Feel like a true explorer with our magical mix of safaris, stunning African culture, and nature in all its glory.

• Embark on an optional thrilling walking safari — a rare privilege allowed only in specified corners of big-game national parks
• Descend 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend the morning exploring the 102-square-mile floor, which is home to more than 30,000 animals
• Visit Nelson Mandela’s former home during a guided walking tour of Soweto Township

The rich cultural heritage of Africa is a delightful (and sometimes surprising) complement to the natural splendor you’ll enjoy on this adventure. Delve into the cultural landscape here, as you experience:

• Soweto: We’ll get an in-depth look at this historic Township on a tour, during which we’ll learn about what life was like during the apartheid era – and how much has changed since it ended
• Local lectures and storytelling: In order to add context to your discoveries, there will be discussions throughout your adventure on the history and culture of this region. One highlight will be hearing tales of the Shona and Ndebele tribes around the campfire
• Local villages: We’ll visit villages in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, where we’ll gain fascinating insights into life for the locals. This is an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange
• Home-hosted meal: Learn about traditions and customs and connect with local people during a home-hosted meal in Victoria Falls and a traditional Tanzanian lunch in Arusha
• Visit the Karen Blixen Museum where you’ll step back into the colonial era and see how the Out of Africa author lived
• Meet local artists: At a workshop for glass-blowing, weaving, sewing, painting, bead-making and metal work, we’ll see how Tanzanians with disabilities create beautiful arts and crafts

You’ll be amazed by the quality and variety of food at the safari camps and lodges that are far from anywhere! You’ll also be introduced to local dishes and come to know and love some traditional foods of Africa. Here’s what else:

• Enjoy a home-hosted meal in Victoria Falls, where you interact with a family in their home while enjoying some local delicacies
• Dine on the banks of the Zambezi River underneath a blanket of stars, enjoying an African dancing performance
• Feast on farm-to-table cuisine during lunch at Gibbs Farm, in Tanzania, which has an award-wining organic vegetable garden and coffee plantation
• Dine on traditional Tanzanian fare on a visit to Shanga Riverhouse, in Arusha
• Enjoy 5-course gourmet meals at Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp, in the Serengeti

Experience thrilling bush life on this adventure across southern and East Africa. Aside from safaris, you’ll revel in the varied landscapes and unspoilt nature this adventure offers. Here’s how:

• Seek out Africa's Big Five on game drives in eight of Africa’s top game reserves
• Cruise along the Chobe River, past crocodiles, hippos, and herds of elephants
• Stay in a deluxe Vantage-exclusive tented camp in Hwange for an immersive nature experience with a luxurious twist
• Take in the best views of the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Spend serene time in nature, cruising along rivers and stargazing under twinkling African skies
• Visit an elephant orphanage and Giraffe Center in Nairobi
• Stay in a deluxe tented camp in the Serengeti, for a classic safari experience of days gone by
• Enjoy panoramic views of the bush from the private balconies of your luxury East Africa safari accommodation

Your game drives and boat cruises will undoubtedly be the photographic highlight of this adventure, so it’s important to consider equipment and environmental factors. Peak times for game viewing include dawn and dusk, two low-light times of day. Bumpy terrain is an added challenge. Here are some tips to get the best photographs on safari:

• Invest in a good quality long lens for your DSLR. You can overcome many lighting difficulties with a fast lens, and also take advantage of powerful zooming capabilities without compromising photo quality
• If you’re using a compact camera, experiment beforehand with live targets to make sure your zoom and lighting settings are suitable
• Get ready for the ‘golden hour’ around sunset, when the warm, camera-friendly light makes everything look magical
• Practice patience. It’s natural to spot an animal and start clicking immediately, but with a little waiting, and keen observation, you’ll often get a better shot
• Bring an extra memory card just in case!

On our professional photographic cruise on the Chobe River, you’ll have use of special, installed cameras outfitted for safari photography, which you’ll learn how to use. And, you’ll get to take the memory card with you, packed with professional quality photos you took yourself.

