Johannesburg to Victoria Falls: A 9-Day Ultimate Southern Africa Circuit
South Africa/ Zimbabwe
$4900 pp (interest free payment plans available) | $1200 deposit due to reserve spot
May 16-24, 2026
16/22 spots available
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 Kook
Kaleigh (Kook) is the heart and vision behind Kook’s Wild Ride. A passionate traveler and connector, she curates unforgettable adventures that blend epic landscapes, cultural immersion, and meaningful human connection. Her love for exploration has taken her across the globe—from the peaks of the Himalayas to the beaches of Central America—and she’s made it her mission to share that magic with others. Whether she’s leading a trek, swapping stories over a campfire, or scouting the next hidden gem, Kaleigh’s enthusiasm and care make every trip feel like traveling with an old friend.
9-Day Itinerary Overview
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
DAY # 1 Saturday May 16
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/shop
Accommodation: The Catalyst Hotel
DAY # 2 Sunday May 17
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 live performance and a variety of local foods
Accommodation: The Catalyst Hotel
Drive time: Around 25 minutes from the airport to the hotel
DAY # 3 Monday May 18
Panorama Driving Route (B, D)
After breakfast today, you'll set off on one of South Africa’s most scenic drives—the famous Panorama Route—as you make your way to the safari lodge
Activities:
☯ Journey through Blyde River Canyon – the 3rd largest canyon in the world
☯ Scenic stops at Three Rondavels, God’s Window, and Lisbon Falls
☯ Have lunch with a view along the way
Accommodation: Umbhaba Lodge
Drive time: Around 4-5 hours with various stops along the way
DAY # 4 Tuesday May 19
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
Drive time: About 15 minute drive to the safari park
Accommodation: Umbhaba Lodge
Drive time: 15 min drive from the lodge to the national park
DAY # 5 Wednesday May 20
Full Day Kruger National Park Private Safari (B, L, D)
Today you will experience another adventure filled safari day with another opportunity to see the animals.
Activities:
☯ Sunrise and afternoon game drives with lunch in the park
☯ Evening to relax and enjoy the pool and lodge
Accommodation: Umbhaba Lodge
DAY # 6 Thursday May 21
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)
☯ Evening sunset boat cruise along the Zambezi River with dinner
Accommodation: Shearwaters Explorers Village
Drive time: Around 1 hour to the airport on each end
DAY # 7 Friday May 22
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
☯ Cultural dinner at Dusty Roads
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village
DAY # 8 Saturday May 23
Free Day in Victoria Falls Area (B)
You’ll have a full free day to enjoy a range of adventures and excursions of your choice.
☯ Engage in optional excursions such as bridge swinging, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, a helicopter flight over the falls, a Livingstone Island tour, a Devil’s Pool swim, or even a full-day safari trip to Botswana!
☯ Walk around the cute downtown area and grab good meal.
DAY # 9 Monday May 24
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
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, guide you in
Not included
International flights
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:
● 2024: Nepal, India
● 2025: None
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.
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.
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.
Room arrangements depend on the trip's participants, including individuals and groups of friends.
Note that room options vary by country, typically offering choices such as solo, double, and occasionally triple occupancy.
Prices vary based on your room selection, and there is always an additional charge for a single room.
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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