• Spectacular Victoria Falls
• Sunset Zambezi River cruise
• Chobe National Park’s diverse and abundant game
• Early morning game drives and afternoon boat safaris
• Remote South Luangwa National Park
• Open vehicle game drives and walking safaris
• Visit to a local school and a borehole project
• Traditional textile demonstration
• Performance by a community dance troupe

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg 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. B

Day 3: Johannesburg/Soweto 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 Nelson Mandela’s home, which is now a museum; 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. B,L,D

Day 4: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe We fly today to Victoria Falls and our lodge. This afternoon we see for ourselves the thundering falls, first “discovered” by David Livingstone and claimed for Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-­foot-deep gorge and soaking spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. B,D

Day 5: Victoria Falls This morning we embark on a game drive to spot the elusive – and critically endangered – black rhino. Late afternoon we embark on a “Sundowner” dinner cruise on the Zambezi where we see wildlife on shore and in the water. B,D

Day 6: Victoria Falls After a morning visit to Victoria Falls town and a local village, this afternoon is at leisure to relax at our lodge. Tonight we hear a fascinating guest speaker on “The Story of David Livingstone,” followed by dinner together. B,D

Day 7: Victoria Falls/Chobe National Park, Botswana This morning we visit a nearby school then travel two hours by motorcoach to Botswana and Chobe National Park, boasting one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa. After settling in and enjoying lunch at our lodge, this afternoon we embark on a game-viewing boat safari on the Chobe River, where we may see hippo, crocs, and some of the park’s 450 species of birds (including the sacred ibis, carmine bee-eaters, fish eagles, and kingfishers). We dine tonight at our lodge. B,L,D

Day 8: Chobe National Park Known for its diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife – including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), along with zebra, lion, giraffe, impala, and buffalo – Chobe covers 4,517 square miles of protected parkland. We’ll see a portion of this natural wonder on our early morning game drive and this afternoon’s boat safari. And this evening perhaps we’ll see one of the sublime sunsets for which Chobe is known. B,L,D

Day 9: Chobe National Park We’re settling into a comfortable routine, with early morning and late afternoon game drives. In between game-viewing activities, we’re at leisure to enjoy the amenities of our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, adjacent to the park itself. B,L,D

Day 10: Chobe National Park/South Luangwa National Park, Zambia This morning we board a plane for the flight to South Luangwa National Park. Here in one of Africa’s last stretches of pristine wilderness we have the chance to get closer to the animals than anywhere else. Late afternoon we engage in some of the lodge’s game-viewing activities that include open-vehicle game drives and walking safaris, which originated in South Luangwa. B,L,D

Day 11: South Luangwa National Park From our lodge situated inside the 3,500-square-mile national park established in 1972 and just a short drive from the main entrance, we embark on morning and evening game viewing excursions today. Thanks to its remote location, South Luangwa was protected from mass tourism and today boasts one of Africa’s highest concentrations of game. Among the fauna living here: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippos, wild dogs, and antelope. We also may catch some special sights, such as Zambia’s Crawshay’s zebras with their distinctive stripes, the elusive bushbuck, and the spiral-horned kudu. In addition, South Luangwa teems with almost 400 species of birds, including 39 birds of prey. When not out on safari, we visit a local school, and also see a borehole project which provides water for the community. B,L,D

Day 12: South Luangwa National Park We have another day to savor life in the bush and engage in morning and evening game viewing activities. Set amidst a grove of ebony and mahogany trees, our 18-chalet lodge overlooks two lagoons that attract a steady stream of crocodiles, hippos, giraffe, buffalo, antelope, and other animals, which we can watch from lodge’s open deck. Tonight, we celebrate our wildlife adventure at a farewell dinner. B,L,D

Day 13: South Luangwa National Park/Lusaka/Depart for U.S. We travel by light aircraft today to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, where we have hotel day rooms until our departure this evening for the airport and our overnight flight to the U.S. B

Day 14: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home.

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
• 11 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and unrated hotels and lodges
• 29 meals: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 10 dinners
• Extensive game viewing as described, including all park entrance fees
• Mineral/purified water while on safari
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for driver/guides, hotel and lodge staff, and porters
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after 3 tours; $300 after 10 tours)

2023 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $989 ($1,189 if traveling Aug-Nov), which are subject to change until final payment is made.

Single travelers please add $795. Your $475 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above.

Business Class upgrade (subject to availability) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $5,495 per person from ORD, LAX, JFK; all other cities $6,995

A visa is required for this tour. Odysseys Unlimited will provide information about visa requirements upon reservation.

2024 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $1,189, which are subject to change until final payment is made.

Single travelers please add $795. Your $475 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above.

Business Class upgrade (subject to availability) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $5,995 per person from ORD, LAX, JFK; all other cities $7,495

A visa is required for this tour. Odysseys Unlimited will provide information about visa requirements upon reservation.

Cape Town, South Africa

4 days/3 nights for $1,495 total price
Single Supplement: $295

Discover South Africa’s sparkling “Mother City,” from Table Mountain and the Malay Quarter to the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands.

