It’s a small group journey of astonishing beauty and consummate adventure, one that captures the magnificence of four distinct nations. It’s nature’s showcase come to life: ocean and mountains, deserts and plains, waterfalls and wildlife extraordinaire. It’s Southern Africa, where diversity reigns and where visitors are welcomed as never before.
From $8,154
It’s a small group journey of astonishing beauty and consummate adventure, one that captures the magnificence of four distinct nations. It’s nature’s showcase come to life: ocean and mountains, deserts and plains, waterfalls and wildlife extraordinaire. It’s Southern Africa, where diversity reigns and where visitors are welcomed as never before.
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Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference
Day Day Itinerary Hotel Rating |
1 1 Depart U.S. for Johannesburg |
2-3 |
4-7 |
8 |
9-10 |
11-12 |
13-16 |
17 17 Cape Town/Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) |
18 18 Arrive U.S. |
| 1 | Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 2 | Arrive Johannesburg B B Arrive Johannesburg Read More Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the suburb of Rosebank, where our rooms will be ready for our early check-in. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the suburb of Rosebank, where our rooms will be ready for our early check-in. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned. |
| 3 | Johannesburg/Soweto B L D B L D Johannesburg/Soweto Read More We meet our fellow travelers today as we embark on a tour of the Soweto district of Johannesburg. Here we see the home of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu; visit the home, now a museum, of the late Nelson Mandela; and tour the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, where we learn more about apartheid and the Soweto uprising of 1976. Then we hear fascinating stories from a local Sowetan who was present during the uprising, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner together. We meet our fellow travelers today as we embark on a tour of the Soweto district of Johannesburg. Here we see the home of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu; visit the home, now a museum, of the late Nelson Mandela; and tour the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, where we learn more about apartheid and the Soweto uprising of 1976. Then we hear fascinating stories from a local Sowetan who was present during the uprising, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner together. |
| 4 | Johannesburg/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe B D B D Johannesburg/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Read More We fly this morning to Victoria Falls, first “discovered” by explorer David Livingstone and claimed for Great Britain’s Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and thundering spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world. This afternoon we see it for ourselves on a guided walk. We fly this morning to Victoria Falls, first “discovered” by explorer David Livingstone and claimed for Great Britain’s Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and thundering spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world. This afternoon we see it for ourselves on a guided walk. |
| 5 | Victoria Falls B D B D Victoria Falls Read More This morning we visit a local school where we have the opportunity to interact with the children and teachers and then we spend some time exploring the town of Victoria Falls. Late this afternoon we embark on a Sundowner dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. This morning we visit a local school where we have the opportunity to interact with the children and teachers and then we spend some time exploring the town of Victoria Falls. Late this afternoon we embark on a Sundowner dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. |
| 6 | Victoria Falls B D B D Victoria Falls Read More This morning we set off on a rhino safari in open-top safari vehicles. This afternoon is at leisure; this evening we attend a talk on David Livingstone’s travels, trials, and travails. This morning we set off on a rhino safari in open-top safari vehicles. This afternoon is at leisure; this evening we attend a talk on David Livingstone’s travels, trials, and travails. |
