Best of Southern Africa

Make those African safari dreams come true on this amazing adventure through some of the greatest national parks in southern Africa, like Kruger and Chobe, to search for nature’s wildest animals in their natural habitats. Visit the verdant green waterways of the Okavango Delta, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be on the lookout for the famed “big five” as you drive on safari through Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, and feel the rush and power behind the epic Victoria Falls where you’ll also enjoy a family dinner at a private home nearby; the best way to get to know the true heart of Zimbabwe.

Day 1 Johannesburg
Arrive at any time. Transfer to hotel. Enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue) welcome dinner.

Day 2 Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Enjoy a scenic drive along the famed Panorama Route with stops at Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and God's Window. Continue to our tented camp located near the Kruger National Park and this evening enjoy a delicious South African dinner in the boma.

Day 3 Kruger National Park
Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive through Kruger National Park in an open vehicle. Take in views of the abundant wildlife including elephants, lions, and giraffe. In the late afternoon, return to the lodge where you can relax on the deck with views of the surrounding area.

Day 4 Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Continue on to a private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger area. This afternoon, meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project who will share fascinating information about their efforts to protect cheetahs and other carnivores. After, the researcher will join us on our evening wildlife safari drive.

Day 5 Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Enjoy early morning and afternoon safari drives with our local guides, searching for buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos – Africa's famed "big five". In our down time, relax at the camp, take a walk around the grounds, or enjoy a cool drink on the deck.

Day 6 Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg
After one last wildlife safari drive, head back to the city. In the evening, enjoy dinner at our local guest house.

Day 7 Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
Catch a flight to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Visit a nearby village and go grocery shopping in the bustling market. Then sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you picked out, and hear stories about local life and culture.

Day 8 Victoria Falls
Tour the magnificent Victoria Falls today, then opt for a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, soar above the falls in a helicopter, or take a day trip to Chobe National Park.

Day 9 Victoria Falls
Spend the day getting to know Victoria Falls with a variety of optional activities and adventures. Zip line over the Zambezi River, float down the river on a relaxing sunset cruise, or walk some of the surrounding paths and feel the spray of the fierce falls on your face.

Day 10 Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
The morning is yours to get to know Victoria Falls. Perhaps you’ll choose to go on a guided tour of these magnificent falls and UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, the group will travel to the headquarters of the Painted Dog Conservation where you’ll listen to a talk about the efforts of this organization to protect and rehabilitate injured African wild dogs. Then enjoy a safari into Hwange National Park which happened to be an important elephant sanctuary in Zimbabwe and one of the largest wildlife reserves.

Day 11 Hwange National Park
Enjoy a full-day safari through the grasslands of Hwange National Park. Spend time tracking elephant, buffalo herds, giraffes, lions, and zebras that call this place home. As the day comes to a close, take some time to unwind on the deck of the lodge and keep a lookout for more wild animals at the lodge’s watering hole.

Day 12 Hwange/Chobe NP
Leave Hwange and its animals behind to travel north where the group will cross the border into Botswana to arrive in Kasane. Kasane happens to be known as the entryway of Chobe National Park. Relax into the lodge you’ll be staying in before hopping on a boat safari along the Chobe River which winds through the park. Search for hippos and crocodiles hiding in the water, elephants taking a bath, and the variety of birdlife that call the banks of the river home. If you’re lucky the sunset over the river from the boat’s deck will be spectacular.

Day 13 Chobe NP
There’s always more to see in Chobe National Park which is why you’ll head out on another safari this morning along the banks of the river. See how many different kinds of wildlife you can spot before finishing back at the lodge. For the rest of the day you can choose to relax or embark on another river safari, but this time on a specialized photography boat.

Day 14 Kasane/Okavango Delta
Hop on a short flight to the heart of the Okavango Delta. You'll be transported to the remote camp by mokoro (dugout canoe). As you glide through the waterways search for the area's wildlife, then take some time to relax and get settled at the camp. Enjoy some lunch before embarking on a wildlife cruise through the delta. In the evening have a sundowner on the deck back at camp before a dinner beneath the stars.

Day 15 Okavango Delta
Today the group will set out into the Okavango Delta with expert local guides. Spot wildlife the mokoro navigates the channels of the river. In the evening relax and explore the bush camp before enjoying a three-course meal around the campfire as you listen to the sounds of the delta.

Day 16 Okavango Delta
The group will go on two wildlife excursions today in the afternoon and morning on foot, boat, or by jeep. In between take advantage of free time to swim, relax on the deck, or enjoy other camp amenities.

Day 17 Okavango Delta/Maun
Enjoy an early morning wildlife excursion and then board a short flight to Maun. Once there you will learn about the Okavango Wilderness Project. The group will watch the documentary, "Into the Okavango" and learn more about delta conservation projects in the area. In the evening experience a storytelling session given by celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Her work is preserving Botswana's literary heritage while providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Cap off the night with a meal of traditional foods around a warm fire.

Day 18 Maun
Depart at any time.