NEW PROGRAM!
Rotary SOUTHERN AFRICA is a service tour offered by the Rotary Club of Haliburton. This means 5% of the Land Package revenue is directed to humanitarian projects in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The tour program is similar to TravelMaven's Best of SOUTH AFRICA, but incorporates Victoria Falls, includes several Rotary activities, and has a Haliburton Rotary Escort in the Western Cape and Victoria Falls. Travel and serve; it's a perfect combination.
South Africa is a huge place, bigger than Germany, France and Italy combined. While many tours set an aggressive pace based on many stops and multiple short stays, TravelMaven takes a different approach. We simply cherry pick the 'best of the best' and stay to explore.
A few years ago, we spent a lot of time figuring out how to assemble a top-notch program that covers the best in the Western Cape and Kruger regions, as well as Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with just three regional flights and four hotels in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Victoria Falls, and overlooking Kruger National Park. For the Rotary Tour, we've also found a way to make connections with local Rotarians by attending meetings, and more importantly, serving where we can.
CAPE TOWN
If you see any list of 'Most Spectacular Cities', Cape Town will be on it. We will spend 5 nights in the heart of this amazing place. During this time, guests will receive a City Pass which includes unlimited access to the hop-on hop-off bus and entry to dozens of attractions. Guests will also be able to create their own program for one day using their City Pass. We'll join the Waterfront Rotary Club for breakfast on Friday and the Hout Bay Club on Tuesday for a service project at a local school.
STELLENBOSCH
Our second stop is in South Africa's most famed wine region. We will spend 5 nights at the historic Stellenbosch Hotel and visit multiple wineries and refined restaurants. Guests will also have a free day to take a bike tour, play golf and visit more wineries. Dinner and local wine will be enjoyed one night with the local Stellenbosch Club.
VICTORIA FALLS
As one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is a must-visit for travellers visiting Southern Africa. While there, the group will explore the falls and spend time with local Rotarians, including a visit to one of their projects where a donation will be made to the Girls' Dignity Project. Those interested can also add a Chobe National Park water safari in nearby Botswana to their program.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Who hasn't dreamt of riding across the African savannah in an open vehicle, checking out the elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and a few big cats? I think everyone had this dream when they were young, but for many people an African safari has always seemed too far, too expensive, too dangerous, or just too much to seriously contemplate. But that's not true! An African safari is within your reach.
Our final stop is one week at the Rio Vista Lodge overlooking the Crocodile River and Kruger National Park. While at the Lodge, guests will enjoy all meals and relaxing in the infinity pool at the end of each day. We'll take 3 safaris and visit many other spectacular places in the area, including a day in eSwatini (aka Swaziland). This week is escorted by our local partners, Debbie and Charles.
Another important feature of TravelMaven tours is that we limit our group to 12 guests. That means we can walk city streets together and blend into crowds in restaurants. With small groups and only 4 hotels, we avoid the wasted time of constantly packing and unpacking, and waiting around for others in the hotel lobby or on a big tour bus.
In terms of trans-Atlantic flights, we don't include them with our Land Package because there are many ways to get to South Africa, and many people want to add a pit-stop somewhere or use their loyalty points. In most cases, overnight flights arrive in Cape Town the day after departing Toronto. Whatever your time of arrival, Barry or Ursula will be at Cape Town Airport to take you to our hotel in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Given the length of the journey and the potential for jet-lag, we also start with a few slower days in Cape Town and a flexible program so guests don't need to arrive a day early to "rest up". In fact, we encourage guests to arrive on the designated day so we can look after them properly right from the start. If you haven't been to Africa before, it's best if you start your visit with someone familiar with the area.
In terms of meals, we've included those that make sense, while leaving the rest for guests to choose on their own. Fortunately, South African prices are very reasonable. Lunch can be found for $10-20, dinner for $20-30 and a beer or glass of wine is $3-8. As a result, guests should budget about $400 for meals not included over the 21 days.
