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 PRE-Cruise Program begins in Johannesburg and therefore guests need to fly into 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.
Special Note: 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
Upon arrival at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, you will be met and assisted through passport control and baggage claim. You will then be escorted your hotel where you will spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Your hotel is located within walking distance of the terminal.
Check in time at your hotel is at 2:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arriving flight you may wish to book an extra night so that your room is available upon arrival.
NOTE - Guests on Splendor's January 5 sailing will have a New Year's Eve dinner at the hotel on this evening.
DAY 2
After breakfast and check out, meet your local escort and walk to the terminal to check in for a flight to Kasane, Botswana.
As guests may only bring one piece of checked luggage per person, excess luggage (1 piece per person) will be shipped via courier to Cape Town where you will be re-united with it on Day 5. Make sure to pack accordingly and bring any medications and cruise documents with you.
Upon arriving in Kasane, proceed through Customs and Immigration and then another local representative will assist with your transfer to Chobe Chilwero. Your lodge is located on the Chobe River, not far from the entrance to Chobe National Park.
If time allows, enjoy lunch and then some free time to get acquainted with your surroundings.
A bit later in the day, gather in the main lodge for tea and snacks followed by a game drive in Chobe National Park. Safaris are conducted in 4x4 open side vehicles and led by qualified professional guides who will bring you close to hippos, buffalos, puku and other animals that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. Naturally, elephants, lion and leopard are also found in the area.
Return to your lodge thereafter for dinner and overnight.
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.
Along with elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo, 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
After enjoying one last optional game drive and breakfast, check-out from the lodge and transfer cross the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe by road en route to Victoria falls. (Visas will need to purchased here for Zimbabwe), The drive is approximately 1- 1.5 hours depending on border time.
On arrival at the Victoria Falls hotel, check in and enjoy lunch.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to the Zambezi River and embark on a sunset cruise (shared departure). Depending on the size of the group the boat may either be a covered single level sightseeing boat or a larger boat with multiple levels. Enjoy a beverage from this vantage point whilst watching the sunset and possibly sighting hippos, crocodiles, various birdlife and maybe even an elephant or two along the banks of the river.
Your boat cruise is followed up with dinner back at the hotel.
DAY 5
After breakfast and check out, transfer to the Victoria Falls Rainforest where you will have a guided walk.
Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is 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.
A path along the edge of the rainforest provides visitors with an unparalleled series of views of the falls but be prepared to get wet from the tremendous spray!
NOTE: the cobblestone walkways within the rainforest can be slippery if wet and some spots are at a gradient. Proper walking shoes that have a good grip should be worn, and guests should wear appropriate clothing to get wet. Due to the amount of walking and terrain, this program is not suited for guests who have walking difficulty or who utilize a wheelchair or scooter. Walking distance will be 2-4km (1.24 – 2.48 miles).
Your program here concludes with a transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport where you will take a flight to Cape Town.
In Cape Town you will be met and transferred to your hotel which is located at the Victoria And Alfred Waterfront where you will find a wide array of shopping and dining options. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Guests will be reunited with any excess luggage that was stored in Johannesburg and shipped to Cape Town.
NOTE: Activities and meals on this day are subject to your flight time
DAY 6
After breakfast and check-out is completed, you will be transferred to the Cape Town Harbour via a city orientation tour.
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. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•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.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and assisted with the walk to your airport-based hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 2:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrival of your flight into Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
You will be met outside Customs and Immigration and assisted on the walk to your airport-based hotel.
2:00pm Hotel check-in time
Lunch and dinner are on your own
Overnight at the Intercontinental OR Tambo or similar hotel
Meet and Greet
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet is arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a meet and greet included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a meet and greet cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2 – timings subject to change based on flight details. Below is an example itinerary
From 6:30am Breakfast at the hotel and complete check-out formalities
9:15am You are met and accompanied on a short walk to the airport to check-in for your flight to Kasane, Botswana
9:50am Check-in for flight to Kasane
11:50am Flight from Johannesburg to Kasane (Flight details TBA and subject to change).
