Tour Operator: Collette
Group Hosts: Steve & Carolyn Weber
Sept 24 Overnight Flight
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.
Sept 25 Johannesburg, South Africa
Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, OR 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 tomorrow. Dinner tonight is on your own.
Sept 26 Johannesburg - Victoria Falls, ZW - Chobe National Park, Botswana
Breakfast & Dinner
Chobe Bush Lodge
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.
Sept 27 Chobe National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Chobe Bush Lodge
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, board your private boat and take to the waters of the Chobe River, in search of elephants and aquatic birds while sipping on cool beverages.
Sept 28 Chobe National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Chobe Bush Lodge
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.
Sept 29 Chobe National Park - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Hwange National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Iganyana Tented Camp
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.
Sept 30 Hwange National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Iganyana Tented Camp
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.
Oct 1 Hwange National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Iganyana Tented Camp
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. Afterwards, return to the lodge and relax over tea and pastries. This afternoon, you will be returning to the park.
Oct 2 Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls - Lake Kariba
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris
Enjoy a final morning in the park before driving to Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made 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 still waters, seeing breathtaking sunsets, and searching for local wildlife in the water.
Oct 3 Lake Kariba
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris
Trade in your safari houseboat 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 houseboat, take time to admire the stunning red and orange hues of the setting sun over Lake Kariba.
Oct 4 Lake Kariba
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris
Start your day relaxed as you sail past the unspoiled wilderness and rugged scenery. Savor brunch later this morning, then enjoy a trip and chance to fish on tender boats in the afternoon. This evening, stargazing coupled with a delicious meal will be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Oct 5 Lake Kariba - Victoria Falls
Breakfast & Lunch
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.
Oct 6 Victoria Falls
Breakfast & Lunch
Ilala Lodge
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. Afterwwards, 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 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.
Oct 7 Victoria Falls
Breakfast & Dinner
Ilala Lodge
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 (VFWT) for an 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.
Oct 8 Victoria Falls - Johannesburg, South Africa - Tour Ends
Breakfast
Say goodbye to your safari companions as you take a flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, where you will board your return flight home OR join most of the group for a four night stay in Cape Town.
CAPE TOWN TOUR EXTENSION DETAILS
Oct 8 Victoria Falls - Cape Town, South Africa
Collette has not yet announced the accommodations.
Fly from Victoria Falls and arrive in Cape Town, South Africa.
Oct 9 Cape Town Half-Day City Tour
Breakfast
Collette has not yet announced the accommodations for the extension.
Today, set off for a half-day city tour of Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest city. Climb aboard a cable car for a ride up Table Mountain, voted the 8th Wonder of the World. Have your camera ready; the views at the top of Table Mountain are postcard worthy. Then, explore Cape Town, known as the Mother City. Founded in 1652 by Dutch sailors, Cape Town boasts intricate, layered Cape Dutch architecture.
Oct 10 Cape Town Full-Day Peninsula Tour
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Collette has not yet announced the accommodations for the extension.
Today, enjoy a full-day peninsula tour that explores the length and both sides of Cape Peninsula. Visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope – the south-western most point of the African continent. Behold amazing and dramatic scenery as the road winds along steep cliffs overlooking the ocean far below. Visit the famous penguins that live on Boulders Beach. Finally, get a true taste of the local culture during a home-hosted dinner in Cape Town.
Oct 11 Cape Town Day at Leisure Plus Farewell Dinner
Breakfast, Dinner
Collette has not yet announced the accommodations for the extension.
With a full day at leisure, explore Cape Town in depth. This is the perfect location to end an epic tour of southern Africa. This vibrant, cosmopolitan city celebrates culture, beauty, and charm with its strong Euro-Africa blend, great sights, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Visit the Victoria and Alfred waterfront – a mecca of shops, restaurants, bars, harbor rides, and amazing views of Table Mountain. Sit down for a farewell dinner complete with a cultural performance and local dishes. It is the perfect finale to a truly unforgettable experience.
