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South Africa, Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe

Program Overview

Follow Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” and witness the breathtaking beauty of southern Africa, where “Big Five” game viewing is extraordinary. This trip of a lifetime features visits to four countries, deluxe hotel and safari accommodations and a 3-night guided safari cruise on Namibia’s Chobe River. This program features a stay at an acclaimed game reserve, an unforgettable deluxe African safari experience. Enhance your journey with an amazing Pre-Tour Extension Option in Cape Town.

Program Details

March 11 to 25, 2025 (Zambezi Queen) April 1 to 15, 2025 (Zambezi Queen)
From approximately $10,795* plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Exclusive journey through Southern Africa, featuring Cape Town, Johannesburg, a three-day safari, Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls.
  • Created in our tradition of innovative programming and educational travel.
  • Specially arranged river and land safaris, designed to give you a variety of game-viewing opportunities.
  • Three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Robben Island and the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, South Africa, and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
  • Cape Town Pre-Tour Extension.

Day 1 - Depart Home City

Day 2 - Cape Town

Day 3 - Cape Town/Robben Island

Day 4 - Cape Point

Day 5 - Fly to Skukusa/South African Safari*

Day 6 - South African Safari*

Day 7 - South African Safari*

Day 8 - Fly to Johannesburg

Day 9 - Johannesburg/Soweto

Day 10 - Fly to Victoria Falls

Day 11 - Chobe National Park/Embark Zambezi Queen

Day 12 - Chobe River safari

Day 13 - Chobe River safari

Day 14 - Kasane, Botswana/Disembark boat/Return to home city

Day 15 - Arrive in home city

*Stay at MalaMala Private Game Reserve or Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve depending on your departure

Zambezi Queen

Exclusively chartered, African river boat

The deluxe Zambezi Queen is a specially designed, stylish “floating lodge” built to offer sophistication along the Chobe River, one of the most remote locations on Earth. This world-class, unique African river safari offers remarkable opportunities for unobstructed viewing of wildlife and river vistas, whether from the comfort of your bedside or from the classic and contemporary lounge, bar or open-air deck with plunge pool.

Learn more about the Zambezi Queen >

Learn More about AmaWaterways >

Cape Grace

Perfectly positioned at the heart of the Victoria & Albert waterfront and the base of breathtaking Table Mountain, the lovely  Cape Grace Hotel surrounds you in luxury. Large windows and balconies frame iconic views of the marina, harbor or mountain. Beautifully decorated, airy rooms and suites exude elegance and comfort. Enjoy the restaurant and the inviting library lounge.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel

Here, 41 opulent suites are individually decorated to the highest standard to inspire even the most well-traveled guest. Established in 1997, this is a property proud in heritage and character, with such features as a privately owned garden hotel spanning 5.5 acres, a unique up-market sanctuary for local and international guests, and a therapeutic Balinese Spa Garden, which offers the ultimate relaxation with tranquil outdoor massage and treatment areas. This is the perfect place to enhance your African adventure.

Victoria Falls Hotel

Built in 1904, this Edwardian-style, deluxe hotel is set among lush tropical gardens, offering spectacular views. The main terrace overlooks the Victoria Falls Bridge, connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia. A private footpath through the gardens leads guests directly to the Falls.  The hotel was recently remodeled, combining traditional elegance with modern touches. All of the hotel's 115 rooms are opulently appointed in a grand style evoking the Golden Age of Travel.

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge (3/11 departure)

Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is situated on a central plain between two rivers in Kruger National Park; this location among different habitats means the reserve attracts a wide variety of wildlife. This includes the Big Five— Cape buffalo, African savannah elephant, leopard, lion and black rhinoceros—and many other species, including some 350 different species of birds. The reserve, family owned and operated since 1976, is renowned for its extraordinarily up-close wildlife sightings and experienced guides and trackers.

The Bush Lodge combines a love of nature, tradition and luxury. Relax in comfortable suites and indulge with deluxe amenities including a gym, spa and wellness center, and pool.

MalaMala’s Deluxe Lodge (4/1 departure)

MalaMala Game Reserve is the oldest and most historical private game reserve in South Africa, in existence since 1927. Sound conservation management, sheer size of land (it’s the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa) and a 19 km (12 mile) unfenced border shared with the Kruger National Park contribute to MalaMala’s reputation as the finest game-viewing destination in the world. The open boundary provides unimpeded access to Kruger’s wildlife, which are attracted by MalaMala’s vast array of habitat types—ranging from open savannah to dense riparian zones and granite kopjes. At a mammoth 13,200 ha (33,000 acres), MalaMala is not only the largest private Big Five game reserve in the country, it also features the largest piece of land in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve—South Africa’s oldest conservancy of private game reserves. But perhaps of strongest allure to wildlife is the perennial Sand River, of which 13 km (8 miles) flow through the reserve.

