African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife

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Overview
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?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
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
Itinerary

In Flight
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
In Flight
Morning: Early morning arrivals in North America.
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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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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.
12 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 12 Dinners
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