Southern Africa Odyssey

Depart on overnight flight(s) to Johannesburg.

Depending on flight schedules, guests from certain U.S. cities may require a departure day one day prior to the listed tour departure date. In most cases, you will be able to connect within a few hours onto your flight en route to Johannesburg where you will meet your tour director.

Upon arrival in “Joburg,” Africa’s fourth largest city, transfer to your hotel located in the suburb of Rosebank. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly today, we have no group activities planned. Hotel rooms and breakfast are ready for guests arriving early this morning.

The day is free to rest and relax and to enjoy lunch and dinner on your own in the “City of Gold,” the nation’s largest and most diverse metropolis. After struggling with crime and poverty for years post–Soweto Uprising, Johannesburg is now a burgeoning travel destination, with many rooftop bars and trendy restaurants to explore.

Overnight: 54 on Bath

Meals: B

Meet fellow travelers today on a tour of Johannesburg’s renowned district of Soweto. The “Southwest Townships” (from which the “Soweto” name derived) was originally established in the 1930s when the Dutch government began using “townships” as part of a system of racial segregation that moved Black laborers out of Johannesburg. Soweto garnered attention in the 1970s when its Black inhabitants fought against apartheid; today, it is a vibrant residential area. Here, see the home of former
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and visit Nelson Mandela’s home, now a museum.

Next, visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial – a monument to the Soweto Uprising, a series of protests and demonstrations led by Black school children against apartheid. It was here that 13-year-old Hector was among those shot and killed on June 16, 1976, while protesting the government’s order that Black schools deliver instruction in Afrikaans, the Germanic language that evolved from the Dutch after they began colonizing the area. Meet a local Sowetan and listen to her personal stories, both of the Soweto uprising and of what life is like today in this township. Afterwards, enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Tonight, toast your adventure ahead at a welcome dinner.

Overnight: 54 on Bath

Meals: B, L, D

Return to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls this morning. Upon arrival in early afternoon, board a motorcoach for your deluxe hotel, which sits less than two miles from the mighty Victoria Falls. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and thundering spray, Victoria Falls, known in local Kololo language as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), is a wonder of the natural world, especially as hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other animals roam freely in the surrounding jungle. “Vic Falls’” reach is higher and even more impressive than that of Niagara, as it plunges some 300 feet into the Zambezi Gorge below, forming the single largest cascade of water on earth. Take a guided walk of approximately three miles on paved pathways in a protected area of the falls free from wildlife, featuring unobstructed viewpoints where you have ample opportunity to take photographs.

Tonight, enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals: B, D

Today, encounter local life up close on a visit to a local grade school. Meet with teachers and students who treat you to a performance of traditional music and dance. Your tour director will facilitate the donation of any school supplies or books you may choose to bring as a greatly appreciated gift. Next, spend some time walking through the town of Victoria Falls and visiting artisan shops. Lunch is on your own today. In late afternoon, travel a short distance to embark on a “Sundowner” cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, where, as the sun sets, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the river’s banks. Have dinner on board before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals: B, D

In the morning, embark on a rhino safari for sightings of the most endangered of the “Big Five” species, as well as other game. After spending the early afternoon at leisure, enjoy a late afternoon lecture on the trials and travails of David Livingstone, the 19thcentury Scottish medical missionary and explorer. Livingstone is one of the most popular European explorers of the Victorian era and is well-known as the man who “discovered” Mosi-oa-Tunya and named it for Queen Victoria in 1855 – when, actually, members of the Makololo tribe who were familiar with the natural wonder were the ones who escorted Livingstone to the viewing site where he first spotted it. Of glimpsing the falls for the first time, Livingstone wrote: “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” Afterwards, dine together tonight at your hotel.

Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals: B, D

Our journey this morning to spectacular Chobe National Park in neighboring Botswana allows us to take both a morning game drive and an afternoon game cruise through this exceptional reserve. Since many animals congregate along the river that runs through Chobe, we make a point of driving there in search of antelope, buffalo, and hundreds of species of birds. Thanks to its varied terrain and plentiful water supply, Chobe is renowned for its predator population (including lions) as well as hippos and the rare puku, a
species of antelope indigenous to the area. Chobe is also home to the world’s largest elephant population, meaning we may spot one of these majestic creatures. We enjoy lunch in Botswana today; dinner tonight is at our hotel in Victoria Falls.

Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Today is a transit day, flying via Johannesburg to Windhoek, Namibia’s German-influenced capital and the country’s largest city (pop. 461,000). With just over 2.5 million inhabitants in an area some 25% larger than that of France, Namibia has the world’s second lowest population density. Upon arrival this evening, board a motorcoach for the one-hour transfer to your hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

Overnight: Windhoek Country Club Resort

Meals: B

After a brief tour of Windhoek, set out on our journey to the Namibian desert; spy vast gravel plains and giant sand dunes that rise more than a thousand feet high. Though Namibia is one of the youngest of the African nations (as it only became a nation in 1990), it boasts a 130- million-year old desert, the Namib – specifically, you’re traveling to the Central Namib, which stretches for some 700 miles along the coast and is covered with huge dunes which each support tiny ecosystems – largely from the fog that rolls in off the ocean. Along the way, stop for a quick lunch en route to the western part of this scenic country. Late this afternoon, reach your lodge in the heart of the Namibian desert, where a kaleidoscope of color and mesmerizing sands are at their most breathtaking during sunrise and sunset.

