7-Day Ultimate Victoria Falls and Kruger Park – by Tanya

Landing in OR Tambo Jo’burg airport, you’ll be greeted and taken through the airport for a smooth transfer for your flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax and enjoy your day before heading out on your first wildlife experience, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River where you’ll glide along the river with your sundowner drink, keeping an eye out for wildlife.

From: O.R. Tambo International Airport
To: Victoria Falls Airport

You will be met airside by a representative who will assist you through immigration luggage collection and customs into the arrival hall where a representative will hand over your travel documents and assist you to check-in for your flight to Victoria Falls.

+ optional (not included in price)

From: Victoria Falls Airport
To: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel

Shared transfer.

Surrounded by the tranquillity of Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve and primely located just 15 minutes from the Falls themselves, Stanley & Livingstone invites you to explore or just relax in one of the continent’s most loved destinations.

When you stay at Stanley & Livingstone, Victoria Falls is yours to discover – or to pause in on an active Southern African itinerary. The hotel’s thoughtful comforts, attentive service, and excellent food enhance your experience by ensuring you are very well taken care of – a hallmark of Stanley & Livingstone.

And it is for you to decide how much or little to do or the Family Concierge team is available to assist and the hotel’s complimentary transfers link you to Victoria Falls, while exclusive safaris are offered on the reserve.

Though thoroughly modern in their luxuries, 16 Suites capture the charm of a bygone era. Their fresh design is an easy-going approach to colonial style, inviting you to make yourself at home. Each has a canopied king-size bed, minibar, slipper bath and walk-in shower, TV lounge, and terrace – for morning coffees and private dinners.

Address: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Embark on a late relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. You’ll enjoy snacks and cocktails as you gently glide along this mighty African river, where the cry of a fish eagle is perhaps offset by the grunts emanating from large pods of hippo.

Crocodiles slink into the water as you pass by. You’ll watch the birds, untold numbers in a thrilling variety. Warm colours slowly inhabit the sky, as yellows turn to orange, then bright red and even specks of purple.

⇒guided

Address: Zambezi River Cruise, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world and provide one of the most awe-inspiring vistas on planet Earth. Meet at the Day Activity Centre for transportation to the park entrance. Alternatively, start from your hotel with a private transfer. Discover how the falls were formed, learn about local customs and traditions, and visit the art and crafts centre. You’ll finish the tour at the Lookout Cafe where you can enjoy a drink while gawking at the spectacular falls.

The Victoria Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world and provide one of the most awe-inspiring vistas on planet Earth.

Meet at the Day Activity Centre for transportation to the park entrance. Alternatively, start from your hotel with a private transfer. Discover how the falls were formed, learn about local customs and traditions, and visit the art and crafts centre. Moisture levels are high during the peak-water season from January to May, so dress appropriately and wear non-slip shoes.

At full moon when the Falls are at their peak and the sky is clear, huge rainbows appear through the mist. This unique event is visible the night before, the night of and the night after the full moon.

The Victoria Falls can be viewed from either the Zambian or Zimbabwean side. Some people say views are better from the Zimbabwean side when water levels are low, but in all fairness, the Falls are spectacular from any vantage point all year round.

⇒guided

Address: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Wild Horizons Lookout Cafe is a fantastic restaurant option from which to enjoy some delicious food along with amazing views of the falls.

Offering a range of dishes with interesting and fresh ingredients such as tilapia, warthog, crocodile or ostrich, you can experience a real taste of Africa with this adventurous menu.

Address: Batoka Gorge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

You’ll have the day at leisure to explore Victoria Falls. With so many activities at your disposal, you’ll never be at a loss for ways to enjoy the largest falls in the world! Finish the day in style on the Bushtracks Express, a unique dining experience that takes you around Victoria Falls while you lavishly dine on a three-course meal.

Arguably the most famous waterfall in the world, a day in Victoria Falls National Park is one you will never forget.

Sitting on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Victoria Falls spans 1.7 kilometres connecting the two countries together with the powerful gush of the largest waterfall in the world. The national park of the same name is actually on the Zimbabwean side, while in Zambia, it is Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, meaning the “the smoke that thunders”, a phrase that defines these falls.

The mighty power of the waterfalls has created a chasm in the Zambezi over Millenium, giving the waterfalls the eight successive precipices with a ninth on its way.

A day in the national park can be relaxed or enthralling – it’s really up to you! You may want to try out an exhilarating

white water rafting adventure, bungee jump or try the zipline. Alternatively, you can lull along the river on a safari trip, go fishing or take a canoe trip.

+ optional (not included in price)

Address: Zimbabwe

Climb aboard a luxurious steam train and journey to Victoria Falls Bridge where you will enjoy the sunset before delighting in a delicious 5-course meal.

This traditional steam train is reminiscent of British colonial Zimbabwe and is the ultimate Victoria Falls experience as you dine to the sound of the Smoke that Thunders. As romantic as it can get, the Bucktracks Express is an intimate dining experience that will introduce you a Zimbo touch to classic dishes.

