The Best of Kenya & Tanzania (2012)

Following our final adventures in Nairobi (please refer to Day 18 of the main trip), we’ll share dinner at a local restaurant, then return to our hotel to relax for the evening.

This morning we catch an early flight to Johannesburg, arriving mid-morning and will be transferred to our hotel in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure.

Or, join us for an optional tour of Soweto. It’s said that the road through Africa begins in Soweto and, as the site of some of the country’s major confrontations in pursuit of freedom, Soweto stands as a cultural and historic icon of the continent. It’s sure to be an eye-opening visit, one that just might challenge your pre-conceptions of the township. You’ll find all classes of citizenry here, from the very wealthy to the very poor. You’ll drive past the “taxi rank,” where taxis wait to take passengers as near as Johannesburg or as far as Cape Town; the home of Nelson Mandela (now a museum); and the famous Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world that two Nobel Peace Prize winners call home.

We’ll make stops at the Regina Mundi (Queen of the World), the Catholic Church that served as sanctuary for many during the Uprising, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a small museum that chronicles the June 1976 protest against Apartheid. Your local guide, who is a Soweto resident, will insure that you spend some time interacting with the township residents.

We spend the night in Johannesburg, with dinner included at our hotel.

This morning, we head for the Johannesburg airport, where we are met and escorted to our flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival, your local guide meets you and transfers with you to your hotel.

After a late lunch, we enjoy an orientation presentation. Then enjoy a guided tour of the falls, exploring walking trails and lookout points—each with different views. There are five main cataracts, including the most dramatic, the Main Falls and Devil’s Cataract. The flora around the falls is naturally profuse: You’ll see ebony, fig trees, lianas, and many flowering species. The rain forest surrounding the falls is particularly lush, fed by Victoria’s perpetual spray. It’s a good idea to wrap items susceptible to dampness in plastic—your camera equipment, cash, binoculars, etc. Prepare to get wet!

During your stay in Victoria Falls, you’ll have the opportunity to explore one of the great natural wonders of the world. Following your tour of the falls, the days are free to pursue optional activities. Board a gentle giant for an elephant ride, cruise the Zambezi River or opt for a “Flight of the Angels” over the falls. You can enjoy a number of activities knowing that you are in the hands of the most trusted operator in Victoria Falls.

We have included a description of the most popular optional activities. Due to the high demand for certain activities and to allow you to properly plan your time in Victoria Falls, we encourage you to preview the material below prior to your arrival. A local representative will meet with you to answer questions and make reservations on your behalf. Payment can be made directly to the local representative in cash (U.S. dollars) or with a Visa credit card.

Tonight, we’ll have dinner at our lodge.

Please note: For those who may be interested in white-water rafting or other high adrenaline activities, please inquire with the local representative.

This morning, enjoy an orientation walk of the village with your Trip Leader. If you’re feeling adventurous later today, you might wish to embark on your choice of optional activities. You will be briefed in Victoria Falls on the exact choices and their details.

Tonight we have dinner at our lodge.

After breakfast your day is free. The local staff at the lodge can give you many ideas for activities to pursue on your own, or you can simply enjoy relaxing in the spectacular environment of the falls.

Or, enjoy a full-day optional tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana. You’ll see animals you won’t see in east Africa, like the sable antelope, puku, incredible bird life, and the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. The tour includes a game-viewing drive, lunch, a game viewing boat ride on the Chobe River and a chance to see the shores of Namibia on the far side of the river.

Chobe Park is renowned for its variety of wildlife and particularly the large herds of elephant that can often be seen, mainly in the high season. The safaris begin with a road transfer across the border at Kazangula (approximately 90 minutes from Victoria Falls). Your day may include a boat/pontoon cruise (seating 15 people) and a game-viewing drive in an open 4x4 vehicle that usually lasts four hours. Knowledgeable and helpful guides conduct the trips and lunch is at Chobe Marina Lodge. Drinks on the safari are included during your activities. Your day begins early from Victoria Falls, and you’ll return in the early evening depending on the time of year.

After breakfast, we visit a local village for a taste of African culture. Monde Village is an authentic village in the nearby communal area, and you are invited into homes and fields to see how daily chores are carried out. You’ll also visit with children at the nearby school (when in session). In the late afternoon, we take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Hippo and crocodile are common in the river, and a variety of African game animals come to the river’s edge to drink. Sunsets on the Zambezi are spectacular. After the cruise, we have dinner at our lodge.

The morning is free for further shopping or relaxation. You board a flight back to Johannesburg around lunchtime, and connect there to your overnight flight to the United States. You will arrive home the next day.