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$10,780
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$2,550
HOTELS: 4 star & 3 star
GROUP: Max 12 guests (12 Remaining)
DURATION: 22 days (20 hotel nights)
BEGINS in Cape Town: Sun Feb 21, 2027
ENDS in Johannesburg: Sat Mar 13, 2027
Rotary Tour Team
Rotary Tours are a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Haliburton. Ursula Devolin (President 2021/22) chairs the club's Rotary Tours Committee, while her husband Barry (TravelMaven Tours) designs and operates them. Ursula is schedule to be your tour director in the Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Victoria Falls. Local escorts Debbie and Charles will be with you in the Kruger region.
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 0 (Sat Feb 20): Depart Toronto
There are many ways to get to Cape Town, all requiring a connection if coming from North America.
DAY 1 (Sun Feb 21): Arrive in Cape Town
Whatever the time of arrival, Ursula or Barry will meet guests at Cape Town Airport and bring them to the hotel in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront tourist district. For those arriving early enough in the day, the hotel offers a lovely pool and a great in-house restaurant.
Table Mountain
DAY 2 (Mon Feb 22): Orientation Walk; Robben Island; Welcome Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast, we will take a walking tour of the Waterfront District, ending with lunch at the TIME OUT food building. After lunch, you'll catch the ferry to Robben Island to see the place Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. In the evening, we will have our Welcome Dinner.
DAY 3 (Tue Feb 23): Two Oceans Aquarium; Rotary Service Day; Hout Bay Rotary Mtg (B,D)
We start this day with a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Afterwards, we'll head south to the Hout Bay area to meet members of the Hout Bay Rotary Club for an activity and their weekly meeting. (A detailed agenda will be available in mid 2026.)
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
DAY 4 (Wed Feb 24): Walking Tour of Historic Downtown; Table Mountain; Camp's Bay (B,L)
We start this day with a walking tour of historic Cape Town. Afterwards, we will head to Table Mountain to catch the gondola to the top. Afterwards, we will make a pit stop along the Camp's Bay beachfront before returning to the Waterfront for a free evening.
DAY 5 (Thu Feb 25): FREE DAY in Cape Town (B)
There are so many things to do and see in Cape Town that there's never enough time. During this Free Day, guests can use their City Pass to do and see what they want, whether that's visiting the District Six Museum or an art gallery, or taking a sightseeing boat tour of Table Bay. Activities Included in City Pass
Cape of Good Hope Walkway
DAY 6 (Fri Feb 26): Rotary Breakfast; Cape Point Tour; Stellenbosch (B,D)
This day begins with breakfast at the Waterfront Rotary Club. Afterwards, we will head to the Cape of Good Hope along Chapman's Peak Drive. After checking out the Lighthouse, we will stop at Boulder Beach to see the penguins. In the late afternoon, we'll arrive at our hotel for a group dinner.
DAY 7 (Sat Feb 27); Stellenbosch Day (B,L)
Barry will lead a walking tour of the downtown and visit to the local musuem. Afterwards, guests will enjoy a visit to a local winery and lunch at La Pommerie. In the late afternoon and evening, guests are free to explore the town and chose from a score of great eateries within walking distance of our hotel.
One of many Stellenbosch wine tastings
DAY 8 (Sun Feb 28): Franschhoek Day (B)
After breakfast, we will visit the Franschhoek Motor Museum and Rupert Wine Farm. Then, guests will have a couple of hours in the quaint town of Franschhoek to explore the Sunday Market and have lunch. On the way back to Stellenbosch, there's a quick stop at the place Nelson Mandela was released from prison and time for coffee and snacks at the Boschendal Farm.
DAY 9 (Mon Mar 1): Hermanus Day (B,L)
After breakfast, we will head to the Indian Ocean coast to explore the region around Hermanus, one of South Africa's most popular coastal cities for kite-surfing and whale watching during the seaons. This full day tour includes a walk on the beach, lunch and a stroll about town and a scenic drive in both directions.
Hermanus on the Indian Ocean
DAY 10 (Tue Mar 2): Free Day; Stellenbosch Rotary mtg (B,D)
There are many things to do in Stellenbosch, and Barry will help guests plan their own day. Options include bike & ebike tours, golf, more wineries and even the local Wine Tram. In the evening, the group will attend the regular weekly meeting of the Stellenbosch Rotary Club.