| 7 | Chobe National Park, Botswana B L D B L D Chobe National Park, Botswana Read More Known for a diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife, Chobe National Park in nearby Botswana boasts one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa, including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), as well as zebra, lion, hippo, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, and more. We’re sure to see some of them on today’s full-day excursion to Chobe, where we take a morning game drive and an afternoon game cruise. Known for a diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife, Chobe National Park in nearby Botswana boasts one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa, including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), as well as zebra, lion, hippo, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, and more. We’re sure to see some of them on today’s full-day excursion to Chobe, where we take a morning game drive and an afternoon game cruise. |
| 8 | Victoria Falls/Windhoek, Namibia B B Victoria Falls/Windhoek, Namibia Read More Today we fly via Johannesburg to the Namibian capital of Windhoek, arriving late this evening. Today we fly via Johannesburg to the Namibian capital of Windhoek, arriving late this evening. |
| 9 | Windhoek/Namib Desert/Sossusvlei B L D B L D Windhoek/Namib Desert/Sossusvlei Read More After a brief tour of Namibia’s largest city, we set out through the central Namib Desert of vast gravel plains and rocky mountains. Isolated, immense, tranquil, and romantic, this endless expanse offers a glimpse of a land before time. Late this afternoon we reach our lodge in the heart of the dune desert. After a brief tour of Namibia’s largest city, we set out through the central Namib Desert of vast gravel plains and rocky mountains. Isolated, immense, tranquil, and romantic, this endless expanse offers a glimpse of a land before time. Late this afternoon we reach our lodge in the heart of the dune desert. |
| 10 | Namib Desert/Sossusvlei B L D B L D Namib Desert/Sossusvlei Read More We rise with the sun to see the world’s highest crested dunes at Sossusvlei, their red-orange hues constantly changing in the early morning light. Here we have the opportunity to climb the velvet-like sand of Big Mama, as the locals call the largest dune. We rise with the sun to see the world’s highest crested dunes at Sossusvlei, their red-orange hues constantly changing in the early morning light. Here we have the opportunity to climb the velvet-like sand of Big Mama, as the locals call the largest dune. |
| 11 | Sossusvlei/Swakopmund B L D B L D Sossusvlei/Swakopmund Read More We travel today through the Namib desert en route to Swakopmund, Namibia’s largest port. We travel today through the Namib desert en route to Swakopmund, Namibia’s largest port. |
| 12 | Swakopmund/Walvis Bay/Namibian Coast B L B L Swakopmund/Walvis Bay/Namibian Coast Read More From Walvis Bay this morning, we take a cruise along the storied Namibian coast, getting a mariner’s perspective on this striking region known by local tribespeople as “the land God created in anger.” Along the way, we’ll see Cape fur seals and sea birds, including petrels. We enjoy lunch on board before disembarking and returning to Swakopmund, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. From Walvis Bay this morning, we take a cruise along the storied Namibian coast, getting a mariner’s perspective on this striking region known by local tribespeople as “the land God created in anger.” Along the way, we’ll see Cape fur seals and sea birds, including petrels. We enjoy lunch on board before disembarking and returning to Swakopmund, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. |
| 13 | Swakopmund/Cape Town, S.A. B B Swakopmund/Cape Town, S.A. Read More We fly today to Cape Town, the “Mother City” and South Africa’s oldest. After we check in at our hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. We fly today to Cape Town, the “Mother City” and South Africa’s oldest. After we check in at our hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. |
| 14 | Cape Town/The Winelands B L B L Cape Town/The Winelands Read More Today we tour the Winelands, South Africa’s renowned wine-growing region just 45 miles east of Cape Town. Amid the beautiful scenery, we visit a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. We return to Cape Town mid-afternoon; dinner tonight is on our own in this cosmopolitan city. Today we tour the Winelands, South Africa’s renowned wine-growing region just 45 miles east of Cape Town. Amid the beautiful scenery, we visit a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. We return to Cape Town mid-afternoon; dinner tonight is on our own in this cosmopolitan city. |
| 15 | Cape Town/Cape of Good Hope B L D B L D Cape Town/Cape of Good Hope Read More This morning we travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to more than 250 species of birds, and where we ride a funicular to the summit for stupendous views. After a seafood lunch in historic Simon’s Town, we visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of enchanting African penguins up close. Then we return to Cape Town, where we dine together tonight. This morning we travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to more than 250 species of birds, and where we ride a funicular to the summit for stupendous views. After a seafood lunch in historic Simon’s Town, we visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of enchanting African penguins up close. Then we return to Cape Town, where we dine together tonight. |
