Africa's Wildlife On Safari in Botswana, Zambia & Victoria Falls

Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel in the suburb of Rosebank, where our rooms will be ready for our early check-in. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned. B

We meet our fellow travelers today as we embark on a tour of the Soweto district of Johannesburg. Here we see the home of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu; visit Nelson Mandela’s home, which is now a museum; and tour the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, where we learn more about apartheid and the Soweto uprising of 1976. Then we hear fascinating stories from a local Sowetan who was present during the uprising, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner together. B,L,D

We fly today to Victoria Falls and our lodge. This afternoon we see for ourselves the thundering falls, first “discovered” by David Livingstone and claimed for Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-­foot-deep gorge and soaking spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. B,D

This morning we embark on a game drive to spot the elusive – and critically endangered – black rhino. Late afternoon we embark on a “Sundowner” dinner cruise on the Zambezi where we see wildlife on shore and in the water. B,D

After a morning visit to Victoria Falls town and a local village, this afternoon is at leisure to relax at our lodge. Tonight we hear a fascinating guest speaker on “The Story of David Livingstone,” followed by dinner together. B,D

This morning we visit a nearby school then travel two hours by motorcoach to Botswana and Chobe National Park, boasting one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa. After settling in and enjoying lunch at our lodge, this afternoon we embark on a game-viewing boat safari on the Chobe River, where we may see hippo, crocs, and some of the park’s 450 species of birds (including the sacred ibis, carmine bee-eaters, fish eagles, and kingfishers). We dine tonight at our lodge. B,L,D

Known for its diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife – including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), along with zebra, lion, giraffe, impala, and buffalo – Chobe covers 4,517 square miles of protected parkland. We’ll see a portion of this natural wonder on our early morning game drive and this afternoon’s boat safari. And this evening perhaps we’ll see one of the sublime sunsets for which Chobe is known. B,L,D

We’re settling into a comfortable routine, with early morning and late afternoon game drives. In between game-viewing activities, we’re at leisure to enjoy the amenities of our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, adjacent to the park itself. B,L,D

This morning we board a plane for the flight to South Luangwa National Park. Here in one of Africa’s last stretches of pristine wilderness we have the chance to get closer to the animals than anywhere else. Late afternoon we engage in some of the lodge’s game-viewing activities that include open-vehicle game drives and walking safaris, which originated in South Luangwa. B,L,D

From our lodge situated inside the 3,500-square-mile national park established in 1972 and just a short drive from the main entrance, we embark on morning and evening game viewing excursions today. Thanks to its remote location, South Luangwa was protected from mass tourism and today boasts one of Africa’s highest concentrations of game. Among the fauna living here: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippos, wild dogs, and antelope. We also may catch some special sights, such as Zambia’s Crawshay’s zebras with their distinctive stripes, the elusive bushbuck, and the spiral-horned kudu. In addition, South Luangwa teems with almost 400 species of birds, including 39 birds of prey. When not out on safari, we visit a local school, and also see a borehole project which provides water for the community. B,L,D

We have another day to savor life in the bush and engage in morning and evening game viewing activities. Set amidst a grove of ebony and mahogany trees, our 18-chalet lodge overlooks two lagoons that attract a steady stream of crocodiles, hippos, giraffe, buffalo, antelope, and other animals, which we can watch from lodge’s open deck. Tonight, we celebrate our wildlife adventure at a farewell dinner.  B,L,D

We travel by light aircraft today to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, where we have hotel day rooms until our departure this evening for the airport and our overnight flight to the U.S. B

We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home.