John and I are beyond excited for this. 

We first traveled to Africa 12 years ago, focusing on Kenya and Tanzania. It was the most incredible trip of our lives, and we cannot wait to return. Nothing prepares you for the raw, untamed wilderness of Africa. The animals are not behind fences or in zoos—they roam free, and you are simply a guest in their world. It’s exhilarating, humbling, and something you will never forget.  We visited Chobe National Park, and to this day, John and I both say it was the greatest travel experience of our lives. On one of our final evenings, during a sunset cruise, we stumbled upon a herd of elephants gathered at the riverbank, washing their babies before bedtime. I had always known elephants have intricate social structures but witnessing it firsthand was an absolute privilege. Our guide quietly parked the boat, and we sat in awe, just meters away, watching this intimate bedtime ritual unfold. It was pure magic. And that’s Africa—where the animals are in charge, and if you're lucky, you’ll have a front-row seat to some of the most extraordinary moments nature has to offer.  So, pack your camera, bring a warm jacket (dawn safaris are thrilling but chilly at first), and let’s go to Africa together. 

Caroline and John 

Get Printable PDF Itinerary for this holiday

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• Return economy class airfares from Brisbane to Cape Town and Johannesburg to Brisbane 
• All internal flights as per the itinerary 
• 21 nights hotel/lodge/safari camp accommodation with private bathrooms 
• Local English-speaking guide throughout the tour 
• Specialist local safari guides on game drives/cruises 
• Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary 
• Flight of the Angels helicopter tour at Victoria Falls 
• All conservation and national park entrance fees 
• Gratuities & Porterage 
• Hosted by Caroline Hutchinson
• Meals included as per itinerary 

Group size: Minimum 15, Maximum 25

DAY 1 -5TH SEPTEMBER - BRISBANE TO CAPE TOWN

This morning, we meet at Brisbane International Airport for our Hosted Holiday to Africa. Tonight is spent on the plane as we travel to our first destination, Cape Town. 

DAY 2 - 6TH SEPTEMBER - CAPE TOWN
Welcome to South Africa! On arrival in Cape Town airport, we will meet our local tour guide. Together, we will be transferred by coach to the Commodore Hotel, our home for the next four nights. The Commodore Hotel is in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area of the city. The hotel has an extensive array of facilities and a fantastic location close to the vibrant waterfront. After our long flight, enjoy some rest and relaxation at the hotel before meeting in the lobby for a short walk along the waterfront to our restaurant for a group welcome dinner this evening. 

Meals: D

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel

DAY 3 - 7TH SEPTEMBER - CAPE TOWN
This morning, we explore Cape Town itself with our city tour, including the return cable car to the spectacular summit of Table Mountain. Enjoy the views across the bay and city itself from this iconic viewpoint. We also explore the colourful Bo-Kaap district. The rest of the day is free to explore the V & A waterfront and surrounding area or take an optional tour to Robben Island in the afternoon. 

Meals: B

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel

DAY 4 -8TH SEPTEMBER- CAPE TOWN
Today we spend a full day exploring the stunning Cape Peninsula. From Cape Town we drive through the coastal suburbs of Clifton and Sea Point to Camps Bay, where there is a beautiful viewpoint over the Twelve Apostles. We then follow the coast down to the Cape of Good Hope via the stunning scenery of Chapmans Peak. Enjoy the numerous viewpoints along the way on this beautiful scenic drive. At the Cape, we take the funicular up to the lower lighthouse for spectacular views and have time to enjoy one of the many short walking trails. Our scenic drive back to Cape Town this afternoon goes via Boulders Beach to allow a visit to the African Penguin colony. Explore the wooden walkways that offer great viewing of the Penguins in their natural habitat. 

Meals: B + L

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel

DAY 5 -9TH SEPTEMBER - CAPE TOWN
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the famous Cape Winelands region, encompassing Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Known for its beautiful scenery and diverse selection of wines, we enjoy a Vineyard tour and tastings at two local wineries. First, we stop at Franschhoek’s La Petite Ferme for a vine orientation and vineyard tour, followed by lunch and additional tastings overlooking the beautiful vineyards of the region. Then on the way home we will visit Muratie Wine Farm for their chocolate and wine tasting. 

