South Africa / Zambia/Namibia / Botswana / Zimbabwe
African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife
Program No. 13938RJ
See More Photos
African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife
African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife
1 of 10
Start Your Journey
Program
At a Glance
Duration
15 days
Program Begins
Johannesburg
Program Concludes
Hwange National Park
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
36 (
12B, 2BR, 10L, 12D
)
Activity Level
From
9,299Elephant, 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, Namibia and Zimbabwe, encounter an unimaginable diversity of wildlife and meet the people who have dedicated their lives to its protection.
Best of all, you'll...
- Keep an eye out for wildlife along the biodiverse Chobe River.
- Search for the majestic Presidential Elephant herd in Hwange.
- See Victoria Falls, explore nearby crafts markets and interact with local artisans.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over mixed terrain, including dirt paths, uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces, and small inclines and declines. Standing up to 2 hours per day. Program will require approximately 17 miles of walking over 13 days. Participants should be prepared to navigate uneven stairs with and without handrails and be comfortable getting on and off safari vehicles, minibuses, small boats, and pontoons. Game drives in open-air vehicles can be rough and bumpy, ranging from 1.5 - 4 hours, and boat safaris last from 1.5 - 3 hours; stamina and flexibility are required. Due to extensive use of 4-wheel drive vehicles requiring a large step to get on and off, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
General Notes
If you find this program interesting, you may also like new program "Iconic Africa: Journey Across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Kenya" (#24830). Please refer to the “Travel Information” section on the Road Scholar website, the start/end time listed in your first informational packet or contact the provider if you plan on booking your own flights for correct arrival and departure dates. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. The summer months of November-March are considered the green season in southern Africa; quick rain showers in the afternoon are common, and game viewing may be more difficult due to the lush vegetation and more plentiful water, which causes the wildlife to be more dispersed. Seasonal advantages this time of year: the vegetation is beautiful and green; the flowering plants are in bloom; many animals give birth at this time of year; and there are more bird species in the area due to migratory birds.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Naume Pangidzwa
Naume Pangidzwa received a diploma in travel and tourism. Her first job in the industry was as a camp hostess in one of the safari camps in Hwange National Park, where she was inspired by the safari guides to pursue her guiding license. Naume attained her Zimbabwean guiding license in 2010 and is proud to be one of the few female group leaders in Zimbabwe! Naume lives in Victoria Falls with her husband, children, and grandchild, and enjoys star gazing and jogging.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
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.
Lisa Reed
Lisa Reed was born in Zimbabwe, spent her school years in South Africa, and now lives in Botswana. She has worked or visited most Southern and East African safari destinations, and has managed safari camps on her own and with others since being in Botswana. Lisa has a natural affinity with adults and children, and enjoys passing on her years of experience and knowledge to the next generation. She has been leading safaris for Road Scholar for more than 15 years.
Honest Siyawareva
Growing up, Honest Siyawareva spent much of his life in close proximity to nature, thanks to his family’s passion. Fulfilling his family legacy — his father and uncle were both professional nature leaders — in 2014, Honest qualified as a professional nature leader in Zimbabwe, the only person to pass the extremely onerous examinations that year. Working for Wilderness Safaris in Zimbabwe, he has split his time between camps in Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park.
Khule Ndlovu
Mkhulekelwa Ndlovu — Khule for short — was born in Matebeleland, Zimbabwe, in 1971 and grew up in a small village as the youngest of nine children. After completing his primary and secondary education, he worked for a vet who took him to game farms where he met rangers and safari guides who inspired him. Khule qualified for Zimbabwe’s prestigious Professional Guide designation in 2001 and has never looked back. He currently resides in Victoria Falls with his family. Khule loves nature and guiding is his passion.
Naume Pangidzwa
Naume Pangidzwa received a diploma in travel and tourism. Her first job in the industry was as a camp hostess in one of the safari camps in Hwange National Park, where she was inspired by the safari guides to pursue her guiding license. Naume attained her Zimbabwean guiding license in 2010 and is proud to be one of the few female group leaders in Zimbabwe! Naume lives in Victoria Falls with her husband, children, and grandchild, and enjoys star gazing and jogging.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 2 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over mixed terrain, including dirt paths, uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces, and small inclines and declines. Standing up to 2 hours per day. Program will require approximately 17 miles of walking over 13 days. Participants should be prepared to navigate uneven stairs with and without handrails and be comfortable getting on and off safari vehicles, minibuses, small boats, and pontoons. Game drives in open-air vehicles can be rough and bumpy, ranging from 1.5 - 4 hours, and boat safaris last from 1.5 - 3 hours; stamina and flexibility are required. Due to extensive use of 4-wheel drive vehicles requiring a large step to get on and off, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Helpful Links
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
1 of 4