Kick off your escape to the African south with an overnight flight to Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. 

Upon arrival, meet your friendly guide and familiarise yourself with your tour group ahead of a spectacular fortnight. From here, enjoy a scenic drive south to Hwange, a vibrant hub of cultures home to thriving industrial plants and stunning natural landscapes, where you’ll stay for the next three days. As you leave Zimbabwe’s urban centres behind, watch the highways give way to tree-lined country roads, marking your entry into Africa’s untamed wild spaces. There will also be an opportunity to stop for lunch (on your account) along the way.  

As you drive south along Zimbabwe’s rural stretches, you’ll be introduced to panoramic views of its wide array of national parks, mountain peaks and far-reaching bushveld. After stowing your luggage, you’ll enjoy a captivating introduction to local conservation efforts ahead of your time on safari with an enlightening visit to the Painted Dogs Conservation Centre on the outskirts of the Hwange National Park.  

Escorted by an expert local guide, you’ll learn about the centre’s conservation and rehabilitation efforts, supporting the dwindling populations of this curiously social species. With fewer than 7000 painted dogs left across the world, the centre’s rangers carry out essential anti-poaching initiatives and work with local communities to help these beautiful creatures survive and thrive in Africa’s wild spaces. You’ll even have the chance to meet the resident painted dogs too, where you’ll witness their inquisitive and energetic nature first-hand. As you admire these delightful animals, the centre’s experienced rangers will offer fascinating insights on their anti-poaching efforts and wider conservation within the park.   

After a captivating tour of the conservation centre, you’ll arrive at your secluded safari lodge. This stilted property, owned by the family-run Amalinda Safari Collection, has been designed to blend into the bush and overlooks a number of watering holes to provide an uninterrupted and truly immersive stay.  

As guardians of the neighbouring wildlife, the Amalinda Safari Collection are dedicated to providing a responsible wildlife-spotting experience for its guests and sustainability is central to the family’s ethos. After settling in with some complimentary refreshments. Now armed with a few insider secrets on how to maximise your time in the wild in a responsible way, head back out on foot to a few of the lodge’s on-site hides for your first wildlife-spotting experience in Zimbabwe. Patience is a virtue, especially so during hide stays, and you can enjoy a traditional sundowner as you wait for the perfect sighting of some of Hwange’s most local creatures.  

As the sun sets on the savannah, drive back to the lodge for a special welcome dinner at the Captain’s Table in the lodge’s communal area. 

Wake up early this morning, with the help of tea, coffee and biscuits, before heading out into Hwange’s breath-taking private concession as the sun rises over its neighbouring mountain peaks. The animals are most active in the early morning, with impressive herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra grazing in the cooler temperatures, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time for some truly enchanting animal encounters. If you’re lucky, you might even see the resident big cats on the hunt. 

Later this morning, return to the lodge for breakfast and time at leisure ahead of a busy afternoon on safari. You can enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or share your wildlife sightings with your fellow travellers in the open-air lounge areas before you settle in for lunch on the lodge’s front deck. 

Later this afternoon, after enjoying iced coffees at the lodge, your group will embark on the day’s second game drive. With its thriving elephant, lion and buffalo populations, the reserve is the perfect starting point to tick off some of the most elusive sightings. Visit a series of nearby watering holes, which are popular amongst the native elephants and buffaloes, for the chance to watch nature in action. As the sun begins to set on Hwange, witness the bushveld ablaze with golden light, and keep an eye out for a few final glimpses of the reserve’s creatures.  

This evening, return to the lodge for a hearty dinner under the open African skies. Keep an ear out for the roar of big cats, though, and you may get the chance to head back into the park for a thrilling night drive.  

A full day of breath-taking animal sightings awaits today, beginning with a journey into Hwange’s wider national park this morning for a scenic game drive. Here, you’ll have the very best chance to spot the region’s native antelopes, elephants and big cats as you pass through acacia woodland and the open savannah plains. Keep an eye out and you even might spot Zimbabwe’s impressive presidential herd, a group of over 500 protected elephants that reside in the national park.  

