Day 1
Road transfer
CPT (Cape Town, South Africa) to The Portswood Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
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Photo: The Portswood Hotel · Source ↗
An Explore Africa journey
The Essentials of Southern Africa
Ref EA2026003·Indicative from A$6,500 per person·12 nights
When to go
May–Sep is prime dry-season safari; the Cape is best Nov–Mar. Aug–Oct for big game; the Falls are fullest Apr–Jun. May–Oct (dry) for the Okavango flood and concentrated game; Nov–Mar is green and great for birds.
Your country folio
What to know before you go
Practical notes are grouped by destination so each border, currency and season is easy to distinguish.
01Country 1South AfricaShow detailsHide details
South Africa
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Photo: The Portswood Hotel · Source ↗
South Africa is the great all-rounder: Big Five safari, Cape Town, the Winelands, dramatic coastlines and an extensive visitor network in one journey.
Entry requirementsConfirm passport validity, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules with Smartraveller and the destination's official immigration authority before travel.
HealthAsk a travel-health professional for advice specific to this itinerary. Vaccination and malaria guidance varies by route and season.
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR); cards are widely accepted in established visitor areas.
Getting aroundDomestic flights and road transfers connect the main regions; light-aircraft sectors usually have soft-luggage limits.
Best timeMay to September is classic dry-season safari time, while November to March suits the Cape.
02Country 2ZimbabweShow detailsHide details
Zimbabwe
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Photo: Ilala Lodge Hotel · Source ↗
Zimbabwe pairs Victoria Falls with renowned guiding and wildlife areas such as Hwange, Mana Pools and the private reserves around the south-east Lowveld.
Entry requirementsConfirm passport validity, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules with Smartraveller and the destination's official immigration authority before travel.
HealthAsk a travel-health professional for advice specific to this itinerary. Vaccination and malaria guidance varies by route and season.
CurrencyUS dollars are widely used; confirm current payment arrangements before travel.
Getting aroundRoad and light-aircraft transfers connect Victoria Falls with the main safari regions.
Best timeAugust to October is strong for dry-season game viewing; Victoria Falls water levels are usually higher earlier in the year.
03Country 3BotswanaShow detailsHide details
Botswana
Botswana is safari at its most exclusive — the water wilderness of the Okavango Delta, Chobe's elephant herds and the vast Kalahari, protected through a low-volume approach to tourism.
Entry requirementsConfirm passport validity, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules with Smartraveller and the destination's official immigration authority before travel.
HealthAsk a travel-health professional for advice specific to this itinerary. Vaccination and malaria guidance varies by route and season.
CurrencyBotswana Pula (BWP); US dollars are useful for gratuities.
Getting aroundLight-aircraft hops are common between camps and usually require soft-sided luggage.
Best timeMay to October is the classic dry season for the Delta flood and concentrated game viewing.
The journey
Day by day
Days 1–4
The Portswood Hotel
Cape Town · South Africa · 4 nights
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add The Portswood Hotel to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Selected experiences
- Table Mountain Rise & ClimbBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Selected experiences
- Cape Winelands wine adventureBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 5
Road transfer
The Portswood Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa to CPT (Cape Town, South Africa)
Day 5
Scheduled flight
CPT (Cape Town, South Africa) to HDS (Hoedspruit, South Africa)
Arrival timing cannot yet be checked against the property. Please confirm the flight, transfer time and check-in arrangements.
Days 5–8
Kapama River Lodge
Greater Kruger · South Africa · 4 nights
Includes Transfers
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add Kapama River Lodge to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Day 9
Road transfer
Kapama River Lodge, Greater Kruger, South Africa to MQP (Kruger Mpumalanga, South Africa)
Day 9
Scheduled flight
MQP (Kruger Mpumalanga, South Africa) to VFA (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)
Arrival timing cannot yet be checked against the property. Please confirm the flight, transfer time and check-in arrangements.
Day 9
Road transfer
VFA (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe) to Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Days 9–10
Ilala Lodge Hotel
Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe · 2 nights
Stay details
Included · Guided Victoria Falls tour · Zambezi River cruise
Booking guidance
The hotel accepts direct online reservations and maintains a separate agent-reservations team. Explore Africa can show the chosen route in the itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Day 11
Road transfer
Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to VFA (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)
Consider a Chobe National Park Extension
Day 11
Road transfer
Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe, Botswana
Optional extension. Crosses into Botswana at the Kazungula border
Days 11–12
On requestChobe Game Lodge
Chobe · 2 nights
Details for this stay are available on request. Ask us and we will share them with you.
Optional Extension
Day 13
Road transfer
Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe, Botswana to BBK (Kasane, Botswana)
The route
How to book this trip
This is a plan you can book yourself. We’re a planning service, not a booking platform. Here’s the order of play:
- 1Camps first. Enquire with each camp below to confirm availability and rates, and book direct.
- 2Then transfers & regional flights. Arrange these once your camp dates are locked.
- 3International flights last. Booked separately from Australia, once the ground trip is confirmed.
The Portswood Hotel
Enquire ↗South Africa · 4 nights
Kapama River Lodge
Enquire ↗South Africa · 4 nights
Ilala Lodge Hotel
Enquire ↗Zimbabwe · 2 nights
Chobe Game Lodge (on request)
2 nights
Safari packing checklist
Pack a soft duffel, not a hard case, as light aircraft cap luggage at ~15–20 kg including hand luggage. Neutral colours, and layers for cold mornings.
Documents & money
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visas / e-visas as required
- Travel insurance details
- Vaccination certificates
- Cards + some USD cash
- Copies of key documents
Clothing: neutral tones
- Lightweight long sleeves & trousers
- Warm fleece / layer (cold dawns)
- T-shirts
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Smart-casual for dinners
Footwear
- Closed walking shoes
- Sandals / camp shoes
Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera + spare batteries & cards
- Sunglasses & wide-brim hat
- Headtorch
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
Health & toiletries
- Antimalarials (if advised)
- Insect repellent (DEET)
- High-SPF sunscreen & lip balm
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
- Basic first-aid kit
Want this route tailored to you?
Love this route, but travelling with children, need malaria-free options, or want to fit in Victoria Falls? Generate your tailored blueprint or request a one-to-one itinerary review with Explore Africa.
This itinerary is a planning tool: indicative, not a quote or a booking. Price lines include only the items they explicitly identify. Transfers, activities, meals and flights are excluded unless stated. Availability, rates and flight times change, so please confirm them directly. Submitting a trip sends an enquiry to our team; it does not create a reservation.
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