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The wonders of South Africa exceed the imagination. The highlights of Cape Town range from flat-topped Table Mountain and historic Robben Island to Cape Peninsula National Park. In Zambia, witness one of the world's greatest spectacles—the Zambezi River's majestic Victoria Falls, the "smoke that thunders." In Johannesburg, the City of Gold, experience the sense of community that unites Soweto and visit the stirring Apartheid Museum. Along South Africa's northeast border, world-renowned Kruger National Park showcases abundant bushveld landscapes and exotic wildlife. Thrill to sightings of the "Big Five" animals amid the exclusive environs of the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Indulge your cultural curiosity and ignite your spirit of adventure.

 

Day 1: Depart your gateway city for Cape Town, South Africa.

Day 2: Arrive at the Cape Town Airport and transfer by deluxe motorcoach to the Mount Nelson Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, gather with fellow travelers and attend a welcome reception at the hotel.

Day 3: Begin your exploration of Cape Town with a tour of the city's highlights and an ascent of Table Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views. For nearly 400 years, isolated Robben Island was a place of exile. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise to the island and tour the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Participate in a private discussion with a former Robben Island prisoner, then see the island's lime quarry and a local village.

Day 4: Travel by motorcoach to Cape Peninsula National Park. Ascend Cape Point by funicular and marvel at the panoramic views. Travel to Boulders Beach and see the African Penguin colony, then continue to the beautiful and diverse flora at Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Day 5: Journey to Franschhoek, the French Corner of the Cape area. Then stroll through Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's most attractive and best-preserved towns. Afterward, visit two of the area's premier wine estates for tastings at each and a delicious lunch.

Day 6: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Livingstone. Upon arrival, check into the Royal Livingstone Hotel. Enjoy a scenic catamaran sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Day 7: Visit Chobe National Park, the second largest park in Botswana, and see its renowned African elephants. Chobe is also home to one of the most diverse concentrations of game and birds found on the African continent. Marvel at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 8: After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for the flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Day 9: Tour Soweto, where the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's house commemorate two heroes of the struggle against apartheid. Then visit the Apartheid Museum and the internationally acclaimed, award-winning exhibits on life in the townships during the 1970s and '80s.

Day 10: Fly to Hoedspruit Airport near Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, transfer to the Thornybush Game Lodge in the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve. Set out on an afternoon game drive. Begin your quest for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo.

Day 11: During today's drives, try to spot zebras, giraffes, blue wildebeest, eland, bushbuck, and waterbuck.

Day 12: Search for spotted genets, impala, kudu, steenbok, common duiker, and more than 300 bird species during today's drives. This evening, join your fellow travelers at a festive farewell reception at the lodge.

Day 13: Transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for the flight back to Johannesburg, South Africa. There you'll connect to the transatlantic return flight to your gateway city.

Day 14: Arrive at your North American gateway city.

Hamilton College Professor of Government Stephen Orvis will accompany the trip.