Southern Africa aboard the African Dream: travel to the ends of the earth with extended stay at the Cape Peninsula (port-to-port cruise)

Day 1 Cape Town

Passengers are welcome to check in to their 4-star hotel LS starting from 3:00 p.m. (please make sure your travel agency is aware of the arrival times of your flight). After settling into your room, enjoy dinner on your own before spending the night at the hotel.

Day 2 Cape Town

We’ll have a panoramic tour of the city. Cape Town is a meticulously preserved city with modern towers in the center, cobblestone roads and a bounty of historical monuments. We’ll then take the Table Mountain Cableway to soak up the 360-degree views of Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains(if the weather allows it). We’ll have dinner and spend the night at a 4-star hotel LS.

Day 2 Cape Town

We’ll have a panoramic tour of the city. Afterwards, we’ll take the Table mountain Cableway and admire the magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding mountains (if the weather allows it). Dinner and overnight at a 4-star hotel LS.   

Day 3 Robben Island - Groot Constantia Wine Estate

During the first part of our day, we’ll visit a place that needs no introduction with regards to its significance in South Africa’s and indeed the world’s history: Robben Island. We’ll have a guided tour of the island and its cells. We’ll return to Cape Town for lunch on the waterfront. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Groot Constantia estate, considered the oldest vineyard in South Africa. We’ll visit the cellar followed by a tasting*. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 3 Robben Island - Groot Constantia Wine Estate

We'll first visit famous Robben Island and its cells (if weather allows it). We’ll return to Cape Town for lunch on the waterfront. Afterwards, we’ll visit the cellar of the Groot Constantia estate followed by a tasting*. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.      

Day 4 The Cape of Good Hope

Today, we’ll set out for the legendary Cape of Good Hope. We’ll ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive, located on the Atlantic coast of the southwestern tip of South Africa. The narrow stretch of land, dotted with beautiful valleys, bays and beaches, contains a mix of extraordinarily diverse and unique fauna and flora. We’ll take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular to the summit to see the old lighthouse and relish the panoramic views. We’ll have lunch before discovering the penguin colony near Simon’s Town. Once called Jackass Penguins, they are famous for their hilarious braying call.  We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.   

Day 4 The Cape of Good Hope

Today, we’ll set out for the legendary Cape of Good Hope. We’ll ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive and take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular to the summit. Enjoy lunch before discovering the penguin colony near Simon’s Town. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.   

Day 5 Cape Town - Johannesburg (South Africa)

You’ll be transferred to the airport and fly to Johannesburg to join up with the rest of the safari-cruise group. We’ll have lunch. Departure by coach with your guide. We'll visit the Apartheid Museum which opened in 2001. It is famous the world over for being the first museum centering on South African history in the 20th century, and more particularly on Apartheid. Afterwards, we’ll 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. We’ll arrive at our five-star hotel LS where you’ll be welcome to settle into your rooms before dinner. You’ll spend the night at the hotel.   

Day 5 Cape Town - Johannesburg (South Africa)

Flight to Johannesburg. We’ll have lunch before visiting the Apartheid Museum, the first museum centering on South African history in the 20th century. Afterwards, we’ll set off for a panoramic tour of Johannesburg, the city of superlatives. We’ll arrive at our five-star hotel LS. You’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night at the hotel.  

Day 6 Johannesburg - Kasane - Arrival at the LODGE (South Africa-Botswana-Namibia)

We’ll take a regular flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. You’ll be transferred from the airport to your CroisiEurope lodge on board a small private boat. Take advantage of your trip to observe the numerous bird species living among the flooded flatlands. You may even catch a glimpse of a few hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun! You’ll be greeted by our crew upon arrival and settle into your comfortable lodge. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge in absolute tranquility at the heart of the wilderness.   

Day 6 Johannesburg - Kasane - Arrival at the LODGE (South Africa-Botswana-Namibia)

We’ll take a regular flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, Botswana. You’ll be transferred from the airport to your CroisiEurope lodge on board small private boats. You’ll settle into your comfortable lodge ideally located at the heart of the wilderness. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.  

Day 7 LODGE: Chobe National Park (Namibia-Botswana)

We’ll 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” in the middle of the river where the views of the surrounding nature are unparalleled. Afterwards, we’ll board a small private boat and sail off on Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.    

Day 7 LODGE: Chobe National Park (Namibia-Botswana)

Enjoy a full-day safari in Jeeps to explore the Chobe National Park and its majestic fauna. Lunch in a “floating restaurant” with incredible views of the surrounding nature. Afterwards, we’ll board small private boats and sail off on Chobe River all the way to Sedudu Island and its marshes. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.  

