South Africa and Victoria Falls

Day 1

Depart the USA Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Cape Town, South Africa.

Day 2

Arrive in South Africa Upon arrival in Cape Town, you’ll be met by a Mayflower Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to begin getting acquainted with the area and the unique culture of South Africa.

Day 3: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Cape Town is known as the ‘Mother City’ in South Africa. It is also one of the most iconic cities in the world. Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa where the Houses of Parliament are located. It is located in the south-west corner of the country near the Cape of Good Hope.

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will embark on an excursion to Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most iconic destination. Ride the Aerial Cableway to the top of the mountain and discover the stunning views of the surrounding oceans and the city below.

You return to Cape Town with free time for lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy a city tour, which includes the city’s most interesting museums. On your visit to the Bo Kaap Museum, in the heart of the Cape Malay quarter, you’ll see the building that was built in 1763 and has been restored to represent a typical Malay-style dwelling in the 19th century. The museum documents the history of the Malay people in the Cape, who were originally brought to the Cape as slaves. You’ll visit the Castle Military and Iziko Museums, as well as the South Africa Museum, beautifully located at the top of the enchanting Company Gardens. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Cape Peninsula Tour Following breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full-day excursion to the Cape Peninsula. Begin with a visit to Houtbay Harbor and the fishing village of Hout Bay—one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. On a boat cruise you will see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in their natural environment. Continue along the spectacular coastal scenery to Chapman’s Peak (weather permitting) enroute to Constantia Berg, the highest point. On your visit to the famous Cape of Good Hope, you see the rich biodiversity of life – both flora and fauna. The morning finale is a visit to Point Nature Reserve (a Natural World Heritage Site) and a ride aboard the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the old lighthouse. With views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the purest air in the world coming from the Antarctic, it’s an amazing experience. The day rounds out with a visit to Boulders Beach, home to the Jackass Penguins, and a most memorable visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast

Optional excursion to Robben Island Following breakfast at the hotel, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Robben Island or spend your day at leisure taking in the local sites and shopping.

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Kruger National Park This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kruger National Park, your home for the next two nights. Kruger National park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. You’ll spend time with qualified guides in the African bush. Learn about the diverse wilderness aboard an open vehicle game drive this afternoon. Go in search of wildlife, including the “Big Five” – the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. This evening, dinner is at the hotel.

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Kruger National Park Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have another opportunity to witness the majestic wildlife of Africa on your half-day open vehicle game drive through the breathtaking scenery of Kruger National Park.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast

Panorama Route to Johannesburg Following breakfast at the hotel, you depart for Johannesburg via the Panorama Route. Your visit to ‘God’s Window’ showcases a breathtaking natural rock formation that allows for spectacular views of the Lowveld and ravine, the Lebombo Mountains and Kruger National Park. You’ll see Blyde River Canyon, one of South Africa’s most popular natural attractions with over 150 miles of sheer cliffs. You continue on to beautiful Lone Creek Falls. Declared a national monument, the area is known for its scenic beauty and fantastic bird life along the “waterfall route.” On your visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes you learn of natural and socio-historical features of the region. Spend time at The Tree Rondawels, known as the Three Sisters, the mountaintops that resemble the pointed roof of a traditional African homestead. Arrive in Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa by its population. It is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and the seat of the Constitutional Court, which has the final word on interpretation of South Africa's constitution.

Day 9

Meals: Breakfast

Zambezi National Park Following breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Johannesburg airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. This evening enjoy a Sundowner Cruise at sunset on the Zambezi River including snacks and drinks. It’s a great way to see hippo, crocodile and elephants in their home environment against a spectacular sunset. The remainder of your evening is at leisure to take in the natural wonders of your surroundings.

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Victoria Falls Witness the awe-inspiring sight, sound, smell and humbling feeling that Victoria Falls ensues. This is Nature’s Supreme Masterpiece, showcased by regional guides as you travel through the rainforest and share all of the flora, fauna and history of the Falls. This afternoon is at leisure allowing you free time to explore on your own or do some local shopping. This evening, enjoy a Boma dinner of local dishes with entertainment by traditional dancers, a storyteller and a witchdoctor as a grand finale to your experience in South Africa.

Day 11

Meals: Breakfast

Johannesburg/USA This morning, transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and then home. All too soon your African adventure comes to an end, but you’ll bring back memories of these majestic natural wonders which will last a lifetime.