A menagerie of mammal species and bird life share the waters of the Chobe to take advantage of the river’s wide banks and lush grasses in one of Africa’s most scenic and tranquil ecosystems
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14 CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER
Wildlife Wonderland Choice of activities in the morning and afternoon. Choose from a water safari by tender boat, tour of a Namibian village, bird watching, and a tiger-fishing excursion. Enjoy time on the houseboat to relax and spot animals between activities.
(B,L,D)
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15 CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER–KASANE–JOHANNESBURG
Sweet Dreams, Africa Disembark and transfer to Kasane for your flight to Johannesburg where your tour ends at the airport. 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.
