Your private Compass Odyssey guide greets you at Cape Town International Airport and says amkela (“welcome” in the local isiXhosa language) to Southern Africa. As you travel from the airport to the vibrant inner-city neighbourhood of Gardens or the bustling V&A Waterfront precinct, you fall under the watchful eye of Table Mountain and look out across Table Bay to Robben Island and beyond. Depending on your arrival time today, your guide will happily commence your exploration of the city this afternoon should you wish.

Sheltering between ocean and mountain – with a national park at its heart – this spiritual city bears a soul influenced by a cultural melting pot of indigenous Bushman peoples, settlers of Dutch, Indo-Malay, French, British and German origin, and African Nguni tribes originally from the north, such as the Xhosa. Today we show off our Mother City with an insightful and enjoyable walk through the city’s historical heart followed by the dramatic ascension by cable car of Table Mountain. (Cableway closed for two-week annual maintenance in late-July to early-August). For nearly 400 years, Robben Island was a place of exile and imprisonment for those regarded as outcasts and troublemakers – the most famous being Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years of his life here. The 3½ hour tour includes a return boat trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45-minute guided bus tour of the island.

A relaxing day awaits you today on a meander around the scenic Cape Peninsula with our Compass Odyssey guide. Leaving the city behind, you first visit the eclectic fishing village of Kalk Bay and the historical naval town of Simon’s Town and its resident colony of African penguins at nearby Boulder’s Beach. You then venture further south to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the many legends and shipwreck stories that abound at the “Cape of Storms” are brought to life. After visiting both Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, you travel back to the city via the Atlantic coastline and the dramatic and picturesque Chapman’s Peak Drive.

South Africa’s celebrated Cape Winelands region is not just internationally famous for its exquisite wines, but is also highly valued for its extraordinary beauty and diversity. Set in soaring mountains and sweeping valleys amidst the carefully preserved, natural bounty of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the Cape’s vineyards are rich in fascinating tradition, history and unique Cape-Dutch architecture, as well as exceptional wines and cuisine. Today offers a meaningful and inspirational visit to a number of vineyards, allowing you to enjoy the fine wine and good food on offer with the peace of mind that our hosts are committed to both the environmental and social welfare of this scenic and historical region.

Should the theme of this day not be of interest, you may prefer instead to visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden or the many museums within the city. Or you may prefer a shark viewing excursion (additional expense and seasonal).

Our guide returns you this morning to Cape Town Airport for your direct flight to South Africa’s wildlife-rich Lowveld from where our local driver transfers you into the Associated Private Nature Reserves – better known as the Greater Kruger – and you immediately embark on your first game drive on the way to your camp in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. This afternoon and over the next two days, you can anticipate quality wildlife viewing within this “Big Five” reserve adjoining Kruger National Park.

One of the most undeveloped and pristine wilderness areas of the Greater Kruger, animals migrate freely between Klaserie and Kruger National Park, creating an incredible biosphere and one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. Located in a remote and private location within Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and managed by James and Corlia Steyn, Senalala Luxury Safari Camp offers a truly authentic bush safari experience. Set on the banks of the seasonal Ntsiri River, you can expect an abundance of quality wildlife viewing while at Senalala, with the camp itself overlooking a watering hole that draws a constant flow of wildlife. You can choose a game drive or bush walk – the latter is a specialty of Senalala.

Mike, Stuart or Thuli now transfer you to Kruger-Mpumalanga Nelspruit Airport for your flight to Livingstone, Zambia. Here our local guide, Mortimer provides your private transfer to your tranquil camp on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Later this afternoon, you will embark on a complimentary sunset cruise on this famous river.

Chundukwa River Lodge boasts a secluded spot on the banks of the Zambezi River yet it is only a 45-minute drive from the bustling town of Livingstone. Staying here enables simple logistics for tomorrow’s rhino walking safari and Elephant Cafe lunch, which are both located close by. Dotted alongside the river are six tented chalets with spacious and tastefully furnished interiors, en-suite bathrooms and a private balcony. The main lodge area includes a popular bar as well as a restaurant overlooking a large swimming pool and the river. It’s from here where you depart on this afternoon’s sunset cruise.

You arise early this morning and travel to the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park for a rhino walking safari, viewing the only surviving population of white rhino in all Zambia. This is followed by lunch with the resident herd at the Elephant Café. You are then transferred by speed boat down the Zambezi towards the bridge/border with Zimbabwe, where you disembark and Mortimer transfers you across to Zimbabwe and your lodge in the town of Victoria Falls.

Supporting a herd of ten rescued elephants, the Elephant Café is a combination of three exclusive experiences—a close encounter with the world’s largest land animal, gourmet dining in a salubrious setting, and an epic boat trip down the Zambezi River.

NOTE: It’s possible to include the Livingstone Island “afternoon high tea” Tour (seasonal, subject to water levels) after you disembark from your Elephant Café boat transfer.

We are pleased to offer you a complimentary guided visit to the Victoria Falls during your stay (Zambian & Zimbabwean sides; includes entrance fees). Your safari also includes a Zambezi River cruise, rhino walking safari and Elephant Café lunch during your stay on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. The plethora of other activities on offer includes white-water rafting or canoeing, birding and horse-back safaris, helicopter and microlight scenic flights, African township and village tours, adrenaline activities like bungee jumping and zip sliding, and much more. We especially recommend “Tour the Township” with our local guide, Mortimer who introduces you to his home turf and often invites our travelers to lunch with his wife and family. Dining options include African-style feasts with accompanying tribal entertainment at The Boma or Jungle Junction restaurants, as well as an afternoon high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.

Today you’ll travel to Botswana and Garden Lodge, located in the small safari town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The private road transfer from Victoria Falls passes through bushveld that is home to wildlife such as elephant and giraffe, sightings of which often occur during the drive. You are again accompanied by Mortimer who will assist with the cross-border formalities. This afternoon, you will embark on a private boat safari along the Chobe River. The accompanying sunset on the river often provides a truly memorable moment of your African safari. From your riverside accommodation, you are usually ‘serenaded’ to sleep tonight by the grunts coming from nearby pods of hippo as they venture out of the water to graze on the lodge’s lush lawn.

Your day revolves around morning and afternoon private game drives within the Chobe National Park. You’ll also enjoy delicious home-style meals and have time for some quality lazing by the pool and perhaps even a midday siesta.

Note: You have the option today of a half day private game drive that ventures further into the park. To make your safari extra special, Compass Odyssey travelers are provided with a private vehicle and boat during your stay in Chobe. Other companies typically offer game drives with up to 10 passengers and boat safaris with 10-50+ travellers on board.

During your game drives, be on the lookout for predators such as lion and hyena, and iconic herbivores such as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, warthog and wildebeest. On your boat safaris along the Chobe River, you will encounter all manner of wildlife, including Nile crocodile and the Chobe’s great herds of elephant as they come to the river’s edge to drink and frolic in the fresh water.

This morning’s private boat safari on the Chobe River offers a serene and tranquil end to your safari. After a hearty brunch, we will say tsamaya sentle (“goodbye and go well” in the local Setswana language) as you are transferred the short distance to Kasane Airport for your further travel arrangements. There is a daily flight to Johannesburg that departs Kasane at 2:00 pm, arriving at 3:45 pm. If you wish, we can also arrange for Mortimer to return you to Victoria Falls or Livingstone (2½-3 hours).