South Africa and Botswana Explorer

Day 1 - Welcome to Johannesburg
Fondly referred to as Jo’burg, South Africa’s second largest metropolis is a vibrant city of 3 million residents. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the InterContinental Sandton Towers. This outstanding 5-star hotel is located in the city’s most exclusive residential district with convenient access to the shopping and dining venues of Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, two of Johannesburg’s most exclusive entertainment centers. The balance of the day is yours to relax or explore as you wish.

Day 2 - Soweto Sightseeing
Following breakfast at the hotel, your guide will be waiting to show you the cultural and historic highlights of Jo’burg. Beginning in the northern districts, you’ll get a taste of the city’s vibrant pace in Hillbrow and Braamfontein – home to the important Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship) is next. With more than 2 million inhabitants, this city-within-a-city is home to major points of interest including Freedom Square and Nelson Mandela’s former home. After lunch at Wandie’s Place, a popular restaurant in Soweto, you’ll explore the powerful exhibits of the Apartheid Museum, a leading attraction for local city residents, visitors from other parts of the country and tourists from around the world. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure. Meals B,L

Day 3 - To Livingstone and the Zambezi River
Check out from your hotel after breakfast this morning and transfer to the airport for your included non-stop flight to Livingstone, Zambia. You’ll be met upon arrival and escorted to Toka Leya Lodge, an enchanting property with a privileged riverfront setting within Mosi-oa Tunya National Park - and just upstream from Victoria Falls!

Afternoon sightseeing with your well-versed Trip Leader explores colorful local markets and the village of Simonga – a great opportunity to gain insight into the people and culture of Zambia. As the sun dips toward the horizon, our included river cruise is the perfect way to unwind and experience your surroundings - with the mist from Victoria Falls providing a stunning backdrop! Meals B,L,D

Day 4 - Discover Magnificent Victoria Falls #WHS#
Known by locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke that Thunders”, mighty Victoria Falls is truly a sight to behold! Here the formidable Zambezi River plunges more than 300 feet into a narrow gorge. With a span just over one mile wide, more than 140 million gallons of water, on average, pour over the edge every minute! With your experienced guide leading the way through this National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll enjoy extensive exploration of Victoria Falls. Back at Toka Leya, you’ll also enjoy some leisure time today to take advantage of the fine resort-style amenities and panoramic river setting of your upscale lodge. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - On to the Linyanti Reserve in Botswana
Depart from your Lodge this morning after breakfast and journey into northern Botswana via the Kazungula Border Crossing, where the four nations of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet. Continue to the airport in Kasane for your included flight to the Linyanti Reserve. This renowned 300,000-acre private reserve adjacent to Chobe National Park offers the spectacular setting of the Chobe waterfront – but without the crowds. Enjoy three leisurely nights at the exceptional Duma Tau Camp, a Condé Nast Traveler award-winning property close to the source of the celebrated Savute Channel. Set under a shady grove of mangosteen trees, Duma Tau offers luxury elevated tents overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon. Enjoy the night sounds of Africa from the comfort of your canvas-walled room and shower under the African stars! The camp’s dining room, lounge and swimming pool all offer fantastic views. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - The thrill of Safari
Surrounded by the pristine landscapes of the private Linyanti Reserve, the terrain around your camp varies from floodplains and open dry savannah to forests with sweeping views. This region is home to a huge variety of African wildlife including plains game, ferocious predators and Africa’s largest elephant herds. Setting out with expert trackers and safari guides, you’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in our deluxe open vehicles. Rare sable antelope, lions, cheetahs and wild dogs are also among the animals you are likely to encounter. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Another day at Linyanti (Chobe)
Enjoy a second thrilling day of expertly-guided safari activities and some down time to relax and take advantage of your Camp’s extraordinary setting. Your stay at Duma Tau also includes an excursion to the famed Savute Channel – with lunch in this amazingly scenic setting! Recently flowing for the first time in nearly 30 years, water is now once again reaching the heart of Chobe National Park through the Linyanti Reserve – and as a result, the game viewing is now incredibly diverse and abundant! Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Into the Okavango Delta
After breakfast at Camp, you’ll be escorted to the airstrip for your included light aircraft flight deeper into Botswana. With unforgettable views en route, your destination is the intimate Seba Camp, an exceptional lagoon-facing property in the exclusive Abu Reserve deep in the heart of the famed Okavango Delta.