Oct 12 Fly Home or Join Our Jordan & Egypt Cruisetour
Breakfast
Bid farewell to South Africa when you leave beautiful Cape Town! Depending on your departure flight time, you will have access to a day room.
To learn more about our Jordan & Egypt Cruisetour, give us a call at 843-645-0800.
Scroll down to explore the accommodations and even further down to view the tour map.
Relax after your long flight at this upscale, full-service hotel featuring 248 spacious rooms and suites and an array of conference facilities.
They offer a complimentary shuttle service hourly from 6 am-9:30 pm (booking is required). If you prefer a private transfer at a specific time, book their private pick-up service at least 24 hours ahead of time for ZAR 350 one-way. Note: if your air is booked through the group, your transfers are already included.
Situated in Kasane, directly on the border of the Chobe National Park and within walking distance of the Chobe River, is the Chobe Bush Lodge, a luxurious retreat in the middle of the bush, with rooms that boast a modern bush style, with contemporary furniture and design. Receive a relaxing massage. Sip on a glass of wine ‘with a view’. Rooms are spacious with stylish bathrooms featuring a bathtub (very welcoming after a safari) and separate shower. Air-conditioning and television are standard. Lodge facilities include the restaurant and bar with views over the bushveld, a swimming pool and lounge deck, curio shop and viewing platforms overlooking the Park. There are Wi-Fi hotspots in the communal lodge areas.
Watch the antics of the baboons, warthogs and mongoose from your room. See some of the most unspoiled natural splendor and wildlife of Africa while listening to hippos calling. The lodge offers the best of both worlds: activities on land and water. Nestle in one of the cozy nooks of the bush lodge to soak in infinite vistas of the National Park. Simply cross the road to sister property Chobe Safari Lodge to access river views.
A tented camp with all the frills needed, Iganyana is situated on a small private concession bordering Hwange National Park. It is a "soft adventure" camp with subtle comforts, with a main focus of providing personal attention towards their guests.
The camp enjoys a view over an ancient river bed, now called the Dete Vlei. All tents are light and spacious, connected by walkways and are positioned to form an arc around an open-plan decked main area. The swimming pool can be enjoyed during hot summer days, if it's not already taken by elephants coming down to drink.
The Zambezi Trader houseboat, 160ft long, 48ft wide and weighing 220 tons, is the largest luxury cruise boat on Lake Kariba. The “Trader” as she is affectionately known, has 29 air-conditioned cabins on 3 decks.
Ilala Lodge Hotel is a family-run hotel that offers luxury and comfort in the heart of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Nestled in attractive gardens, the well-appointed hotel is an eight-minute walk from Victoria Falls (aka Vic Falls), one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The hotel is ideally located in the hustle and bustle of town, within walking distance of all historical sites, restaurants and activities in Victoria Falls. Offering warm and welcoming true African hospitality, their friendly and attentive staff will ensure that your visit is perfect in every way. The award-winning Cassia Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel is famous for its delicious gourmet cuisine and attracts guests worldwide. Diners can see the spray and hear the sounds of Victoria Falls, locally known as the 'Smoke That Thunders', while they enjoy the al-fresco dining under the starry African skies that the Cassia Restaurant offers. Wild animals, such as warthog and impala, often graze on the hotel lawns and entertain guests during mealtime.
Southern Sun The Cullinan offers guests grand accommodation near Cape Town’s famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. All of the rooms and suites boast spectacular views of either Table Mountain, the bustling Table Bay Harbour and Waterfront or the Cape Town city centre.
The accommodations are classically styled, with a focus on rich finishes and furnishings, while ensuring an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. Each room has a luxurious private bathroom and in-room facilities that include air conditioning, free uncapped WiFi and others.
From South Africa to
Botswana to Zimbabwe
and then back to South Africa,
you will have an unforgettable time
on your African safari.
Space is limited
(space for only 6 more guests),
so call Travel Experts, LLC today
at 843-645-0800 to learn more
and lock in your spot!