Nothing quite compares with the thrill of safari, and your game drives will undoubtedly be a high point of this journey. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you on safari:

• Chobe National Park: Explore a park with one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa in a variety of ways – including two boat cruises along the Chobe River and a full-day game drive
• Hwange National Park: Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in our private concession as well as inside the national park. You’ll also enjoy the thrill of a walking safari, and a visit to the Painted Wild Dog Conservation Center
• Kruger National Park: Go on a full day game drive through one of the most game-rich regions of the park. The following day, you’ll also enjoy early morning and afternoon safari game drives inside the park
• 15 East Africa Game Drives: Explore the game-rich reserves of Kenya and Tanzania, including Amboseli, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Ngorongoro Crater, and travel in exclusive six-passenger 4x4 pop-top safari vehicles perfectly suited for this unique experience
• Africa’s Best Wildlife Viewing: View some of the world's most majestic animals, including lion, elephant, black rhino, leopard, cheetah, and Cape buffalo

Your journey through these African countries will offer some of the most brilliant birding in the world, and the variety of habitats means a huge diversity of birds. With hundreds of bird species found in these regions, birdwatchers are in for a real treat. Here’s a sample of what you could spot:

• Chobe National Park: An exciting destination for bird-watchers, Chobe has 450 recorded bird species, including specials like the African marsh harrier, Pel’s fishing owl, half-collared kingfisher and white-backed night heron
• Hwange National Park: Featuring more than 400 bird species, including the southern ground hornbill, carmine bee-eater, crimson-breasted shrike, Dickenson’s kestrel, and more, Hwange is a treasure trove of ‘lifers’
• Kruger National Park: In addition to the Big Five animals, Kruger also has a birding equivalent: the birding Big Six: the lappet-faced vulture, the saddle-billed stork, the martial eagle, the Kori bustard, Pel’s fishing owl and the southern ground hornbill. Look out for these desirable birds on your visit and count yourself extraordinarily fortunate if you see them all
• Amboseli National Park: Some 420 bird species have been recorded in Amboseli, where the swamps are crowded with egrets, herons, pelicans, crowned cranes and flamingos
• Lake Manyara: Home to over 300 bird species, including flamingos, long-crested eagles and grey-headed kingfishers
• Ngorongoro Crater: The plains of Ngorongoro are dotted with large numbers of grassland birds, including ostriches, kori bustards, crowned cranes and secretary birds
• Serengeti National Park: The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of Africa’s Endemic Bird Areas, hosting five bird species found nowhere else on earth
• Masai Mara: Rich in raptors, with 57 different birds of prey. You can spot bateleur eagles soaring above the grassy plains, while predator kills are a good place to find the six species of vultures

Africa features some of the world’s most impressive natural wonders – including ones named to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here are the history and UNESCO features you have to look forward to on this adventure:

• In South Africa, visit the former home of Nelson Mandela in the lively Township of Soweto, and tour the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, which chronicles the student uprisings of 1976
• Explore Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Hear about the legacy of David Livingstone from a local Zimbabwean on an optional Zambezi River Cruise
• Add on the Cape Town extension to discover the Cape Floral Region UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Spend a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s famed “Garden of Eden” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Explore the UNESCO-listed plains of the Serengeti on game drives and an optional balloon safari
• Visit the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ in Olduvai Gorge, where scientists discovered the earliest remains of our human ancestors

The Cape Winelands are known around the world not only for their vintages – which are delectable – but for the jaw-dropping beauty of its scenery. Here’s how you’ll enjoy the fruits of this delicious region on an extension to Cape Town:

• Visit the historic town of Stellenbosch, the birthplace of the Cape wine industry
• Drive through the scenic valleys of the Cape Winelands to Franschhoek, where the French Huguenots planted superb vineyards
• Taste the Cape’s unique vintages and learn about their creation
• Enjoy lunch at a well-known wine estate, with fabulous views of the Franschhoek Valley
• Shop for wine to take home with you and enjoy

Your land adventure has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer to get to know your fellow travelers
• Explore and make more intimate discoveries in a small group of just 24 or less like-minded travelers
• The services of a complimentary Destination Manager to enhance your adventure with added sightseeing excursions, hotel stays, restaurant reservations, and more

Customize your safari adventure in East and Southern Africa with these top Concierge suggestions:

• Private vehicle requests
• Shopping trips
• Extend your stay in Cape Town
• Additional excursions in Cape Town and Victoria Falls
• Celebrate an anniversary or occasion with a special meal or event
• Extend your accommodations due to early arrival or late departure