Welcome to Johannesburg! On arrival in South Africa’s vibrant metropolis, make your own way to your hotel, within walking distance of the airport’s arrivals area.
Rest up tonight as tomorrow you will enter the vibrant gateway to South Africa’s best wilderness, world-famous Kruger National Park.
Arrival & Transfers:
Please book your flights to arrive at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) at any time. Airport transfers are not included for your tour. The hotel is located a five-minute walk from arrivals. Check-in on Day 1 is at 2pm.
After breakfast at the hotel, return to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) for your internal flight to Hoedspruit (‘Hat Creek’ in Afrikaans). Upon touchdown, you’ll be met by a tour representative and transferred to your first safari lodge stay.
At your luxury lodge, you’ll find an opportunity to slow down and connect with Africa’s thrilling wilds. Large, open windows and glass-encased spaces invite the outside world in as you immerse yourself in the vastness of the surrounding nature.
This afternoon, head out on your first safari game drive, followed by dinner and drinks, offering your first real taste of African wilderness.
Travel time: Flight – approx. one hour
Roam wild and free as you explore the Mpumalanga region. Admire how Kruger National Park’s spectacular granite kopjes (hills) pepper the south, the Lebombo Mountains rise from the savannah in the east, and tropical forests cover the north of the staggeringly huge park.
Spend days in paradise engaging with the lodge’s incredible safari program. Kruger offers some of the best game- and wildlife-viewing in the world, including Africa’s iconic safari species and the coveted ‘big five’ – elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceros and African buffalo. It’s also the perfect chance to glimpse giraffes, zebras and hippopotamuses, as well as an extraordinary amount of native birdlife, including southern yellow-billed hornbills, crested barbets and glossy starlings.
Enjoy evenings with good company, great food and hours spent beneath the star-swept skies.
After breakfast, depart for Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) and your international flight to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) and one of the world’s most magnificent natural cascades. After touching down, you’ll be met and transferred to your Zimbabwe accommodation.
This afternoon, witness sunset over the falls as you glide along the Zambezi River high above them. Your cruise includes complimentary snacks, beer, wine and local spirits. Sit back and watch as flocks of birds skim the waterline and hippos, crocodiles and elephants catch the last rays of the sun’s warmth for the day.
Travel time: Flight – approx. two hours; Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Today, learn about Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, on a guided tour from the Zimbabwean side. Learn why the falls are known as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ by locals, witnessing the mist that rises when the waters of the Zambezi River plunge into a 1,700-metre-wide and 100-metre-deep chasm, creating a shower of spray and deafening noise.
As you amble along scenic pathways of the surrounding rainforest – stopping at each spectacular vantage point along the way – learn about the geological formation of Victoria Falls, their fascinating ‘discovery’ by David Livingstone and the abundance of birdlife that chooses it as a habitat.
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be driven to your next accommodation, Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa, a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the Botswana bush, on the edge of Chobe National Park. Enjoy unparalleled panoramic views across the floodplains, incredible hospitality and a uniquely luxe lodge atmosphere – the entirety of the hotel is under thatched roofing.
The park here is home to Africa’s largest elephant population, buffalo herds, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and a vast number of beautiful birds. During your first safari drive this afternoon, learn of the rich ecosystems of the park, which lend themselves to an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, as well as an array of stunning landscapes and spectacular wild animals.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 90 minutes
With countless gorgeous riverbank pathways and a wealth of amenities – including a bar, resident lounge, dining patio, golf course and safari boutique – Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa is your gateway to safari splendour. Enjoy a wide range of included activities, all the while accompanied by the resort’s impeccable service and expertise.
During your included drives, watch for elephants feeding and washing, spot stampeding herds of buffalo and keep an eye out for hyenas hiding from majestic lions. Encounter up to 16 types of antelope, including the rare, semi-aquatic puku, red lechwe and sitatunga. Depending on the season, you may also catch the second-largest migration of zebra in Africa.
Say goodbye to Africa’s untamed paradise as you return to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) this afternoon for your onward journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 10am. Please book your flights to depart from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) after 1pm. Please note that the first scheduled flight of the day from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) to O.R.Tambo International Airport (JNB) does not leave until 1.55pm.