Cape Town Pre-Tour Extension

Experience the warm sunshine and sunny disposition of the people in Cape Town, a modern metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. Beneath the magnificent Table Mountain, this “Mother City” offers much to discover. Enjoy the sublime Cape Winelands and visit world-class vineyards for specially arranged wine tastings, among other activities.

The Optional Extension is available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Depart home city

Depart for Cape Town, South Africa. Please check your bags from your gateway city to your arrival city.

Day 2 Cape Town

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to Cape Grace Hotel, a deluxe luxury hotel on Cape Town’s waterfront. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner to toast your upcoming African adventure!

Day 3 Cape Town/Robben Island

Enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning of your program. Get acquainted with the beautiful city of Cape Town during a morning tour. Start with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for unforgettable views (weather permitting). Then, explore the Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay neighborhood with colorfully painted houses. Continue to District Six. In the early 20th century, District Six was a vibrant, diverse neighborhood, but in the mid-1960s, the government zoned it for white residents only and began forcibly removing residents of other ethnicities. Stroll through the Company’s Garden, built in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company to resupply the company’s ships that were sailing around the world. Today, the gardens are ornamental with museums and historic buildings to visit. As you amble through this lovely urban park, notice the Parliament building and the Tuynhuys, the official Cape Town residence of South Africa’s president when he is in town. Pass by City Hall, where Nelson Mandela addressed the world on February 11, 1990, the day he was released after 26 years in prison. See the plaque marking the spot where people from other parts of Africa and Asia were once sold as slaves. Slavery existed in the Cape Colony under its Dutch founding in the mid-17th century until it was abolished under British rule in 1834.

Enjoy lunch on your own then board a ferry for a 45-minute ride to Robben Island. From the time of Dutch colonization to the late 20th century, the island was used to keep people with leprosy segregated from the mainland communities. During World War II, it was a military base, and in the 1960s, it was converted into a maximum-security prison. The island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its symbolism of the triumph of the human spirit and freedom over oppression. Visit the prison, see Nelson Mandela’s cell and meet a former political prisoner.

Day 4 Cape Point

Take a scenic drive down the coast to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, which is the southernmost point of Table Mountain National Park. Today’s drive takes you through one of the 13 Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for their astounding diversity of plant life. Pass by Signal Hill, a popular launch site for model airplanes and paragliders, and Camps Bay, a lovely white-sand beach. Stop to take in the view at Chapman’s Peak. At Simon’s Town, visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Continue to Cape Point, where you can ride the Flying Dutchman funicular to the lighthouse, for breathtaking unobstructed views over the Cape of Good Hope, spectacular rocky coastline at the edge of the continent. During your drive today, keep your eyes peeled for native ostriches, zebras and baboons! Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during your excursion.

Day 5 Fly to Skukusa/South African Safari

After breakfast at the hotel, fly to Skukuza on an included flight. Transfer to the MalaMala Game Reserve or Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in four-wheel-drive vehicles, with game viewing throughout the transfer.

Take the opportunity for extraordinarily up-close wildlife sightings and look for the Big Five—Cape buffalo, African savannah elephant, leopard, lion and black rhinoceros.

Once you’ve checked in and settled in, enjoy an afternoon Game Drive/Safari. Game drives, aboard four-wheel-drive safari vehicles, will take you deep into the bush where you may encounter South Africa’s top predators: cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and lions.

 

Day 6 South African Safari

After morning tea at the lodge, enjoy an early morning game drive in an open-air vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five! Return to the lodge for a delicious, hearty breakfast.

Later in the morning, embark on a walking safari, expertly led by a ranger. Marvel at the park’s abundance of wildlife. During your visit you may see impalas, warthogs, giraffes and painted wolves.

In the afternoon, lunch at the lodge and spend some time at leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities during the hottest part of the day. Afternoon tea served at the lodge.

Later in the afternoon, embark on a Game Drive/Safari. Then after working up an appetite, savor a delectable dinner at the lodge.

Day 7 South African Safari

After morning tea at the lodge, enjoy an early morning game drive in an open-air vehicle. Keep an eye out for some of the large mammals that make these lands their home: spotted hyenas, blue wildebeests, zebras, sable antelopes and Cape hunting dogs. Return to the lodge for a delicious, hearty breakfast.

