Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and the wild Lower Zambezi.
This is a safari for families with young children that like adventure. Open with three nights in Cape Town at the playful Radisson RED on the V&A Waterfront and enjoy Table Mountain, the aquarium and the harbor. Fly north to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls for three nights at Avani Victoria Falls, where zebra and giraffe graze and the falls are just a short walk away. From there, head into the wild Lower Zambezi National Park for four nights at Chongwe, one of the few camps in the area that welcomes all ages. Kids will love the boat safaris, the game drives and the elephants wandering through camp.
3 nights
Where the mountains meet the sea. Cape Town pairs Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and the Camps Bay coastline with world-class dining and the Cape Winelands on its doorstep — a refined, romantic bookend to any Southern Africa honeymoon.
3 nights
Victoria Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world — a mile-wide curtain of water plunging into the Batoka Gorge. Livingstone, the town on the Zambian side, is the quieter, more refined base compared to its Zimbabwean counterpart. Beyond the Falls themselves, the Zambezi upstream offers sunset cruises, cultural visits to local villages, and a roster of adrenaline activities from bungee jumping to microlight flights over the spray.
4 nights
The Lower Zambezi is where land and water safari converge. Canoe silently past drinking elephants, fish for tiger fish in the rapids, and return to camp for afternoon game drives through pristine mopane forest. The camps here sit right on the Zambezi River with the Zambezi Escarpment as a backdrop — the setting is cinematic. It is less visited than South Luangwa, which means fewer vehicles and a genuine sense of wilderness.
Visa — not required. US passport holders don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days. You do, however, now need to complete South Africa’s online customs/traveller declaration before you arrive.
Passport. Valid for at least 30 days beyond your planned departure from South Africa, with 2 consecutive completely blank visa pages per entry (endorsement pages don’t count).
Vaccinations. A yellow-fever certificate is required if you’re arriving from a country the WHO designates as a risk — and the vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
Currency. You may bring in or take out up to ZAR 25,000, plus unlimited foreign currency if you declare it on arrival. Krugerrand coins can’t be brought in; up to 15 may be taken out with proof they were purchased in foreign currency.
Good to know. Crime is high — stay alert, especially in cities. Traffic drives on the left, and the roads are more dangerous than in the US. On safari, follow your guide’s instructions — the animals are wild, not tame. And expect occasional scheduled power cuts (“load shedding”).
U.S. Embassy, Pretoria: za.usembassy.gov
Visa — none needed. US passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Zambia as a tourist. Simply share your itinerary at the port of entry and you’ll be issued a tourist visa on arrival, good for up to 90 days (per calendar year; any extension must be approved by Zambian Immigration). If your trip crosses into Zimbabwe around Victoria Falls, ask for the KAZA UniVisa on arrival — one visa covering both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Passport. Valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 3 blank pages. If you transit through South Africa, you’ll also need 2 consecutive completely blank visa pages (endorsement pages don’t count).
Vaccinations. None required to enter. A yellow-fever certificate is required only if you’re arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk.
Good to know. No limit on currency in or out. Cannabis and CBD — in any form — are illegal. A departure tax applies when you leave: it’s included in international airfares, but for private or chartered domestic flights you’ll pay a small fee in Zambian Kwacha at the airport gate.
U.S. Embassy, Lusaka: zm.usembassy.gov
Guidance for US passport holders — if you travel on another passport, please confirm the requirements for your nationality.
Every departure runs a similar route with all-in pricing. Prices vary by season.
Inclusions: Safari lodge and camp rates are inclusive of all meals, drinks, and most activities — including game drives — but exclude top-shelf drinks and premium activities like helicopter excursions. City and beach stays follow each property's own board basis, shown on the lodge.
Children are priced at each lodge's child rate. Exact rates and room allocation are confirmed at booking, once ages are collected.
Don't see what you're looking for?
We'll check whether this itinerary runs on different dates — sometimes with alternate lodges when the flagship is full.
Don't see the dates or lodges you want? Our safari experts will build a custom trip around you.
Plan a Custom Trip