Wonders & Waterways of Southern Africa - 2023

Day 1 London to Cape Town, South Africa.

Fly by scheduled flight.

Day 2 Cape Town.

On arrival into Cape Town transfer to the Commodore Hotel, our base for the next four nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure before we meet this evening to enjoy our welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3 Cape Town.

After breakfast we will take a panoramic tour of the city. Cape Town is a meticulously preserved city with modern towers in the centre, cobblestone roads and a bounty of historical monuments. Later we drive to the iconic Table Mountain and take the cableway (weather permitting) to soak up the 360-degree views of Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains. This afternoon is free to explore at your own pace before we meet for dinner tonight. (B, D)

Day 4 Robben Island & Groot Constantia Wine Estate.

This morning we take local ferries to Robben Island. The island has been used for centuries as a military base and leper colony but is most famous as a prison for political prisoners during the apartheid regime. Our guided tour includes seeing the island’s quarry, the army and navy bunkers as well as the prison cells, including Nelson Mandela’s. Return to Cape Town for lunch on the waterfront before we make our way to South Africa’s oldest vineyard at the Groot Constantia Estate. Here we visit the cellar, hear about the history of the estate and enjoy a tasting of the award-winning wines. Return to the hotel for a free evening. (B, L)

Day 5 Cape Peninsula.

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we depart for our full day tour exploring Cape Town’s stunning Cape Peninsula. We will travel through the vibrant coastal suburb of Sea Point with its famous promenade and on to the upmarket, pristine beaches of Clifton and Camp’s Bay before heading along Chapman’s Peak to the famous Cape Point Nature Reserve at the very tip of the peninsula. The road then twists its way to Simon’s Town, home to the Boulders Beach penguin colony, and through the eclectic fishing village of Kalk Bay and surfer heaven Muizenberg. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Cape Town to Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe to Kasane, Botswana to Cascades Lodge, Namibia.

This morning fly by scheduled flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival, transfer to Kasane via coach and then by small private boat on to Cascades Lodge, our base for the next three nights in the heart of the wilderness. There will be border formalities en-route. Take advantage of your boat 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. Be greeted by staff on arrival and settle into your comfortable lodge ideally located on an island created by one of the tributaries of the Zambezi River. We will have dinner at the lodge and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Chobe National Park, Namibia & Botswana.

Today we will journey out on a full day Jeep safari to explore Chobe National Park which is home to more than a quarter of the total elephant population in Africa. Enjoy lunch in a “floating restaurant” in the middle of the river where the views of the surrounding nature are unparalleled. Afterwards, we will board small private boats and sail off on the Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. Dinner will be at the lodge this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Impalila Island, Namibia.

This morning we will explore some villages on Impalila Island to discover the traditional Namibian houses, culture and customs. We return to the lodge for lunch and either spend an afternoon at leisure to take advantage of the private pools and comfortable surroundings or join a discovery of the Zambezi River by small private boats. We will have dinner at the lodge and this evening we will be joined by one of the locals to tell us all about the traditions of this particular island. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Kasane to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

After breakfast we depart from the lodge on small private boats for Kasane airport. Take a charter flight aboard small private planes to Kariba whilst enjoying stunning panoramas over Lake Kariba and the changing landscapes of the wilderness. On arrival transfer to the African Dream for our three night stay. Settle into your comfortable cabin as we set sail across the lake. Reaching over 200 kilometres in length and spanning a distance of approximately 40 kilometres at its widest point, the lake flooded flatlands, hills and forests alike, create unique and emblematic landscapes. Enjoy dinner on board this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Sailing on the Gache Gache & Sanyati Rivers, Zimbabwe.

At sunrise we will set sail through the rare and mysterious landscapes of Lake Kariba where drowned trees reach skywards from the depths of the reflecting water. We will set out on small private boat to discover the Gache Gache River and its unique wildlife before returning to the vessel for lunch. This afternoon, we will discover one of the most impressive gorges to be found at Lake Kariba as we sail through the Sanyati Gorge until sundown. Enjoy dinner on board this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.

We set out this morning on a safari to discover the area around Matusadona National Park. Bordered by the Sanyati and Ume Rivers, this 1400 square kilometre, untouched area is home to numerous animal species such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalos as well as thousands of birds, amongst which we may see the legendary African sea eagle, the majestic, yellow-billed stork, or the black heron with its interesting hunting methods. We might also 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 6000 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 and dinner on board. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Kariba to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

At sunrise we set sail towards Kariba where we will 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. Discover the history and legends surrounding the creation of the lake including the tale of NyamiNyami, the river god. Disembark the African Dream and transfer to the airport for our flight to Victoria Falls on board private planes. On arrival we will enjoy a lunch cruise upstream from the falls, on the mighty Zambezi River before checking into our hotel this afternoon. After some free time we meet for dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Victoria Falls.

This morning take a guided tour of the falls which form the largest single curtain of falling water on earth (on average the curtain is 92 metres deep). The 500 metre plume of spray can be seen from as far as 70 kilometres away and the sound of the water can also be heard from kilometres away and up close this muted ‘thunder’ becomes a roar. The vast width of the falls, extending 1708 metres, allow for many safe vantage points from where you will be able to get different views of the roiling water as it crashes into the gorge and whose constant spray maintains the rain forest. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure before we enjoy our farewell dinner in the hotel. (B, D)

Day 14 Victoria Falls to London.

After breakfast transfer to Victoria Falls airport for the return indirect flight to London. (B)

Day 15 London.

Arrive today.