10061 Riverside Drive, #428 Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Phone: 818-766-6850
Email: info@1000treks.com
South Africa, Victoria Falls Devil's Pool, Gorillas and Chimpanzees!
Location: Location: 5 African Countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, and Uganda.
In this amazing 18-day trip you will:
- Visit 5 countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda and Uganda.
- Visit Victoria Falls and SWIM AT DEVIL'S POOL! You have seen videos of it online and I'm sure you said, "I've got to do this!!!" Well, now you will.
- Swim under Victoria Falls. You read that correctly: you will not only hike to the bottom of it, but you will SWIM UNDER THE MAJESTIC VICTORIA FALLS.
- Visit some of the most important cities in South Africa, including Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- Drive the breathtaking Garden Route in South Africa.
- Visit important historical landmarks, including Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, and the Apartheid Museum.
- Dive with crocodiles. Yup, you also read that correctly as well!
- Swim with penguins in Boulders Beach! That's right, not only see them, but you will go to a beach where they roam free and get to swim in the ocean with them.
- Go to Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point in Africa, where the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
- Bungee jump off Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bungee jump off a bridge in the world!
- Do a gorge swing over the Zambezi river.
- Do a SCAD freefall.
- Go on several safaris:
- A safari to see the Big 5 of Africa (Lions, Leopards, African Elephant, African Buffalo and Rhino).
- A walking safari to see rhinos. You will see rhinos ON FOOT!
- A night safari
- A gorilla safari, where you will be GUARANTEED to see and spend time with the majestic and endangered silverback gorillas in the wild.
- A chimpanzee safari where we will see and spend time with chimpanzees in the wild
- A tree-climbing lion safari in Ishasha, Uganda.
- Go to an elephant sanctuary, where we won't just see, but will interact with rescued African elephants.
- Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda.
- Visit traditional African villages, including a visit to a Batwa Pygmies village.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL, CHECK IN, TABLE MOUNTAIN AND VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT
Arrive in Cape Town, meet your guide, and get transferred to the hotel.
After a few free hours to rest, your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Table Mountain, the flat top mountain that is Cape Town's most famous postcard. You will take the tram to the top of the mountain and watch a beautiful sunset from the top of the mountain.
After Table Mountain, your guide will take you to the beautiful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for dinner and back to your hotel at the end of the day.
Accommodations: Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar
Meals: N/A
DAY 2: FULL DAY TOUR OF CAPE TOWN
Full day Cape Town Tour, where you will visit Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 of his 27 years in prison), District 6, Bo Kaap, Clifton Beaches, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You will also visit the Cheetah Outreach, a cheetah sanctuary where you will see cheetahs up close and even have the chance to play with them!
Accommodations: Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TOUR, SWIM WITH PENGUINS AND CROC ENCOUNTER
Your day will start with a tour to Cape Point, the southernmost point in Africa, and the place where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet.
After Cape Point, you visit Boulder's Beach, where African penguins roam free. You will not only see them at the beach, but if they are in the water, you will actually get to swim with them!
In the afternoon, you will head out to Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures. There you will have the option to see crocodiles from the dry box, or if you are adventurous enough, you can get in the water in the cage to see those predators up-close underwater!
Accommodations: Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: START DRIVING THE GARDEN ROUTE. HERMANUS WHALE WATCHING
After three exciting days in South Africa's most famous city, you now start your journey on South Africa's most beautiful drive: the Garden Route. Your guide will pick you up early in the morning, and you will proceed to Hermanus. Situated just 140 kilometers from Cape Town and built between the beautiful shores and cliffs of Walker Bay, Hermanus is one of the most beautiful coastal cities of South Africa and possibly the best place in the world for whale watching. You will go on a fascinating whale watching tour where you are all-but-guaranteed to see several whales up close, including humpback whales, southern right whales and Bryde’s whales. After whale watching we will have a free day in beautiful Hermanus.
Accommodations: The Marine Hermanus or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: DRIVE TO PLETTENBERG BAY. SAFARI AT PLETTENBERG GAME RESERVE
Your guide will pick you up early in the morning to get back on the road on the beautiful Garden Route towards Plettenberg Bay. Another gorgeous city along the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, or simply Plett is a picturesque, charming town with endless pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests and a dramatic rocky peninsula.
