Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls (3847)

12 Day Tour from Johannesburg to Johannesburg

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From historical sites to natural wonders, your tour of South Africa and Victoria Falls is an adventure like no other. You’ll begin in Johannesburg’s Soweto Township to learn about its turbulent past and hopeful future. Visit the thought-provoking Apartheid Museum and Mandela House, located in the former neighborhood of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Your escorted African vacation continues through some of the world’s most sweeping and dramatic landscapes on your way to Kruger National Park area. Marvel at God’s Window (a forested ravine and majestic cliffs), and the stunning cascades of Lisbon and Berlin Falls. Your African safari begins in the Kruger park area with morning and afternoon game drives through the homes of the big cats, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, gazelle, and more. You’ll visit Cape Town and ascend to Table Mountain via cable car for spectacular views. On boulders Beach, you’ll observe a colony of endangered penguins, then venture to Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point at the continent’s most southwestern tip.

In Zimbabwe, stand in awe as you witness and hear the roar of stunning Victoria Falls, the world’s largest falls and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Your tour to Victoria Falls and South Africa is an adventure into historic heritage and wilderness wonder of this spectacular part of the continent.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Safari Guide/Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery African safari vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Filtered Water: Included on all game drives

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls map

 Photo Highlights

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Cape Point Nature Reserve

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners


Notes:

  • All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Welcome to Africa! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 JOHANNESBURG

Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest township in the country. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two 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, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. After lunch, visit the unforgettable Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era. Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson Mandela president.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 3 JOHANNESBURG–KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA

Depart Johannesburg and explore the Panoramic Route known for its dramatic landscapes. Along the way, see God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, and Berlin Falls. Continue on to the Kruger National Park area.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 4 KRUGER AREA

The Kruger area is home to an abundance of wildlife including the famed “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Your skilled, professional guide will help you learn about this special ecosystem as you view wildlife up close on morning and afternoon game drives. Beyond the “Big 5,” you’ll have the chance to see kudu, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more! Return to your resort in time to freshen up for dinner.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 5 KRUGER AREA

Rise early 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. Spend some time at leisure in the middle of the day. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Later, embark on your final exciting game drive.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 6 KRUGER AREA–CAPE TOWN

Enjoy some time at leisure this morning before flying to beautiful Cape Town.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 CAPE TOWN

Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands. Next, visit Boulders Beach where you will see a colony of endangered African Penguins, known for the unique sound they make. After free time for lunch, continue on to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. On your return journey back to Cape Town, skirt the rocky coastline as you ascend Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion to the stunning Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or cruise to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 CAPE TOWN–VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Today, leave South Africa and fly north to Zimbabwe.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 VICTORIA FALLS

Today, visit mighty Victoria Falls for an awe-inspiring experience. Enjoy a guided walk, where you will learn the history of the falls and hear fascinating details about the surrounding flora and fauna. Afterwards, enjoy a bit of free time. This evening, a cruise on the Zambezi River affords you a great opportunity to photograph wildlife and a spectacular African sunset!

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 VICTORIA FALLS

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps take a helicopter flight over the falls or take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 12 VICTORIA FALLS–JOHANNESBURG

Your tour ends with a flight back to Johannesburg. Schedule departing flights after 5:30 pm.

Breakfast Breakfast


Transportation:

Private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring. Open-air safari vehicle in Kruger National Park. Intra-vacation flights.

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

LINDA LIEBENBERG

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Most people know about Cape Town and great safari experiences, but South Africa has so much more to offer. From great wine and food to its fascinating history and people, I look forward to guiding you on a vacation you won't soon forget.”

Tour Director - LINDA LIEBENBERG

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Cape Town
Victoria Falls

Cape Town

Cape Winelands

Cape Winelands

Sample wine and explore the picturesque valleys and vineyards in the beautiful Cape Winelands outside of Cape Town.

Price Range: $$

Hermanus Whale Watching (Private)

Hermanus Whale Watching (Private)

Journey to Hermanus, one of the world's whale-watching meccas, for your chance to see the rare southern right whale.

Price Range: $$$$

Victoria Falls

Helicopter Flight Over Victoria Falls

Helicopter Flight Over Victoria Falls

Take to the sky for great views of Victoria Falls.

Price Range: $$$$

Game Drive in Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve

Game Drive in Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve

Journey to Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve for an exciting game drive.

Price Range: $$$$

Home Hosted Dinner

Home Hosted Dinner

Join a local family for dinner and fascinating conversation all while learning about the local culture and traditions.

Price Range: $

Village Visit

Village Visit

Visit a rural village for fascinating interactions with the local people and gain an insight into their life and culture.

Price Range: $$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).