The Discovery Journey to
South Africa & Zambia
Discover Southern Africa’s cultural and natural treasures on a safari like no other. Begin in Cape Town, with five days to explore South Africa’s ‘Mother City.’ Experience the thrill of wildlife viewing from open vehicles and even on foot in Kruger National Park, home to an unparalleled diversity of wildlife. The grand finale of your Southern Africa discovery journey is two days in Zambia to savor the magnificence of Victoria Falls.
Days 1/2 - New York, Washington, DC or Atlanta/Cape Town
Board your overnight flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your hotel situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean overlooking its own private marina. RADISSON WATERFRONT HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)
Day 3 - Cape Town
Sir Francis Drake described Cape Town as ‘the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth.’ For a panoramic view, take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Continue on a coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope surrounded by spectacular mountains, rugged shorelines and the blue sea. Stop at Hout Bay for a short cruise to Duiker Island to view the Cape fur seals, Bank Cormorants and a trio of gulls – Black-back, Kelp and Hartlaub. Pass quaint seaside towns as you continue to Cape Point, where the stormy waters of the Atlantic intersect with the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Take a funicular to the top to enjoy the views from the lighthouse and search the ocean for southern right whales between June and October, dolphins and a variety of seabirds. Explore Cape Point Nature Reserve, covering over 19,000-acres and housing an astonishing variety of plant species including heath, milkwood trees, succulents, proteas and ground orchids. It is said that this area contains more floral species than the whole of the British Isles and is the smallest of the floral kingdoms. You may see grey Rhebok, Cape Grysbok, Cape mountain zebra, bontebok, chacma baboon, Cape fox, caracal and porcupine, as well as 250 bird species. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Boulders Beach, home of the African (Jackass) Penguins – the only penguins found on this continent. Return to Cape Town and dine this evening at one of its numerous fine restaurants. RADISSON WATERFRONT HOTEL. (B,L)
Day 4 - Cape Town
Taste the fruits of the vine on a full day exploration to South Africa’s internationally-acclaimed vineyards at Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek on the Western Cape. Along the way visit the historic estate of Boschendal with brilliantly preserved Cape Dutch buildings and a collection of priceless period furniture, Franschhoek, with its lovely antique shops and gardens; and the university town of Stellenbosch. On your return to Cape Town visit the Spier Estate to learn about the Cheetah Outreach program dedicated to educating the world about cheetah conservation. You will also visit the Cape Raptor World, adjacent to the Cheetah park to learn about and meet some of these beautiful birds. RADISSON WATERFRONT HOTEL. (B,L)
Day 5 - Cape Town
To see how township life prevails and conditions slowly improve, visit the informal settlement of New Rest, a colony area of Guguletu. Your township guide will accompany you to the crèche, community center and nursery. In the afternoon, take a short boat ride to Robben Island, for nearly 400 years a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Here, freedom fighters, including former President Nelson Mandela, spent more than a quarter of a century for their beliefs. Then breathe in the beauty of one of the world’s floral paradises, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Founded in 1913, on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the landscaped gardens feature 9,000 indigenous species of South African flora and a wide diversity of birds including brilliant Green and Red Sugarbirds (which pollinate the flowers) and the Cape Batis. RADISSON WATERFRONT HOTEL. (B,L)
Days 6/7/8 - Kruger National Park
Fly to Kruger National Park, one of the world’s great national parks frequented by browsers and grazers such as giraffe, kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. Elephant and white rhino are also common. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, side-striped jackal and wild dog. Enjoy a variety of activities from wildlife drives in open vehicles, guided walks and spa treatments, to bush picnics and champagne breakfasts. Traditional dancing, storytelling, special interest talks, canoe rides or a visit to the Sangoma (traditional healer) can be arranged. Your lodge, set on the banks of the Nwatswitswonto River, is a palatial haven comprised of immaculate suites of unrestrained luxury. Experience the colonial delights of four o’clock tea, succulent evening meals, cigars and brandy. Magnificent cuisine is freshly prepared to your satisfaction by personal butlers. All suites are beautifully appointed with only the finest furniture and imported linen. Spacious decks offer stunning salas and private plunge pools with views of the riverbed and the plains beyond. IMBALI SAFARI LODGE. (All Meals Daily)
Days 9/10 - Victoria Falls, Zambia
Bid farewell to South Africa and continue to Livingstone, located on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Twice the size of Niagara Falls, it’s no surprise that Victoria Falls are among the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Aptly named Mosi-oa-Tunya (Smoke That Thunders) by the local people, five separate falls make up this incredible spectacle that plunges more than 325 feet into a sheer-sided chasm which separates Zimbabwe from Zambia. The abyss is spanned by a 1905 Edwardian bridge which links the two countries and many adventurers now use to bungee jump. Your visit will include a tour of the falls on the Zambian side. An afternoon sundowner cruise will be a highlight as you glide along the Zambezi River and see a panoramic sunset as the sun dips below the horizon. You’ll also get a chance to visit a native village to see how the local people live. Your elegant hotel is located within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. Each room has a private balcony and terrace that offers spectacular views of the great river and beyond. ROYAL LIVINGSTONE. (B Daily)
Days 11/12 - Johannesburg/Atlanta, Washington, DC or New York
Last chance to photograph the Falls before flying to Johannesburg and then home. (B, Meals Aloft)
Optional Post-Extension to Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Extend your African adventure with more exciting wildlife viewing in the Lower Zambezi Valley. Between the rolling hills of the hazy escarpment and the Zambezi River, it is sprinkled with reed islands, which are home and feeding grounds for many animals. These waters are a focal point for elephant, hippo, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard, wild dog, baboon, vervet monkey and various antelope and bird species. Your beautiful tented camp rests peacefully on the river bank in a grove of mahogany and acacia trees on a raised timber deck with a private verandah. Chiawa Camp supports the re-introduction of wild cheetahs and Ground Hornbill into the Park, as well as wild dog research.
Your Safari Includes:
- Roundtrip air transportation from Atlanta, Washington, DC or New York. Flights within Southern Africa as specified.
- Superior accommodations as listed, or similar.
- Breakfasts daily, all meals while on safari and other meals as indicated in itinerary.
- All wildlife viewing by private 4x4 open vehicles, driven by professional driver/guides.
- Complimentary bottled water in safari vehicles.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.
2008 Dates |
Price Main Trip |
Single Supplement Price/Main |
Optional Extension |
Price Extension |
Single Supplement Price/Ext |
Mar 17-28 |
$7,495 |
$1,995 |
Lower Zambezi, Zambia |
$2,395 |
$695 |
May 5-16 |
$6,995 |
$1,995 |
Lower Zambezi, Zambia |
$2,395 |
$695 |
Aug 23 - Sep 3 |
$6,995 |
$1,995 |
Lower Zambezi, Zambia |
$2,395 |
$695 |
Sep 13-24 |
$7,795 |
$1,995 |
Lower Zambezi, Zambia |
$2,395 |
$695 |
*Prices do not reflect applicable departure taxes.