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
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Optional Tours
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Robson Zimbudzi
Tinashe Nyandoro
Insider Tips
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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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Meet our expert, resident Trip Leaders

Program Director

Tinashe Nyandoro

With OAT since 2005

99% of travelers rated their experience with Tinashe excellent

"Tinashe is EXCELLENT! He not only has wonderful people skills, but he’s also quite skilled at spotting and identifying wildlife. He leads thoughtful and energetic discussions, attends to details promptly, and was always accessible. In short, Tinashe is amazing."

–Susan & Donald McClure, 7-time travelers, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Born in: Murewa, Zimbabwe
Resides in: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Languages: English, Shona, Zulu, Ndebele
Hobbies & Interests: Fishing, birding, and astronomy

Get to know Tinashe:

Growing up, I would follow the same routine most days, which began by leaving for school at 5am and coming back home at noon. I’d then take our cattle out to graze for the rest of the day, returning home after sunset, where I’d study by candlelight before bed. What made me what I am today was the strong will to change my life and education.

I was introduced to wildlife by my uncle, who was a game tracker. I used to look forward to having him at home so he could tell me about his adventures from his safaris. He always had something new to say, whether it was a story about his travelers and where they had visited, or what animals they saw. My parents wanted me to become an accountant, but my decision to become a guide was made purely from my passion for wildlife.

I love so much about Zimbabwe, but most of all, its natural history, landscapes, wildlife, and monuments. Furthermore, it’s the people of Zimbabwe that make this country so great. Despite the problems they’ve faced, they’re incredibly peaceful and love hosting visitors.

Tinashe’s Insider Tips:
Mama Africa Eating House photo

Unique Food & Drink:
Mama Africa Eating House (Victoria Falls Road) in Victoria Falls is a nice place to eat traditional African food and enjoy African music. What makes this place outstanding is the fact that you can experience our traditional township atmosphere. I suggest trying the sadza (a cooked cornmeal dish that resembles porridge) with muriwo (relish), or any of the fish dishes. The restaurant is open from 6pm to 10pm, and prices are affordable.

photo of lions

Native Wilderness & Wildlife:
If you want to know the best time to visit Zimbabwe, consider traveling here during the summer months. It's a great time of the year because this is when large numbers of babies are being born. Hwange National Park is one of the top places to spot this amazing sight because of its open plains, but be aware that there tends to be a lot of rain during this time of the year.