Lions. Elephants. Penguins. If you think that’s amazing, hold your zebras because we have more. Authentic cooking classes, wine tasting, ocean kayaking. Travel to Africa has never been as good as it is now with our Cape, Safari and Falls trip!
11 days basking in the sun, by the coast, and by magnificent waterfalls. Coupled with unique and cultural experiences you won’t get anywhere else – this is the trip for all our Contiki animal and adventure lovers! We spoke to Trip Manager Kyle to get the insider details on this spectacular journey.
Hey Kyle, can you give me 3 reasons why I’ll love this trip?
Safaris. Cities. Adrenaline filled activities.
“Start with the most obvious one: safaris, it’s in the name. This trip is filled to the brim with safaris and not just on land either. There’s lions, elephants, zebras, all the usual suspects, as well as penguins in Cape Town and maybe some whale sightings if we’re lucky!
“After that, it’s all the amazing and vibrant cities we’ll be stopping at. When we’re not on a game drive on the lookout for animals, we’ll be walking through some of the coolest streets in southern Africa and meeting some really awesome and friendly locals.
“Finally, if safaris and cities aren’t enough, there’s a whole slew of adventure-packed activities like river rafting, bungee jumping, and bridge swinging! These all take place in Victoria Falls and promise pure adrenaline with a view.”
Image source:Contiki
This trip is for me if…
You’ve always wanted to go on a Safari in Africa.
“This trip is literally packed with safaris and game drives. There’s practically one every day, so if that’s been a dream of yours or something on your radar then this trip is 100% for you. Bit of a no-brainer really…”
What’s the most spellbinding view?
Chobe River at sunset.
“On the penultimate day of the trip we go to Chobe and there’s the option to take a really beautiful cruise on the Chobe river. It’s a gentle boat ride in the evening and you’re surrounded by all this wildlife: hippos and crocs basking on the banks, lions lazing in the setting sun. It’s truly magical – if you’re looking for a moment like no other, this would be the one.”
What’s the tastiest food experience?
The FoodJams cooking class in Cape Town.
“I think cooking classes on trips are really special because not only do you get to try local dishes, but you get to make them yourself. It’s something you learn, it’s a new skill, and you get to take that home with you and then share it with all your friends and family. That’s kind of what food is all about.
“So, at FoodJams, we take the group for a unique cooking class: there’s tunes and cocktails flowing while a team of cooks teach us how to make some classic African dishes like Frikkadel Sosaties. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also such a fun time.”
Image source:Contiki
Sweetest Stay?
The various safari lodges.
“I mean, it’s like a hotel, except you get to fall asleep to the white noise of the African bush and the roaring of lions in the distance. So, I guess it’s actually so much better. We stay at safari lodges in Kruger National Park and in Chobe, both of which are followed with early morning game drives to catch the animals stirring from their slumber.”
How about the best spot for culture vultures?
The township tour in Cape Town.
“This is really one for history buffs: on our second day in Cape Town we take a guided walking tour of the Township. We’ll see the lasting effects of Apartheid in the town as we walk down the streets and meet locals going about their day to day.
“It’s an insightful, and sobering, experience which really allows our travellers to see the depth of the way these historical events have impacted real world people and real communities. I think it’s well worth it and an important tour as well – it’s one of those things I’m glad to bring travellers on.”
Image source:Tobias Reich / unsplash
What’s the most jaw-dropping included experience?
All the safaris.
“I can’t stop mentioning them, but genuinely the safaris are the best. There are plenty of included Safaris game drives throughout the journey to really maximise those chances of catching a glimpse of the Big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, water buffalo, and black rhino.) Seeing the Big 5 all in one Safari trip is quite rare, but you never know – and it’s not a bad day out even if you don’t…
“The two 7 Wonders of Nature destinations aren’t bad either. Those are Table Mountain, which we’ll hike up, and Victoria Falls.”
What will I learn on the walking safari?
The smaller things.
“The walking safari is really special because it obviously allows the group to all be on foot and see things from much closer. You get to see all the smaller things you’d miss in the car.
“The guides will show us how to track wildlife by their prints in the dirt, they’ll point out and name each plant, some of which are medicinal, they’ll teach us how to identify different bird calls. If we’re lucky, we literally get to come face to face with some savannah dwellers as well – though we want to maintain a safe distance.
“Of course, there’s just an element of adrenaline and excitement as well, walking amongst the Big 5 in the middle of these beautiful National Parks – it’s pretty spectacular.”
Which Free Time Add-On will give my friends the most FOMO?
The penguins.
“On day 3 in Cape Town we have the opportunity to visit Cape Point and Boulders Beach via an ocean kayak tour. As gorgeous as the peninsula is, and the ocean, the real attraction here are the penguins.
“These African penguins are native to South Africa, which sounds like a made-up fact, but it’s true and they live along Boulders Beach and waddle along, minding their own business. It’s just adorable, and an extra animal to tick off your list of animals to see (if you have one of those…). We ask our travellers to keep a distance from the penguins just to respect their space, but all the best things are admired from afar.”
Image source:Contiki
What will surprise me about the trip?
The Zambezi River.
“The Zambezi River is the one that flows into and actually creates Victoria Falls, and the might of it is impressive. It’s Africa’s fourth largest river and I don’t think people realise just how enormous it is, and the strength of the current is insane. Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls and just getting to witness it in person is really something special.
“I think waterfalls generally excite people, but this one is something else.”
If this trip was a song, it’d be:
“Africa by Toto, of course.”
If this trip was a drink, it’d be:
“Amarula, which is a gorgeous cream liquor, kind of like Bailey’s. Except Amarula has the added ingredient of the fruit from the Amarula tree, which in Africa is also called the Elephant tree. Typically, bottles of Amarula are sold with an ornate elephant logo on it. A bottle of this makes a great souvenir or gift.”
Describe the trip in 3 words:
“Do it again!”
Image source:Contiki
Which part of this trip makes you love your job?
How special it is.
“For a lot of people who book a seat on this trip, going on a safari is really kind of a dream come true. But of course it’s more than just the safaris, it’s also all the incredible towns we get to visit and the food we get to eat and the people we get to meet. We go to a vineyard for wine tasting one of the evenings, and I feel like a lot of people don’t know Africa has such a big wine culture, so it’s nice to be able to share that!
“There’s so much knowledge to be shared and so many things to explore here, it just makes me feel really good to know that I’m part of what’s helping our travellers get the most out of these experiences and go home with new amazing memories.”
Here’s what our travellers have to say:
“The trip to South Africa was really well planned, everything you would want to experience while travelling there for a once in a lifetime trip. I was able to experience the city of Cape Town, take part in plenty of safari rides, and see Victoria Falls.”
“I had a blast on my recent Cape, Safari and Falls trip. The tour guide was excellent and did a great job of keeping our group safe and entertained. I got to see so many things in such a short amount of time, which would have been difficult to do the same itinerary on my own.”
“Jesse was our Trip Manager and I couldn’t have asked for a better one! He was super knowledgeable in his field and taught us lots of interesting facts along the way. He was super fun and energetic and the trip wouldn’t have been the same without him.”
