For my Dad’s 60th birthday, I took him on a two-week holiday to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana; complete with safari adventures and a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. After Rest Less recently partnered with Exoticca; I was keen to try one of their trips out myself, so I put my faith – and money! – into their Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls tour.
When comparing Exoticca’s tours with those of other travel providers, one of the key differences was the significantly lower prices. So, while Exoticca’s reviews are mostly positive, I was still curious to find out exactly what I’d get for my money – with my fingers crossed, of course, that my Dad would be happy!
And although I hoped for a great trip, I didn’t expect to have one of my best travel experiences to date – and to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Below are some of our highlights.
If you’d like to book this tour yourself, you can do so here…
-
Exoticca Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls*
Victoria Falls - Cape Town - Johannesburg - Kruger National Park - Pretoria
60% off | South Africa & Zimbabwe | 14 days | Accommodation, Flights & Transfers Included
Christmas Outlet Sale: Get up to 60% off
10 highlights from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana
1. Soweto, South Africa
Visiting Soweto was one of the most moving parts of the trip. And while it wasn’t included in Exoticca’s package, our hotel offered us a tour.
The township of Soweto – west of Johannesburg – was created in the 1930s and 1940s when the government forced black residents out of designated ‘white’ areas in and around Johannesburg. These displaced residents were relocated to Soweto, leading to a rapid increase in the township’s population.
Despite the challenges of apartheid and poverty, Soweto became a symbol of resistance against the oppressive policies of the time, playing a pivotal role in the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa.
During our visit, we had the privilege of touring 8115 Vilakazi Street – where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962 to learn about his early life and involvement in the anti-apartheid movement. Just down the street, we also visited the home of Desmon Tutu; another Nobel Peace Prize laureate who fought tirelessly for racial equality.
But, what stuck in my mind the most was a stop at the Hector Pieterson Museum where we learnt about the 176 students who lost their lives during the 1976 Soweto Uprising against the apartheid. The museum commemorates the protest led by 12-year-old Hector Pieterson and his fellow students, and serves as a powerful reminder of their sacrifices and selflessness in the fight for justice and equality.
2. Kruger National Park, South Africa
As animal lovers, my Dad and I were very excited about visiting Kruger National Park! I’d never been on safari before and it was something I wanted to tick off my bucket list.
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves, covering nearly five million acres in northeastern South Africa. It’s famous for its high density of wild animals, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Visitors can explore via guided safari drives or self-drive routes – though, as part of our Exoticca package, we were set to take part in a guided group drive.
We stayed in a lodge around an hour’s drive from the park – where dinner was provided, as was an eye-watering 4.30am wake-up call! But as some of the park’s best sightings happen first thing in the morning, we knew the early rise would be worth it. And we certainly weren’t disappointed.
To be honest, myself and my Dad were happy enough driving through stunning surroundings in an open vehicle. But, over two days – and after approaching the park from two different sides – we were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five, as well as zebras, giraffes, vultures, a cheetah, hippos, wildebeest, warthogs, plenty of impalas, and much more!
We were also given blankets, breakfast boxes, and an incredibly informative guide who even taught us about the weird and wonderful uses of various plants we saw growing in the park. My Dad and I agreed that we would never forget this incredible adventure.
Other similar tour options with Exoticca…
3. Table Mountain, South Africa
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town and one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks. Rising 1,086 meters above sea level, it offers spectacular views from the top, reached by hiking trails or a revolving cable car. Its diverse (and stunning!) flora and fauna make it a popular destination for nature lovers too.
We’d heard that the views from Table Mountain were impressive but nothing could prepare us for the real thing. The scenes really were breathtaking and we were lucky enough to have beautiful clear sunny skies, making the entire visit even more incredible.
Exoticca provided us with our cable car tickets ahead of the trip – and, once at the top, there were various walking trails we could take to soak in our surroundings from different vantage points, as well as gift shops and a restaurant with outdoor seating.
