Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls: Self-Launched Wildlife Safari
12 days · South Africa & Zimbabwe
G Adventures charges £2,460
No-markup version: ~£994 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of G Adventures' 12-day Cape Town–Kruger–Victoria Falls Classic trip, done independently with hostels, guesthouses, budget lodges, Baz Bus/shuttle transfers, self-booked safari drives and public flights. You get the same big moments — Table Mountain, three days of Big Five game drives in Kruger, Chimp Eden, and the thunder of Victoria Falls — for roughly a third of the group-tour price. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget mid-range rates in GBP and exclude international flights to/from Africa.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Land at Cape Town International (CPT). Take the MyCiTi bus route from the airport to the Civic Centre (~R120/£5) or a metered Uber (~R350/£15) to your hostel in the City Bowl or Sea Point. Settle in, stock up on groceries at a Pick n Pay or Woolworths Food, and take an easy sunset walk along the Sea Point Promenade. Book your Table Mountain cable car ticket online tonight to skip the ticket queue and check the wind forecast — the cableway closes in high winds.
🚌MyCiTi airport bus or Uber from CPT (~£5-15)
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, City Bowl/Sea Point (£15-22)
- →Sea Point Promenade sunset walk
- →Pre-book Table Mountain cable car online
- →Stock up groceries
Table Mountain & Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Beat the crowds: get to the Lower Cable Station at Tafelberg Road by 8am for the first cable car up (~R420/£18 return, book direct at tablemountain.net). Hike the easy Dassie Walk and Klapper Kop trails on top for the classic views over the city and Atlantic seaboard, then ride down. In the afternoon, do a self-guided walk through Bo-Kaap for the colourful houses, or join a GetYourGuide/Klook free-walking-tour-style Bo-Kaap and city-centre walk (~£15). Evening: eat at a V&A Waterfront food market or grab a Gatsby sandwich in the city for under £8.
🚌Walk + MyCiTi bus / Uber (~£5)
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, City Bowl/Sea Point (£15-22)
- →Table Mountain cable car return (~£18)
- →Dassie Walk & Klapper Kop hiking trails
- →Bo-Kaap self-guided walk or small-group city walk (~£15)
Cape Town free day → fly to Johannesburg
Cape Town to Johannesburg, South Africa
Use the morning for one more Cape Town option — a Cape Point/Chapman's Peak day tour via GetYourGuide (~£55) or kayaking at Hout Bay (~£60) — then head to CPT for an afternoon budget flight to Johannesburg (FlySafair, Lift or British Airways Comair, booked 4-8 weeks ahead ~£45-80 one way). In Joburg, take the Gautrain or an Uber from OR Tambo to your hostel in Melville or Maboneng, a walkable, traveller-friendly neighbourhood with good cheap eats.
🚌Domestic flight CPT-JNB (~£45-80) + Gautrain/Uber (~£8)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Melville/Maboneng, Johannesburg (£18-25)
- →Optional Cape Point day tour or Hout Bay kayaking
- →Melville/Maboneng evening wander
Johannesburg → Greater Kruger / Hazyview
Hazyview / Greater Kruger, South Africa
Take the morning shuttle or Baz Bus-style Intercape/Vaal African connection from Johannesburg to Hazyview, the gateway town to Kruger's southern gates (book via your lodge or a Hazyview shuttle company, ~R650/£27, 5-6 hrs). Alternatively hire a shared shuttle door-to-door from your hostel. Arrive mid-afternoon at your Kruger-area guesthouse, freshen up, and sort your safari bookings for the next two days (Kruger's own SANParks guided game drives can be booked directly at the gate, ~R450-600/£19-26 per drive; private open-vehicle drives via your lodge ~£35-50).
🚌Intercape/shuttle Johannesburg-Hazyview (~£27)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge near Hazyview or Kruger's Numbi/Phabeni gate (£25-35)
- →Book SANParks or lodge-guided game drives
- →Sunset at the guesthouse deck
Kruger: sunrise & sunset game drives
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Up before dawn for a sunrise game drive in Kruger (~£25 booked through SANParks or your lodge) — best light and the most active wildlife. Return for a late breakfast and a rest by the pool. In the late afternoon, head out for a sunset drive with a ranger, finishing with a braai (barbecue) at your guesthouse — buy meat, pap and salad supplies at the Hazyview shops for ~£8pp. This mirrors the operator's included braai dinner for a fraction of the cost.
🚌Lodge game-drive vehicle (included in activity cost)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge near Hazyview (£25-35)
- →Sunrise guided game drive in Kruger (~£25)
- →Sunset game drive (~£25)
- →DIY braai dinner (~£8)
Kruger full-day self-drive safari
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Hire a car for the day from Hazyview (~R700-900/£30-40 plus fuel, or split with hostel friends) and self-drive the southern Kruger loops — the S1/S3/S4 near Skukuza and Lower Sabie are excellent for elephant, lion and rhino. Pay the SANParks day conservation fee at the gate (~R535/£23 for international visitors). Pack a picnic lunch and water. Alternatively book a full-day guided open-vehicle safari via GetYourGuide (~£55-70) if you'd rather not drive. Back at the guesthouse by late afternoon for dinner.