Day 8 LODGE: Impalila Island (Namibia)

Join us for a trip to authentic villages on Impalila Island, Namibia, to discover the traditional Namibian houses and customs. We’ll return to our lodge for lunch. This afternoon, you can enjoy time at leisure at the lodge, taking advantage of the pool and comfortable fittings, or join us for a discovery of the Zambezi River on a small private boat. We’ll have dinner at the lodge. Tonight, let your guide tell you all about the traditions of this particular island. We’ll spend the night at the lodge.   

Day 8 LODGE: Impalila Island (Namibia)

Discover traditional villages on Impalila Island. We’ll return to our lodge for lunch. This afternoon, you can enjoy time at leisure at the lodge or join us for a discovery of the Zambezi River on small private boats. We’ll have dinner at the lodge. Tonight, let your guide tell you all about the traditions of this particular island. Night spent at the lodge.   

Day 9 Lodge - Kasane - Lake Kariba - BOARDING THE SHIP (Namibia-Botswana-Zimbabwe)

We’ll depart from the lodge for one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, we'll set out for the Kasane airport. On board 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 your ship and comfortably settle into your cabins. We’ll start sailing across the lake. Reaching over 140mi/200km in length and spanning a distance of approximately 25mi/40km at its widest point, the lake flooded flatlands, hills and forests alike, creating unique and emblematic landscapes. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.    

Day 9 Lodge - Kasane - Lake Kariba - BOARDING THE SHIP (Namibia-Botswana-Zimbabwe)

Enjoy one last water safari in the Chobe National Park area. After lunch along the water, we'll set out for the Kasane airport. On board small private planes, you’ll discover the stunning panoramas over Lake Kariba during your flight from Kasane to Kariba. You’ll be transferred to board the ship and comfortably settle into your cabins. We’ll start sailing across the lake. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.   

Day 10 SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - SAILING TO SPURWING ISLAND (Zimbabwe)

At sunrise, we’ll set sail through the rare and mysterious landscapes of Lake Kariba where drowned trees reach skywards from the depths of the reflecting water. We’ll set out on a small private boat to discover the small waterways going into the Matusadona National Park and their unique wildlife. Gliding along their meanders, large bends and small, unspoiled inlets, you’ll be amazed by the magical atmosphere all around. We’ll return on board for lunch. This afternoon, we’ll sail towards Palm Bay. When the sun starts to set, we'll set out on a small private boat to admire the changing colors of the sky. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 10 SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - SAILING TO SPURWING ISLAND (Zimbabwe)

At sunrise, we’ll set sail through Lake Kariba. We’ll set out on a small private boat to discover the small waterways going into the Matusadona National Park and their unique wildlife. We’ll return on board for lunch. This afternoon, we’ll sail towards Palm Bay. Later, we'll set out on small private boats to admire the sunset. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 11 SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK (Zimbabwe)

We’ll journey out this morning on a safari to discover 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, an initiative which saved 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 on board and start sailing again. During this time, a round table will be the opportunity to learn more about the creation of the Lake, its inhabitants as well as its ecosystem. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.      

Day 11 SHIP: LAKE KARIBA - MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK (Zimbabwe)

We’ll journey out this morning on a safari to discover the area around Matusadona National Park and its numerous wild animals. We’ll enjoy lunch on board and start sailing again. During this time, a round table will be the opportunity to learn more about the creation of the Lake, its inhabitants as well as its ecosystem. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.  

Day 12 SHIP: KARIBA - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

At sunrise, we’ll set sail towards Kariba to disembark and journey out to the airport.  We’ll discover the gigantic Kariba Dam which was created in 1955 to form 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. We’ll fly out to Victoria Falls on board 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. We’ll also 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 LS.

Day 12 SHIP: KARIBA - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

At sunrise, we’ll set sail towards Kariba to disembark and journey out to the airport. We’ll discover the gigantic Kariba Dam which was created to form Lake Kariba before flying out to Victoria Falls on board private planes. Lunch cruise on the Zambezi River. This afternoon, enjoy a tour on foot of the falls. Tonight, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a four-star hotel LS.  

Day 13 Victoria Falls

Breakfast. Optional early morning excursion: Soar over Victoria Falls in a helicopter (must be booked before departure). End of our services at the hotel.      

Day 13 Victoria Falls

Breakfast. Optional early morning excursion: Soar over Victoria Falls in a helicopter (must be booked before departure). End of our services at the hotel.