25 Day South Africa To The Serengeti & Masai Mara Small Group Tour

Welcome to Cape Town! 

Upon arrival into Cape Town Airport (CPT ), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative. 

When you check in at the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter with the time of tomorrow's tour briefing

Today is at your leisure with time to relax and explore this incredible city on your own.

Please Note: If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. Please make sure you have advised Inspiring Vacations of any changes to your arrival flight number at least 3 days prior to departure.

If you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will be provided to the starting hotel.

If you are arriving early and have made your own accommodation arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your local guide for a tour briefing, followed by a half day tour that showcases the best of the city of Cape Town. Cape Town City Centre is rich in history and culture and is alive with the sights and sounds of a diverse people that call it home. This tour will take you to some of the most celebrated attractions from the Castle of Good Hope to the City Hall, where Nelson Mandela spoke to a crowd of hundreds of thousands after his release from prison. You will also see the cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses of the Bo to Kaap. Take a trip up Table Mountain, high above the clouds, on the revolving cable car, if the weather permits.

Return to your hotel this afternoon where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Please be advised that Table Mountain Cableway will close for annual maintenance from 28th July 2025 until 3rd August 2025.  They will re-open on the 4th of August 2025 weather permitting.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax, shop or continue exploring this dynamic city on your own. 

Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour of Cape Point.

Enjoy breakfast at leisure before checking out of your room and meeting your local guide for your transfer to Franschhoek. Franschhoek translates to French Corner and this is where you will find the finer things in life that include soul-stirring scenery, exceptional cuisine and century old wine estates that produce award winning wine. Franschhoek has been described as South Africa’s food and wine capital and there are more award winning restaurants in this town than anywhere else in the country. Vineyards over these mountain slopes have been nurtured and grown for over 300 years when the French Huguenots settled here in their escape from persecution. In the village you will find crafts, art and antique shops and galleries and a visit to the Huguenot Memorial is a definite when visiting Franschhoek. For those in search of energetic activities, there are a number of walking trails in the surrounding mountains or perhaps hire a bicycle to ride through vineyards.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at leisure before enjoying a full day exploring the local wineries of the Franschhoek area with your included Franschhoek Wine Tram - Hop on Hop off Experience.  Your hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service which will take you to the start point of the Wine Tram.  Please arrange your shuttle time with the hotel reception.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop on hop off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.

Aboard the hop on hop off tour you will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in a double decker tram and open air tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. A combination of tram and tram-bus transports you around a loop of stops allowing you to hop off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards and when you are ready, hop on to continue the tour. This tour takes you right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards.

Please note: all experiences at the wineries, tastings and meals are at an additional cost.

Today you will be met by your guide and transferred back to Cape Town for your included flight to Kruger National Park. 

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation where the rest of the day is at leisure before enjoying dinner this evening at the hotel.

Special Information: 
Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your group will be required to check in together. 

Flight time will be approximately 3 hours

One of the largest and most popular game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park is a bucket-list destination for those who love experiencing wildlife and adventure and today we will experience it on a full day game drive in an open vehicle. Following an early breakfast you will head out on your game drive. This full day excursion will be approximately 10 hours in duration.  Lunch will be included.

Approximately the same size as Wales, the park is particularly special because of the easy access and opportunities it provides visitors. The headline act is of course the animals, with the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) taking centre stage. There is however a huge supporting cast of more than 135 mammals and 500 varieties of bird. The sheer size of the Kruger National Park ensures an ever-changing landscape. Each new habitat brings with it its own resident animals, making game viewing a fun challenge and a quickly acquired skill. 

We return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to relax before your included dinner.

Today is free to relax and enjoy the resort.

For those wanting to maximise their safari experience, there is an option to book a half day, open vehicle game drive.

Today you will be transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your included flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. 

On arrival you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Special Information: 
Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your group will be required to check in together. 

Flight time will be approximately 2 hours

Please note: Your final flight schedule may have you arrive and/or depart via the Zambia side of Victoria Falls. Additionally, partaking in the Day Tour to Chobe National Park will mean you may transit between Zimbabwe and Zambia multiple times.  Please consider this when obtaining your visa (if applicable, please consider the KAZA UNIVISA which allows for multiple entry to these countries)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you join a guided tour of The Falls from the Zimbabwe side. 

