Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg Upon arrival we transfer to our airport hotel, where we gather for tonight’s welcome dinner. D

Day 3: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe We fly today to Livingstone, Zambia, then transfer to Victoria Falls and our deluxe hotel located in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. This afternoon we see for ourselves the thundering falls, first “discovered” by David Livingstone and claimed for Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-­ foot-deep gorge and soaking spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world. B,D

Day 4: Victoria Falls This morning we enjoy two small group highlights: an elephant-back safari through the bush in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve and a Lion Walk with orphaned cubs now being protected at the Reserve. Both thrilling and safe, these experiences serve to educate visitors about the increasing threats to Africa’s wildlife. Late afternoon we embark on a “Sundowner” cruise on the Zambezi, followed by a “bush” dinner. B,D

Day 5: Victoria Falls After a morning visit to Victoria Falls town and a local village, this after­noon is at leisure at our deluxe lodge with its own watering hole and outdoor pool. Tonight we hear a fascinating guest speaker on “The Story of David Livingstone.” B,D

Day 6: Victoria Falls/Chobe National Park, Botswana This morning we visit a local school then travel two hours by motorcoach to Botswana and Chobe National Park, boasting one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa. After settling in and enjoying lunch at our lodge, this afternoon we embark on a game-viewing boat safari on the Chobe River, where we may see hippo, crocs, some of the park’s 450 species of birds, and perhaps a beautiful Chobe sunset. We dine tonight at our lodge. B,L,D

Day 7: Chobe National Park Known for its diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife – including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), along with zebra, lion, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, and buffalo – Chobe covers 7,270 square miles of protected parkland. We’ll see a portion of this natural wonder on our early morning game drive and this afternoon’s boat safari. B,L,D

Day 8: Chobe National Park We’re settling into a comfortable routine, with another early morning game drive and afternoon boat safari. In between game viewing activities, we’re at leisure to enjoy the amenities of our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, adjacent to the park itself. B,L,D

Day 9: Chobe National Park/Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia This morning we board a privately chartered plane for the 1½-hour flight to Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia’s newest reserve (since 1983) and, as the former private sanctuary of Zambia’s president, the least developed. Here in one of Africa’s last stretches of pristine wilderness we have the chance to get closer to the animals than anywhere else. Late afternoon we engage in some of the lodge’s game viewing activities that include open vehicle game drives, night game drives, fly fishing, guided canoe trips, bush walks, boat safaris, and sunset river cruises. B,L,D

Day 10: Lower Zambezi National Park A day of game viewing activities in this 1,600 square mile park on the southern end of Zambia known for its 100-strong elephant herds, unusually large prides of lion, plus buffalo, water­buck, antelope, impala, zebra, crocodile, hippo, kudu, warthog, eland, and leopard, among other wildlife; and where ebonies, leadwoods, figs, and acacias preside over the mineral-rich grassland. Together with Zimbabwe’s renowned Mana Pools Reserve situated across the river, the Lower Zambezi National Park forms a massive sanctuary where we’re certain to enjoy unparalleled game and bird viewing – and rarely see another person. We take all of our meals today at the lodge, as we will throughout our stay. B,L,D

Day 11: Lower Zambezi National Park From our 14-room luxury lodge on the banks of the Zambezi, we have another day to engage in game viewing activities in this lush riverine environment of 50 mammal species and 400 bird species. With the Zambezi River, abundant game on the valley floor, and the Zambezi Escarpment as a backdrop, the Lower Zambezi National Park offers a dramatic setting for game viewing ... as does our lodge, where animals roam freely on the grounds. B,L,D

Day 12: Lower Zambezi National Park We have one more day to savor the unique game viewing opportunities of this singular preserve in the country many call the “real” Africa. B,L,D

Day 13: Lower Zambezi National Park/Lusaka/Johannesburg We travel by private charter flight today to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, where we board a scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel, where tonight we toast our Africa adventure over a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 14: Johannesburg/Depart for U.S. This morning we visit the Johannesburg district of Soweto, where we see the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and visit the gripping Apartheid Museum. Then we reach the Johannesburg airport in time for our overnight flights to the U.S. Please note that because of earlier flight times, this excursion is not available to guests on the Cape Town extension. B

Day 15: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home.

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