Tour Highlights – Southern Africa Discovery Tour
Discover the very best of Southern Africa on this unforgettable 14-night adventure. From the vibrant streets of Johannesburg and the moving history of Soweto, to the breathtaking Panorama Route, thrilling Big Five safaris in the greater Kruger, and a grand finale taking in Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Cape Point and the majestic Victoria Falls.
- Johannesburg & Soweto
- Panorama Route
- Kruger National Park Safari
- Cape Town & the Winelands
- Cape Point
- Victoria Falls
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa
Welcome to the economic heart of South Africa, the beating urban pulse of Johannesburg – the legendary City of Gold. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your stylish accommodation, where the rest of the day is yours to unwind.
Settle in and savour your first taste of South African hospitality – relax beside the sparkling pool with a glass of the country’s celebrated wine, or wander the lush gardens as the African evening sets in.
Overnight: Courtyard Hotel Rosebank
Day 2: Soweto Day Tour
Today you delve into the living history of South Africa with a guided tour of Soweto, the township that shaped a nation. Drive past the iconic Baragwanath Hospital before visiting the historic Regina Mundi Catholic Church, a sanctuary at the heart of the struggle.
Trace the very route taken by schoolchildren during the 1976 Soweto Uprising to the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum. Continue to Vilakazi Street – the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela – and step inside the Mandela House Museum.
Round off this unforgettable day with a truly South African feast, enjoying a vibrant African buffet at the famous Sakhumzi or Wandie’s Restaurant.
Overnight: Courtyard Hotel Rosebank
Day 3: Journey to the Kruger
After breakfast, set off on a scenic road journey eastwards from Johannesburg towards the wild heart of the Kruger – around six hours of ever-changing South African landscapes unfolding before you. Arrive in time to settle into your riverside retreat and soak up the sounds of the bushveld.
Overnight: Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Day 4 – 6: The Panorama Route & Kruger National Park
Discover one of South Africa’s most spectacular drives along the Panorama Route, where the Drakensberg escarpment falls away to reveal jaw-dropping views. Marvel at God’s Window, the swirling rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the iconic Three Rondavels.
Expert Tip: Pack sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes, and make sure your camera is fully charged – you won’t want to miss a single photo opportunity.
After completing the Panorama Route, descend towards the legendary Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park
After breakfast, complete the Panorama route, en route the Kruger National Park, you will spend the next 3 nights at the entrance to the Park
During your stay at Bushveld terrace you will enjoy two full days exploring different regions of the iconic Kruger National Park in the comfort of a private air-conditioned vehicle accompanied by your knowledgeable cultural guide.
Day 1 – Southern Kruger & Satara Region
Guests depart early in the morning and enter the park through Phalaborwa Gate before heading south toward the renowned Satara Rest Camp region. Known for its vast open grasslands, Satara is considered one of the best areas in the Kruger for predator sightings, particularly lion, cheetah, and hyena.
Travelling at a relaxed pace, guests will explore a variety of habitats while their guide shares insights into the wildlife, history, culture, and ecology of the region. Along the way, there will be opportunities to encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, numerous antelope species, and an impressive variety of birdlife.
A lunch stop will be made at Satara Rest Camp before continuing the safari through the surrounding wilderness. In the late afternoon, guests return north through the park to their lodge, enjoying further wildlife viewing opportunities along the way.
Day 2 – Northern Kruger & Mopani Region
The following morning, guests once again depart early and venture north through some of the less-visited and most scenic areas of the park toward Mopani Rest Camp.
This region offers a distinctly different safari experience, characterized by extensive mopane woodlands, seasonal pans, and excellent birdwatching opportunities. The quieter roads and diverse landscapes provide a wonderful contrast to the previous day’s exploration of the central grasslands.
Throughout the journey, guests may encounter large elephant herds, buffalo, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, and a variety of bird species while learning about the unique ecosystems that make the northern Kruger so special.
A leisurely lunch stop will be enjoyed at Mopani Rest Camp, overlooking the surrounding wilderness, before beginning the return journey toward Phalaborwa. The afternoon drive provides further opportunities for wildlife sightings and photography as the changing light transforms the landscape.
Returning to the lodge in the late afternoon, guests conclude two rewarding days exploring the contrasting environments of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, having experienced both the predator-rich grasslands of the south and the tranquil wilderness of the north.
Overnight: Bushveld Terrace Hotel, Phalaborwa
Day 7 – 9: Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Trade the open road for the thrill of the wild as you spend three magical nights in the exclusive Karongwe Private Game Reserve. Each day brings two expertly guided safari activities – an early morning and an afternoon drive – offering the very best chances to witness Africa’s iconic wildlife up close. All meals are included, so you can simply relax and embrace the rhythm of the bush.
Overnight: Shiduli Safari Lodge, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Day 10: Transfer to Cape Town
After one final morning safari and breakfast, transfer to Eastgate Airport for your afternoon flight to Cape Town. On arrival you will collect your hire vehicle – your key to exploring the Western Cape over the coming days.