Meals: B + L

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel

DAY 6 -10TH SEPTEMBER - SWAKOPMUND
This morning, we explore more of the downtown city area, visiting the Castle and Grand Parade and learning some of the history of the city. Then, it is time to farewell Cape Town as this afternoon, we fly to Walvis Bay in Namibia. After a short drive we reach our home for the next 3 nights, Swakopmund. This German Colonial town has an old-world charm and sits in an impressive location right at the edge of the Namib Desert. You will have plenty of free time over the next three days to explore this region and you may wish to join one of the optional activities on offer. This evening, we enjoy a group dinner in town. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel

DAY 7 -11TH SEPTEMBER - SWAKOPMUND
Enjoy a cruise on the Atlantic Ocean that starts from the Waterfront in Walvis Bay and will take us to see a shipwreck, a lighthouse, and the oyster farms. We cruise to the ever-growing Pelican Point, where a large seal colony of Cape Fur Seals have established themselves. The wildlife here is extremely friendly, and you will experience the thrill of the seals and pelicans who will join you on the boat. Moving around Pelican Point, you will see dolphins riding the bow of our boat. Afterwards, relax on board and enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine with fresh oysters and snacks. We will return to Walvis Bay and transfer back to Swakopmund around lunchtime. The remainder of the day is free to explore Swakopmund.  

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel

DAY 8 -12TH SEPTEMBER- SWAKOPMUND
Today is a free day for you to choose from the wide range of optional activities on offer. Maybe explore the open-air markets, head to the National Marine Aquarium, visit the local museum or head out on a desert tour to see the flora and fauna. For the more adventurous, head out on a guided quad biking tour through the stunning desert landscapes. For the golf enthusiast, Swakopmund has a full grass 18-hole course offering the chance to play a round with some of the local wildlife that inhabit the area. For those who would like to experience Sossusvlei by air, an optional day trip will be available. 

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel

DAY 9 -13TH SEPTEMBER - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
It is time to bid farewell to the cooler coastal climates and travel inland towards Etosha National Park. Although a long travel day, you can relax and enjoy the changing scenery as we head into the dry and dusty interior of Namibia. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife even before we get to Etosha National Park. Tonight, we are staying at the Namibian Wildlife Resort's Okaukuejo Rest Camp, within Etosha National Park. Watching the procession of game at the resort's floodlit waterhole is a truly memorable start to the safari part of our trip.  

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: NWR Okaukuejo Resort

DAY 10 -14TH SEPTEMBER - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Today we discover the Western part of Etosha National Park, Namibia's foremost wildlife sanctuary. This morning, we drive from Okaukeujo to Halali. On the way we explore the local salt pans and waterholes in search of the famous African wildlife. As we’re here in the dry season, the vegetation is sparse and water scarce, which maximizes the variety of game coming to drink at the permanent waterholes in the park. The middle of the day allows plenty of time for rest and relaxation at the Halali rest camp before we continue across the park on an open vehicle game drive to Namutoni. This evening enjoy a group dinner at the beautiful Mokuti Lodge.

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Mokuti Etosha Lodge

DAY 11 - 15TH SEPTEMBER - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
This morning, we return to Etosha, to explore the Eastern part of the park on our open vehicle game drives. The park is home to four of the big five (elephant, rhino, leopard, and lion) as well as giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, springbok, kudu, gemsbok, and eland. Our drive will take us in search of wildlife as we explore the salt pans and waterholes that Etosha is famous for. We will be back at our lodge for lunch and a free afternoon for you to relax and enjoy your luxurious surroundings. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Mokuti Etosha Lodge

DAY 12-16TH SEPTEMBER - OKAVANGO RIVER
Today we bid farewell to Etosha National Park as we make our way to the north-eastern corner of Namibia. We leave behind the dry and dusty desert as we travel to our new destination, Popa Falls. The falls are a beautiful cascading section of the Okavango River. A packed lunch will be included for our drive today, and we will arrive at Divava Lodge in time for sunset drinks and dinner. 

