South Africa & Victoria Falls

Itinerary

• South Africa

  South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa, and features one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town. A sublime location, great beaches, nearby vineyards, great food, and cheap diamonds - there is a lot of love about the city. The Garden Route is a short drive away, passing through the quaint towns of Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley. It is best experienced with an overnight in Knysna.  Kruger National Park is another top draw, and boasts some of the finest lodges on the continent.

• Johannesburg

  Johannesburg or Jo'burg, as the locals call the city of the gold, is the biggest metropolis in South Africa. With its 3.2 million citizens the city on the Witwatersrand is the predominant commercial centre and the economic motor of the Republic of South Africa. It is the international flight gateway for most of southern Africa.

• Timbavati Game Reserve

  The Timbavati Game Reserve lies to the north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on the western edge of Kruger National Park and is one of South Africa's prime wildlife viewing areas. Established in 1956 by like-minded game farmers, the Reserve covers 680 square kilometers. There are no fences separating the Timbavati from the Kruger National Park, so lion, elephant, cheetah and other species roam freely between the two. The Timbavati lies at an altitude of 140m to 600m above sea level.

• Zambia

  Zambia is has a relatively young tourist industry, growing with the volume of people visiting Victoria Falls on its southern border. With the troubles in Zimbabwe, Livinstone is the new gateway to the falls and its unexpectedly wide array of adrenaline activities, game parks, and scenic beauty. With the attention has come the discovery of pristine parks of Lower Zambezi. For the purists, this is one of the last untouched safari experiences on the continent.

• Livingstone

  Victoria Falls, the world's largest falls cascade across a sheer rock face over 1km wide, mere meters away from visitors. The falls form the border between Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Livingstone features fine hotels and a broad array of adrenaline activities from ultra light and helicopter flights, white water rafting, river cruises, bungee, elephant-back safaris, and much more - it is a great spot to visit. Flight connections are limited to Lusaka.

• • Johannesburg
  • Peermont Metcourt

  Day 1: Johannesburg

  Upon arrival into South Africa you will be met inside the airport and escorted through Customs and Immigration avoiding any queues.

  Upon arrival you will receive all of your necessary documents for your trip which contains a detailed personalized itinerary, maps, restaurant suggestions, Top Tips for exploring each city or region and a 24 hour concierge service (for restaurant reservations, spa treatments, child minders, day tours etc).

  Airport transfer to/from your hotel with private vehicle

  Accommodation: Peermont Metcourt

  Contemporary convenience at its best...the new 3-star Peermont Metcourt Hotel at Emperors Palace offers stylish and comfortable rooms as well as a "group-friendly" experience for corporate, convention and leisure guests.

• • Timbavati Game Reserve
  • Honeyguide Camp

  Day 2: Johannesburg - Hoedspruit - Timbavati Game Reserve

  Take your flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit today. The flight duration is approximately 1 and a half hour.

  Airport transfer to/from your hotel with private vehicle

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide between Hoedspruit airstrip and your lodge.

  This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

  Accommodation: Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps

  Located in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, lie Honeyguide’s two tented camps, Khoka Moya and Mantobeni. Manyeleti, meaning “Place of the Stars” borders Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand and Timbavati and is a true Big Five Reserve.

• • Cheetah

  Day 3: Timbavati Game Reserve

  Before first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your early morning game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge for breakfast. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost depending on availability.

  This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

  Accommodation: Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps
• • Timbavati

  Day 4: Timbavati Game Reserve

  Before first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your early morning game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge for breakfast. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost depending on availability.

  This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

  Accommodation: Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps
• • Sunset over Timbavati

  Day 5: Timbavati Game Reserve - Hoedspruit - Johannesburg

  Before first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your early morning game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge for breakfast. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost depending on availability.

  Take your flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg today. The flight duration is approximately 1 and a half hour.