If skies are clear, head straight for Table Mountain. The Cape’s temperate climate makes every clear day precious, so seize the moment and ride the cable car to the summit for breathtaking panoramas across the Cape Peninsula. Afterwards, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing or strolling the buzzing V&A Waterfront.
Overnight: The Hyde All-Suite Hotel, Cape Town
Day 11: The Cape Winelands
Venture north into South Africa’s celebrated Wine Country, visiting handpicked estates in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek while drinking in the postcard-perfect scenery. Indulge in expert wine pairings – with chocolate or cheese – and savour some of the country’s most renowned vintages.
For motoring enthusiasts, an optional visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum reveals one of the world’s rarest private car collections, set on a beautiful wine farm. Return to Cape Town in the early afternoon, just in time for a champagne sunset cruise around the harbour – the unmistakable silhouette of Table Mountain glowing in the golden light.
Overnight: The Hyde All-Suite Hotel, Cape Town
Day 12: Cape Point Tour
After breakfast, journey towards the dramatic south-western tip of Africa – Cape Point. Explore the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at its finest, with magnificent fynbos, abundant birdlife, endemic antelope and zebra, historic lighthouses and tales of shipwrecks, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans appear to meet.
The drive along the Atlantic Seaboard showcases the Western Cape’s glorious beaches, breathtaking vistas and picturesque coastal villages – one of the most scenic stretches in the world. Continue to historic Simon’s Town with its charming Victorian architecture and the much-loved penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Your day ends amid the serene beauty of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – the perfect finale to an unforgettable Cape adventure.
Overnight: The Hyde All-Suite Hotel, Cape Town
Day 13 – 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, where a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River and a guided tour of the thundering Victoria Falls await – a truly awe-inspiring grand finale.
Overnight: Bayete Guest Lodge, Victoria Falls
Day 15: Departure
On the final day of your Southern Africa adventure, catch a midday flight back to Johannesburg or Cape Town to connect with your onward journey home – carrying with you memories to last a lifetime.
Included
- 2 nights at Courtyard Hotel Rosebank, Johannesburg
- Soweto Day Tour
- 1 night at Hippo Hollow Country Estate
- 3 nights at Bushveld Terrace Hotel, Phalaborwa
- 3 nights at Shiduli Safari Lodge, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- All safari activities and meals at Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- 3 nights at The Hyde All-Suite Hotel, Cape Town
- 2 nights at Bayete Guest Lodge, Victoria Falls
- Cape Point and Cape Winelands tours
- Zambezi sunset cruise and guided tour of Victoria Falls
- Road and airport transfers
Excluded
- Flights
- Any additional meals and beverages
- Items of a personal nature
Frequently Asked Questions – Southern Africa Discovery Tour
What is included in the Southern Africa Discovery Tour?
The tour includes 13 nights of accommodation at carefully selected properties including the Courtyard Hotel Rosebank (Johannesburg), Hippo Hollow Country Estate, Bushveld Terrace Hotel (Phalaborwa), Shiduli Safari Lodge (Karongwe Private Game Reserve), The Hyde All-Suite Hotel (Cape Town) and Bayete Guest Lodge (Victoria Falls). It also includes a guided Soweto day tour, all safari activities and meals at Karongwe, Cape Point and Cape Winelands tours, a Zambezi sunset cruise, a guided tour of Victoria Falls, and all road and airport transfers.
How long is the Southern Africa Discovery Tour?
The tour runs for approximately 13 nights / 14 days, covering Southern Africa’s most iconic destinations – from Johannesburg and Soweto to the Panorama Route, the Kruger and Karongwe safaris, Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Cape Point and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
What is the best time of year to visit Southern Africa for a safari?
Southern Africa offers superb game viewing year-round, but the cooler, drier winter months from May to September are widely considered the best for safaris, when sparse vegetation and animals gathering at waterholes make wildlife easier to spot. The summer months bring lush green landscapes, newborn animals and spectacular birdlife.
What wildlife can I expect to see on the Kruger and Karongwe safari?
The greater Kruger and Karongwe Private Game Reserve are home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – as well as cheetah, wild dog, hippo, giraffe, zebra and hundreds of bird species. Karongwe’s private traversing rights and twice-daily guided drives offer intimate, up-close wildlife encounters away from the crowds.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Africa?
Absolutely. The Southern Africa Discovery Tour is perfectly crafted for both first-time Africa travellers and returning visitors. Famba Famba’s expert guides and trusted operators handle every detail, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience from start to finish.
Are flights included in the tour price?
International and domestic flights are not included in the tour price. Famba Famba can assist with flight bookings through our flight booking service. The tour covers all internal road and airport transfers between destinations.
Can this Southern Africa tour be customised?
Yes – every Famba Famba itinerary is fully bespoke. We can adjust the duration, swap properties, add destinations, or tailor the experience to suit your interests and budget. Contact us for a personalised itinerary and quote.