Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari (2012)

Chobe • Kafue • Okavango Delta • Hwange • Victoria Falls
  • 16 days
  • from only:
  • $4195
  • $263 per day
    Land Tour Only
  • 17 days
  • from only:
  • $5945
  • $350 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
IN THIS SECTION:
Detailed Itinerary
Video: Travelers' experiences of Ultimate Africa
Special Tented Camp Departures
NEW-Private Departures
Is this Adventure Right for You?
It's Included
Unique Accommodations
Extend Your Adventure
South Africa: Kruger National Park
Cape Town & The Cape of Good Hope
Optional Tours
Local Team & Insider Tips
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Your Travel Handbook
Air information
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Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your adventure, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

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Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two adventures to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the OAT adventure that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your adventure
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your adventure with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of OAT adventures to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando

22hrs

Dallas, Denver

23hrs

Minneapolis, Newark, New York (JFK), Philadelphia

21hrs

Washington, DC (Dulles)

18hrs

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

25hrs

Portland, OR, Phoenix

24hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Johannesburg, South Africa. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

REFER and EARN

Earn increasing rewards as a Vacation Ambassador

REFER and EARN as a Vacation Ambassador with
the BEST referral program in the industry

Inspiring new travelers to join the OAT family is a rewarding experience—both for you and your new travelers.

Share your love of travel with others and, for each referral who embarks on an OAT trip, you will earn $100 in CASH or credit. With your 4th referral departing on a 2012 departure, your reward increases to $200 in CASH or credit per person. And once you refer 8 travelers departing in either 2012 or 2013, you'll earn a FREE trip valued up to $4,500 per household—which will bring the total value of your earned rewards up to $5,600.

And you are also passing along savings to your new traveler: We'll instantly deduct $100 off the cost of their reservation when they mention your name and Customer Number while reserving.

To learn more about the benefits of our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-955-1925 or click here.

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Post-Trip: Cape Town & The Cape of Good Hope

4 nights from only $1095
T17225

With Table Mountain as its backdrop, a bevy of bays at its feet, and the lushest foliage this side of paradise, Cape Town arguably occupies one of the most spectacular natural settings on Earth. Here is your chance to revel in it—and to witness the amazing social transformation of the “Rainbow Nation.”

Single Supplement: FREE.

Please note: This extension only available on select departures. Ask your Adventure Specialist for details.

It's Included

  • Roundtrip airfare from Johannesburg to Cape Town
  • Accommodations for 4 nights in Cape Town
  • 6 meals—4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 Home-Hosted Dinner
  • 3 small group activities
  • Services of an expert local driver-guide
  • All transfers

Optional Tours

Townships of Cape Town ($50 per person); Stellenbosch Vineyards ($115 per person)

Day 1
Fly to Cape Town via Johannesburg/Arrive in Cape Town

We fly from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, South Africa, arriving in the late afternoon and then to Cape Town.

We are met at the airport in Cape Town and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2
Cape Town City Tour/Optional Townships tour/Home-Hosted Dinner

After an early breakfast, we depart for our tour of Cape Town's many points of interest. Depending on wind conditions, we will travel by cable car up the face of Table Mountain, one of Cape Town's most dramatic natural landmarks. From the top, we have mesmerizing views of the Atlantic Ocean, the bays, the city below, and the stunning peninsula that meanders south to the Cape of Good Hope. Some 1,400 species of wild flowering plants grow on and around Table Mountain, which is also the home to the unusual rock hyrax (often called dassies), rodent-like creatures whose closest living relative is the elephant! Perhaps you'll see some during your optional walk around the mountaintop.

We will also visit the lovely National Botanical Gardens of Kirstenbosch, a dazzling showcase of nearly 4,000 varieties of indigenous flowers and plants. The garden rests on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, with the forest interspersed with the broad lawns and cultivated pathways of the gardens.

After lunch on your own, you have time to independently explore this lively area—or join us for an optional tour, which takes us to the nearby townships of Langa, Guguletu, and Bonteheuwel. Meet the people who live here, and learn about their rich and fascinating culture from a resident.

Please note: This optional tour must be reserved 45 days before departure for guaranteed availability. For details, call your Adventure Specialist.

This evening, enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner at a local family's residence.

Day 3
Explore Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

Departing after breakfast, we head along the coast, with majestic Table Mountain rising in the distance. We continue further onto the Cape Peninsula itself, along the spectacular coast road, the Atlantic Ocean's crashing surf endlessly splashing the rocks below. Soon we reach the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, with its wild fynbos landscapes, beautiful flowers, elusive bontebok, baboons, and ocean views.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cape Peninsula is not consistently where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Because of shifting currents, that distinction is shared with lesser-known Cape Agulhas, 100 to 200 miles east of the Cape Peninsula. Nevertheless, when you get to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, you'll see Cape Point, the technical "Cape of Good Hope." Rapidly changing climactic conditions and the Indian Ocean currents coming from Cape Agulhas make this a particularly dangerous spot for ships. Your local guide will tell you that more "sightings" of the legendary ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, are reported here than anywhere else in the world. Who knows what you'll spy on the distant horizons as you gaze from the Cape Point viewing platform? We explore some of the fascinating vegetation and more remote corners of this nature reserve. Next, we enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant.

On our return trip to Cape Town, we stop along the False Bay coastline for a chance to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. Passing Simon's Town and Fish Hoek, we arrive back in town in the early evening. You are free tonight to seek out an interesting restaurant for dinner on your own, or ask your local guide for suggestions.
Day 4
Day at leisure in Cape Town/Optional Tour to Stellenbosch Wine Country

Today you are at leisure to explore Cape Town on your own. Or, join us for an exciting optional tour of Stellenbosch Wine Country.

The optional Stellenbosch full-day tour visits the heart of South Africa’s beautiful wine country and the historic area around the town of Stellenbosch. We'll visit various wine estates, tasting and sampling their delicious offerings. The scenery includes rolling hills, farms, and dramatic mountain vistas. This area is also the heart of Cape Dutch culture, and you will see fine examples of traditional architecture while learning about the history of early settlements here.

Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 5
Morning at leisure in Cape Town/Return to U.S.

This morning, simply relax, or take the opportunity to do some last-minute sightseeing on your own. In the late afternoon or early evening, you’ll transfer to the Cape Town Airport for your flight to London, where you’ll connect with your flight to the U.S.