2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls (QS)

12 Day Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg

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Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 24 guests in Africa, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours.

Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Africa with a lion’s share of captivating cities, private game reserves, natural wonders, and wondrous wildlife? Point your compass south for the diverse and enchanting sights of South Africa and Zimbabwe. The glorious panoramas from Cape Town’s Table Mountain and the candy-hued streets of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood set the stage for the sweet sights to come. Six open-air game drives in Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park offer a fascinating glimpse of up to 42 mammal species and 350 bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo—before branching out in Johannesburg. Here, you’ll explore Soweto, the city’s largest township, including the former home of Nelson Mandela and the significant sites of the anti-apartheid movement. Your South Africa vacation crescendos at Victoria Falls, called Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) on the Zambezi River. Twice the height of Niagara Falls, this breathtaking waterfall spanning the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia offers twice the photo ops. A Small Group Discovery tour for the wild mannered!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Each Globus 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 Globus 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.

Special features included on this tour:

  • Guided sightseeing in Cape Town includes a stroll along the Grand Parade past the landmarks of St. George’s Cathedral, Parliament, and more
  • Learn about the vibrant [LF] Bo-Kaap neighborhood on a walk with a Local Guide and enjoy a traditional lunch
  • Speed past the lines with the Fast Track pass up Table Mountain
  • Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and ride the funicular to the steps of the old lighthouse
  • View the endangered Africa penguins at Boulders Beach
  • 6 game drives in a Private Game Reserve with [LF] nightly Sundowners
  • Sightseeing in Johannesburg includes a [LF] walk with a Local Guide through Soweto, a visit to the Mandela House, and the Constitution Hill Museum
  • Enjoy an evening cruise with drinks and canapés on the Zambezi
  • Take a guided walk at thrilling Victoria Falls!
  • 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle, limited to just 9 guests and equipped with an open roof for unfettered game viewing
  • Hand selected hotels and safari lodge
  • All internal flights!

Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners


Notes:

For approximately one month each year (typically late July to mid-September), Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place. During the dry season (September-December) and particularly dry years, water flow to Victoria Falls may be low.

All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues. The safari vehicles are not air conditioned and have high ground clearance, requiring some agility when getting in and out.

Charter flights in Botswana have a strict maximum guest weight limit of 220 lbs. / 99kgs. Any guests weighing more than the limit may be required to purchase an additional seat. Globus Tour Operations must be advised of any guests weighing more than the limit prior to final payment to ensure space can be confirmed.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins! Welcome to Cape Town, commonly referred to as the “Mother City” by locals, as it was home to the first European settlement in South Africa. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

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Day 2 CAPE TOWN

City Sights & Soaring Heights Start at the Grand Parade to see the Castle of Good Hope and City Hall. Walk to see more of Cape Town’s landmarks including St. George’s Cathedral, Parliament, and The Company’s Garden. Then, join a local community leader to explore the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Bo-Kaap neighborhood, also known as the Malay Quarter, including a visit to the Bo-Kaap Community Center. After a traditional Malay lunch, enjoy a scenic cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain for stunning 360-degree views over the city. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant!



LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Explore Cape Town’s neighborhood that was founded by former slaves in the 1750s. Today, Bo-Kaap is a melting pot of cultures within its National Heritage sites. Stroll past vibrantly hued houses ranging from lime-green and pink to orange, reflective of Dutch and British architecture. Your Local Guide shares fascinating stories of this lively neighborhood where the aromas of fragrant spices waft from local restaurants and spice shops. Enjoy lunch with your small group, followed by a cable-car ride to take in the 360-degree views from the top of Table Mountain.


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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 3 CAPE TOWN–CAPE PENINSULA EXCURSION

Rocky Coast & Beach Life Take a scenic drive along stunning Chapman’s Peak Drive en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve. Stop at the Cape of Good Hope before arriving at Cape Point. Ride a funicular to the steps of the old lighthouse with panoramic views of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. After lunch at a local seafront restaurant, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African penguins. Free time this evening.



TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TUXEDO JUNCTION Jackets aren’t required on Boulders Beach, even though the residents look dressed to the hilt. The only penguins found on the continent, African penguins are known for the unique sound they make. Colonies can be found from southern Namibia all the way around the South African coast, and Boulders Beach is the premiere viewing spot.


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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 4 CAPE TOWN

Free to Wander Full day at leisure for your own discoveries in this beautiful city.



ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Today, consider exploring the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion to the stunning Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (June-December). Optional excursions are available for purchase with MyGlobus.