Address: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

You’ll have the morning to relax before you are taken across the border to Livingstone Airport. You’ll be assisted with check in to your flight to the Kruger National Park area. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation. This is a full day of travel, you’ll have dinner in the lodge and relax in the African bush, listening for the sound of any wildlife nearby.

From: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
To: Airport

Shared transfer.

From: Livingstone
To: Nelspruit

+ optional (not included in price)

From: Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
To: Lion Sands River Lodge

Here you can expect a sophisticated interpretation of the traditional safari lodge, with light and bright contemporary décor. Limited walls allows a seamless flow between inside and out.

The lodge’s eight luxury rooms, six superior luxury rooms and four river suites are spaced along a path to reveal splendid river views and make for a very personal safari stay. This is where couples, families and friends come together to reconnect with one another and Mother Nature.

The river suites, each fronted by a plunge pool and set further away from the main lodge, are the most spacious and private – and also include a family suite. It’s for you to choose which accommodation best suits you – but the extraordinary view becomes standard. Beyond your retreat, relax at the guest pool or in the spa, get active in the gym, or browse the MORE Gallery. You can also turn your safari photos into artful souvenirs in the Creative Lab.

Address: Lion Sands River Lodge, Sabie Park, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Today is a full day of searching for wildlife in South Africa’s famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Starting with an early morning tea and coffee, you’ll head out with your park rangers at around 5 am when sightings are most frequent. Your morning game drive will take you to prime locations. Have breakfast and rest for the afternoon before heading out on your late afternoon game drive, another prime time of day as animals head to watering holes while the sun is setting. Dinner is at the lodge.

Rangers will wake you at the lodge at 5 am (wake up time dependant on the time of year) to greet the new dawn over coffee and rusks on the veranda.

Depart on a game drive in search of the ‘Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinoceros – the most sought after and dangerous of the world’s big game, some are easier to spot than others!

One of the best places in the world to go out on safari, Sabi Sands is directly opposite Kruger National Park, home to the highest density of big five game in South Africa.

⇒guided

Address: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, shaws gate, Kruger, South Africa

Join fellow travellers for afternoon tea and coffee after before an exciting evening game drive in open safari vehicles with professional rangers and trackers.

The vehicles stop individually in the bush to watch the sunset and to enjoy a sundowner. The game drive continues in the open vehicles with powerful spotlights, to seek out the nocturnal species.

One of the best places in the world to go out on safari, Sabi Sands is directly opposite Kruger National Park, home to the highest density of big five game in South Africa.

⇒guided

Address: Portion 4, Shaws Gate, shaws gate, Kruger, 1350, South Africa

Wake at 5 to greet the new dawn. Enjoy coffee and rusks on the veranda before departing on a game drive in search of the ‘Big Five’. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then join a guided bush walk with the expert rangers. Walk single file behind the ranger and feel the pulse of Africa through the soles of your feet! Return to the lodge for lunch, have a refreshing swim and relax on the patio with tea and coffee. Then, depart on an evening game drive open safari-style with professional rangers.

Rangers will wake you at the lodge at 5 am (wake up time dependant on the time of year) to greet the new dawn over coffee and rusks on the veranda.

Depart on a game drive in search of the ‘Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinoceros – the most sought after and dangerous of the world’s big game, some are easier to spot than others!

One of the best places in the world to go out on safari, Sabi Sands is directly opposite Kruger National Park, home to the highest density of big five game in South Africa.

⇒guided

Address: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, shaws gate, Kruger, South Africa

Join fellow travellers for afternoon tea and coffee after before an exciting evening game drive in open safari vehicles with professional rangers and trackers.

The vehicles stop individually in the bush to watch the sunset and to enjoy a sundowner. The game drive continues in the open vehicles with powerful spotlights, to seek out the nocturnal species.

One of the best places in the world to go out on safari, Sabi Sands is directly opposite Kruger National Park, home to the highest density of big five game in South Africa.

⇒guided

Address: Portion 4, Shaws Gate, shaws gate, Kruger, 1350, South Africa

Have your last early morning tea & coffee before your morning game drive for one last chance to see the wildlife of the Greater Kruger on your memorable South Africa trip. Have breakfast at the lodge, then you will be collected for your transfer in an open safari vehicle to Skukuza Airport. The transfer will take approximately 1 hour. Take your flight to Jo’burg and catch your connecting flight.

An iconic symbol of South Africa’s great variety of wildlife, Kruger National Park is a safari experience you simply cannot miss when in the east.

The park is huge, and routes can be chosen based on what you wish to see, divided by the Olifant River, the north is where elephants roam, and the south is covered in bushwillow, where big cats can hide. For bird lovers, it’s advised to stay close to the rivers. Although, all animals love to drink and splash now and again!

The Kruger National Park is one of the largest reserves in Africa, your safari exploration will take you along some of the best routes, allowing time to view the great variety of animals that roam the park with extremely high chances of seeing most of the Big 5.

⇒guided

Address: South Africa

From: Lion Sands River Lodge
To: Skukuza Airport

Shared transfer.

From: Skukuza
To: O.R. Tambo International Airport

+ optional (not included in price)