Your Tour Price Includes

• Air transportation Lusaka/Cape Town, inclusive of airline taxes and fees
• 3 nights’ accommodations at The Table Bay Hotel (Deluxe)
• 6 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Extensive included sightseeing: full-day Cape Peninsula tour; full-day Cape Town and Winelands tour
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited representative
• Private motorcoach/van transportation
• Transfers to/from airport
• Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Please note that guests on the extension will proceed directly to Cape Town and will not use the hotel day room in Lusaka on Day 13.

Please see the Accommodations tab for hotel information.

Frans Lanting
Okavango, Africa’s Last Eden
Frans Lanting captures the wildlife and habitats of the Okavango, focusing on the wetlands. Additional chapters cover an island oasis in the Kalahari, elephants and the people of the region. This book won Lanting the BBC Photographer of the Year award.

Vincent Carruthers (Editor), Kenneth Newman (Illustrator)
The Wildlife of Southern Africa
With 1,200 color illustrations by a range of experts, this compact field guide includes all the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and plants that a traveler is likely to encounter in southern Africa.

Chris McIntyre
Botswana, the Bradt Safari Guide
With comprehensive coverage of history, flora, fauna and practicalities, this fourth edition presents Okavango, Chobe, the Kalahari and other popular destinations in detail.

Hallwag
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana Map
This fold-out overview map of Southern Africa – including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana – is ideal for route planning.

The Africa Adventure Company
Safari Planning Map, East & Southern Africa
This large-scale colorful map covers the top safari countries and important wildlife reserves of East and Southern Africa. With enlargements of key regions like Northern Tanzania, Southern Kenya and Northern Botswana to Victoria Falls, the map includes information on planning your safari and climate graphs.

Michael Main
Culture Smart! Botswana
A concise, well-illustrated and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.

John Reader
Africa, a Biography of the Continent
With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa.

Martin Meredith
The Fortunes of Africa, A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed and Endeavor
Covering the epic story of colonialism in Africa, Meredith’s magisterial history depicts empire-hungry kings, missionaries, tribal warlords, mining barons – even modern multinational corporations. An expansive but entertaining read.

Thomas Pakenham
The Scramble for Africa
Absorbing and meticulously researched, this in-depth history of the Victorian land grab in 19th century Africa includes excellent portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent.

Martin Dugard
Into Africa, The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone
A nicely paced tale of the Scottish explorer and Stanley’s headline-grabbing efforts to locate him. Dugard has done his homework well, drawing on a wide variety of sources to paint a lively and nuanced portrait of the two men.

Robyn Scott
Twenty Chickens for a Saddle
Haphazardly schooled by her free-spirited mother and left to roam the bush, Scott writes with warmth and candor of her unconventional upbringing in Botswana, commenting on her Grandpa Ivor (personal pilot to the first president of Botswana), physician father’s work, unfortunate pets, siblings and adventures.

Peter Allison
Whatever You Do, Don’t Run
Allison spins captivating tales of wildlife, camps and the life of a safari guide into a hilarious, slyly informative introduction to Botswana.

Mark Owens, Delia Owens
Cry of the Kalahari, Seven Years in Africa’s Last Great Wilderness
The story of a family thrown out of Botswana for its stance on conservation. While their approach to conservation is controversial, there’s no doubt that the Owens are dedicated to the wildlife of Southern Africa – and are very good writers.

Norman Rush
Mortals, A Novel
A dazzling novel, set among American expatriates in 1990s Botswana. Rush pulls off the trick of making the sprawling book both personally and politically charged.

Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
The delightful introduction to Botswana’s formidable female detective, evoking the cultures, customs and texture of Africa.

Gerald Hinde (Photographer)
Big Five of Africa
Award-winning wildlife photographer Gerald Hinde’s stunning photographs celebrate Africa’s lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalos. Brief but informative text introduces each animal but the photographs (rightly) are the main focus. Size: 8 x 8 inches.

Richard Estes
The Safari Companion
An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each animal group and in-depth information. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind.

Jonathan Kingdon
Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals
A conveniently compact edition of Kingdon’s gloriously illustrated Field Guide to African Mammals. The guide includes abbreviated information on identification, distribution, ecology and conservation status and 480 outstanding color illustrations and maps.

Bunny McBride, Duane Schlitter, Richard Estes, Peter Alden
National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife
This comprehensive photo guide covers 850 birds, mammals and reptiles of Africa. With range maps and a good country-by-country overview of habitats and parks.

Kenneth Newman
Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa
This commemorative 10th edition celebrates the late author with a fully revised and updated version. Edits were done by his daughter, Vanessa Newman, to reflect the latest research, taxonomy and common names.

Doug Newman
Southern African Mammals Made Simple
Profiling 115 mammals common to Southern Africa, many of which (bat-eared fox, oribi, hartebeest) are not found anywhere else. The guide offers a three-step, foolproof process for identifying similar-looking species.

Andrew Loveridge
Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & the Future of Africa’s Iconic Cats
In 2015, a dentist from Minnesota shot and killed Cecil the lion during a trophy hunting trip. This book, written by the zoologist who had studied Cecil and his lion companions for eight years, sheds light on his life, relationships, and world-famous death. Loveridge also chronicles the interactions and stories of a number of other lions he’s studied, and offers solutions to halt the African lion’s steady population decline.