Compare South Africa - Budget Western I 2019 by Rockjumper Birding vs Tour of Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana by Odynovo
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,182 | $ 4,313 |
| Price Per Day | $ 182 | $ 431 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Southern Africa’s dry west is a unique and fascinating yet under-visited land. A hotbed of faunal and floral diversity, this area harbours two botanical regions found nowhere else on earth; the Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo. Our ‘Budget Western SA’ tour showcases these areas and the range of special birds endemic to them; you can expect not only great birds, but some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa! Tour highlights include the unique fynbos-clad slopes of the Western Cape, home to the stunning Cape Rockjumper, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Bulbul and Cape Sugarbird, amongst a plethora of highly range-restricted endemics; the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for Cape Spurfowl, Southern Double-collared Sunbird and the delightful Bokmakierie; the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the most southwestern point of the continent, where targets include the smart Black Harrier, Grey-winged Francolin and Cape Siskin; the rugged Hottentots-Holland Mountains region, home to Sentinel Rock Thrush and the beautiful endemic Victorin’s Warbler and Protea Canary; an optional pelagic in this seabird hotspot is a must and should yield 1000s of birds of numerous pelagic species such as Atlantic and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses, Cape Petrel and Southern and Northern Giant Petrels; the arid and semi-arid areas of the Karoo, which provide another great backdrop for a variety of bustards, larks and other endemics before we head back to Cape Town, taking in an impressive Cape Gannet colony and the West Coast National Park on the way. All in all, this short yet comprehensive budget safari encompasses the very best of this amazing part of South Africa, promising a whole host of endemic birds and a range of exciting mammals, incredible scenery and fascinating culture to boot. (This tour can be combined with our Budget Eastern South Africa tour.) Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. |
As the second biggest continent in the world, Africa is more than wildlife safari in Kenya and Tanzania. This 10-day journey, starting in Cape Town and ending in Victoria Falls, will take you to savor the breathtaking natural beauty of Cape Peninsula, admire the majestic Victoria Falls up-close, and get a different safari experience in the little-visited Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. |
Day 1 Arrival - Cape Town
Overnight: Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town, a stunning city on the southernmost tip of Africa full of natural beauty, rich history, and various cultures!
Upon touchdown, you will meet a representative who will take you to your hotel. Check in and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 Cape Town, Half-day Table Mountain & City Sightseeing
Overnight: Cape Town
Meal: Breakfast
Begin your exploration with a 5-minute cable car trip up to Table Mountain. Once at the top, you can walk around different scenic lookouts to soak up the commanding 360- degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains, and the rest of Table Mountain National Park. After descending, your private tour guide will uncover Cape Town's vibrant and complex history through an urban walking tour.
Passing by the landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the Castle of Good Hope, and the well-tended Company's Garden, you will stop at the lively Greenmarket Square in search of souvenirs and end at the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. The afternoon is yours to explore further on your own.
Day 3 Cape Town, Excursion to Cape Peninsula
Overnight: Cape Town
Meal: Breakfast
Today you will take an excursion to Cape Peninsula, another must-see destination of Cape Town in addit to Table Mountain. Along the way, stop at the glorious Camps Bay for a glimpse of the Twelve Apostles, break at the quaint village of Hout Bay, and admire the breathtaking scenery along the picturesque Chapman's Peak Drive. Once arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, you can board a funicular or walk up the stairway that leads to the Cape Point Lighthouse and enjoy fantastic views of False Bay.
On the way back to the city, spend some time relaxing at Simon's Town, where you will visit Boulders Beach, a nearby nature preserve that is home to a colony of African penguins. The last stop today is the idyllic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Day 4 Cape Town, Day at Leisure
Overnight: Cape Town
Meal: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure. Maybe you want to browse the dinky cafes, boutiques, and vintage shops on Long Street or explore the bustling harbor of Victoria & Alred. History buffs would like to take a half-day tour of Robben Island while wine lovers can tour the
vineyards at Constantia Valley.
Day 5 Cape Town - Victoria Falls, by Flight
Overnight: Victoria Falls
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, take a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be escorted to your lodge. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the lodge and its surroundings.
Day 6 Victoria Falls, Morning Walking Tour & Sunset Cruise
Overnight: Victoria Falls
Meal: Breakfast
This morning, you will go on a guided walking tour to explore the majestic Victoria Falls and its encompassing nature reserves up close. During the road, the guide will also give you a brief history of the falls, with details on flora, fauna, and wildlife.
Return to the lodge for some leisure time and then set out for a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. Sailing along the upstream of Victoria Falls, you will have opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and many other species that congregate on the bank to drink and admire the stunning sunset over the water.
Day 7 Victoria Falls, Day Excursion to Chobe National Park
Overnight: Victoria Falls
Meal: Breakfast
Join a group tour of the Chobe National Park in Botswana today. Serondela area, about an hour from Victoria Falls, is one of the four distinct ecosystems in the park that is often referred to as the Chobe riverfront. Here, you will take a half-day boat trip on the Chobe
River and a half-day on land traveling along the river bed area to observe wildlife close- up.
Day 8 Victoria Falls - Hwange National Park
Overnight: Hwange National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Victoria Falls behind for Hwange National Park, the largest and most popular park in Zimbabwe. With two nights at Bomani Tented Lodge on the edge of the unspoiled southeastern corner of the park, you can arrange activities according to your time. The package includes two activities per person per paying night. You can join in the morning walking tour to spot big games, enjoy an afternoon game drive inside the park, or a night drive within the lodge's private concession.
Day 9 Hwange National Park
Overnight: Hwange National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy the activities provided by the lodge to explore Hwange National Park as more as possible. Besides classic safari activities, the lodge also offers some unique experiences such as a walking tour conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide, photographing from the game-viewing blinds nearby the waterholes, or getting insight into real village life in rural Matabeleland through local village visit.
Day 10 Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls, Departure
Meal: Breakfast
Time to say goodbye. At the appointed time, take a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport to catch your departure flight.
