Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Cape Town, South Africa

  Welcome

  Touch down in Cape Town, South Africa! Once through customs and immigration, you'll receive a warm VIP welcome from Born Free Safaris' host.
  
  From the vibrant hues of the homes in Bo-Kaap to the poignant echoes of its apartheid past, the Cape region is an area of stunning contrasts. With the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain, Cape Town anchors a landscape defined by lush valleys and dramatic, rugged coastlines. It remains, quite simply, one of the most breathtaking cities on the planet.
  
  Located only 40 minutes from Cape Town City and the airport, start your journey in historic Stellenbosch. Nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this town invites you to a laid-back start surrounded by stunning 18th-century Cape Dutch architecture, granite peaks, and lush green landscapes. Beyond its world-class vineyards, Stellenbosch serves as a vibrant cultural hub where you can explore premier art galleries and indulge in a diverse culinary scene, featuring artisanal chocolates, local cheeses, and world-class wine and fine brandy.

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Cape Town

  Sleep in a bit, have a leisurely breakfast, and then head out with your specialist guide to explore the region. Your trip is designed around your interests and tastes - wine, cheese, art galleries, or just the historic culture of the area.
  
  Tonight, reservations can be made in one of the top local restaurants – Born Free includes a discounted dinner voucher.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Cape Peninsula & Historic Towns

  Penguin Beach, Stellenbosch

  Your private guide will pick you up after breakfast for a full day's tour of the Cape Peninsula. This is the most spectacular coastal drive in South Africa. Travel over Chapman’s Peak, stopping at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Visit Boulders and Foxy Beach, the home to African penguins. Head through charming fishing villages, stopping for a seaside lunch, and then visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens during blooming season. South Africa has many indigenous species such as the magnificent protea, orchids, and the African Daisy.
  
  Arrival back in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

  Breakfast
• Day

  04

  Cape Town

  TABLE BAY, CITY HIGHLIGHTS

  This morning, your introduction to the Cape region will be from the top of Table Mountain. Ascend via rotating cable car for views of the city, coast, surrounding mountains, and across the water to historic Robben Island.
  
  Discover Cape Town up-close on your private tour with expert guide. Each city tour is designed to your interests, but top sites include the colorful Cape Malay art district, Greenmarket Square, public buildings, House of Parliament, City Hall, and The Cape Castle.
  
  Born Free's Concierge Service will be more than happy to assist in making dinner recommendations and reservations. Top restaurants require reservations with deposit months in advance.

  Breakfast
• Day

  05

  Cape Region

  À la Carte Touring

  Spend today on your choice of "À la carte" touring. Select from a wide range of excursions that are already included in the price of the trip. Discuss your interests with a Born Free Safaris Specialist who will then create your personalized private tour.
  
  Ideas for À la Carte Touring:
  
  1) ARTS OF AFRICA - Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and wander around Cape Town's arts district.
  
  2) WINE & CHEESE - Spend a full day in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Not only known for wine and gourmet restaurants but a magnificent area surrounded by granite peaks and dotted with stark white Cape Dutch architecture. Arrangements can be made for touring with a wine specialist guide.
  
  3) APARTHEID - Journey to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
  
  4) ADD 2 Days - SAFARI in GREATER KRUGER-SABI SAND
  
  5) SOWETO - Add a day in Johannesburg.

  Breakfast
• Day

  06

  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

  This morning, board your intercontinental flight north to Victoria Falls. Your hotel lies within walking distance of the Zambezi River or shuttle depending on your selected hotel.
  
  The waterfalls are known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). There's a magic about the area with the towering columns of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, and the deep dark gorges. The falls are 5,604 feet wide, the largest curtain of water in the world! Late afternoon visits can sometimes give you views of the rainbow that often arches over the canyon.
  
  In the late afternoon, relax on a Sunset Cruise down the Zambezi River.

  Breakfast / Dinner

  Optional: The best way to see Victoria Falls is by the 12-14 minute helicopter flightseeing.
• Day

  07

  Victoria Falls - East Africa

  David Livingstone was the first European to visit the area and named the falls after Queen Victoria. Your guide takes you on a scenic path through the rain forests where you will get to the best vantage points of both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides. Approach the heart-pounding views of Devil's Cateract and Knife Edge Bridge. The sound is loud as the water plunges 310 feet over a mile-long gorge.
  
  Take a small boat day trip on another segment of Zambezi, this time for a bit of possible wildlife and bird viewing. If you keep your eyes peeled, you may get to see lurking crocodile or hippo. The area is also a birder's paradise, with numerous jewel-like birds, as well as mighty fish eagles.
  
