Wilderness of Southern Africa

You’re on your way to southern Africa, where your search for wildlife will take you from grasslands and dry woodlands to rivers and lakes.
Hotel Name: Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, O.R. Tambo

Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city! This afternoon, transfer to your hotel for the evening and enjoy a relaxing evening before your adventure in search of the Big 5 begins.
Hotel Name: Chobe Bush Lodge, Chobe National Park

Visit Area: Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana, and is the country’s first national park. It is the 3rd largest park in Botswana and has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. Chobe National Park is famous for its large herds of elephants and buffaloes.

This morning, board a plane for a short flight to Victoria Falls,* where you will meet your Tour Manager before continuing to your lodge for the next three nights in Botswana. Enjoy some time at leisure at the lodge before gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: 3 Cruises on the Chobe River

Rise early with the sounds of the local wildlife ahead of your first game drive in Chobe National Park, an excellent location to search for the Big 5. You and your fellow travelers will ride in open-air vehicles with a local expert who will be able to tell you all about the creatures you’ll see along the way. Later in the morning, enjoy some free time, either at the lodge or to drive into the nearby town of Kasane. After lunch at the lodge, return to your private boat and take to the waters of the Chobe River, in search of elephants and aquatic birds whilst sipping on cool beverages.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Hwange National Park

Start your day early with a private game cruise on the Chobe River and see the animals visiting the water first thing in the morning. After your search, return for some free time at the lodge, perhaps relaxing at the pool or stopping by their beauty salon. After lunch this afternoon, enjoy a game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may spot buffalo, hyenas, or zebras. Later, enjoy a dinner cruise along the gentle waters of the Chobe River during an exclusive boat ride with your fellow travelers.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Iganyana Tented Camp

Admittance: Morning Game Drive or Game Walk
Embark on a morning game drive and be on the lookout for the Big 5. As you relax in your open-air safari vehicle, roll through the African plains as wildlife roam around you -OR- set off for a game walk with an armed ranger, a rare privilege, and the ultimate way to experience the bush and Africa’s wilds. Your walking guide is a highly trained national park guide who knows how to approach animals in a safe way. Feeling and smelling the earth underfoot, and getting some open-air exercise, this is truly an exhilarating walk. Morning Game Drive Activity Level 2 Morning Game Walk Activity Level 4: Travelers must be able to walk for 2 hours without opportunity to sit.

Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Chobe National Park. After breakfast, take a 90-minute drive to Victoria Falls, where we will stop for lunch. Savor fresh, local ingredients while you look over the gorge to the Zambezi River below. Next, it’s off to Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, for a late afternoon game drive. This national park is home to over 100 types of mammals and 400 bird species, giving you the chance to look out for cheetahs, lions, giraffes and so much more.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Lake Kariba Safari Boat

Today is another day to rise early in search of the Big 5. After breakfast, spend a full day on a game drive in Hwange National Park. By enjoying a picnic lunch break, you can venture deep into the bushland and maximize your chances to spot buffalo, elephants and other animals gathering in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner. You’ll savor your meal and the memories of the day’s extensive safari.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a waterfall located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. The falls are located on the Zambezi River. It is the largest waterfall in the world based on its width and height. The falls are a part of Victoria Falls National Park.

This morning, search for the Big 5 your way, because it’s your choice! Return to an open-air vehicle and enjoy a morning game drive -OR- join an expert national park guide on a game walk, giving you the rare opportunity to search for wildlife up close, including seeing some plants, insects, and reptiles you may not spot otherwise. After, return to the lodge and relax over tea and pastries. This afternoon, you will be returning to the park for another glimpse into the animal kingdom.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Lake Kariba Safari Boat

Admittance: 6 Game Drives & Game Cruises

Enjoy a final morning in the park before driving to Lake Kariba, the world’s largest artificial lake. Board your safari boat which will be your home for the next three nights. With limited access to technology, revel in the experience of floating along the still waters, seeing breathtaking sunsets, and searching for local wildlife in the water.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Home Hosted Meal

Trade in your safari boat for a smaller tender boat, perfectly sized to cruise upriver channels off the lake. You will return to the safari boat for brunch. Later, enjoy the chance to try your hand at fishing in Lake Kariba from a tender boat on an afternoon game cruise. Before having dinner on the safari boat, take time to admire the stunning red and orange hues of the setting sun over Lake Kariba.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Start your day relaxed as you sail past the unspoiled wilderness and rugged scenery. Savour brunch later this morning and enjoy a trip and chance to fish on tender boats in the afternoon. This evening, you and your fellow travelers will take to the shore and enjoy a barbecue dinner on the beach. The stargazing conditions overhead, coupled with the delicious meal, will be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Ilala Lodge

Your safari boat experience will come to a close this morning as you drive back to Victoria Falls. Upon arriving at the Ilala Lodge, enjoy lunch. Then grab your poncho because this afternoon you will visit the exhilarating natural wonder of Victoria Falls! At 5,600 feet wide and 354 feet tall, this waterfall is one of the world’s largest.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

This morning, start your day with a visit to Chinotimba township. Visit a local market, where you can barter for goods and experience daily life. After, you will visit the modest home of a local family for lunch. Your host will prepare an authentic, simple meal with you and share what life is like in around Victoria Falls. Following your home visit, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Perhaps you will join an optional tour taking a relaxing cruise on the Zambezi River, a body of water that separates Zimbabwe and Zambia whose banks are frequented by the local animals.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Your last full day on tour will bring you up close to elephants at a local sanctuary. Hear stories from these gentle giants’ caretakers and learn about the efforts to understand, care for, and protect these intelligent and inspiring creatures, all while marveling at the animals interacting and walking by their side. Continue learning about animal conservation and care with a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, Collette’s Impact Moment. The staff at the VFWT will review some of the incredible work they do, ranging from wildlife rehabilitation to community outreach and disease research. You will have the afternoon free to do as you wish. This evening, you will join your fellow travelers for a 3-course farewell dinner under the stars on the bank of the Zambezi River.**

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Say goodbye to your safari companions as you take a flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, where you will board your return flight home.

Breakfast Included