Southern African Cruise Safari: South Africa & Botswana
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Overview
Highlights
- Explore historic Cape Town’s valleys and vineyards
- South Africa's Kapama Private Game Reserve, home to over 40 different mammal species and 350 bird species
- Explore the Chobe Game Reserve - 10,000 square kilometres of elephant, lion, leopard, giraffe, cheetah, buffalo, hippo and some 450 bird species.
- Sail the Chobe River aboard the luxury 28-passenger Zambezi Queen
- Stay in luxury safari lodges with guided game drives each morning and evening
- Three nights at the famous Victoria Falls Hotel
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Details
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Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- All internal flights associated with the itinerary
- All meals except where not advised
- Accommodation during the expedition
- Snacks, tea and coffee are available on board the vessel and lodges
- All land and shore excursions
- Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Professionally produced voyage journal (one per booking)
- All taxes and charges during the expedition
- All entry fees to historic landings sites.
- BONUS: Free Photography Workshops
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Itinerary
Arrive into Cape Town at your leisure and meet your Expedition Leader and fellow expeditions for a sumptuous welcome dinner. Enjoy a full day exploration of the Cape Winelands region, sampling a wide range of local produced wines and cheeses. We’ll spend time explorin...
We take a mid-morning flight to Hoedspruit and transfer to our lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, situated in South Africa’s northern most province of Limpopo and renowned for its prolific and diverse wildlife, including over 40 different mammal species (includ...
Our charter flight to Botswana offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view across the African landscape. Arriving into Kasane we travel to luxury Mowana Safari Lodge, set amongst baobab trees with magnificent views to where the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers meet. In the surroundi...
Today we board Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River. Over three days we delight in viewing Chobe National Park’s teeming wildlife from the open air lounge or from watercraft that allows close views of the wildlife that has come to bathe and drink. Generator free evenings allow us darkness for stargazing and the stillness to enjoy sounds of the Africa night.
Disembarking the Zambezi Queen, we make our way to Victoria Falls and the elegant Victoria Falls Hotel for three nights, delighting in the magnificent views over the Fall’s Bridge to Zambia. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River reveals crocodiles, hippos and birdlife,...
Today we transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for our flight to Johannesburg and our trip’s end.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Aurora Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Aurora Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
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Tour Operator
From the start, Aurora Expeditions was destined to be different. Co-founders Greg and Margaret Mortimer had a passion for adventure, exploring wild places and sharing the experience with friends and in 1991, Aurora Expeditions, named in honour of Sir Douglas Mawson’s ship, was born.
Their aim was simple - to take small groups of travellers on voyages of discovery to regions that inspired them, thereby creating lifelong ambassadors for the preservation and protection of these sacred places. More than two decades later, that pioneering spirit burns just as brightly, as does our preference for small-group, personal expeditions.
At sea, all of our expeditions are on ships of 60-passengers or less. We are one of the only companies operating trips of this size. Less people means more solitude and greater flexibility if tides, currents, ice or weather dictate a schedule change. And because we have less people to ferry ashore, we often make more landings.
Our treks in Nepal, Bhutan and Patagonia are limited to 16 expeditioners each. This ensures personal attention and a nice mix of people to share the adventure.
We make the most of our size advantage to create intimate expeditions varying in length from 10 to 23 days. Simply choose the region you’d like to explore, the amount of time you’ve got and what activities you enjoy. Focus on one destination or combine back-to-back trips for the ultimate adventure.
You’ll be accompanied by expedition staff we believe are the world’s best. Remote area specialists, their on-board lectures entertain and expand your knowledge.
Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another thrilling adventure, our original goals remain unchanged. Explore wild places that stir the soul, offer personal attention on unforgettable expeditions and welcome new friends into the Aurora family.
Expedition Staff: Aurora is proud of its expedition staff and we are fortunate to have a team of expert naturalists, historians, earth scientists and special guest lecturers that make each journey an unforgettable adventure. Education and interpretation are key elements of our voyages and we have built up a team whose experience and enthusiasm ensures you come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of these magnificent, far flung corners of the globe.
Why travel with Aurora Expeditions?
1. With over 200 voyages to Antarctica alone, we put the spirit in adventure and exploration by travelling to some of the most wild and remote areas in the world.
