Botswana, South Africa & Zambia

Tour begins: 4:00 PM, The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara. Transfers are included from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport to The Royal Livingstone in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Livingstone, Zambia; the hotel is named for 19th-century missionary and explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, who was the first European to document the region. Settle in at the colonial-style luxury hotel on the Zambezi River in the heart of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where the lounges and shaded verandahs evoke an elegance from a bygone era. Join us this evening for our welcome reception and dinner.

A guided walking safari through a rhino sanctuary provides an opportunity to see the great horned animals in their natural habitat, followed by a luncheon cruise along the Zambezi River for wildlife spotting. Then follow the sound of roaring water on a walking tour to Mosi-oa-Tunya – "The Smoke That Thunders" – which Livingstone named Victoria Falls. The site where the mile-wide Zambezi River plunges powerfully into a chasm more than 350 feet deep, sending billowing clouds of spray skyward like inverted rain, is sure to leave you speechless. 

Travel from Zambia to Botswana this morning, crossing the Zambezi River via the Kazungula Bridge. Once in Botswana, embark on a private motorboat safari on the Chobe River for a unique opportunity to view wildlife drawn to the water. Watch for elephants gathering along the riverbanks, hippos in the shallows, and the remarkable birdlife that thrives in this riverine environment. Enjoy lunch aboard your boat before continuing to Kasane Airport for a flight into the Okavango Delta, one of the world's largest inland delta systems. Settle into Sediba Sa Rona, your lodge in the Khwai region, before heading out on an evening game drive – your introduction to this extraordinary landscape of waterways, grasslands, and woodlands, home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife.

Begin the day with a game drive through the Okavango Delta, exploring the varied landscapes of this remarkable wilderness in search of elephants, antelope, giraffes, and other wildlife. This afternoon, take to the skies aboard a helicopter for a different perspective on the Delta. Your flight reveals its full breadth and beauty, with winding channels, mirrored lagoons, and the contrasts of land and water unfolding below. Later, set out on a mokoro safari, gliding through shallow waterways in a traditional canoe propelled by a local guide using a long pole. Moving quietly among the reeds and papyrus, discover the smaller details of the Delta's ecosystem, from waterbirds and aquatic plants to the changing colors of the afternoon light. Return to Sediba Sa Rona this evening for dinner.

The Okavango Delta comes alive in the early morning, and a game drive from Sediba Sa Rona offers a chance to see its wildlife at one of the most active times of day. Antelope step through dew-damp grass, elephants move toward the river, and birdcalls rise from the reeds. Later, board a small aircraft for a flight deeper into the Okavango Delta, where a mosaic of islands, lagoons, and winding waterways stretches as far as the eye can see. Your destination is Mbamba Camp, set in the heart of this remarkable wetland wilderness, with opportunities to explore both its waterways and surrounding landscapes. This afternoon, head out on a game drive, searching for wildlife across the Delta's varied terrain, from open grasslands to wooded areas. Return to camp as evening approaches, with dinner at Mbamba Camp and the sounds of the African bush all around.

The Okavango Delta is a landscape shaped by water, and the changing seasons offer different ways to experience its extraordinary wildlife and natural beauty. Depending on water levels, your morning safari may take you by motorboat through the Delta's waterways, navigating narrow channels edged with papyrus and water lilies, where reflections are so clear it's easy to lose track of what's water and what's sky. Watch for elephants feeding along the banks, hippos surfacing in the shallows, and kingfishers darting low across the water. Alternatively, explore by safari vehicle, following tracks through grasslands and wooded areas, with a visit to a nearby village offering a glimpse of daily life along the Delta's edge. After lunch, continue exploring by land on an afternoon game drive, searching for wildlife across this remarkable mosaic of wetlands and open plains. Return to Mbamba Camp as dusk settles over the lagoons, gathering this evening for a traditional boma dinner beneath the stars – a fireside evening of grilled specialties, stories, and the sounds of the Delta after dark.

