Board the African Dream in Johannesburg and begin a 9-day cruise along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. Get an up-close experience of South Africa´s wilderness, enjoy authentic traditional cuisine, learn about age-old customs, and in the end of your trip admire the grandness of Victoria Falls. Enjoy land and water safaris, and experience face-to-face encounters with locals to learn about their culture and history.
Highlights
Let a local storyteller entrance you with the region´s mysterious legends
Explore Chobe National Park on specially equipped Jeeps
Hike to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where you will have exceptional views
Visit Impalila Island's local school to meet the teachers and students
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Meet at the hotel by 11 am and 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. After this, you will 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. Arrive at the 4-star hotel LS where you are welcome to settle into your rooms before dinner. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Kasane, Botswana
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take the flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. From the airport, small private boars will take you your lodge to settle in. 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 your crew upon arrival and settle into your comfortable lodge ideally located on an island created by one of the tributaries of the Zambezi River. Have your dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.
Day 3: Chobe National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take 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 your lunch on a “floating restaurant” in the middle of the river where the views of the surrounding nature are unparalleled. Afterward, board the small private boars to sail off on Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. Have your dinner on board and spend the night at the lodge.
Day 4: Impalila Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discover the traditional Namibian house, culture, and customs as you take on this amazing tour to the authentic villages on Impalila Island. Return to the lodge to have your delicious lunch and take advantage of the private pools and other amenities. You can also join the excursion in Zambezi River while on your small private boats. Learn more about the traditions and culture of this island which will be told by the locals. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 5: Kasane | Lake Kariba | Embark the African Dream
Depart from the lodge for the Kasane airport. While on the private plane, you'll be amazed by 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. After lunch on board, start sailing across the lake and see the unique and emblematic landscapes. Have your dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 6: Lake Kariba | Gache-Gache & Sanyati Rivers, Zimbabwe
At sunrise, set sail through the rare and mysterious landscapes of Lake Kariba where drowned trees reach skywards from the depths of the reflecting water. Set out on the private small 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. After having your lunch on board, discover one of the most impressive gorges to be found at Lake Kariba as we sail through the Sanyati Gorge until sundown. Have your dinner and spend the night on board.
Take the journey 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. You 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. In the afternoon, a round-table discussion will be your opportunity to learn more about the creation of the Lake, its inhabitants as well as its ecosystem. Have your dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 8: Kariba | Victoria Falls | Disembark
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At sunrise, set sail towards Kariba to disembark and journey out to the airport. 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. Fly out to Victoria Falls onboard private planes. Enjoy an exceptional lunch cruise on the Zambezi River, upstream from the falls. This afternoon, leave for a tour on foot of the falls where the views are among the most exceptional in the world. You’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, enjoy a “Boma” dinner with traditional dance and music. Spend the night at a
four-star hotel LS.
Day 9: Victoria Falls
1 Breakfast
This morning, enjoy your last breakfast and join an optional early morning excursion: Soar over Victoria Falls in a helicopter. Then, prepare yourself for your return flight home.
*The helicopter excursion must be reserved upon booking
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,7012-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Suite
6 French Balcony Suites 17 m2 (with floor to ceiling sliding windows opening to a railing)
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners
8 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom
Excursions included in the package selected
All port fees
Flight: Johannesburg/Kasane
Double-occupancy accommodation in a first-class CroisiEurope lodge and in 4-and-5* hotels
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 soda or 1 local beer*, 1 tea or coffee per person and per meal
Excluded
Gratuities
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Drinks from the special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
