Contiki’s ‘Cape, Safari & Falls Tour’ Review: An Unparalleled Expedition & What To Expect

Contiki has a ton of different group tours you can partake in, with one being the “Cape, Safari and Falls” tour to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. If you’re interested in taking this tour even a little, I would definitely urge you to book it!! Continue reading to find out why 🙂

What is Contiki?

Contiki is a leading travel company specializing in guided group tours for young adults aged 18 to 35. Their tours offer diverse itineraries across various continents and focuses on cultural exploration and outdoor activities. They’re also known for creating hassle-free, jampacked, social travel experiences. Contiki is fit for adventurous individuals looking to explore the world, make lasting friendships, and who love creating memorable journeys.

I’ve always enjoyed going on Contiki tours and have been on six tours myself. My most recent Contiki tour being on the “Cape, Safari & Falls” tour to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana in 2023.

If you’re interested in browsing their extensive Trip Catalog, check them out at contiki.com!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Intro: A Journey Beyond Expectations

Contiki’s “Cape, Safari & Falls” Tour really isn’t just a vacation, it’s an expedition of a lifetime! From the iconic Table Mountain to the majestic Victoria Falls. From a thrilling Zambezi River experience to the untamed wilderness of Kruger, Zambezi, and Chobe National Parks. Every part of this journey exceeded my expectations and created everlasting memories that were beyond my imagination. Continue reading to find out why!

Why Contiki’s Cape, Safari & Falls Tour?

Cost

When looking at Contiki’s Africa trips catalog, the “Cape, Safari, & Falls” tour stuck out to me mostly for the amount of game drives at the offered price point. Contiki constantly has deals throughout the year, so I snagged one that already had a 10% off limited deal. Then, as a returning Contiki traveler, I receive a 5% discount plus I utilize my Costco membership for an additional 10% discount. This meant the tour that normally costs ~$3000 came out to be about ~$2200 for me! (Price excludes roundtrip flights from home destination and back).

I understand that this is still on the pricier side, but when I’ve researched other Safari Tours, they are double or even triple the price Contiki was offering so the decision was easy to make for me. If you aren’t a Contiki frequent traveler nor have a Costco membership, you can still snag an awesome deal from Contiki. They have several limited time travel sales throughout the year where you can find 5-15% discount deals on certain tours. Definitely take a look at contiki.com!

Duration

The tour is 11 days long, with approximately 2 days of travel time on both the front and back end of the tour. This meant that the trip would be about two weeks long, meaning only 10 days of PTO is needed to go on the tour. For me, this duration worked perfectly since I have a limited PTO bank from work. Although now, I cannot wait to go back and spend more time in the region.

Interests

I have had visiting Southern Africa very high on my travel list! I love animals and wildlife conservation so the numerous game drives and opportunities of learning about and spotting wildlife in their natural habitat aligned with my interests perfectly. If you appreciate and enjoy animals and wildlife at all, then any Safari tour will not disappoint! I also love natural wonders so seeing Table Mountain and Victoria Falls (a listed natural wonder of the world) can be checked off the bucket list with this tour.

Also, I like to learn about different cultures and eat new foods and this tour offered various opportunities to do so. You can learn about the history and culture of South Africa by going on a tour through a Township in Cape Town, as well as through a traditional Eco-Village in Kruger. The Contiki tour also provided the opportunity to taste traditional African dishes and also take a really fun cooking class! Lastly, the thrilling activities offered at Victoria Falls meant an adventure of a lifetime I simply couldn’t miss.

Cape Town: Vibrant Cityscapes and Cultural Riches

Our tour began in the captivating city of Cape Town where we learned about South Africa’s history and culture at every stop. We explored the vibrant neighborhood of Bo-Kaap, cooked and indulged in delectable local cuisine with a fun cooking class and at a sit-down dinner of delicious authentic dishes, and marveled at all the breathtaking views along the Cape Peninsula, including at Cape of Good Hope, Cape Winery, and Boulders Beach.

The add-on activity to join a Township walking tour is a must-do where you get to be guided through a local township and learn about the life lived and life thriving here despite all the hardship. It’s truly a reminder of how resilient people are and how they can make something beautiful out of a horrendous situation (apartheid). I definitely loved all the arts at the art & crafts center and fell in love with a beautifully-crafted souvenir here; I haaaad to buy it <3

As a wildlife lover, the adorable penguins of Boulders Beach was definitely the highlight of my time in Cape Town. We unfortunately could not go up Table Mountain due to strong wind and rain conditions on the day we were scheduled to visit, but being able to see it from a distance was still amazing and worth it. But I’ll be sure to return and go up it!