Fly from Okavango to Makgadikgadi Pans, the salt plains at the edge of the Kalahari Desert, and arrive at Camp Kalahari. A parched wasteland most of the year, seasonally the plains come alive with water and grass, drawing spectacular herds of wildebeest and zebra, as well as springboks, vultures, eagles, flamingoes, and hyenas. From your deluxe tented camp, venture out on a walking safari with the local San Bushmen, learning how they use their legendary hunting and survival skills in this usually inhospitable environment. Learn how scorpions and roots are used for medicinal purposes as well as hydration in the desert. This evening, join us for a special sundowner overlooking the Pans complimented by insights from a guide providing an introduction and insight into the geography of the area. Please note: Camp Kalahari is a classic, traditional safari camp where air conditioning, Internet and cell phone service are not available; illumination is provided by gas lanterns, and showers are heated by solar power. While there are no electrical outlets in the tents, a charging station is available in the main reception area.

"Meerkat" is Dutch for "lake cat," which seems odd, since the meerkat is not a cat and it lives in a desert. But you'll find the name somehow suits these hyperactive, charming creatures as you encounter them on their daily routine, digging for termites, frolicking, and standing at attention, forever on the lookout for predators. The meerkat families you'll meet today have no fear of humans; in fact, they've been known to climb on visitors' heads for a better vantage point – one of many potential photo opportunities on your journey through Botswana and South Africa. Enjoy some free time at camp in the afternoon before heading out across the vast salt pans on a guided ATV excursion, traveling over the open terrain of this extraordinary landscape. As the sun begins to set, take in the sweeping views and changing colors of the pans before gathering for a special dinner outdoors, with grilled meats and salads served around a campfire beneath the African sky.

Fly today from the Makgadikgadi airstrip to Maun, then on to Cape Town, South Africa, where you'll spend three nights at the One&Only Cape Town. Your aptly-named hotel is one of a kind, an urban oasis designed around a series of artificial islands, offering contemporary glamour with an African accent and stunning views of Table Mountain and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where the evening is free to spend as you please. 

Cape Town nestles in a setting of spectacular natural beauty, between the crashing tides of an azure sea and towering Table Mountain. But its real fascination is in its contrasts – modern towers beside ornate colonial architecture, and the mix of cultures (Dutch, French, English, African, Afrikaans, Malaysian, Indian and more) that blend in the vast enclave known as the City Bowl. Visit the Cape Malay quarter (also known as Bo-Kaap), a colorful neighborhood of cobbled streets, spice shops, and brightly painted houses; the original residents were slaves from Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia, and their legacy thrives in Bo-Kaap's Muslim culture, artisan skills, and spiced cuisine. Visit the District Six Museum, chronicling the effects of apartheid and forced removals in Cape Town's District Six. Weather permitting, your sightseeing also includes a visit to Table Mountain for sweeping views over the city and coastline. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you please; return to your hotel, or perhaps explore the maritime heritage of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a promenade of shops, tall ships and historical buildings along the working harbor. Join us this evening at a private home for a traditional braai (barbecue) under a stunning Cape Town sunset.

This morning, arrive at Cape Point Nature Reserve – home to antelope, zebra, ostrich, baboons, and breathtaking seascapes. A funicular carries you up to the Old Lighthouse at Cape Point, where sweeping views take in the dramatic coastline and the waters below. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope, once known as the "Cape of Storms" – a name given by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, whose voyage around southern Africa opened a new sea route to the East. Following lunch overlooking False Bay, set sail for an eco-tour to Seal Island, a rocky outcrop that is home to thousands of Cape fur seals and other marine wildlife; great white sharks may also be found in the surrounding waters. Join us this evening for a farewell reception followed by dinner in the hotel's signature restaurant.

Tour ends: Cape Town. Fly home anytime. Transfers to Cape Town International Airport from One&Only Cape Town are included. Allow at least 3 hours for flight check-in.