Overview
Most photos by Jeff & Gina on their Safaris. The itinerary is subject to change. The next trip is February 2022.
Explore Southern Africa on this once-in-a-lifetime trip with CroisiEurope’s luxurious and comfortable lodge, and on board a new ship designed to provide an intimate look at the surrounding nature. Embark for a unique cruise on Africa’s Largest Man-Made Lake – Lake Kariba. Lake Kariba stretches the long border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and represents a precious resource for the animals that gravitate to its shores. Days will be marked by viewing wildlife along the banks of the lake, water safaris by small boats to islands and inlets of Matusadona National Park (Zimbabwe), and African Sunsets soaked in from the Sun Deck.
On land and on water safaris will take you to the deepest treasures on the African continent. Tours designed for encounters with wild life that dot the shores will be on small boats. Once the engines are cut, you’ll experience the wild up close – reveling in the sounds of nature along with the animals just a few yards away.
Victoria Falls, located in Africa, is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Discover where the Zambezi River plunges over the cliff to become the tallest waterfall in the world, creating the renowned “smoke that thunders”.
Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg (South Africa)
We’ll meet up at the hotel at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy lunch before visiting the Apartheid Museum which opened in 2001. It is famous all over the world over for being the first museum centering on South African history in the 20th century, and more particularly on Apartheid. Afterward, set off for a panoramic tour of the city. In addition to being South Africa’s financial capital, Johannesburg is also the city of superlatives. It is indeed the richest town in Africa, with the tallest buildings and widest social discrepancies, but is also infused with one of the best atmospheres you’ll ever come across. In the evening, guests will arrive at our five-star Hotel 54 on Bath, where you’re welcome to settle into your rooms before dinner. Guests will spend the night at the hotel.
Optional Itinerary: Lion & Safari Park Day Adventure
- Depart Airport for Lion & Safari Park (approximately 93km – 1h25)
- Lunch at Lion & Safari Park (lunch is usually from 12-13h, but will be confirmed when we have your flight details)
- Lion & Safari Park Mini Safari (1.5hr) 14h30 departure
- Depart Lion & Safari Park to Hotel 54 on Bath (approximately 50km – 1h30)
- Freshen Up at 54 on Bath (1 hr)
- Depart 54 on Bath to Carnivore for Dinner (approximately 35km – 1h) (dinner would be reserved for 19h30 or 20h00)
- Return to 54 on Bath and overnight
Day 2: Johannesburg – Kasane – Arrival at Cascades Lodge (South Africa – Botswana – Nambia)
Guests will be escorted on a regular flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. You’ll be transferred from the airport to the lodge on board a small private boat. Take advantage of your trip to observe the numerous bird species living among the flooded flatland. You may even catch a glimpse of a few hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun! You’ll be greeted by the crew upon arrival with a welcome drink, aperitif, and finger food, and settle into your comfortable lodge. The crew will give a short informative safety talk followed by dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.
Day 3: Lodge: Chobe National Park (Namibia – Botswana)
Breakfast is served! Departing the lodge by speedboat, guests will journey out on a full-day safari in Jeeps to explore the Chobe National Park that is home to more than 1/4 of the total elephant population in Africa. Enjoy lunch in a “floating restaurant,” names The Raft, in the middle of the river where the views of the surrounding nature are unparalleled. Afterwards, you’ll board a small private boat and sail off on the Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes for an afternoon boat safari lasting about 2 hours. Enjoy an informative talk in the lounge, dinner and spend the night at the lodge.
Day 4: Lodge: Impalila Island (Namibia)
Guests will enjoy breakfast in the lodge. Gather for a trip, by speedboat, to authentic villages on Impalila Island, Namibia, to discover the traditional Namibian houses, culture, and customs. Guests will return to the lodge for lunch. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time at the lodge, taking advantage of the pool and comfortable fittings. Guests are invited to spend time relaxing in their bungalows, go fishing or join us on a small private boat and discover enchanting sights of the Zambezi River. This mini excursion will allow guests an informative tour on the boarders and bridge and will include snacks, sparkling wines, and coolers. Guests will have a gala dinner at the lodge, followed by discussions with a local about the traditions of this particular island filled with stories told by locals. Guests will spend the night at the lodge.
Day 5: Lodge – Kasane – Boarding African Dream (Namibia – Botswana – Zimbabwe)
Guests will depart from the lodge for one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. Guests are taken on a river safari with Morafe on the Chobe River, and will enjoy lunch at The Old House by tender boat. After lunch, set out for the Kasane airport by 4×4 vehicles. Onboard private planes, you’ll be amazed at the stunning panoramas over Lake Kariba and the changing landscapes of the wilderness during your flight from Kasane to Kariba. You’ll be transferred to board the ship and comfortably settle into your cabins. A welcome drink is served on the ship, followed by a safety talk by the Captain and Purser. We’ll start sailing across the lake toward Antelope and Zebra island (approx. 45-minute sail). Reaching over 140mi/200km in length and spanning approximately 25mi/40km at its widest point, the lake flooded flatlands, hills and forests alike, creating unique and emblematic landscapes. Guests will enjoy meeting in the lounge for an aperitif and have dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 6: Ship: Lake Kariba – Gache River (Zimbabwe)
At sunrise, guests will set sail through the rare and mysterious landscapes of Lake Kariba where drowned trees reach skywards from the depths of the reflecting water. As the ship leaves Antelope island we’ll set out on a small private boat to discover the Gache Gache River and its unique wildlife. Gliding along its meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. We’ll return on board for lunch, as we set sail towards Changa. When the sun starts to set, we’ll set out on a small private boat on a water safari to admire the changing colors of the sky, Guests will meet in the lounge for an aperitif followed by dinner and spending the night on board.
