South Africa & Victoria Falls on a Shoestring: Cape Town to Kruger to the Smoke That Thunders
17 days · South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana
Expat Explore Travel charges £3,117
No-markup version: ~£1,800 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 17-day version of Expat Explore's "South Africa Escape with Victoria Falls" — same route (Cape Town → Garden Route → Route 62 → Kruger → Victoria Falls), same headline experiences, but booked independently. You'll use Baz Bus hop-on-hop-off coaches along the Garden Route, budget flights to Joburg and Vic Falls, shared safari vehicles in Kruger, and backpackers/guesthouses throughout. Expect roughly £1,650-1,950 all-in (excluding international flights), against an operator price of ~£3,100 for the land-only tour. Note: costs are approximate and vary by season and how many optional activities you add.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cape Town — City Bowl & District Six
Cape Town
Land at Cape Town International, take the MyCiTi bus (route A01, ~R80/£3.50) or a metered Uber (~R350/£15 split between travellers) to your hostel in the City Bowl or Green Point. Settle in, then do a free walking tour of the city centre covering District Six and Company's Garden (tip-based, ~£5 tip). Walk up Signal Hill for sunset (free) or take the Noon Day Gun route. Evening: self-book a traditional braai dinner or hit the V&A Food Market. Base yourself at a Long Street or Green Point backpackers.
🚌Airport MyCiTi bus ~£3.50 or shared Uber ~£15/car
🛏Backpacker dorm, City Bowl / Green Point (e.g. Long Street or Observatory hostels), ~£15/night
- →Self-guided District Six & Company's Garden walk
- →Free city walking tour (tip-based)
- →Signal Hill sunset hike
Cape Peninsula day trip — Cape Point & Boulders Beach
Cape Town / Cape Peninsula
Book the Cape Peninsula day trip independently via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£45-55pp including transport, Cape Point entrance and a Boulders Beach colony stop). Alternatively hire a car for the day (~£35/day plus fuel) and drive Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Point (funicular optional), Boulders Beach penguins (R190), and lunch in Kalk Bay. Back in the city, wander the V&A Waterfront. This is the single best-value guided day on the whole trip — the group operator charges R2,550 (~£110), so booking direct saves roughly half.
🚌Small-group day tour minibus ~£50 or self-drive hire car
🛏Backpacker dorm, Cape Town, ~£15/night
- →Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope
- →Boulders Beach penguin colony
- →Chapman's Peak Drive
- →Kalk Bay lunch
- →V&A Waterfront
Cape Winelands — Stellenbosch & Hermanus
Stellenbosch / Hermanus
Take the early Baz Bus or a local intercity coach from Cape Town to Stellenbosch (~£12, 1hr). Wander the oak-lined university town, then join a self-booked wine-tasting tram or estate tasting (estate tastings R50-100 each; the Vine Hopper hop-on wine bus ~R250/£11). In the afternoon continue by Baz Bus to Hermanus (~£15). Check into a Hermanus backpackers — the town is famous for land-based whale watching from the cliff path (June-Nov), which is completely free.
🚌Baz Bus Cape Town → Stellenbosch → Hermanus ~£27 total
🛏Hermanus backpackers (e.g. near the cliff path), dorm ~£18/night
- →Stellenbosch wine tasting
- →Cliff-path whale watching in Hermanus
- →Hermanus old harbour
Hermanus — optional Marine Big 5, then Swellendam & Mossel Bay
Hermanus / Mossel Bay
If you want the marine safari, book the Marine Big 5 boat trip direct with the operator (~R2,500/£108) — seals, dolphins, penguins and, in season, whales. Otherwise spend the morning on the cliff path. Then continue the Baz Bus route south via Swellendam (a quick stop at South Africa's third-oldest town) to Mossel Bay (~£20). Mossel Bay has good cheap backpackers and a relaxed beach scene.
🚌Baz Bus Hermanus → Mossel Bay ~£20
🛏Mossel Bay backpackers, dorm ~£15/night
- →Cliff path walk
- →Marine Big 5 boat trip (optional)
- →Swellendam stop
- →Mossel Bay beach
Mossel Bay game drive & Knysna
Mossel Bay / Knysna
Morning game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve — book direct (~R1,500-1,800/£65-78 for the 3-hour drive, less than the operator's bundled price). Look for lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo in a malaria-free reserve. Afterwards take the Baz Bus on to Knysna (~£10), a gorgeous lagoon town. Optional add-ons: Monkeyland and Birds of Eden (each ~R450/£19) — book on arrival. Evening braai at the hostel or fresh Knysna oysters by the waterfront.
