African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife

15 days
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4.3/5 Great
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Small Group Tour
Elephant, lion, blue wildebeest, vervet monkeys — just a few of the thousands of species observable in the national parks and private reserves of sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, encounter an unimaginable diversity of wildlife and meet the people who have dedicated their lives to its protection.
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore national parks and a private reserve in search of iconic wildlife.
    • View the majestic Presidential elephant herd in Hwange.
    • See Victoria Falls, discover nearby crafts markets and interact with local artisans.

What's this trip about?

    Elephant, lion, blue wildebeest, vervet monkeys — just a few of the thousands of species observable in the national parks and private reserves of sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, encounter an unimaginable diversity of wildlife and meet the people who have dedicated their lives to its protection.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityJohannesburg

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari
  • 50 Plus
  • Education / Learning
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Educational/ Learning
  • Game Drive
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • 12 nights of accommodations
    • 7 expert-led lectures
    • 19 expert-led field trips
    • 2 flights during the program
    • 1 hands-on experience
    • An experienced Group Leader
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program
    • The Road Scholar Travel Protection Plan, 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage
    • Taxes

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: In Transit to Program

In Flight

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Johannesburg

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Courtyard Hotel Eastgate

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 2:00 pm

Afternoon: After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred approximately 15 minutes to Courtyard Hotel Eastgate. Check in at t...

Day 3: Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Courtyard Hotel Eastgate

Breakfast: Taken at the hotel, breakfast will be an expansive buffet featuring a variety of cold cereals, fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, pastries and hot items such as bacon...

Day 4: Fly to Zambia, Local Orphanage Visit, Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Thorntree River Lodge

Activity note: Flight time 1 hour 45 minutes.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning, we will transfer to the Johannesburg airport to board our commercial flight to Li...

Day 5: Victoria Falls from Zambian Side, Livingstone Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Thorntree River Lodge

Activity note: In order to access all of the viewpoints at Victoria Falls, one must go up and down around 150 stairs one way; the path may be slick due to the waterfall's mist, too. ...

Day 6: Victoria Falls from Zimbabwean Side, Game Drive, Upper Zambezi River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge

Activity note: In order to see all viewpoints at the Falls, approximate length of walk is two miles. It is possible to walk less and see some, but not all, viewpoints. Paths ...

Day 7: Safari Activities, Upper Zambezi River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge

Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge will consist of various bread and cereal options, with fresh fruit and hot items cooked to order.

Morning: Morning game drive in the ...

Day 8: Chobe National Park, Upper Zambezi River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge

Activity note: The transfer from Imbabala to Chobe National Park takes approximately 30-45 minutes, including the border crossing.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morn...

Day 9: Hwange National Park, Elephant Behavior

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Ivory Lodge

Activity note: Total transfer time to Hwange National Park is 3.5 hours, done in an enclosed minibus.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: This morning, we will head south to Hwange...

Day 10: Game Drives, Importance of Termites, Hwange National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Ivory Lodge

Breakfast: Coffee/tea and light breakfast items, such as cold cereal and rusks, will be served before the game drive.

Morning: On an early morning game drive, we will search for the varied wil...

Day 11: Game Drives, Lion Social Structure & Behavior, Hwange National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Ivory Lodge

Breakfast: Light breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: On our morning game drive, we will search for wildlife that may have eluded us thus far. Then, we will return to camp for a hearty mid-day mea...

Day 12: Return to Victoria Falls, Free Time

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: A'Zambezi River Lodge

Activity note: Transfer time to Victoria Falls is 2.5 hours in an enclosed minibus.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will embark on our last early morning game driv...

Day 13: Local Village, Sunset Boat Ride on the Zambezi, Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: A'Zambezi River Lodge

Breakfast: Taken at the lodge, breakfast will consist of an expansive buffet with many cereal, fruit, bread, and cold meat and cheese options, with hot items including eggs, sausage and bac...

Day 14: Program Concludes

Meals: Breakfast

In Flight

Activity note: Flight time is 1 hour 40 minutes.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Following breakfast, a noted local historian will discuss the story of Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone, who first visited ...

Day 15: In Transit From Program

In Flight

Morning: Early morning arrivals in North America.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,999
Price per day$400
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

  • Select Custom Arrangements to get to and from Road Scholar-provided airfare for your program

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Courtyard Hotel Eastgate: 2 nights  Johannesburg

The Courtyard Hotel, a beautifully appointed, Tuscan-themed hotel, is located only 15 minutes from the Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport in a very secure area. The hotel overlooks a landscaped greenbelt with walking path. The Eastgate Shopping Centre is nearby, hosting many shops and restaurants. There is a complimentary shuttle to the shopping center offered between 7:00pm to 10:00pm each evening.

 

Thorntree River Lodge: 2 nights  Livingstone

Thorntree River Lodge is a wonderfully situated lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River. The newly built fabric-covered chalets, hidden in the bush, are raised on elevated structures to enhance guests' connection with their surroundings. With a refreshing modern look and soft, traditional elements, Thorntree provides a balanced, relaxing atmosphere. The wide sweeping panorama of the river lends a special magic to the location. Thorntree's riverside location and its unique position within the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park allow for a wide choice of activities, including sunset cruises, game-drives, cultural tours, fishing, and visit to Victoria Falls. The esteemed national park is a sanctuary for white rhino as well as a haven for many other species including giraffe, sable, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and a wide variety of birds.

 

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge: 3 nights  Imbabala Private Concession

The Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge is a beautiful thatched lodge resting by the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. Due to its border with the Chobe Forest Reserve, Imbabala is a regular stop for elephant herds. The lodge features a lounge, dining room, and bar area but meals are often served outside by a hospitable staff. Rooms are stone and thatch mini-lodges with breathtaking views of the Zambezi River and a watering hole where animals often congregate. During the day guests can take advantage of morning and afternoon game drives, river safaris, walking safaris, fishing safaris, and more. Imbabala has an excellent location for those exploring Southern Africa: the lodge is approximately 30 minutes to Chobe National Park (Botswana), 90 minutes to Livingstone (Zambia) Airport, and 60 minutes to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) Airport.

 

Ivory Lodge: 3 nights  Hwange National Park

With a 6,000 acre conservation parcel of Hwange National Park, visitors at Ivory Lodge enjoy unparalleled access to wildlife. A large watering hole on-site attracts the famed Presidential elephants for daily drinks. These elephants symbolize Zimbabwe’s commitment to elephant protection. During your game drives and foot safaris at Ivory Lodge witness a diverse range of habitat environments (open savannah, forest, semi-desert) that invites a mix of buffalo, zebra, impala, elephant, giraffe, and sable.

 

A'Zambezi River Lodge: 2 nights  Victoria Falls

Located in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the A’Zambezi River Lodge is the only hotel in Victoria Falls with a river frontage and jetty site. The imaginative architecture, with its sweeping curve of grass thatch, blends well with the lush green lawns. A'Zambezi is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in the quiet ambience of the African wildlife and nature, while enjoying renowned service. The majority of the rooms have balconies facing the river and swimming pool whilst the rest face the national park and the gardens.

Guides
Helen Malisan Helen Malisan’s passion for exploration began in high school when she visited Italy, her ancestral country. After completing her final year at school, she immediately joined South African Airways where she worked for 10 years. In 1993, her love for nature and South Africa inspired her to complete the necessary courses to become a wilderness excursion leader, spurring her career as a safari leader in Namibia and Zambia. Helen says her interest in people, nature and animals inspires her work.
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Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 12 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-13938RJ

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