Embark on a 9-day southern Africa adventure aboard the African Dream and experience the region’s most captivating sights. Begin in Johannesburg with a visit to the Apartheid Museum. Fly to Botswana and explore Chobe National Park on land and water. Encounter hippos, elephants, and crocodiles near your riverside lodge. Visit Namibian villages on Impalila Island and cruise the Zambezi River. Fly to Lake Kariba, sail past drowned forests, and venture into Matusadona National Park to spot rare birds and big game. Learn about Operation Noah and the history of the lake. Conclude with private flights to Victoria Falls for a cruise and guided walk at one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. This itinerary blends culture, wildlife, and scenery across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—without long drives or repeated routes.
Highlights
Explore Namibian culture on Impalila Island village tours
Explore Chobe National Park on specially equipped Jeeps
Spot elephants, crocodiles, and African sea eagles in Matusadona
Walk Victoria Falls trail, “Smoke That Thunders” viewpoint
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 at 11:30 a.m. After lunch, visit the Apartheid Museum, which opened in 2001 and focuses on 20th-century South African history, especially Apartheid. If visiting on a Monday, this stop is replaced by the Mandela House. On Tuesdays, it is replaced by the Hector Pieterson Museum. Continue with a panoramic tour of Johannesburg, South Africa’s financial center and the richest city in Africa. The city features towering buildings and strong contrasts in wealth. Check in at the five-star Hotel LS before dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Kasane, Botswana
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fly from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. From the airport, transfer by small private boats to the lodge. Watch for a variety of bird species in the flooded flatlands, along with possible sightings of hippos and crocodiles. Upon arrival, meet the crew and settle into the lodge, located on an island formed by a tributary of the Zambezi River. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at the lodge.
Day 3: Chobe National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Journey out on a full-day dedicated to the discovery of Chobe National Park. Exploration by Jeep in this park, which is unique for hosting more than a quarter of Africa's elephant population. African lunch in the heart of nature. Afterwards, board a small private boat and sail off on the Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. Enjoy dinner 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 one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, set out 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. Start sailing across the lake. Reaching over 140 mi/200km in length and spanning a distance of approximately 25 mi/40km at its widest point, the lake flooded flatlands, hills, and forests alike, creating unique and emblematic landscapes. Have dinner and spend the night on board.
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 a small private boat to discover the small waterways going into the Matusadona National Park and its unique wildlife. Gliding along their meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. Return on board for lunch. This afternoon, you will sail towards Palm Bay. When the sun starts to set, set out on a small private boat to admire the changing colors of the sky. Have dinner and spend the night on board.
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, buffalo, 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. 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. Enjoy 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. You’ll fly out to Victoria Falls on 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 dinner and 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.
$8,145
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
Accommodation in double cabins
Excursions included in the package selected
All port fees
Wi-fi access
All meals are served in one service. Breakfast is buffet style, and lunch and dinner are served at the table
In the case of cruises offering extensions in hotels, the catering services are only as those detailed in the programs concerned
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
Tips (excluding tips for crew members on board the ship and at the lodge).
The private flights Kasane/Kariba/Victoria Falls
Airport taxes
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
Cancellation and baggage insurance
Routings (unless otherwise stated), airport taxes, and handling fees
All services not mentioned in the program
Airport/Hotel Transfers
International flights and their taxes
Flight between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg
Zimbabwean visa (must be paid on site, cost differs by Nationality category – please check with Zimbabwe Embassy in your country)
Botswana Tourism levy (US$30 to be paid for on site in US$0 and likely to be applicable in the year)
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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