dAY 1: JOHANNESBURG (SOUTH AFRICA)

We’ll meet up at the hotel at 11:00 a.m.  Departure by coach with your guide. We’ll have lunch before visiting 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. We’ll arrive at our four-star hotel LS where you’ll be welcome to settle into your rooms before dinner. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.

dAY 2: JOHANNESBURG - KASANE - ARRIVAL AT CASCADES 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 on board small private boats. 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 ideally located in an island created by one of the tributaries of the Zambezi River. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.

dAY 3: 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. 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 small private boats 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 4: IMPALILA ISLAND (NAMIBIA)

Join us for a trip to authentic villages on Impalila Island, Namibia, to discover the traditional Namibian houses, culture 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 private pools and comfortable fittings, or join us for a discovery of the Zambezi River on small private boats. 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.

dAY 5: CASCADES LODGE - KASANE - VICTORIA FALLS - LAKE KARIBA - BOARDING THE SHIP (NAMIBIA-BOTSWANA-ZIMBABWE)

We’ll depart from the lodge for the Kasane airport. On board small 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 African Dream. Enjoy lunch on board after comfortably settling 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 6: LAKE KARIBA - SAILING ON THE GACHE-GACHE AND SANYATI RIVERS (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 small private boats 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. This afternoon, we’ll discover one of the most impressive gorges to be found at Lake Kariba as we sail through the Sanyati Gorge until sundown. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

dAY 7: 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 8: 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 we’ll enjoy a “Boma” dinner with traditional dance and music. We’ll spend the night at a four-star hotel LS.

dAY 9: VICTORIA FALLS

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

Optional Add-on:

Add 4 Days to the beginning of your trip to extend your stay in Southern Africa with a tour of the Cape Peninsula. You will discover Robben Island, a place that needs no introduction with regards to its significance in South Africa’s and indeed the world’s history, but also stunning panoramas from Table Bay or along the legendary Chapman's Peak Drive.

Call us about the Prices for the extension!

Day 1: Cape Town

Passengers are welcome to check in to their 4-star hotel LS starting from 3:00 p.m. (please make sure your travel agency is aware of the arrival times of your flight). After settling into your room, enjoy dinner on your own before spending the night at the hotel.

Day 2: Cape Town

We will have a panoramic tour of the city. Cape Town is a meticulously preserved city with modern towers in the center, cobblestone roads and a bounty of historical monuments.

We will then take the Table Mountain Cableway to soak up the 360-degree views of Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains (if the weather allows it).

We will have dinner and spend the night at a 4-star hotel LS.

Day 3: Robben Island - Groot Constantia Wine Estate

During the first part of our day, we will visit a place that needs no introduction with regards to its significance in South Africa’s and indeed the world’s history: Robben Island. We will have a guided tour of the island and its cells.

We will return to Cape Town for lunch on the waterfront.

Afterwards, we will visit the Groot Constantia estate, considered the oldest vineyard in South Africa. We will visit the cellar followed by a tasting*.

We will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 4: The Cape of Good Hope

Today, we will set out for the legendary Cape of Good Hope. We’ll ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive, located on the Atlantic coast of the southwestern tip of South Africa. The narrow stretch of land, dotted with beautiful valleys, bays and beaches, contains a mix of extraordinarily diverse and unique fauna and flora. We will take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular to the summit to see the old lighthouse and relish the panoramic views.

We will have lunch before discovering the penguin colony near Simon’s Town. Once called Jackass Penguins, they are famous for their hilarious braying call.

We will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 5: Cape Town - Johannesburg (South Africa)

You will be transferred to the airport and fly to Johannesburg to join up with the rest of the safari-cruise group.

Inclusions:

>> CORE PROGRAM

The domestic flights and their taxes (120€ - 2020 rates) - your cruise with double-occupancy cabin in your choice of category – double occupancy accommodations at a first-class CroisiEurope lodge and at 4-and-5-star hotels LS - all meals - drinks served by CroisiEurope at all meals and drinks served at the bar on the ship and at the CroisiEurope lodge - in Johannesburg and Victoria falls, drinks include:1 water, 1 glass of local wine* or 1 soft drink or 1 local beer*, 1 tea or coffee per person and per meal - the excursions mentioned in the program - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - tips (excluding tips for crew members on board the ship and at the lodge).

Tips: To make your vacation worry-free, the equivalent of €20 per passenger will be given to service providers in your destination countries (excluding tips for crew members on board the ship and at the lodge) as tips. We feel this amount is appropriate in consideration of local customs and practice.

>> EXTENDED STAY

The domestic flight and its taxes (90€ - 2020 rates) - the coach transfer from the hotel to the airport - accommodation at a 4-star hotel – all meals - drinks include: 1 glass of wine* or 1 beer* or 1 soft drink + 1 water + 1 tea or coffee per person and per meal - the excursions mentioned in the program - the services of a local guide - tips.

Tips: To make your vacation worry-free, the equivalent of €40 per passenger will be given to service providers in your destination countries as tips. We feel this amount is appropriate in consideration of local customs and practice.