Southern Africa

Africa is a destination that captures the imagination of travelers like no other. Once considered the “Dark Continent” it remains mysterious and alluring in the travel imagination. Imprint’s Southern Africa includes the best the continent has to offer and the most diverse 12 days that can be had on a tour. We start with thundering Victoria Falls – “The Smoke that Thunders” as it was known by the natives. Then it is amazing game-viewing with 4 days of safari in Zimbabwe/Botswana. Then, with a complete change of scenery we conclude in vibrant Cape Town. We’ll venture to Cape Point, photograph penguins, sample wine, and enjoy Africa’s most engaging urban center. For those who choose to extend to Namibia, we’ll experience another entirely new travel ecosystem as we explore the desert state.

Day 1 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meeting; Zambezi Sunset Cruise; Dinner
After a mid-afternoon get-acquainted meeting we’ll enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. The Zambezi sunset cruise is a traveler’s institution: animals coming to the river for their evening drink (and an open bar for us!), beautiful scenery, hippos lounging alongside, the thundering sounds of the falls approaching, and an amazing African sunset. Then it’s on to dinner together.
Shearwater Explorers Village (4 nights) https://www.shearwatervictoriafalls.com/

Day 2 Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls National Park; Township Visit; Free afternoon
Spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world’s seven natural wonders, is our goal this morning. “So lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” said David Livingstone of the spectacular Mosi-oa-Tunya - ‘The smoke that thunders’. The mighty Zambezi River is divided into a series of braided channels that descend in many separate falls. Together, the Falls are over a mile across and boast the largest curtain of water in the world – over 130 million gallons of water per minute go over the falls and drop more than 300 feet to the roiling gorge below. We’ll be here when photography is at its best. Later this morning we visit Chinotimba Township. The word Chinotimba describes the roar of the water from the Falls in the local Nambya language. We will be hosted in a local family residence for light lunch and a Q&A session. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you choose.

Day 3 Victoria Falls
Rhino Safari; Flight of Angels
An early morning start takes us to a private game preserve where black rhinos reside. The viewing success rate exceeds 90% so we should see the elusive animals. And of course, we will see other wildlife as well. We’ll be back at our hotel before lunch. Our afternoon activity is the spectacular “Flight of Angels” helicopter ride over the falls. This is the only way to view the entire breadth and majesty of the falls. This activity has been so popular in the past we’ve decided to include it on all of our tours.

Day 4 Victoria Falls
Free day
Today is a free day. Victoria Falls offers many excursions, wildlife viewing, and adventure activities. Options include:  walking or night safaris; white water rafting, a large variety of adventure sports activities, and much more. Your tour manager will assist with bookings.

Day 5 Chobe National Park
Sunset cruise
Today we cross into neighboring Botswana. Upon our arrival in Kasane we enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River where we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and myriad birds without having to reach for our binoculars. You’ll be near enough for close-up photographs, not to mention the chance of a spectacular African Sunset. Kwalape Safari Lodge offers the perfect base to discover the wonders of Chobe NP. The main restaurant and bar are nestled into the surrounding bush with a pool-side bar, ideal for sun downers and sharing the day’s experiences.
Kwalape Lodge (3 nights) https://kwalapesafarilodge.co.bw/

Day 6 Chobe
AM game drive; Q&A
Today will begin with a Chobe game drive. The park is over 4000 square miles of wilderness area watered by the Chobe & Savuti Rivers – big game magnets. This includes lions and some of the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa, an estimated population of around 25,000. In addition, we’re likely to see zebras, giraffes, warthog, and numerous antelope including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Reedbuck, Lechwe, and the colorful Chobe Bushbuck. Bird watching opportunities in Chobe are ample and include some 350 species including the African Fish Eagle, the rare Pells Fishing Owl, saddle-billed storks, long-toed Plovers, pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmers, Bradfield’s Hornbills, and Carmine Beeeaters. Another Chobe highlight, exclusive to Imprint, is an informal Q&A session with our host, Milton K., director of the lodge. Among other topics, he will share what life is like in today’s Botswana, why Botswana is so different from the surrounding countries, why its people are so confident, how his marriage was arranged, and how he got his nickname!

Day 7 Chobe
AM game drive; PM game drive; local entertainment
More game drives highlight the day's plans - early morning and late afternoon. But today’s unique activity is a wonderful music and dance performance from a local dance troupe. At Imprint, we have arranged local music and dance performances in many countries – this is by all measures the most energetic, the most authentic, the most fun, and the most engaging performance we have ever offered.

Day 8 Cape Town South Africa
Today is a travel day. After breakfast we’ll be transferred to Kasane’s’ airport. In the afternoon we fly to our destination of Cape Town (flight included).
Hotel Sky (4 nights) https://www.hotelsky.co.za/

Day 9 Cape Town
Cape Excursion
This is an awe-inspiring day-long tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The drive south highlights the 12 Apostles peaks, historic and picturesque coastal villages, and photogenic beaches. At the Good Hope Nature Reserve we’ll enjoy rich fynbos vegetation, bird life, endemic antelope and zebra, and the historic lighthouse. For lunch we travel on to Simon’s Town with its charming Victorian architecture. Then a visit to the charming penguin colony at beautiful Boulders Beach.