RELATED: Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Cape Town, South Africa

Victoria Falls: Majestic Beauty Unveiled

The majestic Victoria Falls with its sheer power and beauty really left us in awe. It’s no wonder it’s a natural world wonder; it. is. huge! We were able to walk a trail to get some views of the falls on foot, and also add optional add-on activities that most of our group opted to do! The optional add-on activities definitely added an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling adventure. If you’re a thrill-seeker then doing these optional add-ons are no-brainers.

The optional add-on activities included a:

• thrilling zipline/bungie/bridge swing experience
• helicopter ride over the falls
• heart-pounding white-water rafting.

Tid bit note: if you want to do the zipline/bungie/bridge swing experience, you are able to do just ONE of these activities or COMBINE multiple activities. Some of our more daredevil-y friends opted to do all THREE!

For me, I opted to do two activities: the zipline (also called slide) and the bridge swing. The bridge swing was definitely a ONCE-in-a-lifetime thing for me lol.

RELATED: Unleash Your Adventure: Top 7 Thrilling Activities in Victoria Falls

National Park Safaris: Beyond Imagination

As part of the Contiki Cape, Safari, and Falls Tour, numerous game drives are included. That’s what makes it a Safari! This section covers the 3 national parks we visited: South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, and Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

Kruger National Park Safari: A Humbling Experience

Contiki’s expert guides drove and led us on exhilarating game drives through the legendary Kruger National Park. Witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat was humbling, where you’re able to see them graze and simply enjoy life. Also I got to say, that spotting wildlife is an incredible skill that our guides excelled in and the rest of us struggled with.

The safari truck we were in was large and tall which gave us a slightly higher view above the lands, but it was still difficult to spot animals. The truck is a bit different from the open-air safari trucks you typically see, but this large one worked perfectly for us because it was cold and a bit rainy when we driving through the park. The enclosed truck and close-are windows were exactly what we needed for our weather situation.

This being the first safari of the Contiki tour really taught us the basic skills to be able to spot animals near and far for all subsequent game drives hereafter. It definitely takes some practice though.

RELATED: Ultimate Safari Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Safari Adventure

Zambezi National Park Walking Safari: A Wild Stroll on the Wild Side

The walking safari in Zambezi National Park was a highlight that offered a unique perspective on Africa’s diverse ecosystems. It was guided by knowledgeable experts where we ventured on foot into the heart of the park and looked out for wildlife in their natural habitat.

The guides pointed out animal bones, animal dung, footprints, flora and fauna found along the path. This close encounter with nature added such a thrilling dimension to our overall safari experience. We unfortunately weren’t able to see any animals on foot, but once we got back on the safari trucks… we saw soooo many it made up for not seeing any during the walk.

Zambezi National Park Walking Safari findings • photos by Jeanie A

Chobe National Park: Camping, Game Drives, and River Cruises

Chobe National Park was hands-down my most favorite safari experience of the whole Contiki tour. The game drives through Chobe’s vast landscapes were like a scene out of the Lion King with wildlife everywhere you turn and different species peacefully grazing the lands together! It was unbelievable. We saw lions, elephants, and giraffes up close where every sighting really was a photographer’s dream.

For the first night, you get to camp beneath the African sky within the park itself. So it’s possible wildlife can come by and join you at the campfire if they choose to. We unfortunately (or fortunately?) had no wild visitors during our camping stay.

Then the Chobe River Cruise here was a serene yet exhilarating experience where we saw elephants, hippos, and crocodiles along the riverbanks. Not to mention, the sunsets I got to see in Chobe were one of the most beautiful and unreal sunsets I’ve ever seen with a magenta sun and light purple skies.

The Incredible Wildlife of Kruger, Zambezi, and Chobe National Parks • photos by Jeanie A

Cape, Safari & Falls Tour Accommodations

The six selected accommodations were in great locations, offered a luxury experience, or were unique once-in-a-lifetime stays. Note that the accommodations listed on the tour website may change, may differ from where my tour group stayed, and that not all rooms will be identical.

South Africa: Cape Town, Kruger National Park & Johannesburg

• Cape Town Hotel: Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge

The hotel we stayed at in Cape Town, South Africa was in a great location! It’s a short 5-minute walk next to the lively Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with a plethora of shops, restaurants, and bars. My hotel room also had two closed-off bedrooms for added privacy from my roommate when needed.