2. Our small ships carry only 54 passengers, allowing you to have a truly intimate experience with nature.
3. Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry – they are our secret to success.
4. We push the boundaries of expedition cruising! Flexible itineraries , Zodiac landings , an ‘open bridge’ policy, onboard lectures and optional adventure activities such as sea kayaking, scuba diving, photography, climbing and camping!
5. We are proud to be the first Australian member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).
6. We are deeply committed to education and preservation of the environment, respectfully visiting these wilderness areas, creating lifelong ambassadors for their protection.
7. We love what we do! We are dedicated to providing a 'trip of lifetime' whilst ensuring the safety and well being of our passengers, crew and expedition staff.
Whether you travel on one of our Antarctica cruises, Arctic cruises or even our PNG and Kimberley cruises you will be expedition cruising, the Aurora way.
Our small, expedition-style Antarctic cruises are the best way to explore this incredible last frontier and as our past passengers will testify, our trips provide premium Antarctica travel experiences.
Whether you come face-to-face with a polar bear on an Arctic cruise; meet the local warriors in Papua New Guinea; are one of the first to explore a remote Russian island; or find yourself surrounded by hundreds of nesting penguins on an Antarctica cruise, our versatile itineraries allow all our expeditions, including our onshore Antarctic tours, to be individual and unique.
The choice is easy – when it comes to your next Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Russian, Arctic or Antarctica tours – expedition-cruising, the Aurora way, will open your eyes to a world of discovery.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International or domestic flights to or from the cruise safari starting point, unless specified
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Visa, passport, and vaccination charges
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
- All items of a personal nature including, but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, and email or phone charges.
The 28-passenger Zambezi Queen is as unique and adventurous as it is comfortable and elegant. Offering world-class sophistication in one of the most remote locations on Earth, each of her 14 suites offer remarkable game viewing from the comfort of your bedside. Featuring all of the mod-cons, the Zambezi Queen boasts an open-plan, air conditioned lounge bar and dining area, all protected by mosquito screens which allow for a comfortable and pleasant environment for dining and relaxing. Two public outside spaces offer a shaded area with comfortable seating and another includes a pool and sun bathing area.
The Zambezi Queen offers 10 suites and 4 master suites. All suites offer: King or twin beds Private en-suite bathroom Private balcony Full-length sliding shutters Sliding mosquito net doors Electronic safes
Deck plan
We recommend cancellation insurance. If it becomes necessary to cancel your expedition, we ask that you notify your Travel Agent or our Sales Team immediately in writing. Cancellation will take effect upon receipt by Aurora Expeditions of your written notice. Cancellation made before 90 days of expedition departure are subject to a non refundable deposit of $2,500, however your deposit may be transferred towards a different expedition for a fee of $500. Transfers are subject to availability and are only valid on expeditions that depart within 12 months from date of transfer and you are permitted one transfer only. Funds will not be held in suspense and new booking must be advised at time of requested transfer. You must pay the difference between the original booked price and the price of any transferred booking including the new deposit amount. If cancellation takes place less than 90 days prior to departure, you will be required to pay the full cost of the expedition.
Any person under 18 years of age must travel with their legal guardian. Travelling when pregnant is not recommended.
Delay or Change of Itinerary
Aurora Expeditions may for any reason change the date of departure or conclusion of the tour, the scheduled point of departure for the tour, omit or change any scheduled stop on the tour or change the scheduled place of conclusion for the tour whether before or after the tour has departed, without prior notice to you. You will have no right to any refund and Aurora Expeditions will have no obligation to you or be liable for any loss, consequential damages, expenses, loss of time or enjoyment or inconvenience in respect of such changes. Aurora Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case any payment made by you will be refunded in full and you will not be entitled to make any further claim for compensation or damages, for any loss, consequential damage, expenses, loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation.
Health, Fitness, Trip Grades and Age Limits
It is your responsibility to advise Aurora Expeditions of any preexisting medical conditions and /or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase risk of you requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of an expedition and the enjoyment of other expedition members. You are required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a fully qualified medical practitioner.
Aurora Expeditions reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your booking and refund the money paid by you, less any unrecoverable costs. Aurora Expeditions also reserves the right to cancel your participation in an expedition at any time, including after the commencement of the trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition and/or disability could be reasonably expected to aff ect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other expedition members.
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