Johannesburg to Victoria Falls: A 9-Day Ultimate Southern Africa Circuit
South Africa / Zimbabwe
$6200 pp (payment plan dates: Sep 1 / Jan 1) | $1500 deposit to reserve spot
Solo room supplements available, inquire to learn more
May 22- May 30, 2027
18 SPOTS
Iconic safaris, natural wonders, and sunset on the Zambezi River, Southern Africa is the bucket list trip you've been waiting to take
About the Adventure
This journey captures the essence of Southern Africa to Zimbabwe—from vibrant city life to untamed wilderness and awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Start in Johannesburg, a city pulsing with energy, history, and resilience. From there, we head into the dramatic landscapes of Blyde River Canyon and the wild heart of Kruger National Park, where thrilling safari drives bring you face-to-face with Africa’s iconic wildlife. We’ll end with a grand finale at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
This trip blends adventure with cultural depth, scenic beauty with soulful connection. Whether it’s your first time in Africa or a return to a place you love, prepare to be moved, inspired, and completely in awe.
Trip Led by Tom
Tom grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and now lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where he works remotely as a software engineer and volunteers alongside his Labrador Retriever, Rocky. His love for travel began during a study abroad trip to Switzerland and has since taken him on adventures around the world, from bungee jumping and wingwalking to epic hikes and cultural experiences. After joining Kook’s Wild Ride in South Africa in 2026, Tom was inspired by the community, adventure, and connection Kaleigh had created and knew he wanted to help others experience that same magic.
As your trip leader, my goal is simple: to help make this the adventure of a lifetime and make sure you leave having achieved what you came for. Whether that is a personal challenge, a new perspective, or simply new views.
I can’t wait to explore Southern Africa and beyond with you!
Local Guide: Wendy
Wendy is a seasoned guide from our local vendor, Earthstompers, having experienced the dirt roads of Southern Africa on her overlanding days, and showing off Cape Town and the Garden Route in recent years.
She is cool and calm, and manages any tour itinerary with ease. With her exceptional knowledge of South Africa and her passion for people, she creates a spectacular tour experience for our guests.
9-Day Itinerary Overview
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Note: Accommodations are subject to change due to availability, but we will ensure any alternatives are of equal quality.
DAY # 1
Arrival and Group Meeting in Johannesburg
You will arrive arrive in Johannesburg and be transported to your hotel.
Activities:
☯ Relax, hydrate, grab a bite to eat
☯ Group meeting at hotel
☯ Walk around cute hotel neighborhood and shop
Accommodation: The Catalyst Hotel
DAY # 2
Johannesburg City Exploration Day (B, D)
Today you will get to experience a full day exploring the City of Gold, learning about its history and indulging in its rich culture.
Activities:
☯ Bus tour of the city with stops at the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill
☯ Private tour of the Soweto Township
☯ Exciting cultural dinner with a very unique live performance and a variety of local foods
Accommodation: The Catalyst Hotel
DAY # 3
Transport to Kruger National Park (B, D)
After breakfast, we will begin our drive to Kruger National Park.
Activities:
☯ Sunset safari in Kruger National Park and welcome at lodge
Accommodation: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
DAY # 4
Full Day Kruger National Park Private Safari (B, D)
Today you will set out in search of the Big Five and experience the park’s rich and diverse wildlife. Your naturalist will explain all about the animals to you.
Activities:
☯ Sunrise and afternoon game drives with lunch in the park
☯ Evening to relax and enjoy the pool and lodge
Accommodation: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
DAY # 5
Full Day Panoramic Drive (B, D)
Today you will experience one of the most beautiful drives in all of Africa
Activities:
☯ A scenic tour along the Panorama Route, featuring the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, along with iconic stops at God’s Window and Lisbon Falls
Accommodation: Umbhaba Eco Lodge
DAY # 6
Transport to the Victoria Falls Wonderland (B, D)
Today, you’ll fly to the Victoria Falls region of Zimbabwe, a breathtaking natural wonderland known for its thundering falls, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage.
Activities:
☯ Morning flight (around 1:45 minutes)
☯ Dusty Roads Cultural Dinner Experience
Accommodation: Wild Horizons Waterfall Lodge
DAY # 7
Full Day Victoria Falls Exploration (B, D)
Today, you will enjoy a full day of included fun activities around the incredible natural wonder.
Activities:
☯ Sunrise Bamba Tour (90 minutes) scenic train ride through the Zambezi National Park
☯ Private group tour of the falls
☯ Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River
Accommodation: Wild Horizons Waterfall Lodge
DAY # 8
Botswana Safari Day Trip (B, L)
You will embark on a full day trip to explore one of Botswanas most iconic national parks known as Chobe.
☯ Water safari
☯ Included cultural lunch in park at a lodge
☯ Driving safari in the afternoon
Accommodation: Wild Horizons Waterfall Lodge
DAY # 9
Transport Home (B)
Today you will embark on an included domestic flight back to Johansburg to catch your flights back home.