• Kruger National Park Safari Camp: The Wild Olive Tree Camp

The Kruger National Park safari camp was such a unique stay! It’s fenced off to prevent wildlife from entering although you’ll still feel like you’re staying in the African savanna. The safari tents (or maybe they’re more accurately a yurt?) had mesh windows that immersed us in the sights and sounds of the wild. Note that there is no A/C in the tents, so the windows are usually kept open to allow airflow in. However, they are able to be closed from the outside to prevent unwanted onlookers into the tent (especially if you want privacy in the en-suite bathroom). There’s also an onsite pool where you can cool off after a long day spotting wildlife. Then after dinners, the campfire is lit and drinks are served at the small bar.

Kruger National Park: The Wild Olive Tree Camp • photos by Jeanie A

• Johannesburg accommodation: Sunrock Guesthouse

In Johannesburg, the accommodation was a mini oasis! There’s a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees that perfectly transports you to a different atmosphere contrasting with the Johannesburg city. You can also request for a massage if you’re looking for some relaxation.

Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls

• Victoria Falls lodge: Shearwater’s Explorer Village

The Victoria Falls accommodation was one of luxury and escape. It features a two-tier swimming pool, restaurant, two bars and a lounging area. During dinner, amazing performers may stop by and sing and dance in traditional African clothing. A short walk away were several shops, restaurants, and a theatre where you can watch an add-on show at (definitely do this!). Oh and if you’re looking for some pampering and relaxation then you can request a massage at this accommodation as well.

Botswana: Chobe National Park & Kasane

• Chobe Camp site: Chobezi Camping

Camping in the African bush was the most unique stay and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! The campsite is unfenced and located within the Chobe National Park so it’s literally in the animals’ natural habitat. So it’s possible that wild animals could enter and walk the campsite at their leisure.

The camping tents fit two cots, have mesh windows, a lantern, and an empty bucket for any late-night “emergencies”. Regarding the bathroom situation, there are two “flushable” bins (without plumbing), covered by tent walls with an open roof.

After dinner, you can enjoy the campfire along with beer and wine served from the cooler the guides brought. If you enjoy camping and being out in the wilderness, then you’ll absolutely love this experience. If not, then luckily you are only camping for one night.

RELATED: Chobezi Review

• Kasane Lodge: Kwalape Safari Lodge

The Kasane safari lodge has a swimming pool with a nearby bar to order drinks and relax. A perfect way to end our trip. The room my roommate and I were given was likely on the higher-end since the room itself was large and the bathroom was very modern. This was probably my most luxurious room of the trip, and it sounded like not all travelers received the same room so I must’ve gotten lucky. The dinner buffet here was also very delicious and was an awesome last meal with the tour group.

Dedicated and Expert Guides: An Unrivaled Service

What elevated our Contiki tour experience was hands-down our Trip Manager, Dan. He was extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to taking care of us, and he quickly became a friend. I would definitely hire Dan to go with me on future African wildlife tours as his knowledge of wildlife and spotting skills (especially birds) were incredible! After our game drives, he would also match the bird photos I took to his bird app so that I can have a comprehensive list of all the bird species we saw on safari.

Contiki’s Excellence: Attention to Detail and Camaraderie

Contiki’s meticulous attention to detail was evident throughout the tour. Everything was smooth and seamless, which made it an even more enjoyable experience. The tour manager and local guides were also so passionate about the destinations. Their enthusiasm and knowledge really enhanced our understanding and appreciation of all the places we visited.

Not just that but all the travelers on the tour were like-minded, fun and friendly individuals who we quickly became friends with. They all helped create a sense of community that amplified the entire experience and my southern African safari experience.

We were a small group of 10 people (which is very different from some other larger Contiki groups) but I absolutely loved it. It made the experience more personal and intimate, where we actually were able to talk to each person and create lasting friendships with everyone in the group.

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Final Words

Contiki’s “Cape, Safari & Falls Tour” is full of once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. It had adventure, culture, and wildlife encounters! So if you’re looking for an immersive, culturally rich, and an unforgettable exploration of Southern Africa, this tour is an absolute must. Contiki continues to offer unfortgettable travel experiences and I can’t wait for my next one. Be sure to check them out at contiki.com.

Have you been on the “Cape, Safari & Falls” Contiki tour?
I’d love to hear what you thought — drop your favorite memories in the comments below!