Seba Camp has 8 graciously-appointed, elevated canvas rooms, each with a private deck and magnificent vistas of the lagoon and a host of wildlife passing by! Winding paths lead to the dining area, bar and a lounge-library with spectacular 360° views. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - Safari by Land and Water
Enjoy a full and unforgettable day of expertly guided safari activities. A seasonal abundance of African game resides in the vicinity of your Camp including giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, lion and large herds of buffalo. Bird enthusiasts are thrilled to learn that more than 380 species can be found in the region. Elephants are also of great importance here at the Abu Reserve with many renowned rescue and rehabilitation projects ongoing. Guests can sometimes even observe these researchers at work, often in surprisingly close proximity to the elephant herds. Depending upon the pace of this conservancy work, safari guides are able to drive visitors to see released elephants rejoining their wild companions.

Completely unique to the Okavango Delta, your stay here at Seba Camp also includes a guided Mokoro safari. Traveling comfortably in one of these traditional dug-out canoes, you’ll explore the pristine waterways of the Delta, winding your way through rustling reeds accompanied by the call of the African fish eagle. Patience and sharp eyes can be rewarded with unforgettable sightings of hippo, elephant, delta impala, hundreds of bird species and beautiful rare flowers. Meals B,L,D

Day 10 - Fly to Cape Town
After breakfast at camp, a light aircraft will transport you to Maun Airport for your included connecting flight onward to Cape Town. Upon arrival in the late afternoon, you’ll be met at baggage claim and escorted to The Taj Cape Town, a 5-star urban boutique resort that blends lavish contemporary décor within two historic buildings in the heart of the city. Cape Town is celebrated for its world class cuisine – accompanied by fine South African wines. Right here at your hotel, you can choose from Mint, an informal all-day grille restaurant; Bombay Brasserie featuring upscale Indian dining; or a stylish seafood and champagne bar. Or venture forth on your own… Convenient to your hotel, you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants featuring a variety of international cuisines in all price ranges. Meals B

Day 11 - Discover the Best of Cape Town
In the company of your knowledgeable and energetic guide, you’ll spend this day exploring the highlights of this beautiful city. Ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain where, on a clear day, you’ll have magnificent views of the city and its beautiful backdrop of water, mountain and sky. Admire the old traditional architecture of the colorful Cape Malay Quarter and walk through the historic Company Gardens – a fresh produce garden for ships and city residents in the 17th century and now home to the South African Museum, National Gallery and St. George’s Cathedral.

After lunch, a 25-minute ferry trip takes you across Table Bay to Robben Island #WHS#. Led by former inmates who now work as guides, you’ll delve into the dramatic and poignant history of this revered national monument. You’ll visit the Prison Block, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned, and see the now infamous Limestone Quarry where political prisoners were once forced to toil. Your tour also includes a drive around the island with its breathtaking views across the Bay. Meals B,L

Day 12 - To the End of the Continent
An unforgettable day unfolds this morning as you leave behind the sophistication of Cape Town. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard through the pleasant coastal suburbs of Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Clifton. From the fishing village of Hout Bay, you’ll take a boat to see the Cape Fur seal colony on Duiker Island. Back on the mainland, the journey along Chapman’s Peak 2,000 feat above the ocean is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world!

As you continue along the rocky shoreline, note the distinctive Fynbos vegetation; this unique eco-system is home to myriad bird species like African black oystercatchers and Cape sugarbirds. As you enter the Cape of Good Hope National Park, your guide will be on the lookout for native species including Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and baboons. From the iconic Cape Point Lighthouse, you’ll have captivating views of False Bay.

After a seaside lunch, visit Boulders Beach for an up-close encounter with African penguins. Your return journey to Cape Town takes you past the charming village of Simonstown and along Boyes Drive with its fine views over Kalk Bay. Meals B,L

Day 13 - A Day in the Cape Winelands
Today’s specially-arranged full day excursion takes you along the Cape’s meandering wine roads to charming villages like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the second-oldest city in the country and highly regarded for its fine examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian, Victorian and Regency architecture.

Relax over lunch in a classic Winelands restaurant and then visit Boschendal Estate, known for its beautifully preserved Cape Dutch buildings and a breathtaking collection of priceless period furniture. It’s a fascinating look into the lives of early settlers in the Cape. Of course, we’ve also arranged for wine tastings at some of the best vineyards in the area. At the end of the day, return to the Taj Cape Town where the balance of your evening is free. Meals B,L

Day 14 - Farewell to South Africa
Your tour ends with an escorted transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/26/2012 - 6/9/2012	$10,499
6/9/2012 - 6/23/2012	$12,299
7/13/2012 - 7/27/2012	$12,299
8/11/2012 - 8/25/2012	$12,299
8/31/2012 - 9/14/2012	$12,299
10/26/2012 - 11/9/2012	$8,499
11/10/2012 - 11/24/2012	$8,499
11/30/2012 - 12/14/2012	$7,699
1/18/2013 - 2/1/2013	$8,999
2/8/2013 - 2/22/2013	$8,999
3/8/2013 - 3/22/2013	$8,499
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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