THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 – DAY 1 – DEPART THE U.S. | INTO THE AFRICAN NIGHT

Your journey begins as you board your overnight flight to Africa. As the plane lifts into the night sky, anticipation builds for the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and cultures that await.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 – DAY 2 – ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURG | WELCOME TO AFRICA

Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa's dynamic cultural and economic hub. Known locally as "Jo'burg" or "Jozi," the city rose almost overnight during the gold rush of the late 1800s, transforming the high grasslands of the Witwatersrand into one of Africa's most dynamic urban centers.

After a smooth transfer to your premium hotel, enjoy time to relax before visiting the world-renowned Apartheid Museum—the first museum centering on South African history in the 20th century, offering a powerful, immersive experience that tells the story of South Africa's path to democracy.

Afterward, embark on a panoramic tour of the city before returning to the hotel for a welcome dinner hosted by your safari expert—your first taste of South African cuisine and hospitality.

Included: Dinner

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – DAY 3 – FLIGHT TO KASANE | GATEWAY TO THE WILD

Take a scenic flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. Upon arrival, transfer by private boat to your luxurious lodge, ideally situated along the banks of the Chobe River—a lifeline for animals during the dry season.

This region is renowned for its extraordinary wildlife density, especially elephants. Watch for numerous bird species among the flooded flatlands, and perhaps catch a glimpse of hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 – DAY 4 – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK | LAND & WATER SAFARIS

Experience your first full safari day. Established in 1967, Chobe National Park protects vast ecosystems supporting one of the largest elephant populations on Earth—over 120,000 animals roaming freely across floodplains and forests.

In the morning, set out for a thrilling 4x4 game drive across the savannah. In the afternoon, board a private boat for a river safari at water level, gliding toward the lush wetlands of Sedudu Island. Expect close encounters with elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, and more. Dinner at the lodge.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 – DAY 5 – INTO NAMIBIA | IMPALILA ISLAND

Travel by boat into Namibia for a visit to traditional villages on Impalila Island—located at the extraordinary meeting point of four countries: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. A guided village walk offers insight into daily life along the Zambezi floodplain, where communities maintain traditions shaped by generations of river living.

In the afternoon, set off on a private boat safari on the legendary Zambezi River, stretching over 2,500 kilometers through six Southern African countries. Brilliant kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles glide across golden skies while elephants move silently among the trees. Dinner at the lodge, followed by an evening of storytelling as your guide shares island traditions and legends.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 – DAY 6 – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK | ADDITIONAL SAFARI

Return to Chobe National Park for another exhilarating 4x4 safari. Encounter lions, buffalo, giraffes, antelopes, and countless vibrant bird species. Enjoy a traditional African lunch in the heart of the wilderness before returning to the lodge. Take advantage of the pool and the lodge's comfortable surroundings. Sunsets here are unforgettable!

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 – DAY 7 – BUSH FLIGHT TO LAKE KARIBA | EMBARK YOUR SAFARI CRUISE

Enjoy a final private boat safari in the Chobe region with lunch on the river, then transfer to Kasane Airport. Board a scenic bush flight over the vast savannah wilderness to Lake Kariba—one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, created in the 1950s by damming the Zambezi River. The lake stretches more than 140 miles along the Zimbabwe–Zambia border, its haunting beauty marked by ghostly tree trunks rising from submerged forests.

Upon arrival, transfer to your intimate safari vessel, settle into your floating lodge, and enjoy your first evening on the water. Dinner and overnight on board.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 – DAY 8 – MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK | SAFARI CRUISE

Disembark this morning for a guided 4x4 safari in Matusadona National Park—one of Africa's most remote and lesser-visited parks, where wildlife encounters unfold without another vehicle in sight. Covering over 1,400 km² between the Sanyati and Ume rivers, the park shelters elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, and countless birds. With luck, you may spot a big cat.

Return to the ship for lunch as you cruise the shimmering waters, then set out by private boat to explore picturesque coves where herds of elephants come to drink at the shore. Dinner and overnight on board.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 – DAY 9 – MATUSADONA | WATERWAYS & STARGAZING

Continue exploring Matusadona National Park aboard your private boat, winding through hidden waterways and extraordinary biodiversity. Lunch is served on board. In the late afternoon, switch to 4x4 vehicles as golden light paints the vast plains—searching for lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles.

After dinner, step onto the sun deck for a magical stargazing experience. With no light pollution, the sky reveals the glittering Milky Way, accompanied only by the sounds of the African night.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 – DAY 10 – LAKE KARIBA | SUNSET CRUISE

Sail across Lake Kariba, where ghostly silhouettes of sun-bleached trees rise from the water in a strikingly mysterious atmosphere. Lunch on board. Your guide shares the fascinating story of the lake, its people, and its fragile ecosystem.

As dusk approaches, head out on a private sunset cruise as the sky turns a brilliant shade of pink—what will most certainly be a highlight of the entire journey. Dinner and overnight on board.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 – DAY 11 – FLIGHT TO VICTORIA FALLS | THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS

Disembark and journey to the airport for your private flight to Victoria Falls—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Along the way, discover the immense Kariba Dam wall, an engineering feat built in 1955 that provides nearly 70% of Zimbabwe's electricity. Your guide will share its history, including the legend of Nyami Nyami, the river spirit.

Discovered by Scottish explorer David Livingstone in 1855, Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya—"The Smoke That Thunders." Walk rainforest paths opposite the falls as mist rises high into the sky and the roar of cascading water echoes through the gorge. Lunch is served on a cruise on the Zambezi River upstream from the falls. Check into your premium hotel with the afternoon free to relax. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 – DAY 12 – VICTORIA FALLS | FAREWELL & JOURNEY HOME

After breakfast, enjoy a final walking tour of Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges over the cliff to become the widest waterfall in the world. End of services at the hotel around 10:30 am.

Please do not schedule your return flight before 2:00 pm.

As your flight departs Southern Africa, the memories begin to settle into stories you will tell for years to come—the distant roar of Victoria Falls, the quiet presence of elephants at sunset, the deep silence of the African bush beneath a sky filled with stars. For many travelers, this is more than a trip. It is the adventure of a lifetime!

Included: Breakfast