Day 10 Cape Town
Winelands
A delightful drive takes us into the heart of the Cape winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards, and Cape Dutch homesteads. Our first stop of the morning is a local wine estate. An informative cellar tour and wine tasting gives us personalized insight into the finer points of wine-making. Our first top is Stellenbosch after crossing scenic Helshoogte Pass. Take a stroll down the canal-lined avenues in the shade of giant oaks and past beautifully preserved historic buildings or enjoy the coffee shops, galleries, antique shops, and wine bars that line the sidewalks. This university town exudes an air of quiet intellectualism and wine-making history. With the great numbers of wine estates on offer we are truly spoiled for choices when we enjoy our second wine tasting of the day. After our return to Cape Town, your evening is free.

Day 11 Cape Town
Free day
Imprint will assist with free time transportation arrangements and bookings. Two obvious options are Robben Island and Table Mountain. Located in Capetown’s Table Bay, Robben Island is the infamous Apartheid era prison. The most famous inmate, of course, was Nelson Mandela. All groups are escorted through the complex by former inmates – a fascinating cultural connection experience. The rotating Table Mountain Aerial Cablecar sweeps visitors to the top of Table Mountain. It is one of Capetown’s most popular tourist attractions. The upper cable station is on the westernmost end of the Table Mountain plateau, at an altitude of 1067 meters (3500 feet). The station offers views over Table Bay, Capetown center, Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south. We’ll gather for our final dinner together, sharing memories of our shared adventures.

[Note:  Imprint Tours’ operational values are to include all major sights on our tours. However, Robben Island does not offer any group discounts, meaning we are unable to add value by including it. The Table Mountain excursion is weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, we have elected to make these excursions optional.] 

Day 12 Tour Over
Tour over after breakfast. For those extending to Namibia we will depart after breakfast. For those departing for home today, Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
11 night’s accommodation; All breakfasts, 5 dinners, 5 lunches; All transport (bus, custom safari vehicle, flight); All tips (tour director, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of Imprint escort; All entrances: Victoria Falls NP, Stanley & Livingstone private reserve (Rhino safari), Chobe NP; All activities: driving safaris; Chobe River cruise; Zambezi River cruise; helicopter ride, Township visit, wine tastings (2), Cape Point excursion, penguin reserve, and more.

Important Exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, and flight baggage overage fees.

Namibia Extension

Note: While not physically demanding, this extension entails long driving days on dusty, unpaved roads. The pace is demanding. Of the 6 nights, 4 are single night stops. Moreover, while Imprint endeavors to hire sturdy vehicles in good repair, Namibia is particularly hard on vehicles and breakdowns and/or replacements due occur.

Day 1 Clanwilliam
Cederberg Wilderness
A  post breakfast departure from Capetown begins our Namibia extension/tour. A brief stop as we depart the city allows a photo op of Table Mountain across the Bay. We’ll drive through the hills of southern South Africa to our first destination, Clanwilliam, gateway to the Cederberg Mountains. We’ll have time to visit the nearby Cederberg Wildernsess Area to do some easy hiking, see the ancient San Rock Art, and photograph the famously picturesque rock formations.  Leopards are known to have been seen in this area as well.
Clanwilliam Lodge (1 night) https://clanwilliamhotel.co.za

Day 2 Orange River
Today is largely a travel day as we make our way to the Orange River which serves as the Namibian border. Upon arrival we can relax in our lovely riverside bungalows or have a sunset drink by the hotel pool as the river meanders by below us.
Felix Unite Camp Provenance (1 night) http://felixunite.com

Day 3 Fish River Canyon
Canoe trip; Fish River Canyon
After breakfast we’ll indulge in a leisurely paddle as we travel by canoe on the Orange River. In the afternoon we’ll drive to nearby Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and second largest in the world. Hopefully there will be time for a quick, easy hike along the canyon rim upon arrival and possibly another African sunset with the magnificent views from the canyon rim.
Canyon Roadhouse (1 night) https://store.gondwana-collection.com/accommodation/canyon-roadhouse

Day 4 Sossusvlei
Today is another travel day as we have lots of miles to cover. Our goal is the premier sight of southern Namibia – magnificent Sossusvlei, home to the globe’s highest sand dunes, Dead Vlei, and gateway to the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Desert Camp (2 nights) https://www.desertcamp.com/

Day 5 Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei; Sesreim Canyon
Today is our desert activity day. An early start will allow us to enjoy the early golden light that electrifies the reddish sands of Sossusvlei’s magnificent dunes. Our destination is Dead Vlei with its stunning, picturesque black petrified trees, backed by the golden dunes and blue desert skies. We’ll finish off our morning with an easy hike through Sesriem Canyon, carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. This is an absolutely spectacular photographic day – the clear highlight of the extension. In the afternoon your time is your own and, for those interested, we can help arrange an optional scenic flight.

Day 6 Windhoek
This day will be spent driving the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way north to Windhoek. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, leopards, and cheetahs. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis, an odd-looking desert shrub, one of which is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1500 years old.
Klein Windhoek Guesthouse (1 night) https://www.kleinwindhoekguesthouse.com/

Day 7 Extension Over
Extension over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
6 night’s accommodation; All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 2 lunches; all tour transport; all tips (guide, driver, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of African guide; All entrances: Sevilla Rock Art Trail, Fish River Canyon NP, Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei; All activities: Cedarberg Mountains hike, Orange River canoe excursion, Fish River Canyon hike

Important Exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, and expenditures of a personal nature..