DESTINATION

ITINERARY

Day 1: Departure from the USA on your overnight flight to South Africa

Day 2: Arrival Day - Johannesburg (South Africa)
On arrival at JNB airport the group will be met by a local host and continue to your hotel for check in.
Depending on flight arrival time, a welcome dinner will be offered this evening at your hotel.

Day 3: Johannesburg (South Africa)
Embark on a full day tour of Johannesburg with and included lunch in a local restaurant. Departure by coach with your guide. We'll visit the Apartheid Museum which opened in 2001. It is famous the world over for being the first museum centering on South African history in the 20th century, and more particularly on Apartheid. Afterwards, we’ll set off for a panoramic tour of the city. In addition to being South Africa’s financial capital, Johannesburg is also the city of superlatives. It is indeed the richest town in Africa, with the tallest buildings and widest social discrepancies, but is also infused with one of the best atmospheres you’ll ever come across. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.

Day 4: Johannesburg - Kasane - Arrival at the LODGE (South Africa-Botswana- Namibia)
We’ll take a regular flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. You’ll be transferred from the airport to your CroisiEurope lodge. Take advantage of your trip to observe the numerous bird species living among the flooded flatlands. You may even catch a glimpse of a few hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun! You’ll be greeted by our crew upon arrival and settle into your comfortable lodge. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.

Day 5: LODGE: Chobe National Park (Namibia-Botswana)
We’ll journey out on a full-day safari in Jeeps to explore the Chobe National Park that is home to more than 1/4 of the total elephant population in Africa. African lunch in the heart of nature. Afterwards, we’ll board a small private boat and sail off on Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

Day 6: LODGE: Impalila Island (Namibia)
Join us for a trip to authentic villages on Impalila Island, Namibia, to discover the traditional Namibian houses and customs. We’ll return to our lodge for lunch. This afternoon, you can enjoy time at leisure at the lodge, taking advantage of the pool and comfortable fittings, or join us for a discovery of the Zambezi River on a small private boat. We’ll have dinner at the lodge. Tonight, let your guide tell you all about the traditions of this particular island. We’ll spend the night at the lodge.

Day 7: Lodge - Kasane - Lake Kariba - BOARDING THE SHIP (Namibia- Botswana-Zimbabwe)
We’ll depart from the lodge for one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, we'll set out for the Kasane airport. On board private planes, you’ll be amazed at the stunning panoramas over Lake Kariba and the changing landscapes of the wilderness during your flight from Kasane to Kariba. You’ll be transferred to board your ship and comfortably settle into your cabins. We’ll start sailing across the lake. Reaching over 140mi/200km in length and spanning a distance of approximately 25mi/40km at its widest point, the lake flooded flatlands, hills and forests alike, creating unique and emblematic landscapes. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 8: SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - SAILING TO SPURWING ISLAND (Zimbabwe)
At sunrise, we’ll set sail through the rare and mysterious landscapes of Lake Kariba where drowned trees reach skywards from the depths of the reflecting water. We’ll set out on a small private boat to discover the small waterways going into the Matusadona National Park and their unique wildlife. Gliding along their meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. We’ll return on board for lunch. This afternoon, we’ll sail towards Palm Bay. When the sun starts to set, we'll set out on a small private boat to admire the changing colors of the sky. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.




Day 9: SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK (Zimbabwe)
We’ll journey out this morning on a safari to discover the area around Matusadona National Park. Bordered by the Sanyati and Ume Rivers, this 1,400km2/540 sq mi-large untouched area is home to numerous animal species such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalos as well as thousands of birds, among which the legendary African Sea Eagle, the majestic Yellow-billed Stork, or the Black Heron with its interesting hunting method. We might be lucky enough to cross paths with a big cat or two! The history of the park is closely linked with that of the lake: during the construction of the dam, the rising floodwaters affected the native wildlife although the damage was mitigated by Operation Noah, an initiative which saved the lives of over 6,000 animals. This rescue operation allowed for large mammals, big cats, impalas and more to be moved to Matusadona where hunting is strictly prohibited. We’ll enjoy lunch on board and start sailing again. During this time, a round table will be the opportunity to learn more about the creation of the Lake, its inhabitants as well as its ecosystem. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 10: SHIP: KARIBA - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
At sunrise, we’ll set sail towards Kariba to disembark and journey out to the airport. We’ll discover the gigantic Kariba Dam which was created in 1955 to form Lake Kariba. Today, the dam serves as a source of electric power for 70% of Zimbabwe. You’ll get to discover the history and legends surrounding the creation of the lake, including the tale of NyamiNyami, the river god. We’ll fly out to Victoria Falls on board private planes. Enjoy an exceptional lunch cruise on the Zambezi River, upstream from the falls. This afternoon, we’ll leave for a tour on foot of the falls where the views are among the most exceptional in the world. We’ll also see where the Zambezi River plunges over the cliff to become the widest waterfall in the world, creating the “smoke that thunders.” Tonight, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a four-star hotel LS.

Day 11: Victoria Falls
Breakfast. Enjoy Victoria Falls at leisure and Optional early morning excursion: Soar over Victoria Falls in a helicopter (must be booked before departure). End of our services at the hotel.

Day 12: Departure Day
Breakfast. Transfer to the Victoria Falls airport for your flight back to the U.S.