🚌Baz Bus Mossel Bay → Knysna ~£10
🛏Knysna backpackers, dorm ~£16/night
- →Botlierskop game drive
- →Knysna lagoon & waterfront
- →Monkeyland / Birds of Eden (optional)
Tsitsikamma National Park — Storms River Mouth
Tsitsikamma
Take the Baz Bus to Storms River Village / Tsitsikamma (~£10). Spend the day in Tsitsikamma National Park: hike the boardwalk and suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth (park fee ~R300/£13), and swim or do the Storms River kayak-and-lilo adventure (~R940/£40, book direct). Optional: the famous Tsitsikamma tree-top canopy zip-line (~R925/£40). Overnight in one of the Storms River hostels — dorm beds and even budget forest cabins are available.
🚌Baz Bus Knysna → Tsitsikamma ~£10
🛏Storms River Village hostel, dorm ~£16/night
- →Tsitsikamma National Park hike
- →Storms River suspension bridge
- →Kayak & lilo excursion (optional)
- →Tree-top canopy zip-line (optional)
Route 62 to Oudtshoorn — ostrich farm & Cango Caves
Oudtshoorn
Head inland via Route 62 to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the Klein Karoo. Take the Baz Bus or a shared shuttle (~£20). Visit an ostrich farm on a self-booked tour (~R250/£11, with the classic ostrich-riding photo-op and a three-course ostrich lunch ~£15), then explore the Cango Caves on a standard Heritage Tour (~R180/£8; the adventure tour with squeezing through tight passages is more). Optional evening: Oudtshoorn star gazing (~R790/£34).
🚌Baz Bus / shuttle Tsitsikamma → Oudtshoorn ~£20
🛏Oudtshoorn backpackers, dorm ~£15/night
- →Ostrich farm tour & lunch
- →Cango Caves Heritage Tour
- →Route 62 drive
- →Star gazing (optional)
Robertson & Paarl wine route back to Cape Town
Robertson / Paarl / Cape Town
Drive back toward Cape Town via the Robertson and Paarl wine valleys on the Baz Bus (~£20). Stop for cheese and wine tasting at a Paarl estate (tastings R60-100 each) and lunch at a Robertson winery. Arrive Cape Town late afternoon and settle into your hostel. Evening: dinner on Bree Street — Cape Malay curry or a cheap but excellent local spot.
🚌Baz Bus Oudtshoorn → Cape Town via Route 62 ~£20
🛏Backpacker dorm, Cape Town, ~£15/night
- →Robertson wine estate lunch
- →Paarl cheese & wine tasting
- →Bree Street dinner
Fly Cape Town → Johannesburg → Kruger region (Mpumalanga)
Johannesburg / Hazyview
Budget flight Cape Town to Johannesburg (booked early on FlySafair/Kulula, one-way from ~£45-70). From OR Tambo, take the intercity bus or shuttle (Baz Bus City-to-City or a shared airport shuttle, ~£25) to Hazyview / Kruger gate area. Check into a budget guesthouse or safari backpackers near the Park. Stock up on snacks and water — food inside the park is pricey. Early night before game drives.
🚌Budget flight ~£55 + shuttle to Hazyview ~£25
🛏Hazyview budget guesthouse / safari hostel, dorm or twin ~£22/night
- →Cape Town → Joburg budget flight
- →Transfer to Kruger region
- →Hazyview evening
Kruger National Park — full-day game drive (self-drive or shared)
Kruger National Park
Two budget-friendly options: (a) rent a car in Nelspruit/Joburg (~£30/day plus fuel, split 3-4 ways) and self-drive Kruger's paved tourist roads — this is by far the cheapest way and you control the pace; or (b) join a shared day safari in an open vehicle booked direct via GetYourGuide/your hostel (~R2,000/£87 per full day). Park conservation fee ~R486/day for international visitors (~£21). Look for the Big Five on the H4-1 Sabie River road — one of the best game-viewing routes in the park.
🚌Self-drive hire car ~£12pp/day shared, or shared safari vehicle ~£87
🛏Kruger rest camp rondavel or Hazyview guesthouse ~£25/night (split)
- →Full-day Kruger game drive
- →Sabie River game-viewing route
- →Big Five spotting
Kruger National Park — full-day safari with local trackers
Kruger National Park
Another full day in the park. If self-driving, head to different loops and waterholes — early morning and late afternoon give the best predator sightings. If you want a private-reserve experience, book a day in a Greater Kruger private concession (~£100-130) where off-road tracking and night drives are allowed. Bring binoculars, a hat, and plenty of water.