| 16 | Cape Town B D B D Cape Town Read More Our tour of Cape Town this morning features a visit to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, the city’s historical center of Cape Malay culture. We also pay a visit to acclaimed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. One of the world’s great botanic gardens, Kirstenbosch champions South Africa’s rich biodiversity as it cultivates only native plants. Then we enjoy glorious bird’s-eye views of Cape Town as we ride by cable car 3,500 feet to the flat top of the city’s signature Table Mountain. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight we celebrate our southern Africa odyssey at a farewell dinner. Our tour of Cape Town this morning features a visit to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, the city’s historical center of Cape Malay culture. We also pay a visit to acclaimed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. One of the world’s great botanic gardens, Kirstenbosch champions South Africa’s rich biodiversity as it cultivates only native plants. Then we enjoy glorious bird’s-eye views of Cape Town as we ride by cable car 3,500 feet to the flat top of the city’s signature Table Mountain. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight we celebrate our southern Africa odyssey at a farewell dinner. |
| 17 | Depart for U.S. B B Depart for U.S. Read More We transfer to the airport today for our return flights to the U.S. We transfer to the airport today for our return flights to the U.S. |
| 18 | Arrive U.S. Arrive U.S. Read More We arrive in the U.S. today and connect with our flights home. We arrive in the U.S. today and connect with our flights home. |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Victoria Falls | 87 | 85 | 86 | 85 | 82 | 78 | 83 | 89 | 90 | 88 | 87 |
| Windhoek | 86 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 68 | 66 | 67 | 71 | 90 |
| Cape Town | 79 | 79 | 77 | 72 | 67 | 68 | 64 | 65 | 70 | 73 | 81 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Victoria Falls | 87 | 85 | 86 | 85 | 82 | 78 | 83 | 89 | 90 | 88 | 87 |
| Windhoek | 86 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 68 | 66 | 67 | 71 | 90 |
| Cape Town | 79 | 79 | 77 | 72 | 67 | 68 | 64 | 65 | 70 | 73 | 81 |
Experience the magnificence of the South African bush and “Big Five” game country at a unique luxury tented camp.
“We could not have asked for a more personable, knowledgeable guide. He's first rate in every way.”
Philip Bullock
The Villages, FL
“Tim is the kind of tour guide I like, friendly but not overbearing, knowledgeable but not pedantic. He is well-read, intelligent, and a really nice guy.”
Marta Ceballos
Bronx, NY
Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
“Tonia was fabulous! Energetic, organized, and flexible; truly an asset to your team.”
Karen Sanzone
Patchogue, NY
“Robyn was a great asset to our group. She is efficient and retains her sense of humor. Her knowledge of Southern Africa is extensive.”
Karl Warner
Scottsdale, AZ
“Our tour director Chris McWilliams was very accommodating and awesome. He made our trip more enjoyable, very interesting, and very educational.”
Florante & Elsie Gaid
Pearland, TX
“Tony is an excellent, experienced guide. He fully lived up to Odysseys’ high standards for Tour Directors.”
Darwin & Patricia Johnston
Apollo Beach, FL
“Tonia was fabulous! Energetic, organized, and flexible; truly an asset to your team.”
Karen Sanzone
Patchogue, NY
“Robyn was a great asset to our group. She is efficient and retains her sense of humor. Her knowledge of Southern Africa is extensive.”
Karl Warner
Scottsdale, AZ
“We could not have asked for a more personable, knowledgeable guide. He's first rate in every way.”
Philip Bullock
The Villages, FL
Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
“Our tour director Chris McWilliams was very accommodating and awesome. He made our trip more enjoyable, very interesting, and very educational.”
Florante & Elsie Gaid
Pearland, TX
“Tim is the kind of tour guide I like, friendly but not overbearing, knowledgeable but not pedantic. He is well-read, intelligent, and a really nice guy.”
Marta Ceballos
Bronx, NY
“Tony is an excellent, experienced guide. He fully lived up to Odysseys’ high standards for Tour Directors.”
Darwin & Patricia Johnston
Apollo Beach, FL
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