This nonstop adventure presents the unrivalled experience of touring thundering Victoria Falls and venturing into Botswana’s first national park for a game drive to view African’s most iconic wildlife.
PLEASE NOTE:
This Post Cruise Program ends in Johannesburg and therefore guests need to fly out of Johannesburg, South Africa.
The following program details are for reference purposes only and subject to change based on flights that can be confirmed at or around 60 days prior to sailing.
Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
Day 1
Following disembarkation from the ship, meet your tour guide and embark on a half day Cape Point tour en-route to your overnight hotel.
Take a scenic drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. It is here that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, along with their diverse ecosystems, are thought to converge. Cape Point with its dramatic sea cliffs, among South Africa's highest, are main attractions of the reserve which occupies 19,150 acres of indigenous flora and fauna. Upon arrival, you can walk or ride the funicular railway to the top of Cape Point to take in the breath-taking views and photo opportunities.
Thereafter visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, followed by a drive through the naval base of Simon’s Town to Fish Hoek. From here, you will continue to the colourful fishing harbour of Kalk Bay before turning on to Boyes Drive, which offers magnificent views of Muizenberg and False Bay.
Your drive will conclude passing by the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial, Mostert's Mill and famous Groote Schuur Hospital before reaching Cape Town harbour and your hotel.
On arrival at your overnight hotel, check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Your hotel is located a stone through away from the popular Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – home to numerous shops, restaurants and plenty entertainment. You may opt to take a leisurely stroll to the waterfront or perhaps make use of the hotels’ complimentary hourly shuttle.
Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to the Cape Town Airport for a flight to Victoria Falls.
As guests may only bring one piece of checked luggage per person, excess luggage (1 piece per person – max 23kg / 50 lbs) will be shipped via courier to Johannesburg where you will be re-united with it on Day 4 at your hotel. Make sure to pack accordingly and bring any medications and cruise documents with you.
Upon arriving in the Victoria Falls airport, another local representative will assist in your transfer to The Falls Café where a light lunch will be enjoyed.
Following lunch, embark on a guided walking tour of the beautiful falls. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it’s the world’s largest curtain of falling water, based on the falls’ one-mile width and height of 360 feet. It’s an amazing spectacle to watch as the Zambezi River roars over the edge of a basalt gorge, forming what locals call Mosi-Oa-Tunya or “the smoke that thunders”. In November 1885, after seeing the falls for the first time, Scottish explorer and Doctor David Livingstone re-named them after Queen Victoria.
After your tour of the Falls, you will transfer to the town of Kasane in Botswana (Zimbabwe/Botswana border crossing – see further below for visa details) and on to nearby Chobe Game Lodge for check in. This lodge is located inside the world-renowned Chobe National Park and set on the banks of the famous Chobe River.
The remainder of the day is yours for relaxation or further exploration, with dinner being served in the early evening at the lodge.
NOTE: pathways through Victoria Falls Park can be slippery if wet. Proper walking shoes should be worn.
DAY 3
After an early-morning wake-up call and coffee and tea in the lobby, you will embark on a morning game drive in 4x4 open-air safari vehicles.
You may see wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo to name a few. Chobe is also home to two antelope that aren’t encountered anywhere else in Botswana, the puku and the Chobe bushbuck. Declared a national park in 1967, Chobe was the first one established in Botswana and now covers more than 4,500 square miles of dry savannah, floodplains, and teak woodlands that are ideal animal habitats.
Returning from your morning safari, a full breakfast will be served after which you will have free time to do as you wish at the lodge.
Following lunch you will embark on a cruise down the Chobe River – this is the ideal time to keep a look out for animals coming to the river for water.
Later dinner will be served at the lodge.
Day 4
Should your flights allow, after an early-morning wake-up call, and coffee or tea in the lobby, you will embark on another morning game drive. As before, what you see depends entirely on the animals, but you can be sure the experience will be extraordinary.
Later, following breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer to the Kasane Airport and check in for a flight to Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport. Upon arriving there, you will be met by a local representative and assisted on the short walk (approximately 300 yards/900 feet) from the airport terminal to your airport-based hotel. Guests will be re-united with any shipped luggage at the hotel.