Return to the lodge for lunch and a short afternoon siesta before heading back out for your final game drive. If you’ve not yet had your fill of the park’s big game species, now is the time to see them as many descend on the local watering holes in the cooler evening temperatures. Stop in the heart of the bushveld, accompanied by your guides, for a sundowner and some authentic local snacks – a fitting end to a quintessential safari experience.  

This evening, dinner will be served back at the lodge, and you’ll be welcomed around the campfire for tales of your hosts’ wildlife encounters and insider knowledge of the conservation and safari trades.  

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge this morning before meeting the residents of a local village to learn about the rich blend of cultures that co-exist in Hwange and the efforts taken by these communities to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict. This immersive visit promises fascinating insights into the lifestyles of Hwange’s local people, who have to contend with the region’s predators. Additionally, your visit today will also mark an enlightening opportunity to engage with some of the region’s most prominent cultures and languages. Round out your tour of the villages by learning about how your hosts, the Amalinda Safari Group, assist their local communities with a tour of the lion-proof bomas they’ve helped to build. 

This morning, bid your hosts farewell after breakfast and board your coach for a scenic drive to your next stop, the magnificent Victoria Falls. Enjoy expansive views over the local bushveld as you travel north and keep an eye out for herds of roaming antelope as they graze by the roadside.  

Arriving in Victoria Falls, an artistic border town on the edge of its namesake waterfalls, check into your lodge at Shearwater Explorers’ Village and unwind with the afternoon at your own pace. Based within walking distance of the town’s charming cafés and restaurants, as well as its vibrant craft markets, the hotel is ideally placed to help immerse you in the culture of its local communities. If you’d prefer, you can also sample the local produce with a visit to one of the nearby microbreweries. 

Start the morning with breakfast at the lodge before venturing out on an unforgettable tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls. Formerly known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ in English), these spectacular waterfalls are fed by the Zambezi River and host a flourishing biosphere rife with unique flora and fauna. Though the National Park is relatively small, the namesake waterfalls are some of the largest in the world and offer truly memorable views.  

This afternoon, board a three-tiered cruiser for a voyage along the wide Zambezi River, home to hippopotami, crocodiles and teeming marine ecosystems. This expansive waterway, the fourth largest on the continent, is also an ideal bird-watching hot spot with hundreds of species flocking to its banks each day, including the impressive African fish eagle, black skimmer, and marabou stork. Relax with a sundowner, in the company of your fellow guests, as you enjoy unobstructed views of the river’s untamed stretches. Stepping back ashore this evening, you’ll be free to explore or unwind at your own pace.  

Arts lovers can opt to watch the award-winning ‘Simunye: Spirit of Africa’ with an optional evening at the open-air Victoria Falls Theatre. This colourful spectacle of puppetry, dance and music, performed by a local theatre group, tells the tale of an exiled prince and his journey in search of a place to belong. What’s more, you’ll also be supporting local artists with each ticket sale.  

Get yourself ready for a fascinating day of historical exploration, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, before setting off for the imposing Victoria Falls Bridge, a marvel of Edwardian engineering. Built in 1904, this chasm-crossing structure was originally conceived by the British mining magnate and former South African president, Cecil Rhodes, and was intended to be a vital link in a grand continent-spanning railway connecting British colonies from Cape Town to Cairo.  

Watch the remarkable history of the bridge come to life the tale surrounding this incredible project is recounted by an expert local guide. Insightful and unique, this unmissable tour goes beyond the history books to recreate the storied past of one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable landmarks. If you’re feeling especially daring, you’ll have the chance to walk along the workers’ catwalks beneath the bridge’s railway lines for spectacular birds-eye views of the surrounding landscapes. Perhaps bring an umbrella though – the bridge was specifically designed to catch the sprays of the fall. 

