Afternoon: Fly from Hoedspruit, South Africa to Johannesburg at the end of main program #19398, South Africa Wildlife Safari and the Garden Route. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you are met and transferred to the Courtyard Hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy the complimentary beverages and snacks during happy hour in the main lounge of the hotel. As a precursor to tomorrow, your group leader gives an overview on Zimbabwe’s history, cultures, wildlife, etc.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: Courtyard Hotel Eastgate

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast you are transferred back to the Johannesburg airport to board your commercial flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Lunch: On board the flight.

Afternoon: Arrive Victoria Falls where you clear Customs and are met and transferred approximately 30 minutes to the Victoria Falls Hotel. After settling into your room, you transfer to Mpisi Village, a nearby traditional village. Here you meet the headman, Mr. Mpisi (mpisi means "hyena" in the local language), a highly respected chief and traditional healer as well as an authority on the history of his people, the Matabele. Mr. Mpisi discusses with you the fascinating history of this proud nation from their origins in Zululand, South Africa to present day Zimbabwe. This fascinating story is related in the setting of Mr. Mpisi's traditional home; after the discussion you may explore this setting that has remained largely unchanged for generations.

Dinner: At one of the hotel's restaurants.

Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning you are transferred across the border to Chobe National Park, Botswana for a full-day excursion. After crossing the Botswana border, you are taken directly to the river to board your motorboat for a game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Immerse yourself in the unique environment viewing numerous birds including sacred ibis, blue heron, goliath heron, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks and little egrets; plentiful wildlife is also visible as they come to drink from the river. Your group leader gives a lecture on the immense birdlife in the area. Tea/coffee and light snacks are served on the boat.

Lunch: At one of the local lodges, located on the banks of the Chobe River.

Afternoon: Following lunch, you take a game drive in open-air, 4x4 vehicles within Chobe National Park, moving through the plains searching for predators and other game. Chobe National Park remains one of Africa’s prime game-viewing areas. Here one finds all of the “Big Five”, except for rhino. This is elephant country, home to the largest population of elephants in the world…many of these great grey giants can be seen at this time of year. (Note that seasonality makes a big difference in how much game you will see. If it’s dry you will see larger herds; if it has recently rained the animals will be more dispersed.) The Park forms part of Botswana’s northern-most border and is a contrast of desert aridity and flood plains. The Chobe region is best known for its vast magnificent river and floodplains filled with grazing herds of big game. Buffalo, sable, lion, leopard, hippo, hyena, and many species of antelope find safety in this huge national park. This is one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems and greatest wildlife refuges. Once the game drive is done, you are transferred back across the border into Zimbabwe and driven back to your hotel.

Dinner: At one of the hotel's restaurants.

Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning you have free time to explore Victoria Falls on your own or participate in one of the many optional activities offered in the area.

Lunch: On your own account to explore local fare.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, you hear a presentation on David Livingstone's "discovery" of the Falls by a noted local historian, given over tea at the hotel. Afterward, he leads you on a walk to the magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls is where the Zambezi River opens out into an extravaganza of roaring, spray-tumbled water, known to the locals as "Mosi oa Tunya" (the smoke that thunders). Few sights are as awe-inspiring as this when the ground rumbles with the forces of the water.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, you have time to pack before you are transferred to the Victoria Falls airport to board your commercial flight to Johannesburg.

Afternoon: Arrive Johannesburg where you connect to your international flight home or ongoing travel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morning: Early morning arrivals back in the U.S.