Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Greater Kruger

  Welcome

  What better way to start your Ultimate Journey to Southern Africa then heading right out on a 40 minute flight to the bush. Relaxing but exciting, tonight spend in luxury that is only found in Africa bush camps. Your days in the bush are quite relaxing with plenty of time to unwind from your journey.
  
  After lunch, head out on your first game drive. It is an easy few hours exploring the bush in spacious open safari vehicles. You have a good chance of encountering a pride of lion, Cape Buffalo, elephants, giraffe or all of the above.
  
  Return to the lodge for dinner, refreshments in the lounge and in for an early night's sleep. It may sound unusual to start off in the bush right after your international flight - but this total immersion away from the hustle of the city, is the way to go!!!
  
  

  Safari Consultant Note: If your flight comes in late or if you prefer, we can arrange for a night in Johannesburg.

  Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  02

  Greater Kruger

  On Safari

  Spend today searching out your favorite species. There are day and night game drives in open safari vehicles. Midday is spent relaxing or taking a nature walk to learn about the flora and fauna.
  
  At dusk there are cocktails (sundowners) set up in the bush. After dinner there are night game drives offered at most camps. Search for nocturnal species such as Lesser Bushbabies, Aardwolf, Civet and the striped Polecat. Leopards and lions can often be seen moving territories.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Cape Town

  Breakfast and a morning game drive before boarding your flight to Cape Town.
  
  Cape Town is a fabulously diverse and vibrant city, from its beautiful natural scenery to its colorful Cape Malay arts district. The city's dark but not to be forgotten apartheid is on view when you visit Robben Island (Mandala's prison now a museum) and the District Six Museum.
  
  With Table Mountain rising behind the city skyline, Cape Town is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is surrounded by verdant valleys, magnificent coastlines and stunning granite mountains. Cape Town is a wonderful place to take the time and stroll the waterfront, art galleries and handicraft shops.
  
  The region is also a foodies paradise, especially for seafood and wine. Born Free Concierge Service will be glad to assist with advance reservations.
  

  Safari Consultant Notes: If you wish, we can split your stay between cosmopolitan Cape Town and the wine region. As a frame of reference, the airport is 40 minutes from downtown and 40 minutes from wine districts like Stellenbosch.

  Breakfast
• Day

  04

  Cape Town

  Leisurely breakfast before heading out for your introduction to the Cape region. Ascend a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for stunning views of the mountainous coast and city. This will give you a great orientation to the surrounding areas.
  
  Discover old Cape Town including Groote Kerk church, Greenmarket Square, Castle of Good Hope. Built by the Dutch East India Company, it later became a military installation. Then on to colorful Bo-Kaap-Cape Malay with its vibrant houses (shown). A walking tour takes you through the art district with a stop at Streetwires Art Collective where artisans create animals out of small beads and wires.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  05

  Cape Town

  Wind your way with your tour guide, along the coast to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. This is considered by many as one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. Cape Point was believed to be the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, but the actual point is 125 miles further up the coast at Cape Agulhas.
  
  The day continues through charming fishing villages. Stop as you please at antique shops, art galleries, or for a cappuccino at one of the seaside cafes. The highlight for most travelers is the stop to see the breeding colony of African "Jackass" penguins.
  
  Dinner is included tonight at your choice of our recommended restaurants.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Cape Town

  À la carte Touring

  Spend today on your choice of "À la carte" touring. Select from a wide range of excursions that are already included in the price of the trip. Discuss your interests with a Born Free Safaris Specialist who will then create your personalized private tour.
  
  Ideas for Ala Carte Touring:
  
  1) Visit the new Zeitz Museum of modern African art and wander around Cape Town's arts district.
  
  2) Spend a full day in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Not only known for wine and gourmet restaurants but a magnificent area surrounded by granite peaks and dotted with start white Cape Dutch architecture. Arrangements can be made for touring with a wine specialist guide.
  
  3) Journey to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
  
  4) Visit the philanthropic Uthando Community Project.

  Breakfast

  Special Activity:
  Shark Cage Diving
  Get safely and exhilaratingly up close to these beautiful creatures of the sea. Cost from $245 per person.
• Day

  07

  Moremi Reserve

  On Safari

  Fly from Cape Town to Maun where you board a scenic flight deep into the heart of Botswana. You will immediately get a sense that you are in remote Africa, away from all modern civilization and realize that your great African adventure lies ahead.
  
