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Escorted Tours

Botswana Zambezi and Cape Town


Route:
  • UK
  • Livingstone
  • Chobe National Park
  • Victoria Falls
  • Cape Town
  • UK
Tour Pace:

11 DAYS from £3199pp

Tour Highlights
  • Embark on two game drives and spot unique wildlife in Chobe National Park
  • Enjoy a wildlife safari cruise along the Chobe River and Zambezi River at sunset
  • Witness the might of the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls
  • Explore Cape Town's coastline and the Cape of Good Hope
  • Delight in a tour of South Africa's Winelands with wine tasting included
  • Visit the colony of penguins at Boulders Beach

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Botswana Zambezi and Cape Town

Journey deep into the heart of Southern African and discover its diverse array of natural treasures. Spot elephants and big cats on the floodplains of Chobe National Park, observe wildlife from the water on a Zambezi River cruise, gaze in awe at the thundering Victoria Falls, before exploring Cape Town's dramatic coastline and stunning Winelands region.

Tour Itinerary

1
UK to Victoria Falls

Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Victoria Falls Airport, via Johannesburg.

2
Victoria Falls

On arrival, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  • Dinner
3
Victoria Falls

Today is your chance to experience one of Earth's greatest spectacles in all its wonder. At 1.7km, wide Victoria Falls empties 550 million litres a minute in an immense curtain of water to the chasm below, the spray from which can be seen for miles around, prompting the local Kololo tribe to name it 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'The Smoke that Thunders'. Enjoy a cruise on the mighty Zambezi River to watch the sunset over the stunning landscape.

  • Breakfast & Dinner
4
Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park

After breakfast, transfer to your hotel in the Chobe National Park. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before this evenings dinner.

  • Breakfast & Dinner
5
Chobe National Park

Enjoy a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. Famous for a staggeringly large elephant population, your chances of experiencing these majestic giants up close are extremely high. Large herds of buffalo can also be seen, as well as giraffes, zebra and a variety of antelope, making this a prime hunting spot for big cats which stalk their prey across the Botswana plains. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River where you'll observe the national park and its fauna from a different vantage point.

  • Breakfast & Dinner
6
Chobe National Park

After breakfast, embark on your second game drive in Chobe National Park. Later in the day, embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Witness hippos and crocodiles and admire the herds and predators on the shores that have travelled miles to drink from its waters.

  • Breakfast & Dinner
7
Chobe National Park to Cape Town

After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

  • Breakfast
8
Cape Town

Explore the Cape Peninsula today as you journey along the breath-taking Chapman's Peak Drive, before stopping off at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Travel onwards to Cape Point where you can witness the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents. Pay a visit to nearby Boulders Beach, home to a large colony of African penguins. Lastly, wander through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, set dramatically on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, before returning to Cape Town.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
9
Cape Town

Enjoy the day at leisure to explore at your own pace.

  • Breakfast
10
Cape Town

Set out this morning on a scenic drive towards the stunning Winelands region. First stop at elegant Stellenbosch to enjoy a wine tasting session. Continue to Franschhoek, which enjoys a magnificent setting at the head of a narrow valley.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
11
Cape Town to UK

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight back to the UK, via Johannesburg.

  • Breakfast

Important Information

Visas

There is no visa required for entry into Botswana or South Africa. A Visa will be required for entry into Zimbabwe & Zambia. A single or double entry visa can be purchased either prior to departure or upon arrival*. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity. *If purchasing a visa to Zimbabwe or Zambia upon arrival please ensure you have the correct amount of cash as change isn't always available. Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all members of your party are insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

Flights are with Ethiopian Airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure. Please note that all flight times are subject to change.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras - Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, or your General Practitioner.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Group Size

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum is 30. In the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable

Tour Guide

This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Currency Information

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). The currency in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP). The Zimbabwean dollar is no longer valid currency, with all transactions currently conducted in US dollars ($). We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Some local banks will not change money back into Euro's or Pound Sterling, so do not change up too much money. It is advisable to carry smaller note denominations as some outlets and vendors may not accept the larger notes. US Dollars are widely accepted in Botswana.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases. Approximately £200-£400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Tipping is at your discretion, however we recommend approximately £6 per person (100/120 ZAR) per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged. As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit.

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UKArrive UKPrice
2024 Dates
08 May 202418 May 2024SOLD OUT
05 Jun 202415 Jun 2024£3199.00
10 Jul 202420 Jul 2024£3899.00
07 Aug 202417 Aug 2024£3899.00
18 Sep 202428 Sep 2024£3799.00
02 Oct 202412 Oct 2024£3599.00
06 Nov 202416 Nov 2024£3599.00

Included in the Price

  • Local English-speaking Guides
  • Scheduled Flights from the UK.
  • All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
  • Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
  • All airport taxes and security charges.

Additional Expenses

  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Any meals not specified in your itinerary
Itinerary Changes

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times or sailing conditions. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions.

What to expect

Fact File
Min/Max temperature

19 °C / 36 °C

When to go

Please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.

Livingstone

Victoria Falls

Cape Town

What to pack
  • Insect repellent
  • High Factor Sun cream and a hat with a big brim for sunny days
  • Comfortable walking shoes such as trainers
  • Sunglasses
  • Towel, swimsuit and plastic bags
  • Ruck sack or light bag per person
  • Personal toiletries and first aid kit
  • Light rain coat
  • Binoculars
  • Water Bottle
Customer Rating:
10/10
Madeleine Lyon
22nd Sep 2019

Botswana excellent
Vic falls a bit tired but true to star rating
Cape town . Facilities excellent but windows single glazed therefore noisy.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Julie Hayward
2nd Jun 2019

Hotels were very good especially Durban and Botswana

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Tour Map
Botswana Zambezi and Cape Town Route Map
Tour Dossiers
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    3 nights from £289pp

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Hotels & Accommodation

Extensions

Cape Town City Stay
Tour Route
  • UK
  • Livingstone
  • Chobe National Park
  • Victoria Falls
  • Cape Town
  • UK

Renowned for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world extend your stay in Cape Town and chose how to spend your free time; visit Robben Island, the nearby towns of Hout Bay and Hermanus or simply indulge yourself at one of the many restaurants, shops and craft markets at the famous 'V&A' Waterfront.

3 nights
from £289pp
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View Tour + Extension