DAY 11 (Wed Mar 3): Fly Cape Town to Victoria Falls (B,D)
After breakfast and check out, the group will be transferred to Cape Town airport for a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Upon arrival, guests will be transferred to the Bayette Guest Lodge before enjoying a suset dinner cruise on the beautiful Zambezi River. Visas are required but not included in your pacakge.
Victoria Falls
DAY 12 (Thu Mar 4): Vicotria Falls; Rotary lunch; Dusty Road dinner (B,L,D)
This day begins with a walking tour of Victoria Falls National Park overlooking the falls. This is followed by lunch with the local Rotary Club. After lunch, the group will tour local Rotary projects before enjoying a typical meal at Dusty Road restaurant which serves local townshop cuisine.
DAY 13 (Fri Mar 5): Chobe NP Water Safari (optional) or Free Day (B,D)
On this day, guests have options. One is to book a day trip to Chobe National Park in nearby Botswana for a water safari. Other options include walking or horseback safaris, helicopter tours and visit to local rural homesteads. Dinner is at the hotel.
DAY 14 (Sat Mar 6): Fly Victoria Falls to Kruger (B,D)
In the morning, guests may choose to relax at the lodge or add one final activity (e.g. helicopter tour). The group will depart the hotel before noon for the airport to fly to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. Upon arrival, the group will be greeted by CD Tours. After a one-hour drive to the Rio Vista Lodge, guests will enjoy a swm and dinner on The Deck overlooking the Crocodile River and Kruger National Park.
Chobe National Park, Botswana
DAY 15 (Sun Mar 7): Kruger Safari (10 hr) (B,D)
This is the day many guests have been waiting a lifetime to experience - a true African safari in an open vehicle. You'll leave the hotel very early to catch sunrise in the Park and animals embracing their morning routine. Mid morning you'll stop for breakfast at a rest area and later for lunch at Skukuza or Berg-en-dal camp. You'll return to the lodge mid afternoon for a swim and a quiet evening.
DAY 16 (Mon Mar 8): Panorama Ridge & Blyde River Canyon; Rotary Dinner (B,L,D)
This will be a long day as the group heads north by private minibus to see the spectacular Panorama Ridge and Blyde River Canyon. Guests will also have the chance to experience Harrie's Pancake House for lunch, and visit the spectacular Graskop Gorge before joining the Rotary Club of White River for dinner.
Blyde River Canyon
DAY 17 (Tue Mar 9): Free Time / Sunset Safari & Bush Braai (4 hr) (B,L,D)
After an easy day around the pool at the Lodge, we will head back to Kruger for a sunset safari and bush braai (bbq) with National Park staff deep within the park. Those interested can also book a massage at the Lodge in the morning, or go into town to see some local stores.
DAY 18: (Wed Mar 10) Swaziland Tour (B,L,D)
Right next door to Kruger National Park is the independent nation of eSwatini (aka Swaziland). This full day tour will take you to many sights, including an artisanal glass-blowing facility and cultural village. After a long day, we will return to the Rio Vista for dinner. Remember your passport for this outing.
eSwatini Traditional Festival
DAY 19 (Thu Mar 11): Kruger Safari (6 hr) (B,D)
This day features our third safari, a chance to search for whatever has eluded us on the first two days. We'll track the Big Five, the Little Five and the Ugly Five. You'll have stops for breakfast and lunch in the part. After returning to the Rio Vista Lodge mid afternoon, guests will enjoy dinner at The Deck.
DAY 20 (Fri Mar 12): Chimp Eden; Sudwala Caves (B,L,D)
In the morning you will visit the Sudwala Caves, followed by lunch. Afterwards, we will go to Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden, a facility for abused chimpanzees. You'll want good shoes today for the caves. Guests will enjoy our Farewell Dinner at the Deck Restaurant.
Elephants in Kruger National Park
DAY 21: (Sat Mar 13) Transfer to Airport; fly to Toronto (B)
This will be our final morning at Rio Vista, then guests will head to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for their flight to Johannesburg. From there, guests will catch their flights home with many happy memories to hold you throughout the long flight.
DAY 22: (Sun Mar 14): Arrive Home
Today you arrive home to share your stories with loved ones.
Guests Relaxing in the Rio Vista Lodge Pool