Spirits of South Africa(6N/7D)

Arrive at the Victoria Falls Airport. Meet your local guide at the airport. Victoria Falls is one of the best towns for tourism in southern Africa. Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800s as Mosi-oa-Tunya. The Smoke that Thunders in more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860s. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialisation. You are transferred to your hotel with the option of lunch either at the hotel or someplace outside. The late afternoon is spent at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel. Enter the Victoria Falls National Park. Panoramic and breath-taking views of the falls are enjoyed from different vantage points. The Victoria Falls National Park in north-western Zimbabwe protects the south and east bank of the Zambezi River. It covers 23.4 km extending from the larger Zambezi National Park about 6 km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls. A notable feature of the park is the rainforest which grows in the spray of the falls, including ferns, palms, liana vines, and several trees such as mahogany not seen elsewhere in the region. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is twinned to the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side. The national parks contain abundant wildlife including sizable populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope. We return to the hotel for lunch. After some time of relaxation enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Overnight at the hotel in Victoria Falls

After breakfast, you are met at the hotel from where you will be driven to the Masuwe Estate which is a few minutes from your hotel to enjoy the Lion Walk. The Lion Walk at Masuwe is conducted in an area where lion cubs ranging in age between three and sixteen months, roam free and are unrestricted as you walk with them along the banks of the Masuwe River. The “walking with lions experience is an opportunity to interact with 2 or 3 cubs for up to an hour and a half during a single session. The encounter is fully supervised and professionally managed by an experienced and qualified team who have been working with lions for over 20 years, originally at Gwerus Antelope Park. Return to the hotel for lunch and after some time for relaxation, you can go to the Victoria Falls Craft Market where some of the finest examples of African artistry are on display. Overnight at the hotel in Victoria Falls.

After breakfast, catch a final glimpse of the majestic waterfalls after which you have some leisure time. After lunch, you are transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg, you are transferred to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and relax. Overnight at the hotel in Johannesburg.

After breakfast in the morning, visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Then leave for the Sterkfontein Caves. The Sterkfontein Caves are made of limestone and are one of the richest and most productive paleo-anthropological sites in the world and form part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The Sterkfontein Caves is now home to a top restaurant. Also get to see the other sites in the Cradle of Humankind, including Swartkrans, Minnaars, Plovers Lake, Wondercave and Kromdraai. You will also go on a tour of Lesedi Culture Village to live the experience of the vibrant and colourful traditions of the Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa and Zulu people. See the Lesedi tribal dancers and enjoy a pan African feast with delicacies from northern, eastern and southern Africa. Drive back to Johannesburg. Overnight at the hotel in Johannesburg.

Today, after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Magaliesberg Meander. Visit the “Elephant Sanctuary tour. The area is surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and, of course, four magnificent African Elephants which you will see on the sanctuary tour. Then after lunch, go on the De Wild Cheetah tour. (Which is closed on Mondays and children above 6 are only allowed) The King Cheetah was first bred here and the centre is renowned for its success in breeding rare and endangered species. Then drive back to Johannesburg via Hartebeespoort Dam in the village of Hartebeespoort. Enjoy the scenic drives. Back to the hotel and overnight in Johannesburg.

After breakfast check out at the hotel and transfer to the Johannesburg airport for your flight back home.