You will check in at hotel and get ready for your first game drive of the trip at Plettenberg Game Reserve where you will set off to see Africa's Big 5: Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants and Buffalo. You will also see antelope, giraffes, zebras, hippos and crocodiles.
Accommodations: The Plettenberg Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: FREE DAY OR DAY OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES. SUNSET ELEPHANT WALK.
Today you can take a relaxing day at Plettenberg Bay swimming in the warm watered beaches of this beautiful town, or you can join in one of the exciting optional activities offered in the area:
- Kayak and Lilo at the Storm River. Called The Most Beautiful Adventure in South Africa, where you will kayak up the Storm River gorge in Tsitsikamma. When you reach a place where you can't kayak anymore, you will lilo. Lilo is a soft board that you lay on and paddle with your hands. Because they are lighter and smaller, they allow you to go further up the river gorge, where kayaks can't go. Lots of fun!
- The uber-adventurous, will have the chance to bungee jump off Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bungee jump bridge in the world. Over 700 feet high!
- Later in the afternoon, you will head out to Knysna Elephant Park, where you will get to walk and interact with rescued elephants!
Accommodations: The Plettenberg Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: FLY TO JOHANNESBURG AND VISIT THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND & STERKFONTEIN CAVES
Get transferred to George airport for your flight to Johannesburg, one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities, the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa.
You will arrive in Johannesburg and get transferred to hour hotel. In the afternoon, you guide will pick you up to visit the fascinating Cradle of Humankind, a paleoanthropological site where some of the oldest humanoid fossils (some as old as 2-3 million years old) have been discovered. You will also tour the magnificent Sterkfontein Caves, caves.
After your pre historic day, nothing would be more appropriate than dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant. Called Africa's greatest eating experience, Carnivore Restaurant is an all you can eat restaurant where the waiters bring a variety of exotic African game on a spear right to your table, including ostrich, kudu and even crocodile!
Accommodations: Little Tuscany Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: FULL DAY CITY TOUR OF JOHANNESBURG
Today you will do a full day Johannesburg tour. You will visit Soweto, Constitution Hill, Mandela House, Apartheid Museum, Oppenheimer cultural Centre, Hector Peterson Memorial and the Orlando Cooling Towers. At the Oralando Cooling Towers you will have the opportunity to do another unique adrenaline activity: SCAD Freefall. That, by the way, is the highest SCAD Freefall in the world! All entrance fees are included today, as well as lunch. Excluded are drinks at lunch and entrance into SCAD Freefall.
Accommodations: Little Tuscany Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
DAY 9: FLY TO VICTORIA FALLS, VICTORIA FALLS TOUR, ZAMBEZI SUNSET CRUISE
Today you say good bye to South Africa and head out to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to see one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World: The breathtaking Victoria Falls.
You will get transferred OR Tambo International Airport for your flight into Victoria Falls. You'll arrive in VFA Airport and get transferred to your Hotel, so you can settle down an rest momentarily.
In the afternoon, your guide will come to pick you up for your first of many views of Victoria Falls. You will go on a guided tour to the best locations to see the falls.
Later in the afternoon, your guide will pick you up again, to go on a sunset boat cruise of the Zambezi River, one of the most beautiful experiences in the Victoria Falls area. You will watch a magnificent sunset and will get to see a variety of wild life including birds, hippos, crocodiles and elephants in and by the water.
Accommodations: The Kingdom Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: DEVIL'S POOL, SWIM UNDER VICTORIA FALLS, AND NIGHT SAFARI
Today is going to be one of the highlights of your trip. We will wake up early to cross the border into your third African country, Zambia and go on a tour to Livingstone Island where we will jump into the coolest infinity pool in the world: Devil's Pool. You have been seeing videos of that on the internet for years and always said "I've got to do this one day!" Well, today is the day. Bring your swimsuit and be ready to jump into the most exciting pool in the world and see Victoria Falls from an angle that very few people in the world will ever get to see: FROM THE WATER, ON TOP OF THE FALLS!
As this wasn't enough, you will then hike down to the bottom of the falls and swim right under the falls! Another experience that very few people in the world will ever even dream of having.