The remainder of the day will be at leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 5
After breakfast at your hotel and check-out formalities, you will be escorted back to the airport terminal in accordance with your flight details. Check out is at 11:00am. Should you have a later departing flight you will be able to store luggage at Reception until you depart.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•While at the lodge, game drive and meal timings are subject to change at the discretion of the lodge. Please refer to any updated timings that you may receive from them on site.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•An escort to the airport is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
Day 1
7:45am Disembark the ship in Cape Town, meet your tour guide and board your tour vehicle
8:00am Depart Cape Town harbour and drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve
9:30am Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve
11:00am Drive to Boulders Beach
11:30am Visit the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach
12:15pm Return to Cape Town
1:00pm Approximate arrival at your overnight hotel
Official check-in time is 2:00pm
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
Lunch and dinner are on own
Overnight The Westin or similar hotel
Day 2 - timings subject to change based on flight details. Below is an example itinerary
AM Early breakfast at your hotel and check out
7:00am Transfer to the Cape Town Airport
7:30am Arrive Cape Town International Airport and check-in for your flight to Victoria Falls
9:45am Flight to Victoria Falls – Breakfast included on board (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:40pm Arrival in Victoria Falls, clear customs and immigration and collect luggage
1:15pm Approximate transfer time from the airport to the Falls Café or similar for lunch
2:00pm Enjoy lunch
3:00pm Embark on a guided tour of the Falls
4:30pm Depart Victoria Falls and travel overland to Chobe, Botswana (border crossing) and onwards to the lodge
6:00pm Approximate arrival at the lodge and check-in
7:30pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Chobe Game Lodge
Day 3
5:00am Early-morning wake-up call
5:30am Tea and coffee are served in the lobby
6:00am Morning game drive
9:00am Full breakfast back at the lodge followed by free time
12:00pm Lunch at the lodge
4:00pm Afternoon tea
4:30pm Sundowner boat cruise
7:30pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Chobe Game Lodge
Day 4 – timings and last game drive subject to change based on actual flight details
5:00am Wake-up call
5:30am Tea and coffee are served
6:00am Morning game drive
9:00am Breakfast at the lodge
11:00am Check-out formalities at the lodge
11:30am Bid staff farewell and transfer to Kasane Airport
12:00pm Check-in for your flight to Johannesburg
2:05pm Flight Kasane to Johannesburg - Light snack served on board (flight details TBA and subject to change)
3:55pm Arrival Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. Clear customs & immigration and collect luggage
4:30pm You are met and escorted on the short walk to your hotel
Check-in and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Intercontinental OR Tambo or similar hotel
DAY 5
From 6:30am Breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check out time at the hotel
TBA Meet and greet and assistance to the airport terminal based on your flight details. Should you have a late flight you can leave luggage at Reception until your departure.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be escorted to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of your program.
All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that an escort to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, an escort will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers or an escort are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
PLEASE NOTE
*This is a malaria risk area. Make sure that the necessary medication has been taken. Guests should seek their physicians’ advice regarding malaria precautions and other recommended immunizations. You must begin taking malaria precautions prior to your departure date.
*The contents and order of the activities in this program are subject to change by the lodge management without prior notice, due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife in the Chobe National Park.
*The roads in the game reserve are gravel. There are also inclines and certain parts of the game drive can be bumpy. This program is not recommended for guests with back problems.
*Bring warm clothing, as the evenings and early mornings are chilly.
*This program is not fully guided. Local representatives will assist you with your transfers and you will have a guide at Victoria Falls, however, the game drive and Chobe River cruise at the lodge and is run solely and at the discretion by the lodge/hotel staff.
*The water levels at Victoria Falls are season dependent. ‘Low Water’ runs between August and January and is at its lowest between November and early December. This is the time when there is very little spray and visitors are able to fully appreciate the geological formation of Victoria Falls and the full length and breadth of them.
Expected Weather:
South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. Midwinter is in June and midsummer at hottest temperatures in December and January. The climate varies from region to region but is generally mild throughout the year.
April and May mark the beginning of the Dry season. The vegetation is still green, and it is mostly dry and sunny. It is hot in the middle of the day, with temperatures climbing up to 30°C/86°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop to approximately 14°C.