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 CAPE TOWN–HOEDSPRUIT–MAKALALI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (Greater Kruger National Park Area)

Operation Safari Fly to Hoedspruit and continue to the Makalali Private Game Reserve, a wildlife‑rich haven ideal for spotting Africa’s famed “Big Five”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo—on guided game drives. Sip sundowner drinks as the sky blazes with color before returning to your lodge for a delicious dinner. As part of the Globus family of brands’ Lighthouse Project, your stay also supports the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Canine Project—training dogs to track and deter poachers—as well as the Lion Recovery Fund, dedicated to restoring lion populations and their natural habitats.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Climb aboard your custom safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive with a skilled tracker and professional Ranger who share fascinating facts about this wildlife paradise, while helping to spot the majestic creatures who call Makalali Private Game Reserve their home. Quench your thirst after today’s safari with a traditional sundowner experience with cocktails in true safari tradition with your small group.


TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Staying in a Private Game Reserve is the ultimate safari experience in South Africa. Go off-road to get close to the wildlife at Makalali Main Lodge, a stylish lodge featuring regional African cuisine, bar/lounge, pool, and spa facilities. Each spacious room features views from a private balcony, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, safe, and a large ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers!

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 MAKALALI (Greater Kruger National Park Area)

Makalali Magic Rise early for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. Keep an eye out for big cats after their night of hunting. Other animals you may see include kudu, impala, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, wildebeest, and more. Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax at your lodge. Afternoon game drive with sundowner drinks.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE As evening settles softly over the wilderness, follow your guide into the open bush for a sundowner experience steeped in the haunting beauty and daring spirit of Africa’s earliest adventurers. The air cools and fills with the earthy scent of acacia and wild sage, mingling with the faint sweetness of sun‑warmed grasses. Lantern light flickers against the gathering shadows as you raise a glass, the horizon glowing in its final amber hues. In this moment—bathed in wild scents, ancient sounds, and fading day—you’ll feel the timeless thrill of those who once roamed these untamed lands with nothing but courage and curiosity as their compass.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 7 MAKALALI (Greater Kruger National Park Area)

Spotting Skills Sharpen your game-spotting skills on your morning and afternoon game drives. Watch for African buffalo, reintroduced to the area after an absence of more than 50 years, reuniting the “Big Five” to roam freely in the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve. After Sundowners, enjoy dinner prepared by a skilled chef featuring African cuisine representing cooking styles left behind by centuries of exploration on this great continent.

ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE When not on a game drive, do as the lions do with a rest in the heat of the day. Enjoy your lodge amenities, swim in the pool, kick back on a viewing deck or your private balcony to watch nearby wildlife.


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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 8 MAKALALI–HOEDSPRUIT–JOHANNESBURG

A Jaunt to Joburg Savor one last game drive at dawn, as the wilderness stirs to life in the soft morning light. Your ranger leads you across open plains and through acacia dotted bushveld, offering a final opportunity to spot iconic wildlife and soak in the magic of the reserve before you say farewell. Return to the lodge for breakfast before transferring to the airstrip for your flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg. Arriving in the city by afternoon, enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure—relax at your hotel, explore nearby shops and restaurants, or simply unwind as you transition from the bush to the urban rhythm of Johannesburg.


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 JOHANNESBURG

From the Dark Enters Light Guided sightseeing includes a visit to Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Soweto (Southwestern Township) with a local community member. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived with his family from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. Also learn about the impact of his wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, known as the “Mother of the Nation” and a formidable anti-apartheid activists. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Constitution Hill, a museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy.



LOCAL FAVORITE
A BEACON OF LIGHT Soweto, the largest township in the country, is a part of South Africa’s turbulent past, but this multicultural area is also a reflection of today and hope for tomorrow. Your Local Guide shares insightful stories as you see the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the former neighborhoods of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela, featuring the Mandela House—former home of the legendary human rights leader.


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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 10 JOHANNESBURG–VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Zoom to Zimbabwe & Sunset Sensations Fly to Zimbabwe and transfer to your hotel. Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.



TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE RIVER WILD Transfer to the Zambezi River’s edge and board the cruise boat. You’ll be treated like royalty as you take in the scenery and watch for wildlife while sipping and sampling from a selection of included drinks and canapés. Your cruise culminates in a spectacular African sunset!


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 VICTORIA FALLS

Smoke on the Water Take a guided walk at Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), as the locals call it, due to the clouds of mist produced by the cascading cataracts. Learn about the history of the falls and fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna with plentiful photo opportunities. Free time late morning and early afternoon. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River, featuring a menu of African-fusion dishes using fresh local ingredients.



ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Soar high above the falls on an optional helicopter ride or visit a nearby village to experience the local culture. Optional excursions are available for purchase at MyGlobus.


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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 12 VICTORIA FALLS–JOHANNESBURG

Safe travels until we meet again! Fly to Johannesburg. Schedule departing flights after 7:30 pm.



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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, 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 MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

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

No Excursions are available at this time.



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.