A very light snack is served on the flight
1:35pm Arrival in Kasane, a lodge representative will meet and transfer to your lodge
2:30pm Approximate arrival at lodge followed by check-in formalities
3:30pm Afternoon tea
4:00pm Afternoon game drive
7:00pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Chobe Chilwero Lodge
DAY 3
6:00am Wake-up call
6:30am Breakfast
7:00am Morning game drive
12:30pm Enjoy lunch followed by free time (consider a spa treatment or time at the pool)
3:30pm Afternoon tea
4:00pm Afternoon river cruise
7:00pm Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Chobe Chilwero Lodge
DAY 4
6:00am Wake-up call
6:30am Breakfast
7:00am Morning game drive
10:00am Check-out formalities
11:00am Transfer to Victoria Falls, border crossing at Botswana/Zimbabwe – visas required
12:30pm Approximate arrival time at hotel – enjoy lunch followed by check-in formalities
2:00pm Check in time
Spend the afternoon at leisure
6:30pm Transfer from hotel to the Zambezi River & jetty
8:30pm Depart on 2-hour sunset boat cruise on Zambezi River
8:30pm After your cruise, return to hotel and freshen up prior to dinner
9:00pm Informal dinner at hotel (Jungle Junction restaurant or similar)
Overnight at Victoria Falls Hotel
DAY 5– timings subject to change based on flight details. Below is an example itinerary
8:00am After breakfast and check-out at hotel, transfer to the rain forest
8:30am Embark on a guided tour of the Falls – Zimbabwe side
10:30am Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your direct flight to Cape Town
11:15am Check-in time for your flight to Cape Town
1:15pm Flight from Victoria Falls to Cape Town (flight details TBA and subject to change) A very light snack is served during flight
4:20pm Arrival into Cape Town – clear customs and immigration and collect luggage
5:00pm You are met by a local representative and escorted to your awaiting vehicle
5:15pm Transfer to your overnight hotel, located within the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
6:00pm Approximate arrival time at your hotel – check-in and spend the evening at leisure
Dinner will be on your own
Overnight and the Victoria and Alfred Hotel
DAY 6
6:30-10:30am Breakfast at the hotel
11:00am Official check-out time
11:30am Depart the hotel and embark on a city orientation tour en-route to the harbor
1:00pm Approximate arrival time at the harbor for embarkation
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. The average daily temperature is 30°C and nighttime temperatures can drop to approximately 14°C.
The arrival of the rains trigger a dispersal of game from the Chobe River area but the warm, rainy December to March summer months are the best time to visit Chobe for bird watching, the impala birthing season (great for predators!) and to see the Savute zebra migration.
In Zimbabwe and Botswana, during summer (October – April), days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can rise to 30ºC (86 ºF) and night temperatures drop to around 14ºC (57.2 ºF) - 16ºC (60.8 ºF). The temperatures given are those for the main centers but it is considerably warmer all year round in the low-lying areas such as Kariba, Victoria Falls, and the Zambezi Valley. The rainy season runs from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year.
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 chargers, personal toiletries 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.
In Zimbabwe, the unit of currency is the US Dollar
Credit card payments in Zimbabwe are subject to change on a daily basis. Currently, as only Visa cards are widely accepted here so we recommend that you travel with a small amount of US Dollars or SA Rand in cash, in small denominations, to pay for incidental expenses.
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.
Outlets in Zimbabwe require a three-pronged adapter plug with 3 round prongs
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 additional piece of luggage per person (23kg/ 50 lbs) can be stored in Johannesburg from Days 2 – 5 and it will be shipped to your hotel in Cape Town.
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 your home to the ship - 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 RSSC 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 Regent Seven Seas 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 crossing the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Visas are payable only in cash and are approximately $75 USD per person (subject to change)
*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 therefore you should have at least 6 blank pages.
*Passports should also 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 for your nationality and in particular for this land program.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
Accommodation:
Intercontinental OR Tambo Hotel
Located in the OR Tambo Airport
1 O R Tambo Airport, O.R. Tambo, Johannesburg, 1619, South Africa
Phone: +27 11 961 5400
The Victoria Falls Hotel
1, Mallet Drive, Victoria Falls, PO Box 10, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263 83 284 4751
Chobe Chilwero Lodge
Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana
Phone: +27 11 438 4650
Victoria and Alfred Hotel Cape Town
Dock Road, Waterfront
Phone: 021 419 6677
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
*1 night at the Intercontinental OR Tambo Hotel in Johannesburg on a bed & breakfast basis or similar hotel (standard double room)
*2 nights at Chobe Chilwero Lodge (Suite) including all meals and activities while on site and 2 local drinks per person at meals
*I night at the Victoria Falls Hotel or similar including breakfast (Deluxe Central Room)
*1 night at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel or similar hotel in Cape Town including breakfast (Piazza facing Room)
*1 lunch and 1 dinner in Victoria Falls, including two local drinks per person
*Meet & Greet service at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport
*Transfers where required in luxury air-conditioned vehicles
*Registered English-speaking tour guide on transfers where required
*Guided tour at Victoria Falls and orientation tour in Cape Town
*Luggage storage of up to 1 bag per person in Johannesburg from Days 2 – 5 and shipment by courier to Cape Town
*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 arrival information, so your meet and greet can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
PROGRAM EXCLUDES:
*Any other meals and beverages not listed in the program including premium-brand drinks
*Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service
*Gratuities to drivers, guides, rangers, trackers, lodge staff
*Visa fees
*Any other services not mentioned above
*Excess or overweight luggage fees on flights
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 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Price: $5,199 per guest based on double occupancy.
Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.