What to Bring:
Light cotton tops and cotton trousers and shorts in summer. Safari trousers and warm fleece tops for evenings and cooler days. Swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, camera, film and batteries (including spare batteries), personal toiletries and lip creams and anti-malaria prophylaxis.
Currency:
The monetary unit of South Africa is the Rand. All major credit cards are accepted at most establishments, although Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards.
Electricity:
South Africa’s electrical system is 220/230 volts A/C 50 cycles. Most hotels have hair dryers and plug adaptors in the bedrooms however we recommend bringing your own travel adaptor if you are bringing electric devices. Be aware that overnight charging may not be possible where generator use restricts the availability of electricity.
Luggage:
CHECKED LUGGAGE
For your economy class internal flights:
*Passengers are permitted to check-in one piece of luggage at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lbs.) and maximum dimension of 158 cm (62 inches) - subject to change by airline
*Excess luggage fees will be paid directly to the airline at the check in counter by guests however should you wish, a maximum of 1 piece per person – max 23kg / 50 lbs, will be shipped from Cape Town to your hotel in Johannesburg. This service is included in the cost of the program.
*Please ensure that any pieces that will travel separately are labelled with your name and stateroom on the ship. Note that the cruise line, nor our local ground operator are liable for any lost or missing items. We do not recommend leaving valuables behind. You should keep any valuables and medications with you in your carry-on handbag.
HAND LUGGAGE
For all flights:
*Passengers are permitted to travel with one piece of hand luggage not exceeding 8 kg (18 lbs.) and a dimension of 56 cm (22 inches) length, 36 cm (14 inches) width and 23 cm (9 inches) height.
*All hand luggage must be of a size that fits under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact Luggage Forward to make your own luggage transfer arrangements (at own cost) from the ship to your home - www.luggageforward.com - Phone: 877-231-5131
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at OCI at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Oceania Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
*Citizens of the United States do not require visas for Botswana.
*Citizens of the United States and Canada require a visa for Zimbabwe. These can be obtained upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport.
*A Zimbabwe single-entry visa for U.S citizens is required and is $30 per person and payable in cash. Please ensure that you have the correct denominations of U.S. currency available, as change will not be given. A Canadian citizens single-entry visa is $75 dollars per entry. These visas will need to be purchased on each entry.
*Please note that the above information regarding visas is current and is subject to change should the Zimbabwe Government and Customs implement new rules and tariffs.
*Two consecutive clear or blank pages are required in your passport per entry into South Africa and Zimbabwe.
*Passports are also required to be valid for more than 6 months at the time of travel.
Please consult your local South African embassy for all the visa requirements pertaining to South Africa and in particular this land program. Guests failing to have the proper documentation will be denied travel on this program and will be responsible for any additional costs.
Accommodation:
Intercontinental OR Tambo Hotel
Opposite International Arrivals – OR Tambo Airport Johannesburg
Phone: +27 11 961 5400
The Westin Hotel
Convention Square
Lower Long Str
Phone: +27 21 412 9999
Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe National Park, Serondela, Botswana
Phone: +267 625 0340
*If similar hotels are required due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be of equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified ahead of time of any changes. Should no notification be given in advance of any changes, then the hotels listed above will be the ones used for this program.
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
*1 night at the Westin in Cape Town (Executive Club Room) including breakfast
*2 nights at Chobe Game Lodge (suite) including all meals and activities while on site and 2 local drinks per person at meals
*1 night at Intercontinental OR Tambo on a Bed & Breakfast Basis or similar hotel - Deluxe standard double room
*Lunch in Victoria Falls, including two local drinks per person
*Meet & Greet service at all airports
*Transfers in luxury air-conditioned vehicles with English speaking drivers
*Guided tour at Victoria Falls
*Luggage shipment of up to 1 bag per person from Cape Town to Johannesburg
*Porterage, allowing for a maximum of 2 pieces per person
*Mineral water on transfers (1 per person)
*Scheduled domestic flights in economy class per the itinerary – direct flights not guaranteed
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your airport escort can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer or escort is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers or an escort will not be provided.
PROGRAM EXCLUDES:
*Any other meals not listed in the program
*All other beverages, including premium-brand drinks
*Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
*Gratuities to drivers, guides, rangers, trackers, lodge staff
*Visa fees
*Any other services not mentioned above
*Excess or overweight luggage fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