No surprise why Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. You'll understand it instantly as we tour the Zimbabwean side, for there are numerous spectacular vantage points along the width of The Falls, and the sight of this astounding gift of nature, simply takes your breath away. Walk through the permanent, beautifully misty rainforest which flanks the Falls, stopping to marvel at the principal sites as it cascades to the depths below the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island and Livingstone Island. We'll stand and watch, feel and listen to the spray and thunderous noise, as millions of litres of water tumble over the Falls into a series of narrow gorges below. The seventh Natural Wonder of the World puts on the most dramatic show for you, and you'll be privileged to have watched it.

This afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively you may wish to join the optional tours on offer. There is enough time this afternoon if you wish to select both of these tours.

After breakfast, meet your guide as you venture off to Botswana on a full day tour of Chobe National park. This is a sensational trip with land and water-based game viewing.

The first safari is from the Chobe River, teaming with animals, sitting securely on board, just off the riverbank, game viewing from the relaxing vantage point of a boat. You're on the mighty Chobe River which flows through the renowned Chobe National Park providing a haven for herds of grazing animals and bird life. Just sit back, relax, and keep those binoculars handy. Watch this glorious scene unfolding itself - large herds of elephants, often with the tiniest frolicking calves, kicking up dust as they wait their turn at the water's edge to drink. Large crocodiles sun themselves on the banks of the river, mouths agape. Glorious birdlife, wonderful game and the gentle rocking of the riverboat.

When we disembark, we join our safari vehicle for a drive through the Chobe Game Reserve with the chance of seeing more wildlife and birdlife, and a gorgeous lunch at a lodge awaiting us overlooking the Chobe River. 

Head back to Victoria Falls late this afternoon as we cross the border back to Zimbabwe. 

Please note: the Chobe Day Tour may be shared with guests from other groups. The maximum number of guests for this day tour will be 20. There will be a change of vehicle at the Botswana/Zimbabwe border.

Today is a free day to relax at your hotel or further explore on your own. You can explore Victoria Falls at leisure, including the town itself which hosts a range of activities.

Enjoy breakfast and free time this morning until we are transferred to the airport for your included flight to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Today concludes the South Africa portion of your tour.

On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel late this evening for a good night's rest in preparation for meeting your Kenyan guide and new group of travellers in the morning.

After breakfast, meet your local Kenyan guide and fellow travellers for a tour briefing before we depart for Amboseli National Park, your home for the next two nights. Dominated by the magnificent presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s oldest and most famed parks. Although not as large as Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli is known for its great herds of elephants, cheetah, and unique terrain dotted with emerald-green swamps. 

This afternoon, enjoy a game drive where your guide will introduce you to the park, the swamps and say hello to its inhabitants before we return back to the lodge for an included dinner.

Our itinerary for today takes us to the renowned Amboseli National Park, where we will embark on an exhilarating full day of wildlife observation. This park holds great fame within Kenya and is particularly renowned for its impressive population of majestic elephant bulls, adorned with remarkable tusks. Capture the ultimate safari moment as you witness these magnificent creatures against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, its snow-capped peak adding a touch of awe-inspiring beauty to the scene.

Following a relaxed breakfast, we commence our journey towards the border and proceed onward to Arusha, known as the gateway to the esteemed Kilimanjaro National Park. Enjoy lunch along the way and upon our arrival, we will check into our hotel, where the rest of the evening is at leisure to unwind and prepare for tomorrow’s safari at Tarangire National Park. 

Please note that there will be a change of both guide and vehicle at the border as we enter Tanzania.

Following breakfast,  we set out for Tarangire National Park, where we will indulge in a full day of thrilling game drives. Prepare to be enchanted by the awe-inspiring vistas of the Maasai Steppe and the majestic mountains in the southern horizon, creating a mesmerising backdrop during our visit to Tarangire. This national park is renowned for its remarkable population of elephants and the iconic baobab trees that dot its landscape. It also serves as a pivotal location within an annual migratory cycle, attracting a multitude of wildlife, including up to 3,000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest, and 30,000 zebras. 

