South Africa and Botswana | Adventure Unbound

This unique 10-day itinerary combines a visit to the city of Cape Town with visits to two little-known corners of Southern Africa that boast few tourists and a rich tapestry of wildlife.  Beginning in Cape Town, we enjoy the city’s seamless ability to blend natural rawness and cosmopolitan creature comforts before heading out to the surrounding area. The city’s backdrop is a stunning sweep of mountainous heights, impressive cliffs, and a stretch of plateau known as Table Mountain. We hike the to the top of Table Mountain, where we get to experience what’s been described as one of the most epic views in Africa. 

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Day 1: Welcome to Cape Town!

Upon arrival, you are greeted by your guide and transferred to your accommodations. Depending on your arrival time, you have the duration of the afternoon to explore at your leisure.

ACCOMMODATION : Winchester Mansions
MEALS INCLUDED : None

Day 2: Table Mountain, Botanical Gardens, Castles and Museums

After breakfast, we transfer from our accommodations to the lower cable car station at Table Mountain. We ascend the mountain in an aerial cable car before beginning our roughly two-hour hike at the upper cable station to explore  the plateau of  Maclears Beacon, where the highest point  is 1087 meters (3566 feet). We descend via a different route, discovering countless new and breathtaking views. We then transfer to Bo Kaap, otherwise known as the Cape Malay Quarter. We’ll feel as though we’re walking through a picture book with the bright, vibrant, Crayola-esque colored terraces and cobbled streets! Here, we enjoy a traditional lunch and learn a bit about the heritage of Cape Malay. After lunch, we drive through the Malay Quarter and the city of Cape Town.   
Continuing our day, , we enjoy a stroll through the Company Gardens, a large public park and botanical garden set in the heart of Cape Town. Within the garden, there are a number of notable buildings including the South African Museum, established in 1852. We then visit  the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in South Africa and home to the famous William Fehr Collection of historic artworks.   
We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, where we enjoy dinner and unwind before settling in our rooms for the evening.
ACCOMMODATION : Winchester Mansions
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kayak the False Bay Coast of Cape Peninsula

Today, we trade our hiking shoes for paddles as we head to the navel hamlet of Simon’s Town for  breakfast.  Then we travel to the False Bay Coast of Cape Peninsula  to embark on our sea kayaking adventure. We paddle past the Naval Harbor out to Boulders Beach, where, with luck, we are greeted by penguins! We also stop on a semi-private beach for refreshments, swimming, and snorkeling.   
After our kayak adventure we enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant, before continuing  to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point is home to an array of fynbos, more than 250 species of birds, buck, baboons, and Cape Mountain zebra. There are numerous picnic spots, paths, and tidal pools on isolated beaches.   
Our day continues with a drive along the coast though Noordhoek, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, and the Atlantic Seaboard, and finally, back to our hotel. Upon arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city until dinner.
ACCOMMODATION : Winchester Mansions
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Game Drive in the Leshiba Wilderness

Today, we take a game drive in the astonishing Leshiba Wilderness. We depart from Cape Town by plane and fly to the northern Limpopo via Johannesburg. The Leshiba Wilderness lies in a hidden valley on top of the Soutpansberg mountains in the Limpopo Province. The reserve has one of the country’s most unique environments, with a high biodiversity of flora and fauna. Leshiba offers unrivaled scenery, unspoiled nature, an array of wildlife, and countless endemic species. The area is also steeped in the mysterious legends of the Venda people. The artwork of renowned sculptor Noria Mabasa and the woodwork carvings of David Murathi are found throughout the lodge, bringing these stories to life.  
There are ten marked trails weaving along cliff faces, down gorges, and through open plains, so you may take a picnic and explore at your leisure, enjoying a dip in a mountain pool en-route.
ACCOMMODATION : Leshiba Wilderness - Venda Village Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Day of Primates!

Today, choose a guided walk or enjoy another game drive.
 
The reserve is a sanctuary for white rhino, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, bushpig and warthog, while large antelope are represented by amongst others kudu, waterbuck, mountain reedbuck and impala. The Soutpansberg is also the only place in South Africa where you can find all 5 primates including the lesser and thick-tailed bushbaby, samango and vervet monkeys and chakma baboons. 
 
The two-hour guided walk will depart from the lodge around 7:30am and our experienced guides show you how to identify trees, track animals and take you up close and personal with the wildlife including rhino. The two-hour game drive departs the lodge in the evening around 4 - 4:30pm and we enjoy sundowners en-route!
ACCOMMODATION : Leshiba Wilderness - Venda Village Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Welcome to Botswana - Elephants, Lions and Giraffe!

The far eastern corner of Botswana is known as the Tuli Block. Located on the South Africa/Zimbabwe border, the Tuli Block is unbelievably picturesque, offering a diverse wilderness of lush river-hugging forests, savannah plains, open marshlands, and striking red rocky formations. Highlights of the region include the Motlouste ruins, where ancient Baobab trees tower over stone-age ruins dating back more than 30,000 years. Fences are few, allowing the natural migration of animals to continue along historic routes beside large sections of the Limpopo River. We watch large herds of elephants, with luck will have big cat sightings, and enjoy prolific birding. 
 