Book this tour for yourself…
-
Exoticca Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls*
Victoria Falls - Cape Town - Johannesburg - Kruger National Park - Pretoria
60% off | South Africa & Zimbabwe | 14 days | Accommodation, Flights & Transfers Included
Christmas Outlet Sale: Get up to 60% off
4. V&A Waterfront, South Africa
Found on the edge of Cape Town’s busy harbour, with Table Mountain as its backdrop, is the V&A Waterfront. With more than 24 million visitors each year, the harbour is known for being touristy – but it’s got a buzz that’s difficult to ignore.
You can stroll along the working harbour, explore over 450 retail outlets from boutiques to craft markets, and indulge in diverse cuisine from local Cape dishes to international flavours. I had some of the best meat I’ve ever tasted here. Check out Karibu restaurant for delicious game meats – from ostrich and springbok steaks to crocodile carpaccio and warthog sausage!
If you’re into shopping or just enjoy a browse, I’d recommend visiting the African Trading Port. This Aladdin’s cave is spread over several floors and sells a huge variety of souvenirs including decorated ostrich eggs, wooden giraffes, tribal masks and spears, and all sorts of beautifully crafted furniture.
You can also see street artists singing and dancing out on the harbour front – giving off feel-good vibes that make it almost impossible not to smile. Plus, you can access top attractions from this area like the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Wheel, and Robben Island Ferry Terminal.
5. Bo Kapp, South Africa
I’d heard about the vibrant colours and soulful feel of Bo Kapp, and seen photos, but there was nothing like being there in person. Nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, this former township boasts rows of brightly painted homes in shades of blue, green, pink, and yellow.
Bo-Kaap was historically home to the Cape Malay (also known as Cape Muslims) – a community whose influences are reflected in the area’s distinctive architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Here, you can explore the charming cobblestone streets, visit shops and art galleries celebrating Cape Malay culture, and sample authentic local delicacies like bobotie (minced meat with a creamy baked topping) and koesisters (sweet, spicy doughnuts).
Many of the neighbourhood’s art galleries are bursting with artworks made from recycled materials, such as telephone wire and old tin cans. We spent ages admiring these and chatting with the gallery owners – who were happy to do so even if we weren’t buying!
Other similar tour options with Exoticca…
6. Boulders Beach, South Africa
Africa only has one species of penguin: the African black-footed penguin (also known as the jackass penguin). And, South Africa’s Boulders Beach, in Simon Town, remains one of the only places in the world where you can see these curious, adorable animals up close using designated boardwalks.
African penguins are one of the smallest of their species, standing around 60-70 cm tall and weighing 2-4 kg. The distinctive black marking across their face resembles a mask or glasses – and they breed in large colonies, often burrowing under bushes or rocks to make nest holes.
Sadly, the African penguin population has lost 99% of its population over the last century due to factors like overfishing, oil spills, and climate change. And, today, only around 10,000 breeding pairs remain in the wild. Most are in South Africa, though there are a few colonies in Namibia too.
We felt very lucky to be able to see these endearing creatures waddling around – and someone from our tour group even sponsored an African penguin egg when they returned home!
Book this tour for yourself…
-
Exoticca Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls*
Victoria Falls - Cape Town - Johannesburg - Kruger National Park - Pretoria
60% off | South Africa & Zimbabwe | 14 days | Accommodation, Flights & Transfers Included
Christmas Outlet Sale: Get up to 60% off
7. Robben Island, South Africa
Robben Island wasn’t included on Exoticca’s itinerary but we decided to take a trip there on one of our activity-free mornings. The entire tour, including the boat trip there and back, takes three to four hours, so it can easily be done in a single morning or afternoon.
The island stands as a powerful symbol of the struggle against apartheid. Once a notorious prison colony, it confined many anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years imprisoned there.
Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can take guided tours led by former political prisoners – which include the chance to visit Mandela’s cell, the lime quarry where inmates laboured, and other historic sites.