Return to the lodge in time for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon at your own pace. If you didn’t get to see the waterfalls’ wild cascades from the bridge earlier, or simply can’t get enough of their gorgeous vistas, you can pass the time in the nearby Lookout Café, a terraced eatery boasting views over the Zambezi’s Batoka Gorge.  

If you’d prefer a more unique experience this afternoon, join an optional excursion across the Zambian border to view Victoria Falls from a different angle. Travel upstream by boat to Livingstone Island, where the Scottish explorer David Livingstone first laid eyes on the waterfalls. Surrounded by expansive views of the waterfalls and the popular Angel’s and Devil’s Pools, where thrill seekers swim on the precipice of the waterfalls, you’ll then be treated to a high tea to the roaring sounds of the cascading waters below.   

Alternatively, for a more active afternoon, you’ll have the chance to delve into the heart of the Zambezi National Park on a final optional game drive. Spread over 56,000 hectares of wooded bushveld, this sprawling nature reserve is home to rich ecosystems complete with a thriving big cat population and lively herds of bushbucks, kudu and Cape buffalo. Escorted by an expert guide, make the most of a final few memorable hours in the savannah and keep a camera handy for any of the Big Five species you might have missed. After an exciting escape into the bush, enjoy a few snacks and drinks by the Zambezi River, where you'll be within touching distance of the park's aquatic and avian wildlife, before returning to the lodge.  

A flight to South Africa’s beautiful Western Cape awaits this morning for the second part of your African adventure. Touch down in Cape Town in the early afternoon before setting off on a scenic drive through the Cape Winelands to charming Stellenbosch, one of the region’s three famous wine-producing towns.  

Along with the towns of Paarl and Franschhoek, Stellenbosch boasts a rich colonial history and wine-making heritage dating back over 400 years, which will be yours to explore throughout your time here. Perhaps take a stroll into the town’s lively centre, taking in the exquisite Cape Dutch architecture, or explore the stylish boutiques, cafés and arcades that line its streets. A stop at a local wine bar offers the opportunity to taste some of the region’s most acclaimed labels.  

After a brief introduction to Stellenbosch, check into your chic central hotel for the rest of the evening at leisure. Only a short walk from a variety of charming local eateries, boutique shops and the town’s botanical gardens, this is perfect base from which to make the most of your time in the Winelands.  

Enjoy a grab-and-go breakfast at your hotel this morning, or perhaps find some at one of the nearby cafés, before touring the best of the Cape Winelands. Travel to Franschhoek for a ride on the town’s renowned open-air Wine Tram for an easy-going journey through the region’s bucolic scenery. Gliding past vineyard-laden hills and vast mountain passes, you’ll learn about the valley’s historic wine-making culture while enjoying a complimentary tasting of some of its most famous brands.  

You’ll then stop at the acclaimed Rickety Bridge Estate, a picturesque winery nestled between the Dassenberg Mountain and Franschhoek River. Though the vineyard has passed to different owners over the centuries, the time-honoured traditions, which date back over 400 years, are still practised today. Here, you’ll be treated to a two-course meal in the company of your fellow guests followed by a premium wine tasting of the estate’s finest labels.  

Afterwards, return to Stellenbosch and spend the rest of the day at your own pace.

Your final few hours in Stellenbosch encompass a guided morning tour of the town’s most well-known and historic landmarks, from its university and botanical gardens to its bustling wine estates. Learn about the town’s colonial Dutch influences and discover the production process and wine-making secrets that have marked Stellenbosch as one of the world’s premier wine-producing destinations.  

After the morning’s orientation tour, reboard your coach for a scenic drive back through the Winelands to Cape Town, South Africa’s ‘Mother City’.  

Upon arrival, take some time to settle into your upmarket hotel, conveniently located in the city’s lively centre.

An enthralling tour of vibrant Cape Town awaits after breakfast this morning, showcasing its diverse cultural influences and most iconic sights. Starting on the artistic Victoria & Alfred waterfront, you’ll pass some of the city’s most important buildings including its Houses of Parliament, which form the legislative capital of South Africa, and the Castle of Good Hope, a protected 17th-century bastion built by the Cape’s Dutch settlers. You’ll have the chance here to explore the fort’s stately interiors with a wander around its museum and will be immersed in the turbulent history of the Dutch East India Company. 

