Southern Africa Family Journey: In Search of the Big Five
Open Dates (11 Days)
From $4,799 per person
Look for lions, leopards, elephants, and zebras on a thrilling safari in one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife-viewing destinations, encounter some of our earliest human ancestors in the Cradle of Humankind, visit rescued chimpanzees at a sanctuary run by the Jane Goodall Institute, and feel the thundering power of Victoria Falls on a guided tour and helicopter ride over the massive cascade.
Journeys Just For Families
Family Journeys are designed for groups traveling with children between the ages of 7 and 17. Your group must include a child in order to book, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. One adult may accompany up to 2 children.
What makes Family Journeys unique?
Thoughtfully crafted itineraries for families with children ages 7+
Resources and activities in photography, storytelling, culture, history, wildlife and geography
Dedicated family trip specialists
2 local guides specially trained to engage with young guests
Comfortable, convenient accommodations
Kid-friendly meal options
100% guaranteed departures
Itinerary
Boasting jaw-dropping scenery and some of the planet’s most iconic wildlife, Southern Africa makes for an unforgettable family adventure. On this action-packed journey, venture to South Africa to seek out the legendary “big five” on safari, soak up the charms of cosmopolitan Cape Town, and see penguins march along Boulders Beach. Then top off your journey in Zimbabwe with a tour of thundering Victoria Falls.
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Welcome to Cape Town–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
Accommodations: President Hotel (or similar)
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This morning, set out on a daylong tour of the Cape Peninsula, a rocky headland jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. At Boulders Beach, watch thousands of African penguins waddle about their business. Then visit the notorious Cape of Good Hope—where many an unfortunate ship met its watery doom during the Age of Exploration—and climb up to the lighthouse at Cape Point for fantastic views. Head back to Cape Town via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, which snakes its way along the Atlantic.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: President Hotel (or similar)
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Spend the day at leisure, discovering the charms of Cape Town on a variety of optional excursions. Choose to hop on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for a quick ride to the summit, taking in incredible views of the Atlantic seaboard. Pay an eye-opening visit to the Iziko Slave Lodge—a museum devoted to the history of slavery in South Africa. Wildlife lovers can head to the Two Oceans Aquarium to gush over the variety of its marine residents—from adorable clownfish to translucent jellies.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: President Hotel (or similar)
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Fly from Cape Town to the Greater Kruger National Park and settle into your lodge, located at the gateway to the famed wildlife reserve.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Sanbonani Resort Hotel (or similar)
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Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a safari in Kruger National Park—home to a mindboggling array of large mammals. Spot trumpeting elephants, swaggering lions, graceful giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as you ride through this epic wilderness. We’ll criss-cross savanna, scrubland, and riverbanks on our daylong excursion, following the tracks of the majestic creatures that inhabit the park.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sanbonani Resort Hotel (or similar)
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Venture out on another early morning safari drive, looking for the creatures you didn’t get a chance to spot the day before. The afternoon is free to explore the Kruger region as you choose. Relax by the pool at our lodge, or opt to experience the area by zip-line.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Sanbonani Resort Hotel (or similar)
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DAY 7: GREATER KRUGER AREA/JOHANNESBURG
After breakfast, head to Chimp Eden for an encounter with our closest relatives in the animal world. Run by the Jane Goodall Institute of South Africa, Chimp Eden is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in the country, and harbors more than 30 rescued chimps. Legendary ethologist and National Geographic grantee Dr. Jane Goodall devoted her life to the study of chimpanzee behavior; at Chimp Eden, we’ll get an opportunity to see rescued chimps living in a safe and secure sanctuary and learn why Jane was so captivated by them when she first began her research in 1960. Later, settle in for the drive to Johannesburg, arriving in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Zebra Country Lodge (or similar)
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Step back millions of years in time on a visit to the Cradle of Humankind, where the fossils of some of our earliest known human ancestors were discovered. Here, National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Lee Berger excavated the Homo naledi, a recently defined species of hominin. Descend into the otherworldly Sterkfontein Caves, where the remains of “Mrs. Ples” and “Little Foot”—both more than two million years old—were found; then venture to the Maropeng Visitors Centre to gape at the actual skeletal remains and embark on an immersive journey through the evolution of our species. This evening, feast on a traditional South African braai (barbeque).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Zebra Country Lodge (or similar)
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Catch a flight to Zimbabwe and check in to your hotel. Set out with a local guide for a tour of Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls on Earth. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” You can hear the falls’ mighty roar from up to 24 miles away; and standing at one of the cascade’s overlooks, you’ll be drenched by its powerful spray.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Explorers Village Lodge (or similar)
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The day is free to explore Victoria Falls and its surroundings. Embark on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; or embark on a canoeing excursion on the river. You can also take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana to seek out its resident elephants. This evening, celebrate your journey with fellow travelers at a farewell dinner featuring a performance of local music and dance.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Explorers Village Lodge (or similar)
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Depart at any time.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our South Africa Episodes
What’s Included
- Accommodation: Hotel (3 nts), safari lodge (7 nts)
- Meals: 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
- Transport: Air-conditioned touring vehicle, open safari vehicle, plane
- Your Family Journeys Moment: Jane Goodall Chimp Eden Tour, Nelspruit
- Your Family Journeys Moment: Cradle of Humankind Experience, Johannesburg
- Your Foodie Moment: Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue), Johannesburg
- Arrival transfer
- Excursion to Cape Point including the penguins at Boulders Beach
- Kruger National Park wildlife safari drives in open vehicle
- Tour of Victoria Falls
- Muck boots, walking sticks, binoculars
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
What’s not included?
Airfare to and from destination, minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance*, visas, any activity not described above, meals on your own, gratuities, travel insurance.
* YOU MUST HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH A MINIMUM MEDICAL, EVACUATION AND REPATRIATION COVERAGE OF US$200,000 covering all applicable dates of travel with the Tour Operator. This insurance must cover personal injury and emergency medical expenses. On the first day of each Tour, a representative of the Tour Operator will verify that you have sufficient insurance in place. You are strongly recommended to extend your coverage to include cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience while traveling. You acknowledge that insurance coverage is not included in the cost of any Tour offered by the Tour Operator and you are required to obtain separate coverage at an additional cost. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient coverage and comply with the terms of the applicable insurance plans. You are responsible for advising your insurer of the type of travel, destination(s) and activities included in your booking so that the insurer may provide appropriate coverage.
Collect More Than Just Memories
Guests of all ABC Trips group adventures go home with a limited edition luggage tag ornament for reach trip. These custom-designed and custom-manufactured stamped steel collectibles look great hanging on a holiday tree, pinned to a cork board, or displayed anywhere else in your home, and they’re the perfect way to show your passion for travel.