Many passengers were visibly moved by the personal stories told by our tour guide, who still bore emotional and physical scars from his time in prison.
8. Stellenbosch, South Africa
For wine lovers, a visit to the world-renowned winelands of Stellenbosch isn’t to be missed. The region’s sundrenched vineyards are known for producing some of South Africa’s finest wines like Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
We booked Exoticca’s optional wine-tasting tour, which included tastings at Lanzerac Wine Estate. Dating back to 1692, Lanzerac’s iconic Cape Dutch architecture, immaculate gardens, sun-drenched vineyards, and dramatic mountain backdrop create an idyllic setting.
We tasted some beautiful wines here and had the option to enjoy lunch while we soaked in the gorgeous surroundings.
9. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
From South Africa, we flew to Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. Spanning the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
Fed by the mighty Zambezi River, this spectacular natural wonder spans 1.7 km wide, sending millions of gallons of water plunging over a 108-metre drop. The thunderous roar and vast clouds of spray have earned it the local name ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (The Smoke That Thunders).
We viewed the falls from multiple vantage points – including crossing the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia to see it from both sides, and taking a helicopter ride over the top (which was amazing!).
I haven’t ever seen anything so stunningly beautiful in my life. The sheer power of the falls and the rainbows that appeared in and over the top of them will live in my memory forever! We got absolutely soaked by the mist from the falls too but that only added to the experience.
10. Chobe National Park, Botswana
On our penultimate day in Africa, we left Zimbabwe and travelled by coach to Botswana, to spend the day on safari at Chobe National Park. This was another optional tour offered by Exoticca and worth every penny.
This vast 11,700 sq km park encompasses lush riverine woodlands along the Chobe River and Linyanti marshes, teeming with hippos and diverse birdlife. Its mixed landscape of floodplains, baobab-studded grasslands, and dense mopane forests shelter large herds of buffalo, antelope, and Africa’s densest concentration of elephants.
Within seven minutes of arriving in the park, we encountered a male lion – and, not long after, we discovered a pride. For me, this was one of the best moments of my entire time in Africa and it’s difficult to explain the range of emotions I felt being so close to them.
I’ve also never seen so many elephants (and so many elephant babies!). Watching them play and bathe in the twinkling floodplains was magical.
You can book Exoticca’s Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls tour here…
When booking Exoticca’s Cape, Kruger, & Victoria Falls tour, you can choose whether to go with their standard package; or to upgrade by adding extra nights, optional tours, and/or more luxury. We went with the ‘Charm’ category, which provided ‘basic’ accommodation that was very clean and comfortable – and this was perfect for us!
We also paid for the optional tours, and found that doing so was much cheaper than if we’d have paid for each tour directly when we were out there.
Book this tour for yourself…
-
Exoticca Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls*
Victoria Falls - Cape Town - Johannesburg - Kruger National Park - Pretoria
60% off | South Africa & Zimbabwe | 14 days | Accommodation, Flights & Transfers Included
Christmas Outlet Sale: Get up to 60% off
Final thoughts…
I’d always dreamed of taking my Dad on the trip of a lifetime for his 60th birthday – and Exoticca’s great value package deal made that possible. And while the trip involved lots of travel in coaches and on planes, that was a small price to pay for the wonders that awaited at each destination.
Being in a group setting also meant we met some amazing people from the UK, USA, Canada, and the Philippines, who we’re still in touch with via a WhatsApp group.
Plus, while South Africa often gets a bad rap due to its high crime levels, my Dad and I felt completely safe throughout the trip. Our hotels, guides, and drivers always went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of; while giving us an unforgettable experience.
You can find out more about Exoticca’s Cape, Kruger & Victoria Falls tour using the button below.
And for more inspiration for your next trip, why not visit the travel section of our website?
Is Africa on your travel bucket list? If so, which destinations would you most like to visit? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.