Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River - South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe with extended stay at the Cape Peninsula (port-to-port cruise)

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.

We’ll 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’ll then take the Table Mountain Cableway(1) to soak up the 360-degree views of Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains(if the weather allows it). After the lunch, we’ll visit the Groot Constantia estate, considered the oldest vineyard in South Africa. We’ll visit the cellar followed by a tasting*. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at a 4-star hotel LS.

During the first part of our day, we’ll 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’ll have a guided tour of the island and its cells. We’ll return to Cape Town for lunch on the waterfront. We continue our tour of Cape Town, nicknamed the “Mother City” because it is the oldest city in South Africa. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Today, we’ll 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’ll take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular to the summit to see the old lighthouse and relish the panoramic views. We’ll have lunch before discovering the penguin colony near Simon’s Town. Once called Jackass Penguins, they are famous for their hilarious braying call.  We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.   

You’ll be transferred to the airport and fly to Johannesburg to join up with the rest of the safari-cruise group. We’ll have lunch. Departure by coach with your guide. We'll visit 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 (the Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday. In case of a visit a Monday, this museum will be replaced by the Mandela House. On Tuesday, it will be replaced by the Hector Pieterson Museum). 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 five-star hotel LS where you’ll be welcome to settle into your rooms before dinner. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.   

We’ll take a regular flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. You’ll be transferred from the airport to your CroisiEurope lodge on board a small private boat. 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. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.   

We’ll 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, we’ll board a small private boat 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.

Join us for a trip to authentic villages on Impalila Island, Namibia, to discover the traditional Namibian houses 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 pool and comfortable fittings, then join us for a discovery of the Zambezi River on a small private boat. We’ll have dinner at the lodge. Tonight, let your guide tell you all about the traditions of this particular island. We’ll spend the night at the lodge.   

We’ll depart from the lodge for one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, we'll set out for the Kasane airport. On board private planes, you’ll be amazed at the stunning panoramas and the changing landscapes of the wilderness during your flight to Lake Kariba(2). You’ll be transferred to board the ship and comfortably settle into your cabins. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.    

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 a small private boat to discover the small waterways going into the Matusadona National Park and their unique wildlife. Gliding along their meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. We’ll return on board for lunch. The afternoon will be spend cruising. When the sun starts to set, we'll set out on a small private boat to admire the changing colors of the sky. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

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.      

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. Afternoon at leisure, with moments of relaxation by the hotel pool and views over the surrounding savannah.Optional: Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls.Optional: A unique opportunity for a final safari through the wild landscapes of a private reserve! This time, set off in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle in search of Africa’s black rhinos, accompanied by an experienced ranger. In addition to the black rhino, you may have the chance to spot the other legendary members of the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard), as well as an incredible variety of birdlife.(Excursions are compatible and take place one after the other. Must be booked at the time of registration. The safari is offered as a private experience for CroisiEurope passengers starting from 6 registered participants. Below this number, they may join other guests. In both cases, our local guide will be present to accompany them.)
Tonight, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a four-star hotel LS.

Breakfast. 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.” End of our services at the hotel around 10:30 am. Do not schedule a flight before 2:00 pm.