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Globus Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls with Chobe River Cruise(QSE4)

15 Day Tour from Capetown to Johannesburg 
Want the lion’s share of colorful 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-colored streets of its 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 most 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.

Want to end your Africa tour with the royal treatment? A relaxing 3-night Chobe River cruise aboard the Chobe Princess houseboat is just the ticket. This intimate safari experience offers a sense of exclusivity and a unique, up-close glimpse at wildlife and local village life. Friendly staff are available to assist at all times and hearty meals ensure you have the energy to make the most of each day. Oh, and did we mention the spacious cabins with panoramic windows and viewing deck with plunge pool? So, you’ll feel at one with nature no matter throughout your cruise!

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
 Motherly Love
Welcome to Cape Town, commonly referred to as the “Mother City” by locals. Hotel check-in available mid-afternoon.
Day 2CAPE TOWN
 City Sauntering and Soaring Heights
Start at the Grand Parade to see the Castle of Good Hope and City Hall. Take a walk to see more of Cape Town’s landmarks including St. George’s Cathedral, Parliament, and The Company’s Garden. Then, explore the [LF] Bo-Kaap neighborhood, also known as the Malay Quarter, including a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum. After a traditional Malay lunch, take a scenic cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain for stunning 360-degree views over the city.

(B,L,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
URBAN RAINBOW Founded by former slaves in the 1750s, Bo-Kaap is a true melting pot of cultures and has been declared a national monument. As you stroll past colorful houses ranging from lime-green and pink to orange, reflecting Dutch and British architecture, your local guide will introduce you to the history and stories of this lively neighborhood.
Day 3CAPE 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, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African penguins. Free time this evening.

(B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TUXEDO JUNCTION Jackets aren’t actually 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, but Boulders Beach is the premiere viewing spot.
Day 4CAPE TOWN
 Free to Wander
Full day at leisure for your own discoveries in this beautiful city.

(B)

FREE TIME TIPS
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 (Jun.-Oct.). This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.
Day 5CAPE TOWN–HOEDSPRUIT–MAKALALI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
 Operation Safari
Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Makalali Private Game Reserve. Arrive in the home to an abundance of wildlife including the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Embark your custom safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive with a skilled tracker and professional Ranger. Sip sundowner drinks before returning to your lodge for dinner.

(B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Staying in a private game reserve is the ultimate safari experience in South Africa as you can go off-road to get up close to the wildlife. That’s exactly the experience delivered at Makalali Main Lodge, a stylish lodge featuring a 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!
Day 6MAKALALI
 Makalali Magic
Rise between 5 am and 5:30 am for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a 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
SUNDOWNER DRINKS This evening, as the sun sets over the majestic Drakensburg Mountains, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush in the nostalgic tradition of early safari explorers.
Day 7MAKALALI
 Spotting Skills
Use the time on your morning and afternoon game drives to practice and perfect your game-spotting skills. (B,L,D)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE When not on a game drive, do as the lions do with a rest in the heat of the day. Take time to enjoy your lodge amenities, take a swim in the pool, enjoy a wellness treatment, or kick back on a viewing deck or your private balcony to watch nearby wildlife.
Day 8MAKALALI–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)
Day 9JOHANNESBURG
 From the Dark Enters Light
Guided sightseeing includes a visit to [LF] Soweto (Southwestern Township) and the Apartheid Museum to learn about the dark apartheid years up to the historic 1994 elections that ended the apartheid era.

(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 will share stories along the way as you see the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the former neighborhoods of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela. Gain some perspective of life here at Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960.
Day 10JOHANNESBURG–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
WILD ON THE WATER Transfer to the Zambezi River’s edge and board your 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!
Day 11VICTORIA FALLS
 Smoke From 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 powerful falls. Your guide will introduce you to the history of the falls and fascinating details about the surrounding flora and fauna with plenty of time for photos. Free time late morning and early afternoon. Your Tour Director hosts a riverside farewell dinner this evening.

(B,D)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Soar high above the falls on an optional helicopter ride or visit a local village. Free-time options are available for purchase at MyGlobus.
Day 12VICTORIA FALLS–KASANE, BOTSWANA–CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA
 Embarkation Elation
Transfer by road to Botswana 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
SHIP SPOTLIGHT Carrying a maximum of just 8 guests, the all-inclusive river safari experience on the Chobe Princess is like being on your very own intimate houseboat. Onboard you’ll have a team of helpful staff and talented river guides to provide you with the best 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 public spaces including an open plan lounge, bar, outdoor viewing deck, and a plunge pool!
Day 13CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER
 Relaxed Adventure
Choice of morning activities include a water-based safari by tender boat, tour of a Namibian village, bird watching, and a tiger fishing excursion. Return to the ship for lunch and some time to relax. This afternoon, embark on a water-based safari where you can get up close to a wide array of wildlife including crocodile, 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 elephant may be seen crossing the river, as well as hippos and crocs. Sharing the life-giving waters of the Chobe River is a menagerie or other mammal species and bird life who take advantage of the river’s wide banks and lush grasses in one of Africa’s most scenic and tranquil ecosystems.
Day 14CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER
 Wildlife Wonderland
Choice of activities in the morning and afternoon. Choose from a water-based 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)
Day 15CRUISING: CHOBE RIVER–KASANE–JOHANNESBURG
 And, Scene
Disembark and transfer to Kasane for your flight to Johannesburg where your tour ends at the airport. Schedule departing flights after 7 pm.

(B)

Included Globus Meals

Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

Globus Notes

All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.
Table Mountain cableway annual maintenance – For approximately one month each year, typically from late July to late August, the cableway is closed for annual maintenance and Table Mountain cannot be visited. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included.

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Globus Tour Dates


Guaranteed Departure  indicates Guaranteed Departure
*Tour Land StartGlobus RetailRequest Quote
Guaranteed Departure 11/04/2024 $6,839.00
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