Meals: B + L+ D

Accommodation: Divava Lodge

DAY 13 -17TH SEPTEMBER - OKAVANGO RIVER
An early start this morning sees us venture out on an open vehicle game drive into Mahango Game Park. Although one of Namibia’s smaller game parks, it is populated with a large variety of species. This afternoon we take a cruise along the tranquil waters of the Okavango River to search for some of the area's rich birdlife as well as enjoy another stunning African sunset on the water. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Divava Lodge

DAY 14 -18TH SEPTEMBER - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
This morning involves an early start as we head east across the Caprivi Strip. Our destination is Kasane in Botswana, the gateway to the spectacular Chobe National Park. We will arrive at Chobe in the early afternoon where we will enjoy one of the highlights of this trip, an afternoon game cruise along the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its large herds of Elephant and Cape Buffalo, which converge along the riverbanks in the dry season. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge

DAY 15 -19TH SEPTEMBE - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
This morning, we explore Chobe National Park on an open vehicle game drive. Spend the next few hours searching around the hills and waterholes for elephants, lions, hippos, and giraffes. On return to the lodge, you can relax and enjoy the facilities during the heat of the day. This afternoon, we enjoy another game cruise along the river and another spectacular African sunset from the Chobe River. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge

DAY 16 -20TH SEPTEMBER - VICTORIA FALLS
Today we say farewell to beautiful Botswana as we cross the border into Zimbabwe. We travel to Victoria Falls National Park for a guided tour of this magnificent area. Walk the extensive track network on our guided tour and enjoy the numerous viewing platforms of the falls. This afternoon, after checking into our beautiful accommodation at Ilala Lodge, we cruise on the upper Zambezi River, enjoying drinks and canapes and another beautiful sunset. 

Meals: B

Accommodation: Ilala Lodge

DAY 17 -21ST SEPTEMBER - VICTORIA FALLS
This morning is one of the trip highlights with the included “Flight of the Angels” - an unforgettable helicopter tour over the magnificent falls. After some free time in the middle of the day, we will feast on traditional African cuisine at “The Boma – Place of Eating.” Traditional African music and dance accompany this unique experience. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Ilala Lodge

DAY 18 - 22ND SEPTEMBER- KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Today we return to South Africa with a fight from Victoria Falls to Kruger Mpumalanga airport.  It is a short transfer to your accommodation at Mdluli Safari Lodge, located inside the south-western region of the Kruger National Park, one of the best wildlife regions. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Mdluli Safari Lodge 

DAY 19 -23RD SEPTEMBER - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
We start today before sunrise for our open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park. Early morning is the best time to spot the predators of the park, while the afternoon provides ideal conditions for game viewing on the open plains. Overall, Kruger National Park boasts outstanding biodiversity and world-class game viewing with approximately 147 mammals, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles and 507 bird species, as well as being home to the Big 5. This afternoon we enjoy a second game viewing through Kruger.  Today will be a fabulous day in an iconic wildlife destination. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Mdluli Safari Lodge 

DAY 20 -24TH SEPTEMBER- MOSTWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Enjoy one last morning game drive in Kruger before breakfast, and then we continue north to the Motswari Safari Lodge in the magnificent Timbavati Private Game Reserve. Established in 1956, Timbavati covers 75 000 hectares of unfenced pristine wilderness. Bordered by the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Private Reserve the wildlife wander freely between the unfenced reserves.  In the afternooon we will experience our first open vehicle game drive where the local guides and trackers know this land intimately and will ensure we have the best possible safari experience.  

Meals: B + L + D

Accommodation: Mostwari Private Game Reserve

DAY 21 -25TH SEPTEMBER - MOSTWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Today is our last full day on safari. During our morning and afternoon game drives we are likely to be treated to more Big Five sightings and will have the opportunity to see a broad spectrum of plant, animal and birdlife. The private game reserve allows safari vehicles to go off road and get you up close with the amazing wildlife. Enjoy the facilities and service on offer at Motswari during the middle of the day, as well as another wonderful dining experience this evening. 

Meals: B + L + D

Accommodation: Mostwari Private Game Reserve

DAY 22- 26TH SEPTEMBER - JOHANNESBURG
This morning, we enjoy our last game drive in Africa before it is time for our flight back to Johannesburg. This evening is spent at the luxury airport hotel, which is adjacent to the terminal. We enjoy a group farewell dinner and a chance to look back on the magical shared experiences of the last three weeks. 

Meals: B + D

Accommodation: Intercontinental Johannesburg Airport 

DAY 23 - 27TH SEPTEMBE - JOHANNESBURG TO AUSTRALIA
Our adventures in Africa end today as we transfer to the airport for our flights back to Australia. This evening is spent in the air enroute back to Brisbane. 

Meals: B

DAY 24 -28TH SEPTEMBER - BRISBANE
Say your last farewells to your newfound friends as we all head for home. Reflect on the last three weeks and the amazing experiences you have enjoyed in Africa.