Late in the afternoon you will go on you second safari: a night safari. The safari starts at around sunset, when the animals are the most active, with predators on the prowl and pray having to stay alert. You often get to see animals that you don't see during the day.
After the safari we will have a bush dinner around a campfire with wine, cold beer, and light refreshments.
Accommodations: The Kingdom Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and bush dinner
DAY 11: TRADITIONAL AFRICAN VILLAGE TOUR, GORGE SWING AND RHINO SAFARI ON FOOT
Your guide will pick you up in the morning, when you will go on a tour to a traditional African village and meet the locals, and get to see their daily life.
Early in the afternoon, you will have the chance to do your last exciting adrenaline activity: a gorge swing over the Zambezi River
After that, you will once again cross the border into Zambia go on your third safari: A walking safari to see African Rhinos. You will travel on-foot and get super close to the rhinos that live in the wild, but are used to having humans around. Although you will be completely safe, being on the ground surrounded by wild rhinos is an exciting experience!
You will be back late in the afternoon and have the rest of your last day to relax at Victoria Falls:
Accommodations: The Kingdom Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: FLIGHT OVER VICTORIA FALLS AND FLY TO RWANDA
Today you will have your last view of Victoria Falls, now on a helicopter flight over the Falls, where you can see them from yet another angle: high above.
After that , you will get transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight into country #4: Rwanda.
You will arrive in Kigali, Rwanda in the afternoon, get transferred to your hotel close to the airport, and have the rest of the afternoon to relax, or maybe swim at the pool.
In the evening, your guide will pick you up and take you to a local restaurant for a typical Rwanda dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali or similar.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: KIGALI CITY TOUR AND DRIVE TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
In the morning, your guide will pick you up and take you on a tour of Kigali city that includes a visit to Kimironko Market and the Kigali Genocide Memorial. You will then have lunch in Kigali, and cross the border into country #5: Uganda, The Pearl of Africa.
In Uganda you will drive for 4 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park arriving in the afternoon. You will get settled in your rooms and then go for walk to the Batwa community where you will get to meet the famous Batwa Pygmies and share their unique cultural experience, the Batwa are the oldest of the indigenous tribes in Uganda.
Accommodations: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
You will wake up to a tasty breakfast in the biting coldness of Bwindi. Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee, grab our packed lunch and head out to the pack headquarters - just a short distance from the lodge. Here, you will receive briefing about the dos and don'ts of Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, and set off with your jungle guides.
You will start your safari #4 and enter the forest on foot in search of the Gorillas. You may trek for several hours until we find them. When you finally find them, it will be one of the most powerful experiences of your life, coming across one of the most powerful animals alive and being within 20 feet of them in the wild! You will be allowed to spend up to one hour with them and then head back, and transfer back to the lodge. You will have a free evening at the lodge.
Accommodations: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 15: BWINDI TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL FOREST TO SEE THE TREE CLIMBING LIONS AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS
After early morning breakfast, your guide will take you to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha to see tree climbing lions and other games. We will drive to our lodge for lunch and refreshment then embark on safari #5, a game drive in Kasenyi commonly known as Kob mating grounds for great game like Lions, Buffaloes, Kobs, Antelopes, and Oribi.
Accommodations: Elephant Hab Lodge or Similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16: TREE CLIMBING LION SAFARI AND DRIVE TO KIBALE
After breakfast, you will go on safari #6 in Ishasha in search of the tree climbing lions again. You will also spot other animals including Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes and all species of antelopes at Kasenyi sector.
In the afternoon you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, a capital city of primates with over ten primate species recorded. You will arrive at the lodge late in the afternoon, check in, have dinner, and go for a swamp walk in Bigodi where you will get to see different local birds, including the exotic Great Blue Turaco.
Accommodations: Chimpanzee Guest House
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING AND TRANSFER TO ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
In the morning you will go on our last safari (#7!) to see chimpanzees in the wild. You will spend the morning tracking the exuberant chimp families in the Kibale forest. Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor, is a thrilling experience!
You will head back to your hotel in the afternoon and have the rest of the day to rest and pack for your flight back home.