🚌Self-drive hire car + fuel (~£35) or full-day guided safari (~£60)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge near Hazyview (£25-35)
- →Self-drive safari in southern Kruger (park fee ~£23)
- →Picnic lunch at a SANParks picnic site
Kruger: 4x4 open-vehicle drive
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Book a 4x4 open-vehicle safari for a different, lower-to-the-ground perspective (~£45-55 via a Hazyview operator or GetYourGuide). Open vehicles can go off-road-track on permitted routes and give better photography and animal-spotting. Afternoon free for a swim, laundry and rest. Dinner at the guesthouse or a local restaurant in Hazyview (~£9).
🚌Operator 4x4 vehicle (included in activity cost)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge near Hazyview (£25-35)
- →4x4 open-vehicle safari drive (~£50)
- →Afternoon rest and local dinner
Panorama Route free day
Blyde River Canyon / Panorama Route, South Africa
Join a shared Panorama Route day tour from Hazyview (~£55-65 via GetYourGuide or your guesthouse) covering God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon — one of Africa's great scenic drives. Self-drivers can do this route independently for the day (tourist route fee ~R60 plus fuel). Alternatively, take a morning and afternoon game drive back in Kruger (~£25 each). Evening at leisure.
🚌Shared minibus tour or self-drive (~£55-65 including entries)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge near Hazyview (£25-35)
- →Panorama Route day tour: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels
- →Optional extra Kruger game drive
Chimp Eden → Johannesburg
Umhloti Nature Reserve / Johannesburg, South Africa
Check out early and stop at the Jane Goodall Institute's Chimp Eden in the Umhloti Nature Reserve (between Nelspruit and Joburg) — a 1.5-hr guided sanctuary tour for rescued chimpanzees (~R360/£15, booked direct or via GetYourGuide; ideally pre-arrange a shuttle that includes a stop). Continue on the afternoon Intercape/shuttle to Johannesburg (~£27). Arrive early evening, check into your Melville/Maboneng hostel and eat at a neighbourhood spot.
🚌Shuttle Hazyview-Johannesburg with Chimp Eden stop (~£30-35)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Johannesburg (£18-25)
- →Chimp Eden guided sanctuary tour (~£15)
Fly Johannesburg → Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Catch a morning budget flight from OR Tambo to Victoria Falls (VFA) — Fastjet/Airlink via Harare or a direct Airlink service, book early (~£90-140 one way). Note Zimbabwe visa on arrival for most Western passports: US$30 single entry / US$55 double, ~£24-45. Taxi to your guesthouse in Victoria Falls town (~£8). Settle in and take a late-afternoon stroll to the bridge viewpoint. For dinner, support a community initiative by eating at a local women's cooperative restaurant or a traditional Zimbabwean kitchen in town (~£8-10) rather than a hotel buffet.
🚌Flight JNB-VFA (~£90-140) + airport taxi (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge, Victoria Falls town (£30-40)
- →Victoria Falls bridge viewpoint sunset
- →Community-run dinner in town
Victoria Falls: the Falls & optional adrenaline
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Take a guided or self-guided walk through Victoria Falls National Park (entry US$50/£40) — the rainforest trail gives the closest, wettest views of the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Rainbow Falls. Carry a raincoat or hire one. In the afternoon choose your adventure: Zambezi whitewater rafting (~US$160/£125), the 15-min helicopter flight (~US$150/£120, book via GetYourGuide or the operator desk), gorge swing/zipline (~£50) or the Bamba tram. In the evening, catch a cultural show — the Simunye Theatre-style dinner and dance shows run nightly at the town's venues (~£30-40) — or a sunset cruise on the Zambezi (~£45).
🚌Walk + local taxi (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse/lodge, Victoria Falls town (£30-40)
- →Victoria Falls rainforest trail (US$50/~£40)
- →Optional whitewater rafting (~£125) or helicopter flight (~£120) or zipline (~£50)
- →Cultural dinner & dance show (~£35)
Depart Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Final morning: an easy sunrise walk along the Zambezi, souvenir shopping at the curio market, or a quick visit to the bridge for panoramic photos. Fly out from VFA (via Johannesburg or Harare) or, for a cheaper DIY option, cross the border to Livingstone, Zambia (~US$50 visa) and fly from there. Depart at any time.
🚌Taxi to VFA airport (~£8)
🛏Departure day — no accommodation needed
- →Sunrise Zambezi walk
- →Curio market shopping
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£994 | £2,460 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,466 per person (60%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£994
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 Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls: Self-Launched Wildlife Safari cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £994 per person for 12 days in South Africa & Zimbabwe. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,460 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £994 — a saving of roughly £1,466 (60%) per person.
How long is the South Africa & Zimbabwe trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through South Africa & Zimbabwe.
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, 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.