  Described as "The Jewel of the Kalahari", the Okavango Delta is an isolated oasis set in the harsh and arid surroundings of Botswana’s bush and desert. It is widely regarded as one of Africa's best safari destinations. Experience the abundant natural treasurers in unparalleled comfort.
  
  Each day will bring you an exciting experience of varied wildlife activities. One day may take you to see a pride of lion, another elephants playing in the water, warthogs running - just running and a leopard on the hunt. No two days are alike.
  
  Moremi Game Reserve is in the northern area of the Okavango. It is considered the country's best place to see predators. Search for leopard, lion, cheetah and the endangered wild dog. It is also the home to one of Africa's largest elephant population.
  
  Different than the private reserves in the Greater Kruger area is the opportunity to go out on water safaris (water level permitting). Dugout canoes and shallow boats are used to navigate past bird life, hippos and crocodiles on waterways.
  
  Guest activities include a choice of morning and afternoon game drives throughout the many different ecosystems that the Moremi Game Reserve has to offer. This blend of activities allow for access to incredible landscapes, impressive wildlife as well as the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque waters of the Okavango Delta.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Moremi Reserve

  A full day of safari activities. Begin with a morning game drive in an open safari vehicle, heading out across the grasslands. The expert guide will search out your favorite species.
  
  In the afternoon participate in your choice of activities. Born Free's selected camps in Moremi offer year-round land safari and some viewing in powerboats or canoes, known locally as mokoros. The diverse habitat all but guarantees prolific sightings of elephant, buffalo, wild dog, hyena, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, kudu, lechwe, lion, leopard and cheetah, among others. Birding is spectacular especially in the spring and summer months when the migrants are breeding.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  09

  Okavango Delta

  This morning take another scenic flight deeper into the Okavango. In addition to predators, the Okavango Delta draws large concentrations of colorful birds, buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, impalas and red lechwes.
  
  This afternoon head out on a seasonal mokoro ride for a rare safari opportunity across quiet channels dotted with lovely lily pads. The marshlands are alive with crocodiles, hippos, colorful birds and red reed frogs.
  
  The choice is yours, you can opt for an afternoon game drive, search for a pride of lions on the hunt, or let your guide know your favorite African wildlife species and if you are lucky, he can search them out.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Okavango Delta

  A second full day in the Okavango will allow you to select from a variety of activities: game drives, bush walks and boating if the season water levels allow. Normally, the activities start around 6 a.m.
  
  Return in the mid morning for brunch and a siesta before going on your next choice of activities.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  11

  Victoria Falls

  After a leisurely breakfast, fly to Kasane and on to Victoria Falls by land transfer across the Zambezi River.
  
  Victoria Falls are known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). There's a magic about the area with the towering columns of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, and the deep dark gorges. Late afternoon visits can sometimes give you views of the rainbow that often arches over the canyon.
  
  Sundowner Cocktail Cruise on the Zambezi this evening.
  
  Accommodations are very special, from Tongabezi to Victoria Falls River Lodge, they all offer unique experiences.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  12

  Victoria Falls

  Walking tour this morning. David Livingstone was the first European to visit the area and named the falls after Queen Victoria. Your guide takes you on a scenic path through the rain forests where you will reach the best vantage points of both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides.
  
  Approach the heart-pounding views of Devil's Cataract and Knife Edge Bridge. The sound is loud as the water plunges 310 feet over a mile-wide gorge.
  
  Opportunity for a community visit. This is a chance where guests can really give back to the community, while exploring the markets and town of Victoria Falls. Our projects will change subject to what support is most needed at the time (it could be an orphanage, local clinic, school or mature adult home). You will be given a list of organizations that currently need support, then embark on a mission to source the items and bring them to the needed area. It takes just a few hours but can impact the people for a lifetime!

  Safari Consultant Notes: We have included the must-do 13 minute Helicopter Flight experience over the falls. This is the best way to get the full impact of the area. Credit will be given to those shy of helicopters.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  13

  Your Journey Onwards

  Relax over breakfast as you muse over an amazing African adventure. Perhaps make one more visit to the mighty Falls if time permits before bidding a fond farewell to Africa and boarding your flight onward.

  Breakfast