Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls | Zambia: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park | South Africa: Kruger National Park, Stellenbosch, Cape Town
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed
Journey to Zimbabwe to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Victoria Falls, the largest curtain of water in the world, along with the rare opportunity to track endangered white rhinos by foot. Then, discover the nation of South Africa with exciting game-viewing drives in Kruger National Park, home to all of Africa’s legendary “Big Five” safari animals, followed by the lush vineyards of Stellenbosch in the heart of South Africa’s wine country and Cape Town.
16 days starting from $7,295
including international airfare from New York
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Mar-Dec
Activity Level: Moderate
2025 & 2026 DEPARTURES AVAILABLE
See all departure dates at www.oattravel.com/saz2025pricing
IT'S INCLUDED
- 14 nights accommodation
- International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
- All land transportation and 3 internal flights
- 32 meals—14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 8 dinners, including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner
- 22 small group activities, including game-viewing drives, hikes, museum visits, plus park fees
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader and driver-guides
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, lodge and camp staff, driver-guides, and luggage porters
- Complimentary O.A.T. water bottle
- 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next adventure
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S.
Depart for your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
DAY 2 • Johannesburg, South Africa
Upon arrival this evening, meet your fellow travelers, including those who took the optional pre-trip extension, South Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Reserve .
Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, this morning. Upon arrival this afternoon, enjoy a Welcome Briefing followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B,L,D | Shearwater’s Explorers Village or similar
DAY 4 • Explore Victoria Falls • Optional tours • Sunset boat cruise
We’ll enjoy a walking tour of Victoria Falls—the largest curtain of water in the world and one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders. After lunch at a restaurant overlooking the falls, enjoy a free afternoon. Or you can join one of three optional tours, including a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls.
Meals: B,L | Shearwater’s Explorers Village or similar
DAY 5 • A Day in the Life of Chidobe Village • Grand Circle Foundation visit: Chidobe Primary School • Evening performance at Ndlovu Theatre
Today we’ll enjoy A Day in the Life of Chidobe, a tribal village near Victoria Falls, where we’ll experience village life and help a local family prepare a traditional dish. Then, we’ll visit the Chidobe Primary School (when in session)—supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation. After dinner this evening at a local restaurant, we’ll walk over to the Ndlovu Theatre, an open-air venue with tiered seating to watch a live performance of Simunye: We Are One.
Meals: B,D | Shearwater’s Explorers Village or similar
DAY 6 • Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia • White rhino tracking excursion on foot • Visit Livingstone's Dambwa Market
This morning, we’ll make a short drive across the border to Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a game-viewing drive, we’ll have the rare opportunity to set off on foot with two local guides to track the endangered Southern White Rhinoceros. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll spend some time in Livingstone’s bustling Dambwa Market, where locals gather to buy and sell fresh produce and a wealth of other items.
Meals: B,L | Shearwater’s Explorers Village or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 6, cross the border to Zambia for a white rhino tracking excursion by foot in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DAY 7 • Fly to Kruger National Park, South Africa • Conversation about conservation efforts with a park ranger
This morning, we’ll fly to Kruger National Park, South Africa’s first and largest national park. After arriving at our lodge, a local ranger will meet us for an enlightening discussion about ongoing conservation efforts in Kruger National Park.
Meals: B,L,D | Buckler’s Africa Lodge or similar
DAY 8 • Kruger National Park • Morning and afternoon game-viewing drives
Kruger National Park is home to all of Africa’s legendary “Big Five” safari animals—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo—and if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to witness them in person today during morning and afternoon game-viewing drives.
Meals: B,L,D | Buckler’s Africa Lodge or similar
DAY 9 • Full-day game-viewing drive in Kruger National Park
Our wildlife discoveries continue with a full day of game-viewing in Kruger National Park. We’ll also stop to enjoy a picnic lunch within the park.