🚌Self-drive or shared safari vehicle ~£87
🛏Kruger rest camp or Hazyview guesthouse ~£25/night
- →Full-day game drive
- →Optional private-reserve safari with expert trackers
- →Birdwatching (500+ species)
Kruger — optional sunset safari and campfire evening
Kruger National Park
Morning free for the pool or a short self-drive loop. In the afternoon, book a sunset game drive direct (~R1,700/£74) — the golden light and nocturnal wildlife make it a highlight. Spend the evening around a campfire at your rest camp or hostel; a Kruger braai with Amarula for dessert is a budget-traveller rite of passage.
🚌Self-drive / on-site
🛏Kruger rest camp or Hazyview guesthouse ~£25/night
- →Sunset game drive (optional)
- →Campfire braai
- →Rest camp evening
Panorama Route — Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels & Bourke's Luck
Blyde River Canyon / Johannesburg
Drive the Panorama Route: the Three Rondavels viewpoint over Blyde River Canyon (one of the world's largest green canyons), Bourke's Luck Potholes (R150/£7), God's Window and Lisbon Falls. Then continue to Johannesburg (~5hrs) or fly from Hoedspruit/Nelspruit. Overnight in a Joburg hostel or budget hotel near OR Tambo.
🚌Self-drive or shuttle Hazyview → Joburg ~£25
🛏Joburg hostel/budget hotel near OR Tambo ~£25/night
- →Three Rondavels viewpoint
- →Bourke's Luck Potholes
- →Blyde River Canyon drive
- →God's Window
Fly Johannesburg → Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Budget flight Joburg to Victoria Falls (booked early, from ~£70-100 one-way on Fastjet/Air Zimbabwe or via a low-cost connection). On arrival in Victoria Falls town, get your KAZA UniVisa ($50, covers Zimbabwe and Zambia) or Zimbabwe visa ($30). Check into a backpackers — there's a great cluster of budget hostels and campsites in the town centre, walkable to everything. Evening: optional Boma Dinner & Drum Show (~£45) or a cheap local meal and a sundowner at the Explorer's Village.
🚌Budget flight Joburg → Vic Falls ~£85 + airport transfer ~£8
🛏Victoria Falls backpackers, dorm ~£18/night
- →Flight to Victoria Falls
- →Vic Falls town orientation
- →Boma Drum Show (optional)
Victoria Falls — guided walk & Zambezi sunset cruise
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Walk the Victoria Falls rainforest trail (entry $50/£40, payable at the gate) to see the Smoke That Thunders from all viewpoints — allow 2-3hrs and rent a poncho in wet season. In the late afternoon, book a Zambezi River sunset cruise direct (~£35-45) for hippos, crocs and elephants at the water's edge — the group tour includes this, and it's easy and cheap to self-book. Optional splurge: the Flight of the Angels helicopter ride over the falls (~£180-215).
🚌Walkable town; hotel pickup for cruise included
🛏Victoria Falls backpackers, dorm ~£18/night
- →Victoria Falls rainforest walk
- →Zambezi sunset cruise
- →Flight of the Angels helicopter (optional)
- →Curio market browsing
Chobe National Park day trip, Botswana
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Book a Chobe day trip direct with a Vic Falls or Kasane operator (~£120-160, includes Botswana border crossing, a river cruise on the Chobe and a game drive in Chobe NP — home to one of the world's largest elephant populations). It's a long but spectacular day; the border formalities are handled by your operator. Those who prefer can stay in Vic Falls and do a Zambezi canoe or a township tour instead.
🚌Chobe day-trip minibus incl. border crossing ~£140
🛏Victoria Falls backpackers, dorm ~£18/night
- →Chobe River cruise
- →Chobe game drive
- →Elephant herds at the Chobe waterfront
Victoria Falls → Johannesburg — depart
Victoria Falls / Johannesburg
Morning free for last-minute crafts or a Devil's Pool dip if you're feeling brave and it's low-water season (Sept-Dec). Take the mid-morning flight to Johannesburg (from ~£70) to connect with your international departure, or add a night in Joburg if your onward flight is next morning. If flying onward same day, allow 4hrs+ connection at OR Tambo.
🚌Vic Falls → Joburg flight ~£75 + airport transfer ~£10
🛏None included (onward flight) — add a Joburg airport hotel ~£45 if needed
- →Last-minute Vic Falls town time
- →Flight to Johannesburg
- →Onward international departure
Self-launched vs. Expat Explore Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Expat Explore Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,800 | £3,117 |
| Duration | 17 days | 17 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,317 per person (42%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Expat Explore Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,800
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does South Africa & Victoria Falls on a Shoestring: Cape Town to Kruger to the Smoke That Thunders cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,800 per person for 17 days in South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Expat Explore Travel?+
Yes — Expat Explore Travel charges around £3,117 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,800 — a saving of roughly £1,317 (42%) per person.
How long is the South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana trip?+
This itinerary runs 17 days, covering 17 day-by-day stops through South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, culture trip through South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.