South Africa Travel Guide: Cape Town to Victoria Falls
MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF CAPE TOWN
Cape Town was love-at-first-sight: the sun casting its orange rays on Table Mountain and the layered coastline lapped by aqua blue waters, had me hooked.
Whenever someone asks about my favorite travel destination, South Africa always makes the list. Severin and I took a 10-day trip in April 2024, and honestly, it felt like our real honeymoon (we even joked we wished it had been, instead of our South of France getaway). From luxury train rides and golden sunsets to unforgettable wildlife encounters and the best gin and tonics, it was pure magic, a dream trip in every sense.
Here’s a look at our unforgettable itinerary:
Days 1–2: Cape Town & Stellenbosch
Morning (Day 1)
- Arrive in Cape Town; transfer to your hotel in the City Bowl or V&A Waterfront.
- Take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for panoramic views of the city and coastline.
Afternoon
- Stroll the V&A Waterfront: browse boutiques, visit the Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art museum, and enjoy lunch at a harbor‑side café.
Evening
- Dinner in the bohemian Kloof Street district, try local seafood with South African wine pairings.
Day 2
- Day trip to Stellenbosch (30–40 minutes by car): tour historic wine estates, taste signature varietals, and explore the oak‑lined streets of this charming university town.
- Return to Cape Town for dinner at a farm‑to‑table restaurant in the Gardens neighborhood.
Days 3–7: Luxury on Rails with Rovos Rail
Departure (Day 3)
- Board the Rovos Rail train at Cape Town station. Settled into your Edwardian‑style suite, enjoy a champagne welcome in the lounge car.
Onboard Experience
- Savor gourmet meals in the dining car, breakfast with views of the Karoo desert, multi‑course dinners under crystal chandeliers.
- Evenings in the observation lounge or bar, where you can sip brandy and watch the stars.
Excursions En Route
- Matjiesfontein: Explore a Victorian village frozen in time.
- Kimberley Big Hole: Descend into the world’s largest hand‑dug excavation.
- Bloemfontein: Visit the Anglo-Boer War Museum or the Free State National Botanical Garden.
Arrival (Day 7)
- Disembark in Pretoria; private transfer to Johannesburg for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Johannesburg at the Peech Hotel
- Check into the Peech Hotel in Parkview, an eco‑boutique property with art‑filled rooms and a lush courtyard.
- Afternoon spa treatment or stroll to the nearby Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
- Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, featuring locally sourced ingredients and contemporary South African cuisine.
Day 9: Safari Kick‑Off at Simbavati River Lodge
- Fly Airlink from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit.
- Transfer to Simbavati River Lodge on the banks of the Olifants River.
- Late‑afternoon game drive in the Greater Kruger area, spot elephants drinking at the river’s edge.
- Dinner under the stars, accompanied by nocturnal wildlife sounds.
Day 10: Bush Luxury at Simbavati Camp George
- Morning walking safari with a ranger, track rhinos and learn about local flora.
- Afternoon at leisure: lounge by the pool or enjoy a riverside spa treatment.
- Evening night drive in search of leopards and hyenas.
Days 11–13: Private Game Experience at Lion Sands Tinga
- Transfer into Sabi Sands Game Reserve and check in to Lion Sands Tinga Lodge.
- Two full days of exclusive safari drives with private guide and vehicle, spot the Big Five in one of Africa’s most exclusive reserves.
- Optional cultural visit to a nearby Shangaan village.
- Sunset river cruise on the Sabie River to observe hippos and birdlife.
- Indulgent meals on your private deck overlooking the bush.
Day 14: Cross‑Border to Victoria Falls
- Morning transfer to Skukuza Airport, fly to Victoria Falls via Airlink.
- Arrive and transfer to The Elephant Camp: a tented safari lodge where elephant interactions and Zambezi sunsets await.
- Late‑afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Day 15: Immersive Victoria Falls at Old Drift Lodge
- Early‑morning walking safari on the banks of the Zambezi, look for wild dog and buffalo.
- Afternoon helicopter flight over Victoria Falls (the “Flight of Angels”).
- Evening at Old Drift Lodge, with fire‑side cocktails and panoramic views of the spray from the Falls.
Day 16: Departure
Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight home.
Morning at leisure: final walk to the Falls viewpoint or a last dip in the lodge’s infinity pool.
South Africa stole our hearts in every possible way. From the vibrant city energy of Cape Town to the peaceful moments on safari, every day brought something unforgettable. It wasn’t just a vacation, it was a life-changing experience that inspired a new chapter for me with Go Cape Town Travel. I can’t wait to help others discover the same magic we found there.
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