Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park

Upon arrival in Johannesburg from Hoedspruit, our Group Leader from Program 22444, The Best of South Africa, will accompany us from the airport to the hotel for the overnight stay. We will have the opportunity to relax and freshen up before dinner. Please be aware that indicated times are approximate and that program activities and schedules could change due to local circumstances such as weather, traffic conditions, etc. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation to First Location.” Dinner

At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet dinner including a starter and entrée with side dish; a welcome drink, bottled water and coffee/tea will be provided, with other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Note: For entry into Zimbabwe, visas need to be purchased upon arrival to the Victoria Falls airport. US citizens need to obtain a double-entry visa for US$45 per person; Canadian citizens must obtain a single-entry visa for US$75 per person, as Zimbabwe does not offer a double-entry visa option for Canadians. For Canadians, a second single-entry visa will need to be purchased for our return to Zimbabwe on Day 3.

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, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Omelettes, eggs and waffles are cooked on demand. Fruit juices, coffee, tea, milk and water provided.

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and transfer via motorcoach to the Johannesburg O.R. Tambo airport to board our flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Our Group Leader for program 22444, The Best of South Africa, will see us off on the flight before saying goodbye.

In flight.

Arrive Victoria Falls where we will clear customs and immigration; please be advised that long lines at Victoria Falls airport can sometimes cause delays while obtaining a visa. Our Group Leader for the extension program will meet us at the airport, after immigration and baggage claim, and then we will transfer directly to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, where we will learn how the Trust’s local conservation efforts are making a major impact in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). The Trust has four main areas of operation: Rescue and Rehabilitation; Wildlife Research; Wildlife Disease and Forensics Laboratory; and Community Outreach. In the company of a local expert, our visit will incorporate an overview of the Trust and its facilities, including the wildlife rehabilitation area. Afterward, we will transfer to the lodge, where we check-in and settle into our rooms before the Group Leader gives an overview on Zimbabwe’s history, cultures and wildlife.

At a nearby restaurant in Victoria Falls, we will have a buffet meal featuring traditional Zimbabwean dishes, plus water, tea and coffee. As we interact with our hosts, we’ll learn about local ingredients and cooking traditions in this part of Zimbabwe. Other beverages are available for purchase.

At leisure.

Breakfast at the lodge will be a buffet consisting of cold cereals, fresh fruits, toast and hot items cooked to order; fresh juices, coffee and tea provided.

This morning we will be transferred by minibus across the border to Chobe National Park, Botswana for a full-day field trip. After crossing the Botswana border, we will embark in open-air safari vehicles on a game drive within the park accompanied by a local safari expert. 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. Chobe is one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems and greatest wildlife refuges.

Taken at one of the local lodges on the banks of the Chobe River, we will enjoy an expansive buffet featuring many salad, entree and dessert options, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Following lunch, we will head out on a game-viewing boat ride on the Chobe River with a local safari expert. We will explore the Chobe River by motorboat where we may come face to face with the elephant, buffalo and other wildlife that gather on the banks of the river to drink and bathe. We will also gain an intimate view of the unique environment, viewing numerous birds including sacred ibis, blue heron, goliath heron, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks and little egrets. Upon the conclusion of our boat safari, we will be transferred by minibus back across the border into Zimbabwe and driven back to the lodge.

Our dinner will be taken in the lodge’s restaurant and consist of a 3-course, set menu meal including bottled water, coffee, tea; additional beverages available for purchase.

At leisure.

Breakfast at the elephant encounter site will be a plated, full English breakfast consisting of eggs cooked to order, grilled bacon, grilled tomato, baked beans, sausage and toast. Fruit juices, tea, coffee and water will be included.

We will have an early start for the morning’s field trip. By minibus, we will be driven to a nearby location for our elephant interaction. Here, we will have an opportunity to learn more about the past, present and future of elephant conservation from local experts. We will also gain insight into these gentle giants through up close, personal time with the elephants that reside here. In the company of our local experts, we will be escorted on a walk alongside the elephants through the pristine bush and valley of the Masuwe River. Upon conclusion of the encounter, we will enjoy breakfast on site. Then, we will re-board our minibus for a visit to a community project in Victoria Falls; visits to these projects are done on a non-commercialized, authentic and interactive basis with a view to a genuine and meaningful interaction. In the late morning, we will be driven back to the hotel for a few hours of free time before the afternoon activities.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and will be on your own to enjoy what you like.

In the afternoon, we will regroup at the lodge and hear a presentation by a local historian, given over afternoon tea, on David Livingstone's "discovery" of the Falls. Afterward, we will be transferred by minibus to the Victoria Falls park entrance, where our Group Leader will lead us 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. Following our visit, we will be transferred back to the lodge with time to freshen up before dinner.

Farewell dinner at the lodge.

At leisure.

Lodge buffet.

We will have time to pack before being transferred by minibus to the Victoria Falls airport to board our flight to Johannesburg. Our Group Leader will see us off at the airport before saying goodbye.

In flight.

Our flight arrives mid-afternoon in Johannesburg, where we then connect to our international flights home or ongoing travel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Early morning arrivals in North America.