African River Cruise and Safari Adventure with Optional Ministry Visit

March 27– Date to arrive in Johannesburg

Welcome at the airport by an English-speaking guide who will walk you to the Intercontinental Hotel. OR Tampo International Airport in Johannesburg

Porterage at the hotel and the airport is included

Lunch @ Leisure

Coach transfer to Maroepeng Centre at the Cradle of Humankind (situated +/- 1h20 from the Intercontinental O.R. Thambo) The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an award-winning, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. Take a journey through time, starting with the formation of the planet and moving all the way through the evolutionary processes that culminated in the world as we know it today. See fossils, learn about how humankind was born, view stone tools that are up to one million years old, and much more. This self-guided, interactive tour allows you to take all the time you need to ponder humanity’s fascinating origin story.

Duration of tour = +/- 45 minute

Dinner at leisure

Overnight in Johannesburg

Breakfast at hotel

Full Day Nelson Mandela  Coach Tour including a visit to the Apartheid Museum, the Nelson Mandela Museum, Lunch at Chez Alina  (excluding drinks), and a Visit to Soweto.

After the tour, we will have Dinner at Marble Restaurant (excluding drinks)  you’ll enjoy an unforgettable dining experience.

Overnight at Airport Intercontinental Hotel – Johannesburg

Breakfast at Hotel

Check-out and walk to The airport where your English-speaking guide will assist you with check-in.

Depart Johannesburg, South Africa – fly to Kasane, Botswana. Kasane- Chobe International Airport

Arrival at the private island Cascades Lodge: We will transfer from the airport to the lodge in small private boats. Upon arrival at the lodge located on an island created by one of the tributaries of the Zambezi River, we will have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.  Take advantage of your trip to observe the numerous bird species living in the flooded flatlands. You may even glimpse a few hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the crew and settle into your comfortable lodge. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge in the absolute tranquility of the wilderness.

Breakfast at Lodge

We’ll journey out on a half-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. Enjoy lunch in a “floating restaurant” in the middle of the river where the views of the surrounding nature are unparalleled. 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.

Breakfast at the Lodge

In the morning we will take a trip to the Impalila Islands and discover the traditional Namibian houses, culture, and customs. You also have an option to do some fishing on the river. 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 a local tell you all about the traditions of this particular island. We’ll spend the night at the lodge.

Breakfast at the Lodge

We’ll depart from the lodge for one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, we’ll leave by coach 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 the 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

Breakfast

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 Gache Gache River and its unique wildlife. Gliding along its meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. We’ll return on board for lunch. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising towards Changa. At sunset, we’ll set out on board small private boat, to admire the magical scenery. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Breakfast

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.

Breakfast

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, then transfer by coach to your hotel.

The 5-Star Palm River Hotel, Victoria Falls will be our home for two nights. A unique hotel offering unparalleled luxury accommodations.  Vast, unimpeded views, a central location preserved within a tranquil bubble of peace and quiet. The hotel is idyllicly, situated along the banks of the iconic Zambezi River, among towering indigenous trees, and only 4 kilometers from Africa’s Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls.

Dinner at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

Entrance Victoria Falls (lunch not included). This morning we will have an optional (additional charge) helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. The afternoon can be spent at your leisure exploring the falls again or the surrounding area.

Boma Dinner is included tonight.

Breakfast at Hotel

After breakfast, the tour ends at the hotel.

Transfers will be arranged to Victoria Falls Airport.