We have created a 4-day Cape Town Extension for after the tour for those interested! Please ask us about this.
5-Day Extension Overview
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Note: Accommodations are subject to change due to availability, but we will ensure any alternatives are of equal quality.
DAY # 10-14
Transport Home or Cape Town Extension
We have created a 4-day Cape Town Extension for after the tour for those interested! Please ask us about this.
Included
Airport pick up & drop off
8-nights includes hand-picked 3-4-star hotels and lodges
Breakfast each day with a handful of exciting cultural dinners + a few safari lunches/ Veg and Vegan friendly options available
Airport transfers
Transportation between destinations including 2 domestic flights
Local educated and english speaking cultural guide
Full day private city tour of Johannesburg
Soweto private tour, one of the largest townships in the world
A scenic tour along the Panorama Route, featuring the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, along with iconic stops at God’s Window and Lisbon Falls
2 full days of private safaris through Kruger National Park—one of Africa’s largest and most renowned game reserves—home to the Big Five and an incredible diversity of wildlife. (Sunrise and sunset drives).
Sunset river cruise with dinner on the Zambezi River with opportunities to see animals
Sunrise Bamba Tram Tour
Private tour of Victoria falls, one of the natural wonders of the world
All entrance fees to national parks
Your dedicated trip operator (that’s me!) will handle all your pre-trip worries, assist with flight bookings
Botswana Safari and Day Trip
Not included
International flights
Visa into Botswana ($50)
Trip insurance- (highly recommended)
Any Table Drinks, Tea/ Coffee, Water, Chocolates, Beer etc.
Any Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Personal Insurance & emergency rescue charges if necessary
Personal Expenses, Medical and evacuation Cost, Travel Insurance and Laundry
Cost raised by re-routing, cancellation, political disturbance which are not under our control etc
Tips to the Guides, Porters and the drivers [Tips are expected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel is one of those things that naturally gives rise to queries, so we’re here to put your mind at ease. Which trip is right for me? What do I do about visas? How much do I tip? For questions frequent and otherwise, this is the spot.
Do I Need a Passport?
YES. The second you consider a trip with us, please check to ensure your passport is up to date and does not expire up to 6 months after the trip. At the moment, all of our trips are international. However, if we choose to do a
domestic one you would not need a passport but would need the REAL ID come 2025. In general, this is something you should consider getting soon to assist with your travel needs next year
Will I need a Visa?
Whether you need a visa depends on the country we are visiting. We will let you know in advance if a visa is required for any of our trips. Please be aware that visa fees are not included in the trip prices, but they are generally inexpensive. We will guide you through the simple visa application process before each trip.
KWR Trips that require a visa:
You do not need a visa for Italy
Do I need to buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in our trip package. While it is not mandatory to join our trips, it is highly recommended. Travel insurance can cover various aspects of your journey, and there are many types and options available. We are happy to assist you in finding the right insurance that suits your needs before the trip.
Are flights included?
Flights are not included in our trip packages. However, we are happy to assist you in finding and choosing the best flight options for each trip. Please keep in mind that we recommend purchasing flight insurance for added
peace of mind.
We offer flight help for a $60 fee.
Are transfers to and from the airport included?
Yes, transfers to and from the airport upon arrival and departure are included in our trips. Please note, that if you arrive or depart outside of the scheduled trip dates, we can arrange transfers for an additional fee.
On this trip, transfers too and from Venice are included.
I have special dietary requirements – will they be catered for?
We are dedicated to accommodating special dietary requirements as best as we can. Please inform us of your specific needs in advance, and we will make every effort to ensure you are properly catered for throughout the trip. Please note that the ability to accommodate dietary restrictions may vary by location. We are knowledgeable of the areas we visit though, and will inform you if your specific needs cannot be met.
How do you arrange room sharing on the trip and who will I have to share with?
We arrange rooms based on your preferences. Often, friends and partners sign up together and request to share a room. Alternatively, solo travelers sometimes express a desire to share, and we assist in pairing them up.
On this trip, there is the option to have a $480 solo room up charge just for the 5 night hotel stays.
We will have 4-nights in cozy mountain huts with comfortable beds but we may be in dormitory styles. This depends on availability when booking.
If I am traveling with a significant other or friend, how do I ensure we are put in the same room?
When you sign up for the trip, please specify the person you wish to room with.
We will ensure that you are placed together in the same room automatically.
Are there options for single rooms if I don’t want to share?
Yes, single rooms are available on our trips. There is an additional fee for solo
rooms, which varies by country. We will inform you of this fee when you sign up.
When is the final due date for my trip?
We typically offer payment for our trips in 2-3 installments. The initial deposit is
deducted from the total trip price. The final payment is due typically between 35
to 60 days prior to the start of the trip. The exact deadline depends on the country
and payment schedule requirements.
Let’s connect and travel
Immerse yourself in local culture, enjoy daring adventures, and form long-lasting friendships with fellow travelers from around the globe.
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