Day 7: Ship: Matusadona National Park (Zimbabwe)
An early light breakfast is served. Begin your day on a safari journey through Change Safari Camp discovering the area around Matusadona National Park. Bordered by the Sanyati and Ume Rivers, this 1,400km²/540 sq mi-large untouched area is home to numerous animal species such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalos as well as thousands of birds, among which the legendary African Sea Eagle, the majestic Yellow-billed Stork, or the Black Heron with its interesting hunting method. We might be lucky enough to cross paths with a big cat or two! The history of the park is closely linked with that of the lake: during the construction of the dam, the rising floodwaters affected the native wildlife although the damage was mitigated by Operation Noah, saving the lives of over 6,000 animals. This rescue operation allowed for large mammals, big cats, impalas and more to be moved to Matusadona where hunting is strictly prohibited. We’ll enjoy lunch onboard and start sailing again. During this time, guests will gather around a table and are given the opportunity to learn more about the creation of the Lake, its inhabitants as well as its ecosystem while enjoying an assorted selection of snacks and drinks. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 8: Ship: Kariba – Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
At sunrise, we’ll set sail towards Kariba to disembark and journey out to the airport. Breakfast will be served on board. We’ll discover the gigantic Kariba Dam which was created in 1955 forming Lake Kariba. Today, the dam serves as a source of electric power for 70% of Zimbabwe. You’ll get to discover the history and legends surrounding the creation of the lake, including the tale of NyamiNyami, the river god. Guests will fly out to Victoria Falls onboard private planes. Enjoy an exceptional lunch cruise on the Zambezi River, upstream from the falls. This afternoon, we’ll leave for a tour on foot of the falls where the views are among the most exceptional in the world. Have the opportunity to see where the Zambezi River plunges over the cliff to become the widest waterfall in the world, creating the “smoke that thunders.” Tonight, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a four-star hotel, Victoria Falls and Safari Lodge, followed by an informative talk on the falls and hotel.
Day 9: Victoria Falls
Guests will be served Breakfast.
Optional early morning excursion: Soar over Victoria Falls in a helicopter (must be booked before departure). End of our services at the hotel.
Ship Info
To view deck plans, photos, and learn more about The African Dream, click here.
What’s Included
1 night Johannesburg 5-star hotel, 54 on Bath including dinner and breakfast **We are available to make reservations for guests wishing to stay the night prior to the cruise we well**
Flight from Johannesburg to Kasane
3 nights at the Cascades lodge on Impalila Island in Namibia – bungalow with private pool
Safari by land in Chobe National Park
All meals and local drinks at the lodge
Flight from Kasane to Kariba
3 nights on board the African Dream/Zimbabwean Dream in a double cabin
All meals and local drinks on board
Land safari in Matusadona National park
Flight from Kariba to Victoria Falls
1 night in a 4-star hotel in Victoria Falls
Excursion to Victoria Falls including entrance and guide
Transfers between hotels, flights, ship and lodge
Drinks included at the hotels: 1 water + 1 glass of local wine OR 1 soda or 1 local beer and coffee and tea per person per meal
Laundry service is available during the stay at the lodge
Transfers to airport/hotel/airport in Johannesburg
NOT INCLUDED:
International Flights (Johannesburg is the arrival city. At end of tour Victoria Falls is the departure airport.)
Airport Taxes (paid in person)
Cancellation/Baggage Insurance
Zimbabwean Visa (must be paid on site, cost differs by Nationality category and range between $45 USD and $80 USD – please check with Zimbabwe Embassies in your respective country)
Optional Excursion- Helicopter over Victoria Falls $199pp
Tips for crew members on the ship and at the lodge (for informational purposes, daily tips per passenger amount to $5 USD, paid in person)
Tips for local providers (paid in person)
Botswana Tourism Levy ($30 USD payable at the airport of entry and likely to be applicable in the year, paid in person)
STRICT BAGGAGE & WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS:
On this trip we use private planes to get you between Kasane (lodge) and Kariba (ship). The domestic flights that are included within this program are chartered on small planes. All passengers must be strategically placed on these planes for weight distribution, therefore Teeming River Cruises requires each passenger to submit their weight. The airline company operating these flights are imposing restrictions regarding the bags being transported due to the capacity of the planes and for safety reasons.
You’ll find the list of regulations below:
– The checked baggage (1 per person maximum) MUST NOT EXCEED 20 KG/44 lbs.
– It MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING DIMENSIONS 60 cm/23.60 in. in length x 40 cm/15.70 in. in height x 30 cm/11.80 in. in width.
– It must be made from SOFT FABRIC. Hard-shell suitcases are not accepted.
– Luggage with wheels is accepted (a maximum of 2 wheels per bag).
-The carry-on baggage and personal items MUST NOT EXCEED 3 KG/6.6 lbs.
If the baggage does not comply with the above rules, THE AIRLINE WILL REFUSE TO TRANSPORT IT. The stay aboard the ship would take place without the personal belongings of the client. At the end of the cruise and before taking the international flight, the client will be forced to return to the lodge at his/her own expense to collect his/her suitcase.
HEALTH:
Please speak with your doctor before departure for this cruise. Vaccination are both recommended and required for different areas throughout Africa. The Yellow Fever Vaccination is REQUIRED. All travelers over the age of nine months must be vaccinated for entry.
For more information please see this company- Passport Health USA (Gina and Jeff have personally used their services.)
Photos
