Cape Town to Victoria Falls - The Grand Journey

1 night at Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate Hotel

Located at the top of the Mpumalanga Escarpment, the Highlands lie at the intersection of the Cultural Heartland and the Panorama Route. Beautiful mountain passes, breathtaking waterfalls, charming forests, and crystal-clear streams are features of the region. The area is perfect for nature lovers and the adventurous at heart. The imposing mountains and rivers offer thrilling activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and paragliding. There is also a vibrant art and crafts community. People often refer to the Highlands Meander as a 'Gateway to the Lowveld', one of the landmarks near Gauteng and Nelspruit. 

2 nights at Hannah Game Lodge

South Africa's scenic Panorama Route connects several cultural and natural attractions. It runs through the Mpumalanga province, surrounding the third largest canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon. Its popularity is primarily due to its proximity to the Kruger National Park. There are many attractions among the natural highlights – like the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, the many farmstalls, art galleries and cultural village experiences, along with many guided or self-guided hiking routes. The most prominent attraction is 'God's Window', offering stunning views down to the expansive lowveld.

2 nights at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp

The Timbavati Private Game Reserve lies in the western region of the Kruger National Park, north of Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. The borders between these reserves are unfenced, allowing greater freedom of access to wildlife. Timbavati is most famous for its white lions. In ancient Sangaan, the word Timbavati means "the place where something sacred came down from heaven", referring to these genetically rare animals that are not albino but rather classified as a subspecies of lion. Known as a world-renowned honeymoon destination, the reserve uniquely offers luxury in a way unlike anywhere else. 

Included Services:

Shindzela included activities

1 night at Leshiba Wilderness

Perched atop the rugged Soutpansberg Mountains, Leshiba Wilderness commands a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Explore the rich cultural heritage through guided tours to ancient rock art sites, showcasing the artistic legacy of indigenous people. Hiking trails wind through pristine wilderness, revealing cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation. Birdwatchers can enjoy a diverse array of avian species, while stargazers marvel at the unpolluted night sky. For the adventurous, rock climbing and abseiling offer adrenaline-fueled thrills against a backdrop of towering cliffs. The plateau boasts over 360 tree species and served as a pilgrimage site for early hunter-gatherers from the San and Khoe Khoe tribes, who collected medicinal and useful herbs. Explore the Venda Art Village, restored with the help of renowned Venda artists Noria Mabasa and Thomas Kubayi, in a tribute to Venda art, myths, magic, and legends.

2 nights at Mapesu Wilderness Camp

Tucked away in the unspoiled expanse of northern Limpopo, the Mapesu Private Game Reserve spans 7,200 hectares of diverse and scenic landscapes, ranging from lush mopane bushveld to the grandeur of baobab trees. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to encounter a wide array of species, including the revered Big Five – elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The reserve also teems with other iconic African wildlife, such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles. The vibrant birdlife of the reserve adds to its allure, featuring an array of avian species from majestic eagles to colourful hornbills. Moreover, within the reserve lies Koaxa's Rock Art Shelter, an archaeological gem that unveils ancient Bushmen art, some dating back 3,000 years, adding a rich layer of cultural significance to this remarkable destination.

Other things to do at this location:

Mapesu Game Reserve Game Drive

Mapungubwe Excursion

1 night at Phokoje Bush Lodge

Selebi Phikwe is a mining town located in Botswana's Central District. It is best known for its copper-nickel mine, which provides most of the local employment. This town is situated on a route connecting South Africa with the popular destinations of Okavango and Chobe. It boasts significant potential for birdwatching and fishing, with shopping malls scattered throughout the area. Selebi Phikwe hosts the largest marathon in Botswana and is recognized as one of the best globally by the International Association of Athletics Federations. The town is unique and an exciting place to visit when exploring the country. 

2 nights at Gweta Lodge

Gweta is in a small village in the Okavango-Chobe region of Botswana, generally considered the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans. It derived its name from the sound of croaking bullfrogs, which bury themselves in the sand until the rainy season arrives. Camping and upmarket lodging are both available. Many lodges offer guided tours and overnight camps on the salt pans, walks around the baobab trees, and a cultural visit to the local village. Activities of the area include game viewing, guided walks, and horseback rides. However, Gweta's gigantic Baobab trees are the attraction that leaves visitors speechless. 

Other things to do at this location:

Baobab Forest Sundowner Excursion

Ntwetwe Salt Pan and Meerkat Adventure

2 nights at Oddballs' Enclave Camp

Moremi Game Reserve is a protected area in Botswana. It is found in the eastern parts of the Okavango Delta - home to one of Africa's richest ecosystems. The reserve homes the region's major herbivores and carnivores, and there have been recent reintroductions of Black and White Rhinos, making it a Big Five destination. Here, visitors can enjoy game-viewing in abundance and be amazed by the Delta's prolific birdlife. Explore this wildlife wonder by vehicle, foot, traditional mokoro, or horseback safaris. Boat cruises, elephant interactions, helicopter rides and walking safaris are all activities offered at Moremi. 

Included Services:

Oddballs Enclave included activities

1 night at Elephant Sands Lodge

Nata is a village in Botswana's central district. It is situated at a crossroads between routes north and west and provides a stop-over for those travelling to Maun. Nata is dotted by Mokolwane palms, where the river delta feeds into the Sua Pan, a place of refuge for those seeking peace and quiet. Here, four-wheel drives to the salt pans are a fun way to explore the area. The bird sanctuary is a community project and a must to visit! It is home to 165 bird species, including flamingoes and pelicans. Many accommodation options are available to travellers, including game reserves, lodges, hotels and camping sites. 

2 nights at Chobe Elephant Camp

The Chobe River Front in Botswana runs along the northernmost part of Chobe National Park. In addition to being the country's second-largest park, it offers spectacular game viewing all year round, as it is home to some of the largest wildlife populations in Africa. Lions, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, and Cheetahs live here in high numbers. The park also hosts antelope species such as Sable, Puku, Tsessebe, Eland and the rare Chobe Bushbuck. A notable characteristic of the region is the massive concentration of elephants. In this park, there are the most significant surviving populations of elephants in the world. 

Included Services:

Chobe included activities

2 nights at Shongwe Lookout

Victoria Falls is a magnificent sight of awe-inspiring beauty on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The vast, basalt cliffs over which the falls thunder turn the Zambezi from a placid river into rapids that carve their way through dramatic gorges. The falls have been declared a National Park and World Heritage Site and are also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At the falls, you'll find activities like swimming, bungee jumping, and zip-lining. Additionally, there are calmer activities, including sunset cruises, walking tours and elephants interactions. 

Other things to do at this location:

Wild Horizons Helicopter Flight (13 min)

Wild Horizons Tour of the Falls Zimbabwe

Wild Horizons Zambezi Sunset Cruise