Meals: B,L,D | Buckler’s Africa Lodge or similar
DAY 10 • Fly to Cape Town • Overland to Stellenbosch
We’ll fly to Cape Town this morning, and then transfer to our hotel in Stellenbosch. After a brief orientation walk led by your Trip Experience Leader, the remainder of the day is yours.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Krige or similar
DAY 11 • Stellenbosch vineyards tour
This morning, we’ll visit one of the historic wine estates located in the renowned “Golden Triangle” of Stellenbosch, whose winemaking tradition dates back more than 350 years. We’ll learn about the history of wines produced around Stellenbosch during a tour of the vineyard and wine cellar, followed by a tasting of the wines produced here and lunch.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Krige or similar
DAY 12 • Visit Pniel village • Home-Hosted Lunch
On our way to Pniel, we’ll make a brief stop at the Victor Verster Maximum Security Prison (now called the Groot Drakenstein Correctional Centre) to see the bronze statue of Nelson Mandela with his fist raised in the wellrecognized symbol of defiance. Mandela served the last 14 months of his 27 years in prison at Victor Verster and walked through its gates as a free man on February 11, 1990. Then, we’ll spend some time in Pniel, a quaint farming village surrounded by mountains and vineyards, where we’ll meet some local families and enjoy a Home-Hosted Lunch.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Krige or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 12, enjoy a Home-Hosted Lunch with local families in Pniel, a quaint farming village in the heart of South Africa’s wine region
DAY 13 • Overland to Cape Town • Table Mountain & Cape Town tour • Conversation about Nelson Mandela
We’ll drive to Cape Town this morning and then set off on a city tour of the bustling South Africa capital. First, we’ll travel by cable car up to Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most dramatic natural landmarks. Then, we’ll spend some time at the picturesque Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This afternoon, we’ll meet with one of the former wardens at Robben Island who will enlighten us on what life was like for Nelson Mandela during the 18 years he spent at the infamous island prison.
Meals: B,D | Signature Lux Hotel by Onomo Waterfront or similar
DAY 14 • Explore Cape Peninsula
Travel along the Garden Route to Knysna, with a stop at Cape Recife Nature Reserve to visit a penguin rehabilitation center.
Meals: B,L | Signature Lux Hotel by Onomo Waterfront or similar
DAY 15 • Cape Town • Controversial Topic: District 6 and the legacy of apartheid • Visit Kirstenbosch Gardens
This morning we’ll learn about the Controversial Topic of District Six and the legacy of the South African apartheid regime. District Six had been a vibrant, mixed-race community until 1966, when it was declared “white” and some 66,000 nonwhites were forcibly removed and their homes were bulldozed. Then, we’ll visit the National Botanical Gardens of Kirstenbosch, a showcase of nearly 4,000 varieties of indigenous flowers and plants. This evening, we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Cape Town.
Meals: B,D | Signature Lux Hotel by Onomo Waterfront or similar
DAY 16 • Return to U.S.
Head to the airport for your return flights to the U.S. or to begin your post-trip extension to Namibia: The Skeleton Coast & Sossusvlei.
Meals: B
For departure dates & prices, visit www.oattravel.com/saz2025pricing
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
South Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Reserve
PRE-TRIP: 4 nights from $1,395
Begin your African discoveries searching for the legendary “Big Five”—Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard—and your evenings sleeping under the thatched roof of your comfortable tented chalet.
IT’S INCLUDED
- 4 nights accommodation
- 10 meals—4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners
- 8 game-viewing activities
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/saz-entabeni-2025
Namibia: The Skeleton Coast & Sossusvlei
POST-TRIP: 7 nights from $3,995
Discover the wonders of Namibia, including the mist-shrouded shores of the Skeleton Coast; the haunting beauty of the Namib Desert, home to the highest sand dunes in the world; the Bavarian charm of Windhoek; and more.
IT’S INCLUDED
- Airfare from Cape Town to Walvis Bay and Windhoek to Johannesburg
- 7 nights accommodation
- 18 meals—7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
- 10 small group activities
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/saz-namibia-2025
ARRIVE EARLY
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip. Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer.
• Arrive early in Johannesburg before your Entabeni pre-trip extension or before your main adventure from $130 per room, per night