This area is home to no less than seven of Africa’s giants: the African elephant, the lion, the giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich and the kori bustard.
ACCOMMODATION : Mashatu Tent Camp
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Tuli Block Game Drives - (optional: Cycling Safari)

This morning, we join one of Mashatu’s expert guides while we witness the habits of the wild animals of Africa. We learn about the hidden secrets of nature, find small, hidden creatures, see how the eco-system involves the inter-relatedness of species, and learn to track animals by their footprints. 
 
This afternoon, we go on a mountain bike safari and see the bush from a completely different perspective. (If you’d rather not ride, a walking option is possible.) Our experienced guides accompany you as you pedal their way along ancient elephant paths. Cycling amid the “Giants of Mashatu” is an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the mountain bike safaris are tailored to suit the fitness and strength of the riders.
ACCOMMODATION : Mashatu Tent Camp
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Walking Safari

This morning, feel the earth under your feet during a walking safari, where we discover more about the plant and insect life, track large animals, and learn about the medicinal value of plants. 
 
Returning to the lodge for the usual late brunch followed by a rest, we embark in the afternoon on a game drive accompanied by an experienced game guide and tracker. This is our chance to get up-close-and-personal with some of the larger game species and view the profusion of bird life that abounds in the area. At sunset, we stop in the bush for sundowners, where we experience the magic of the bush as the sun sinks into the dusty horizon. As darkness approaches, the trackers scan the bush with a powerful spotlight, and point out any elusive nocturnal nightlife that may appear before heading back to camp for dinner.
ACCOMMODATION : Mashatu Tent Camp
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Goodbye Botswana, Hello Johannesburg!

Leaving Botswana in the morning we cross back into South Africa and then board a commercial flight to return to Johannesburg.  With a rich history stemming from gold and diamond mining, dating back to the 1800’s, the city’s local name, Egoli, means “The City of Gold.” Today, Johannesburg is a wealthy and fast-paced city, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, earning its reputation as the “New York of Africa,” while also being considered one of the largest man-made forests in the world.   
The political history of the region is highly prevalent in the Apartheid, Hector Pieterson, and Constitution Hill Museums. A stay in Johannesburg would be incomplete without a visit to Gold Reef City, a theme park created around a 19th century gold mine, the De Wildt cheetah rehabilitation center, and the award-winning Maropeng cradle of humankind (a World Heritage Site).
ACCOMMODATION : Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Johannesburg
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Departure Home (or on to Victoria Falls!)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and reflect on the awe-inspiring experience of getting a close-up perspective of seemingly storybook wildlife! Depending on your departure time, catch your flight home or continue your travels with a trip extension to Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls!

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast

Dates & Rates

Supplementary Information

Daily departures, year round. Only a two guest minimum to run a trip!

Included:

  • 9 Nights Accommodation
  • Meals as specified
  • Drinks as specified
  • Touring and transfers as specified
  • English-speaking guide to accompany the group throughout
  • Domestic Flights (Cape Town – Johannesburg; Johannesburg – Polokwane; Polokwane – Johannesburg)

Not Included:

  • International Flights
  • Any meals or drinks not specified
  • Park Fees/ Conservation levies not specified
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature

FAQ & More

When is the best time to visit Botswana?

Botswana has a hot, wet summer (between October and April), and a cooler, dry winter (from May to the end of September). Game viewing is at its peak during the dry winter months of May to October, when animals are concentrated in ever-increasing numbers at water sources. Game viewing is excellent in the months of June to August, with virtually no rain and cooler temperatures.

When is the Okavango Delta in full flood?

The flood waters from Angola start to return in May and remain fairly full to July/August.

How much luggage can I take?

International airlines mostly work on an allowance of 23kg (about 50 lbs) for checked bags and 1 carry-on. However if you are traveling by light aircraft between locations in Botswana you will be allowed a total of 15kg (about 33 lbs) including your carry-on. This allowance is at the Captain’s discretion and will depend on whether the flight is full but we advise you to err on the side of caution and to assume that this is your weight limit. Most lodges offer a laundry service which is often free of charge so we suggest you take advantage of this to reduce your luggage.

What should I take on safari?

Cotton layers such as t-shirts, a light fleece, shorts and a pair of long trousers are the key items. The temperature can vary quite a bit from the early morning game drive to the heat of the day. Sunscreen, a hat and a swimsuit are the other necessities. It is best to avoid bright colors for a safari. Footwear should include a pair of sandals or flip flops and some walking shoes (trainers would be fine). We also recommend the following items; insect repellent, headache/pain killer tablets, Imodium and as a precaution some rehydration sachets. It is easy to get dehydrated without noticing even though drinking water will be readily available.

Can I charge my camera/phone on safari?

Almost all safari lodges in Botswana have either a generator or solar power. This will provide electricity to the camp, but you may not have plug points in your room. There will be somewhere that you can charge your camera or phone but this maybe in the Managers office.

Can I use my credit card?

Yes, all lodges will accept credit cards for purchases such as souvenirs. It is also wise to carry some cash for staff gratuities, US Dollars are gratefully received, there is no need to change money into Botswana Pula. US Dollars are also accepted at the airport café should you wish to purchase drinks, but change will be given in Pula.

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