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 4 countries, 5-star hotel accommodations, and a 3-night guided safari cruise on Namibia’s Chobe River. Enhance your journey with an extraordinary Post-Program Option at the acclaimed MalaMala Private Game Reserve, an extension of Kruger National Park and an unforgettable 5-star African safari experience.
Program Details
- 15-day, 12-night land and river boat journey featuring a Chobe River Safari aboard the 5-star Zambezi Queen.
- Experience the breadth and beauty of southern Africa, rich with history, multicultural heritage, and natural grandeur.
- Explore Johannesburg, “the City of Gold,” and visit Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Winelands country.
- Five-star land and deluxe river boat safari, featuring the Zambezi Queen.
- Legendary, 5-star hotels—Johannesburg’s Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, Cape Town’s spectacular Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and the Victoria Falls Hotel.
- Follow Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom”—including a visit to his former home in Soweto, which is known today as the Nelson Mandela House and Museum.
Day 1 - Depart Home City
Day 2 - Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 3 - Johannesburg for Pretoria
Day 4 - Johannesburg for Soweto
Day 5 - Johannesburg / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 6 - Victoria Falls
Day 7 - Victoria Falls / Kasane, Botswana / Namibia / Embark Zambezi Queen
Day 8 - Chobe River Safari
Day 9 - Chobe River Safari
Day 10 - Kasane / Cape Town, South Africa
Day 11 - Cape Town / Table Mountain / Robben Island
Day 12 - Cape Town / Cape Point
Day 13 - Cape Town / Cape Winelands
Day 14 - Cape Town / Johannesburg / Return to U.S. or Canada
Day 15 - Arrive in home city
Zambezi Queen
Exclusively chartered, African river boat
The 5-star 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.
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel
Here, 41 opulent suites are individually decorated to the highest standard to inspire even the most well-travelled 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 recuperate after a long flight before your African adventure
Victoria Falls Hotel
Built in 1904, this Edwardian-style, 5-star 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.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Perfectly positioned in the heart of the city center and at the foot of magnificent Table Mountain, the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel offers an oasis of tranquility in a lush garden setting. Step out of the Prince of Wales gates and you will find yourself in Cape Town's cultural and historical center, or from the Kloof Street entrance you will discover the best of Cape Town's vibrant local flavor.
MalaMala’s Five-Star Lodge
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.
MalaMala Private Game Reserve Post-Program Option
Extend your safari experience by spending 2 nights in the MalaMala Private Game Reserve, ideally located between the open boundaries of Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives aboard 4-wheel drive safari vehicles with luxury accommodations at the 5-star lodge.
The Post-Program Option is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