As you pass through the city’s bustling streets, you’ll also view its impressive Edwardian City Hall, with its intricate limestone facades, ahead of a gentle morning stroll through the manicured Company Gardens. First founded by sailors of the Dutch East India Company, the park now houses the country’s oldest garden and boasts a mesmerising assortment of exotic plants. Though the Dutch empire only ruled the region until the late 18th century, its legacy can still be felt to this day in the city’s architecture and dominant language, Afrikaans.  

Continue north to colourful Bo-Kaap, rife with its pastel-painted buildings and Malay communities, where you’ll get a fascinating insight into how a small group of former slaves made a lasting impact on Cape Town’s character and cuisine. Built as a sanctuary for freed Malay slaves during the 19th century, the Bo-Kaap has since become synonymous with the city’s skyline famed for its brightly coloured houses and quaint cobbled streets.  

After a busy morning exploring Cape Town’s most intriguing landmarks, venture to the summit of the iconic Table Mountain. Standing at over 1000 metres tall, this magnificent rock feature has been considered an emblem of South Africa since the earliest European colonies were settled on the Cape. Step aboard the mountain’s aerial cableway for an easy ascent to the summit and enjoy 360-degree views of the urban sprawl of the city, and its glorious surrounding landscapes, below.

Nestled against jutting mountain landscapes, Cape Town boasts a number of other natural landmarks and you’ll be perfectly placed to spot them. Look to the left of the city for the jagged Lion’s Head Mountain and Signal Hill, which used its coastal lookouts to usher in passing ships, or to the right for the Devil’s Peak. Perhaps treat yourself a drink or a snack at one of the peak’s charming cafés as you take in the sunset from the mountain’s unique vantage points.  

Back at street level, reconvene with your tour group for an evening at leisure in the ‘Mother City’. 

Enjoy breakfast this morning ahead of an escorted tour of the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Start the day with a scenic drive (weather permitting) around the legendary Chapman’s Peak, widely recognised as one of the world’s most impressive routes, and marvel at the untamed beauty of the wild Atlantic coast. Spend time seeking out some of the area’s renowned viewpoints where you’ll be free to admire their striking 180-degree views of the craggy seafront below.  

Continue on the road to the Cape of Good Hope, a stretch of rugged headland boasting clifftop lookouts over the Atlantic Ocean. Though it may not be the country’s most southerly point, the endless views over the open ocean will certainly make you feel as though it is. From here, you can also take in the flower-strewn fields and colourful native fynbos of the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Region, an idyllic collection of mountain valleys which are home to nearly a quarter of Africa’s total plant life.  

Having enjoyed the Cape Peninsula’s most enchanting vistas, reboard your coach for the return leg of the day’s tour. On the way back, you’ll stop at Boulders Beach for the chance to glimpse the endangered African penguin colony that nests there. This bold species was once reduced to only two breeding pairs in the entire world but, thanks to the immense efforts of conservationists across the globe, the flock residing at Boulders Beach now numbers over 3000. Not only does the bay offer fascinating insight into the essential work of conservation, but it also provides a great photo stop to round out a memorable day on the Cape.  

Returning to Cape Town this evening, enjoy a three-course meal at the acclaimed Belthazar restaurant on the city’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Self-styled as the world’s largest ‘by the glass’ wine bar, this chic restaurant offers contemporary dining accompanied by the services of its expert sommeliers. Enjoy a decadent farewell dinner before returning to your hotel for your final night in Cape Town.  

This morning, have your last breakfast at the hotel before getting ready for the journey back to the UK. Depending on your departure time, you might even have the morning at leisure to tick off any remaining spots that you haven’t had the chance to see yet.

Reflect on a truly extraordinary journey across Africa’s most impressive southern stretches, with a host of treasured memories, as you land back in the UK.