  Transfer from Lodge to Lodge

  Airport transfer to/from your hotel with private vehicle

  Accommodation: Peermont Metcourt
• • Livingstone
  • Thorn Tree River Lodge

  Day 6: Johannesburg - Livingstone

  Airport transfer to/from your hotel with private vehicle

  Take your flight from Johannesburg to Livingstone today. The flight duration is approximately 2 hrs.

  Airport transfer with private vehicle.

  Activities include a guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side. You'll also have the opportunity to do a morning/evening game drive in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where Zambia's only white rhino can be spotted, full range of game drives in the National Park using an open 4X4 vehicle driven by a professional guide. You'll also enjoy early morning or sunset river cruise, or try your hand at fishing on the great Zambezi River.

  Accommodation: Thorntree River Lodge

  Situated on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi River, within the renowned Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and just 15 kilometres upstream from the spectacular Victoria Falls lies the secluded Thorntree River Lodge.

• • Victoria Falls

  Day 7: Livingstone

  Activities include a guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side. You'll also have the opportunity to do a morning/evening game drive in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where Zambia's only white rhino can be spotted, full range of game drives in the National Park using an open 4X4 vehicle driven by a professional guide. You'll also enjoy early morning or sunset river cruise, or try your hand at fishing on the great Zambezi River.

  Sign up for optional activities at your hotel (not included in tour price); helicopter, ultra-light, Gypsy Moth flights, elephant-back or horseback safari, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, Chobe game park day trip, jet boat, cultural tours, and more.

  Accommodation: Thorntree River Lodge

• Day 8: Livingstone - Johannesburg

  Take your flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg today. The flight duration is approximately 2 hrs.

  Airport transfer with private vehicle.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Johannesburg international airport - End of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Wildlife Encounters

  The African Elephant is a notably intelligent animal due to their large brain, and has a distinct social conduct from other animals. Herds consist of related females and their young, directed by the eldest female, or matriarch. Elephants remain close to their families, the relationship between each elephant is very strong and they recognize each other even after long periods apart. During migration, the matriarch decides the route and leads the group to all the water sources she knows. The other members of the herd will memorize these places for the future. Males stay with the herd only long enough to remain self sufficient, and then go to form their own groups with other males. They will only approach a herd in response to a mating call, which can occur at any time of the year.

• Culinary Delights

  South Africa has emerged as a polyglot cuisine. European colonization, the adaptation of the native Bantu cooking, and mass immigration of migrant workers have all contributed. The Dutch brought their forms of agriculture, and British merchants imported "mixed grills" that now include African game meats. The French introduced the cultivation of vineyards. Malay workers and East Indians added curries and spice to the plain English-Dutch influence. Local game, and lamb, the famous South African lobster, and a vast repertoire of fish combine to create a truly cosmopolitan cuisine.

• Kid's Fun

  Butterfly is the largest free flying park for butterflies in Southern Africa. It is an enclosed garden boasting a spectacular array of colourful butterflies which fly freely around you, as well as loads of water features and exotic plants. The location of Butterfly World is perfect as it lies at the junction of the main wine routes of Stellenbosch and Paarl. There is no time limit on a visit to Butterfly so you can take as many photographs and videos as you like, or just sit down on a bench and admire these beautiful creatures fly around you. Refreshments and light meals are available from the Schmetterling restaurant, and the craft shop stocks butterfly related goods.

• • Peermont Metcourt

  Peermont Metcourt

  Contemporary convenience at its best...the new 3-star Peermont Metcourt Hotel at Emperors Palace offers stylish and comfortable rooms as well as a "group-friendly" experience for corporate, convention and leisure guests.

  • More information
• • Honeyguide Camp

  Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps

  Located in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, lie Honeyguide’s two tented camps, Khoka Moya and Mantobeni. Manyeleti, meaning “Place of the Stars” borders Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand and Timbavati and is a true Big Five Reserve.

  • More information
• • Thorn Tree River Lodge

  Thorntree River Lodge

  Situated on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi River, within the renowned Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and just 15 kilometres upstream from the spectacular Victoria Falls lies the secluded Thorntree River Lodge.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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