Later in the morning, embark on a walking safari, expertly led by a ranger. During your visit you may see an impressive array of wildlife, including birds.

In the afternoon, lunch at the lodge and spend some time at leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities during the hottest part of the day. Afternoon tea served at the lodge.

Later in the afternoon, embark on a Game Drive/Safari. Game drives, aboard four-wheel drive safari vehicles, will take you deep into the bush where you may encounter an abundance of South Africa’s wildlife. Don’t forget your binoculars and cameras!

Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge.

Day 8 Fly to Johannesburg

After morning tea at the lodge, enjoy your final game drive in an open-air vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five! Return to the lodge for a delicious, hearty breakfast.

Check out and fly to Johannesburg on an included flight.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the deluxe Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, an award-winning luxury hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore, and enjoy dinner on your own.

Day 9 Johannesburg/Soweto

Spend the day getting to know Soweto, the vibrant urban area of Johannesburg that comprises the townships built for black workers in the early 20th century. Soweto is an abbreviation of the full name of the area, South Western Townships. Soweto was thrust into the international spotlight in 1976 as the fight against apartheid was growing. In early 1976, students took to the streets to protest the government mandate requiring instruction in Afrikaans, which was not the primary language of black South Africans. Pass by the school where police opened fire on protesting students on June 16, 1976, killing 12-year-old Hector Pieterson, which brought worldwide attention to South Africa. Visit Pieterson’s memorial. Continue with a drive down Vilakazi Street, the only street to have two Nobel Peace Prize recipients, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as residents. Visit the Mandela House to learn more about the political prisoner-turned-president. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Apartheid Museum, passing FNB Stadium, where Mandela delivered his first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison. At the Apartheid Museum, learn about the segregationist policy that oppressed the majority of South Africa’s population for decades.

Day 10 Fly to Victoria Falls

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your included flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Transfer to The Victoria Falls Hotel, where you can enjoy lunch on your own at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants.

Marvel at the natural beauty and power of Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi river, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. These mile-wide falls produce a mist that can be seen more than 30 miles away. Take a walk through the unique riverine “rainforest” created by the mist of the falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This special region is home to four species of endangered birds. Learn about the natural history of Victoria Falls and the plants and animals who live there. A poncho will be provided for this tour.

Dinner is included tonight.

Day 11 Chobe National Park/Embark Zambezi Queen

After breakfast, transfer to Chobe National Park, where you will meet your safari guide. Keep your cameras and binoculars ready for Big Five game viewing and bird watching on our land safari through Chobe National Park, followed by a three-day cruise down the Chobe River to the edge of Namibia.

Experience the awe of this region as we journey from Zimbabwe to the fertile floodplains of Botswana, a sanctuary for one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of fauna, including nearly 120,000 elephants and vast numbers of zebras, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and the rare puku antelope. And don't forget to look down, as the elusive hippo and crocodile have been known to make an appearance in the river itself.

Take a morning game drive through Chobe National Park, then enjoy lunch at a Chobe lodge. Cross from Botswana into Namibia and continue to the Zambezi Queen to begin your Chobe River safari.

Day 12 Chobe River safari

Begin each day of your cruise with a hearty breakfast. This morning, disembark to visit a Namibian village with a local guide to learn about daily life and culture. Walk through the village and enjoy a traditional performance of music, singing and dance.

Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, embark on a safari on the water. Get a different perspective of the wildlife as the animals venture to the Chobe River, the lifeblood of the bush, to slake their thirst or just cool off during the afternoon heat. Enjoy game viewing aboard smaller boats that can cruise closer to shore or travel down tributaries.

Day 13 Chobe River safari

Board smaller boats for this morning’s game-viewing experience. Don’t forget your binoculars. The tree line by the river is a haven for birds. More than 450 species have been spotted in Chobe National Park. Enjoy game viewing aboard smaller boats that can cruise closer to shore or travel down tributaries. Return to the ship for lunch.

Enjoy a final river safari this afternoon. In addition to birds, you may see elephants, zebras, leopards, cheetahs and more. Enjoy game viewing aboard smaller boats that can cruise closer to shore or travel down tributaries.

Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Reception, followed by a special dinner and cultural show on board the ship. Raise a glass to your amazing African adventure!

Day 14 Kasane, Botswana/Disembark boat/Return to home city

Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport (in Zimbabwe) for your return flights home.

Day 15 Arrive in home city

Arrive in your home city today. Welcome home!