Overnight: Sossusvlei Lodge

Meals: B, L, D

Embark on an early-morning excursion to the world’s highest crested sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Here, the red-orange dunes seem to be “alive” (they constantly change and undulate as a result of the desert winds). Despite their barren look, the dunes actually support a rich, complex system of wildlife that includes the blind golden mole, a large dancing spider known as the “white lady,” plus geckoes and lizards. You may choose to climb on the velvety sands of Big Mama, as the locals fondly refer to the largest dune. Return to the lodge afterward for a leisurely lunch during the heat of the day, as well as some time to relax
and enjoy the stunning scenery here.

Overnight: Sossusvlei Lodge

Meals: B, L, D

Today, travel through the Namib Desert today en route to German-accented Swakopmund, Namibia’s largest port. During your journey, search for oryx, springbok, and ostrich in the wild, as well as picturesque mountain scenery. Arrive in Swakopmund in time for a late lunch, and then we get acquainted with the town by visiting the Natural History Museum, which occupies a former harbor warehouse and lends insight into Namibia’s colonial past and rich natural resources. This evening, enjoy dinner together at your hotel.

Overnight: Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre

Meals: B, L, D

Set out from nearby Walvis Bay for a half-day cruise and lunch along Namibia’s coastline this morning. “Walvis” is the Dutch word for whale, and the Dutch who named the bay did so due to the large numbers of southern right whales which grazed the harbor for its rich plankton supply. Putting out to sea on a catamaran, see this renowned waterway – Namibia’s only natural harbor – from the perspective of the many mariners who went before, witnessing some of the shipwrecks the coast has claimed, as well as the Cape fur seals, pelicans, and other sea birds native to these waters. Your nautical exploration of this rugged and striking region inland tribespeople call “the land God created in anger” will provide a cool respite after the arid desert atmosphere of Sossusvlei. 

After lunch aboard the cruise, take a short tour of the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a protected area which is home to many species of water birds including the migratory greater and lesser flamingoes. 

Return to Swakopmund, where you have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this charming coastal city with its palm-lined streets and historic German architecture on your own. Options abound: visit the National Marine Aquarium or the Swakopmund Military Museum, venture to the main beach area, or spend time browsing at one of the many shops or the local outdoor crafts market. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Overnight: Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre

Meals: B, L

This morning, visit Swakopmund’s Crystal Gallery, home of the largest quartz crystal cluster in the world – a 30,000-pound, 520-million-year-old chunk of rock that towers some 10 feet tall. Transfer to the airport for your 2-hour flight to one of the great cities in Africa, and indeed the world: Cape Town. Transfer to your hotel in the heart of this bustling city and enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Overnight: Pepperclub Hotel

Meals: B

South Africa is one of the finest wine-producing countries in the world – and some of its best vineyards lie a mere 45 miles east of Cape Town. Embark on a full-day excursion through the Cape Winelands region, which has been producing wine since 1679. Travel through this historic region and stop at a winery here for a visit and lunch in their superb restaurant. Return to our hotel late this afternoon; the remainder of the day is at leisure, and you dine on your own tonight in this cosmopolitan city. Please note that the exact order of sightseeing today and over the next two days may vary so that we can take advantage of the best possible weather to visit Table Mountain.

Overnight: Pepperclub Hotel

Meals: B, L

On today’s excursion to the Cape Peninsula, visit the place that Sir Francis Drake called “the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth” – the Cape of Good Hope. Pass by lovely Hout Bay before reaching the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, with some 19,000 acres of protected parkland. On this unspoiled peninsula, mountains drop into the sea, unique flora thrives, and bird life is abundant. A funicular takes you to the summit of the Nature Reserve for a stupendous ocean view. After a seafood lunch, drive through historic Simon’s Town – headquarters of the South African Navy – then continue on to Boulders Beach to visit a unique penguin colony. From one pair introduced here in 1982, some 3,000 penguins now make their home at Boulders. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Pepperclub Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Your tour of Cape Town this morning features a visit to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, the city’s historical center of Cape Malay culture. This hillside neighborhood of brightly colored homes and businesses is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in Cape Town, and its picturesque setting and cobbled streets have made it a desirable place to live. Learn about Bo-Kaap’s history as the Malay Quarter, owing to the thousands of Capetonians of Southeast Asian descent who made the area their home.

Also pay a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, considered among the finest in the world. Cutting a swath across one thousand acres on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the property was bequeathed to South Africa by wealthy industrialist Cecil Rhodes upon his death in 1902. The gardens planted here are almost exclusively devoted to the indigenous plants of South Africa – approximately 9,000 of the nation’s 22,000 species. 

Return to Cape Town for a visit by cable car (weather permitting) 3,500 feet to the top of Table Mountain. The views from the summit are phenomenal; a photographer’s dream. Mid-afternoon, return to your hotel. Tonight, toast your Southern Africa Odyssey together with a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Pepperclub Hotel

Meals: B, D

Today transfer to the Cape Town airport and your overnight return flight to the United States.

Meals: B

Arrive in the U.S. today and connect with domestic flights home.