DAY 18: TRANSFER TO ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT HOME
Since everything has to come to an end, your amazing 18-day journey has to end today. Your guide will pick you up in the morning, and drive you to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home with unforgettable memories in your mind and your camera, and bragging rights from having done some of the coolest things and seeing some of the most amazing places in the planet.
- You will need to get a yellow fever vaccine AND A CARD stating that you have been vaccinated. They will require to see that before you enter Rwanda and Uganda.
- Visas:
- South Africa does not require a visa for American citizens for a less than 90 days stay. If you are not an American citizen, you might need a visa. Here is the visa page at the South African Embassy:
- Zimbabwe and Zambia: American citizens need a visa but it can be obtained at the time we are crossing the border. A Kaza visa that is valid for multiple entries between Zimbabwe and Zambia will cost 50.00 and all you need is a U.S. passport valid for at least 6 months. If you are not an American citizen, look at this page to see if you need to apply in advance for Zimbabwe and this page to see if you need to apply in advance for Zambia.
- For Rwanda and Uganda, everyone needs to apply in advance. It's a simple process but you should get on it ASAP to avoid problems. We suggest you get the East Africa Tourist Visa that is good for both countries (plus Kenya, although that's not in our itinerary). You can apply it for it HERE or you can go through the Ugandan or Rwandan embassy. Embassies can be very slow and unhelpful, so that's why we always recommend using a third party that will charge you a small fee but will do all the leg work for you.
- Because of the adventurous nature of this trip, your itinerary and some locations are subject to change due of weather, tides, road conditions, logistics and other unforeseen circumstances. It’s not likely, but it could happen. Whenever we make a change in the itinerary, we will do our best to keep the integrity of the trip.
- Insurance is REQUIRED. You may purchase insurance with any company you wish, but we require that you have insurance, and that your policy covers personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and treatment, repatriation, and personal liability, for both diving and non-diving incidents, with a minimum coverage of USD$200,000. You will be required to submit proof of insurance no later than (seven) 7 days prior to the start of the trip. Although not part of the requirement, we STRONGLY suggest that you get insurance right away (within 15 days of making your deposit), and that you buy a policy that will cover you in case you need to cancel your trip for any reason.
COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS
On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. For all intents and purposes, any travel changes or impact related to or occurring as a result of the Virus, although where otherwise could be acknowledged as “foreseeable,” will qualify as unforeseeable and as a “Force Majeure” event. Due to the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of the Virus/pandemic, 1000 Leagues Travel will make every effort to effect all Trips as planned but under various circumstances (government-mandated, safety-related, Supplier-affected, or otherwise) may need to modify or cancel a Trip, in part or in its entirety, and may be unable to provide refunds or credits to the traveler.
The Company will not be held liable for any new or existing infection contracted or transmission encountered before or during a Trip, and any damages or losses thereby incurred. It is the traveler’s responsibility to inform 1000 Leagues Travel if he/she has detected or been diagnosed with an infection at any point before, during, or within 14 days following a Trip. Although not an automatic preclusion, the Company will, in its discretion, disallow or terminate travel by anyone previously, currently, or newly (throughout the course of a Trip) infected by the Virus. It is your responsibility to ensure your insurance plan covers you if the Virus affects your travel plans in any way.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all travelers. You will be required to show proof of current vaccination of a Center for Disease Control and/or World Health Organization approved vaccine. The type of vaccine accepted by different countries might vary, and all our groups will have to comply with all the requirements from all the countries we will be visiting, traveling through, or returning to. Noncompliance with any of the vaccinations requirements at any time may result in your removal from the trip without any refunds or compensation. 1000 Leagues Travel will not be held responsible for any circumstances resulting from failure to provide proof of vaccination.
Proof of a negative COVID-19 test might also be required. All travelers must be ready to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test if required by any of the countries we will be visiting, travelling through, or returning to. Noncompliance may result in your removal from the trip without any refunds or compensation, and furthermore may result in imposed quarantine, which might result in loss of airfare and other financial consequences. 1000 Leagues Travel will not be held responsible for any circumstances resulting from failure to provide a negative COVID-19 test whenever required.
Our COVID-19 policy will remain under continual revision, but until containment and predictability are achieved will be governed as herein stated.Please refer to section 9 of the contract, titled "COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS (“VIRUS”)" for the limitations of our liability.