  You have a full day today in Vic Falls, to save two city overnights. We schedule the flight from Vic Falls to East Africa tonight with an overnight in Nairobi. This is the best connection to Kenya and Tanzania.
  
  If you want additional time in Vic Falls, speak to your Born Free consultant and an extra day can easily be added.
  
  Upon arrival in Nairobi, you are met and escorted to your hotel.

  Breakfast

  Optional Activities:
  Scenic Helicopter Tour
  The best way to get the full impact of Victoria Falls is by this stunning 13-minute flight. Cost from $175 per person.
  
  Devil's Pool, Zambia
  This natural pool has been created by erosion on the lip of the falls, where the water is only a few feet deep. This allows guests to sit in the pool and not get swept over the edge. Seasonally available. Cost from $180 per person.
• Day

  08

  Lake Manyara, Tanzania

  On Safari

  Early 40-minute flight to Tanzania. You are greeted by your Born Free Professional Safari Guide and head out to Lake Manyara National Park. Ernest Hemingway called this “the loveliest place I have seen in Africa.” Head out on a game drive through this 127-square mile park, two-thirds of which is covered by lake.
  
  The highlight of the park’s wildlife is the wonderful hippo population. You’ll also have the chance to see elephant, giraffe, monkeys, impala, tree-climbing lions, and more than 380 species of birds among the park’s five different vegetation zones.
  
  Walk across the Treetop Walkway for a unique view of the forest below with its colorful birds, monkeys, and possibly an elephant making its way to the lake. Stop at a small Maasai village before continuing to Ngorongoro Highlands for overnight.

  Drive time: 2 hours

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Optional day in Nairobi:
  Visit the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife/Giraffe Center, where local children learn about their precious natural resource - the wildlife. A raised platform will bring you eye level with the friendly giraffes. You will also be able to view Giraffe Manor from the center.
  
  Continue to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This is a haven for elephant and rhino orphans. The organization is one of the world's most successful elephant rescue and rehabilitation programs. They nurture baby elephants that have been abandoned or orphaned until they are strong enough to be reintroduced into the bush.
• Day

  09

  Ngorongoro Crater

  Descend onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a day of game viewing. Nearly 120 square miles in size, it contains an impressive variety of wildlife, including lions with black manes, the highly endangered black rhino, herds of wildebeest, zebra, elephants, hippo, and hyena.
  
  The bird life is also prolific, with flocks of pink flamingos on the soda lake, plus other species of water and plains birds. A picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive before heading back to your lodge for Sundowner cocktails, dinner, and an evening discussing the day’s events with your fellow travelers.

  Drive time: 45 minutes

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Days

  10-11

  Serengeti National Park

  In Search of the Migrating Herds

  The base for your Serengeti safari will be based on the time of year you are traveling. Lodges will be recommended to optimize game viewing.
  
  The Serengeti is a vast area of just under 12,000 square miles. It is Tanzania's oldest and greatest national park, arguably offering the most exciting game-viewing in Africa. There are great herds of buffalo, groups of elephant, and giraffe. There are thousands upon thousands of elands, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant’s gazelle.
  
  Unlike many other safari companies, Born Free Safaris will change your base for explorations to coordinate with the seasons. The Southern Serengeti is best for playing host to the migrating herds from December to March. In June, they head towards Grumeti and the Western Corridor. From July - October, they are near the far north Kenya border or have crossed into the Mara. Using this as a guideline, there is always great resident game in the Serengeti.

  Drive time: to Serengeti 1.5 hours, to lodge will depend on time of year

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Optional Activity:
  Hot Air Balloon Safari:
  We highly suggest the balloon safari at dawn over the Serengeti with a champagne bush breakfast, from $550 per person.
• Days

  12-13

  Serengeti National Park

  2nd Safari Location

  Spend your days exploring the Serengeti's vast eco-system. The safari will head into the area with the most potential concentrated game viewing, and today we will move to a second base for exploration. Every day is special and never the same. It is exciting, and every turn brings something you have not seen before on safari.
  
  Unlimited game drives with picnic lunches, or, if you prefer, you can return to camp and go back out in the afternoon.

  Drive time: will depend on time of year

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  14

  Your Journey Onwards

  Flight to Arusha

  Bid farewell to the bush and the friends you’ve made at camp as you are escorted to the airstrip for your flight to Arusha. But the fun is not quite over yet!
  
  Upon your arrival in Arusha, you will be taken to lunch. If there is time, you will also be able to relax and buy last-minute gifts. Then you will be escorted to the Kilimanjaro airport in time for your international flight home, taking with you the memories of a truly amazing African experience!
  
  "Kwa Heri" ("Goodbye" in Swahili)

  Breakfast / Lunch