As the day draws to a close, we will make our way to our accommodation for the evening where we can relax and unwind, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Following breakfast, we begin our journey towards Lake Manyara National Park. This remarkable reserve is situated at the northwestern edge of Lake Manyara, a soda lake nestled at the base of the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Our drive through the park will treat us to breathtaking scenery, renowned not only for its vast flocks of vibrant flamingos but also for the elusive sight of tree-climbing lions, adding an element of intrigue and excitement to our adventure. 

Following this we make our way to the charming village of Karatu, where we will spend the night. Take this time to unwind and reflect on the incredible experiences of the day, anticipating the adventures that lie ahead.

Today, we begin our day with an early departure to embark on a thrilling game drive in the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, renowned worldwide for its extraordinary wildlife encounters. For many, this awe-inspiring natural wonder stands as the pinnacle of their safari experience. The crater boasts the entire 'Big 5' group of animals, including a small population of the critically endangered black rhino. The diverse range of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery make this an unforgettable adventure.

After enjoying a delightful picnic lunch amidst the beauty of the crater, we proceed towards the Serengeti, we traverse the breathtaking central Plains, which epitomise the iconic landscapes the park is famous for. Picture endless undulating grass savannahs punctuated by rugged outcrops that provide secluded havens for wildlife. Finally, we arrive at our tented camp, nestled in the heart of this remarkable wilderness, where you will find comfort and tranquillity during your stay.

The legendary Serengeti is our playground today with a full day game drive through the vast rolling plain whose sparse vegetation allows for some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The Serengeti is best known for the largest annual animal migration in the world of over 1.5 million blue wildebeest and 250,000 zebra along with smaller herds of Thomson's gazelle (the complete migration route is around 800 km), but throughout the year, the Serengeti is excellent for lion (the park is also home to the largest lion population in Africa), leopard and cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hyena, hippo, and rhino spotting, and many varieties of antelopes and birds.

Get ready for another thrilling day of adventure as we continue our exploration of the magnificent Serengeti National Park. Equipped with lunch boxes to keep us energised, we embark on captivating game drives throughout the afternoon. As we traverse the vast and boundless plains, our eyes are treated to a spectacle of wildlife sightings, reaffirming the well-deserved fame of this extraordinary national park. Marvel at the diverse array of animals that roam these lands, and immerse yourself in the sheer beauty of the Serengeti.

As the sun begins its descent, we make our way back to the lodge, filled with unforgettable memories and stories to share. Rest and rejuvenate overnight, ready to embrace the wonders that await us on the next leg of our journey.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to the Serengeti and Masai Mara border where we’ll experience the magic of the Masai Mara Game Reserve for the next two days. We’ll have the opportunity to spot the ‘Big Five’: lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant, and we may get to witness the wildebeest migration from Serengeti Park into Masai Mara. 

Please note that there will be a change of guide and vehicle at the border crossing into Kenya.

Today, we embark on an exhilarating full-day adventure immersed in the renowned Masai Mara National Park. This iconic wildlife sanctuary offers an abundance of diverse habitats that serve as a haven for a wide array of game species. Prepare to be captivated as we seek to encounter magnificent creatures such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitat. The sweeping landscapes of the Masai Mara are also home to an impressive range of wildlife, including zebras, wildebeest (gnu), giraffes, buffalos, jackals, topis, gazelles, impalas, and elephants.

As we navigate the park's lush plains and traverse its meandering rivers, we are likely to encounter a multitude of hippopotamuses and crocodiles, adding to the wildlife spectacle. Keep your eyes trained on the skies as well, for the birdlife in this area is incredibly abundant, offering opportunities to spot a wide variety of avian species.

After breakfast, we’ll begin the journey back to Nairobi. When we arrive, we’ll have lunch and check-in to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure.

After a final breakfast, the tour concludes, and it's time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight. 

We hope the memories and experiences from this journey will stay with you as you continue on your future adventures.

Special Information

Post tour accommodation information can be found under “Extra Services” and can be purchased at time of booking. Rates include breakfast PLUS transfer from your hotel to Nairobi Airport.

Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.