VRR10Lf: Kafue Safari + Victoria Falls + Cape Town

Day 1

You will be met at Lusaka Airport, Zambia and after customs formalities connect with your 2-hour flight to Mfuwe Airport or Luamfwa airstrip, where you will be met and transferred to your safari lodge in the famous South Luangwa National Park.

Check in to your game lodge situated in Zambia’s oldest game reserve and enjoy your first open top game viewing drive in this outstanding wilderness area. Game drives are conducted twice a day (early morning and late afternoon) by experienced rangers in open-top safari vehicles.

Game is best sighted in the dry season from April to October, but the beauty of the park is at its best after the rains in the first half of the year. Most lodges close during the rainy season from late November to March.

Day 2

Kafue National Park is the largest game reserve in Zambia, having been proclaimed in 1950 and at 14,000 square miles (22,400 square kilometres) is about the size of Wales.

From the vast wetlands of Busanga Plains in the northwest that flood from March to May, to the lush and tree-choked south, the park is a raw slice of African wilderness that sustains huge herds of diverse wildlife fed by the Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers.

Large prides of lion, solitary leopards and cheetah are the main predators, feeding on the thousands of red lechwe, waterbuck, tsessebe, hartebeest, zebra, puku, sable, roan and diminutive oribi and duiker that live on the plains and in the woodlands. Also buffalo and host of smaller carnivores such as the side-striped jackal, civet, genet & mongoose.

Rise early each morning, when game viewing conditions are at their best, to view the game of this great wildlife wilderness. With over 60 different animal species and over 400 bird species, including four of the Big 5 – lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard (sadly rhino has been poached to extinction), an unforgettable game viewing experience is guaranteed.

Superb fishing for bream, barbel and pike is also available on Lunga and Kafue Rivers, which are home to large numbers of hippopotamus, crocodiles and water monitors.

Each evening relax by the campfire under clear African skies in this remote wilderness and hear the untamed sounds of wildlife all around!

Day 3

Return transfer to your lodge airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Livingstone.

You will be met at Livingstone Airport and transferred to your hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River, near the mighty Victoria Falls. Check in, settle-in and relax whilst you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Smoke That Thunders first discovered by Dr. David Livingstone and still one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is greatest during the wet months (February to June) but the falls are a magnificent sight at any time of year.

Days 4 and 5

Today explore on foot the mighty Victoria Falls situated close to your hotel and offering magnificent views.

Later relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the many pleasures of your hotel, or participate in one of the many local activities, such as a helicopter flight over the falls or an elephant-back safari.

Adrenalin seekers can participate in many adventure holiday activities, such as canoeing in the gentler rapids above the falls; white water rafting in the turbulent gorge below the falls (grade 5); or watch bungi jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge. There is also an interesting local craft market.

On one afternoon enjoy a Sunset Cruise on the Zambesi River to see hippos, crocodiles and the abundant bird life.

Day 6

Return transfer to Livingstone Airport for your 2-hour flight to Johannesburg and onward 2-hour flight to Cape Town.

You will be met at Cape Town Airport and transferred to your luxury hotel conveniently situated near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Check in and relax in your magnificent surroundings.

Day 7

Today is free for independent sightseeing in Cape Town.

You will be given a day pass for the convenient red Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all Cape Town’s key sights and beaches. Start by ascending Table Mountain by cable car (optional) to enjoy one of the world’s most famous views.

Continue to Camps Bay beach and then explore the shops and many other attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is also the centre of Cape Town’s nightlife.

Day 8

Today choose between a small group tour to either:

• Cape Point where two oceans meet, and where you may see baboons, penguins, ostrich, antelope and dolphins; or
  
  Your tour travels along spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, returning via Simons Town, Constantia and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. There is also the opportunity of visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (optional)

• Stellenbosch Winelands to visit some of the famous the wine estates of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek; or
  
  Your tour includes at least three wine tastings and a tour of the historic university town of Stellenbosch. There is also the opportunity of touching a cheetah (optional)

• Hermanus for a full day of whale watching in season (July to November)
  
  Your tour travels over Sir Lowry’s Pass with spectacular views of False Bay and includes wine tasting at the Hamilton Russell estate (closed Sundays) and a visit to the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its fynbos flora and bird life. There is also the opportunity of taking a boat ride for closer views of the whales (optional)

You will be collected from your hotel just before 09h00 and return to Cape Town at around 17h30

Days 9 and 10

At leisure in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Explore the many sights of Cape Town or choose one of the many optional excursions available, such as a visit to Robben Island the infamous prison home of Nelson Mandela.

Alternatively simply relax on golden Camp’s Bay beach – the choice is yours!

Day 11

Return transfer to Cape Town Airport for your journey home.