Africa is a destination that captures the imagination of travelers like no other. Once considered the “Dark Continent” it remains mysterious and alluring in the travel imagination Imprint’s Southern Africa includes the best the continent has to offer and the most diverse 12 days that can be had on a tour. We start with thundering Victoria Falls. Then it is amazing game-viewing with 4 days of safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Then, with a complete change of scenery we conclude in vibrant Cape Town. We’ll venture to Cape Point, photograph penguins, sample wine, ascend Table Mountain, and enjoy Africa’s most engaging urban center. For those who choose to extend to Namibia, we’ll experience another entirely new ecosystem as we explore the desert state.
Visas: Participants are required to obtain their own visitor visas, at their own expense.
Q: How do I obtain visas for the tour?
A: Tourist visas for US citizens are issued upon arrival in each country. Each country requires at least 1 blank passport page. Namibia - free; South Africa - free (SA requires two consecutive blank passport pages); Botswana - free; Zimbabwe $30 (Note - If you are considering going to the Zambia side of the falls during or after the tour, you should get a KAZA visa, good for Zimbabwe and Zambia ($50).
Registration and Deposit
Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?
A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to a Manage Booking page where you can view all your trip details, your deposit receipt, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance through Travelex. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.
Flight Information
Q: Are flights included?
A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included. Internal tour flights are included.
Q: What airport do I use to join/depart the tour?
A: The tour starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (XIY) on Sept 27 (late afternoon) and ends in Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) on Oct 8 (after breakfast). If opting for the optional post-tour Namibia extension, you should depart from Windhoek, Namibia (WDH).
Q: What if I want to visit the Zambia side of the falls before the tour.
A: Obtain a KAZA visa upon arrival and book a flight into Livingstone, Zambia (LVI).
Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?
A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.
Q: When can I book my flights?
A: We advise not booking flights before the EPD deadline of Jan 27, 2025. If you want to book earlier, please inquire about the status of the tour.
Early Pay Discount (EPD)
Q: How do I avail the Early Pay Discount (EPD)?
A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must book your trip and pay in full by Jan 27, 2025. The payment system already reflects this discount. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding the EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.
Pre-Departure Information
Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?
A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the tour end date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.
Pre- and Post-Tour Hotels
Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights in our tour hotels?
A: For pre-tour nights, Shearwater Explorer Village. For post-tour nights Onomo Waterfront Hotel, Bookings are under Imprint Tours, standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.
Tour Hotels
Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?
A: On the Southern Africa Tour ITINERARY page on the Imprint website.
Important Reminders
Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?
A: Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.
- Add [email protected] to your email address book.
- Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.
- Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal or Credit Card fees.
Health and Safety
Q: What health precautions should I take?
A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for South Africa, Botswana, & Zimbabwe (Namibia for extension). We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.
This tour involves moderate physical activity, including climbing in and out of safari vehicles. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.
Tour Member Expectations
Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?
A: Be flexible, independent, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.
Travel Insurance
Q: Why is travel insurance important?
A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness. We recommend Travelex.
In case you haven’t read our Terms and Conditions carefully, we would like to repeat the importance of purchasing trip insurance. We have partnered with Travelex, a leader in the travel insurance industry. We have chosen Travelex for their very high rating, their record and reliability of processing claims, and their excellent customer service. Travelex is proud to offer you a variety of travel protection plans to fit your travel needs. We understand your plans can change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it’s important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.
Travel protection plans help provide coverage for:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
- Travel Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay and more
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES*: With a Travelex Travel Protection Plan, emergency assistance and travel services are just a phone call away from virtually anywhere in the world.
For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, CLICK HERE or contact Travelex
Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0252.
Please Note:
Travelex Insurance Services plans are only available to U.S. Residents. To be eligible for a waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the Ultimate protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, plans can be purchased any time up until the day prior to departure.
*Travel Assistance Services are provided by the designated provider as listed in the policy. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states.
For couples or traveling companions registering together.
Price is per person based on double occupancy.
For individuals traveling alone, paying the Single Supplement.
For individuals traveling together but registering separately OR for the individual who doesn't want to pay the Single Supplement and is willing to share a room with a traveler of the same gender.
Note - If Imprint is unable to find a traveler willing to share you will be required to pay the Single Supplement.
For couples or traveling companions.
Price is per person based on double occupancy.
OR - singles planning to share
For individuals traveling alone, paying the Single Supplement.
Day 1 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meeting; Zambezi Sunset Cruise; Dinner
After a mid-afternoon get-acquainted meeting we’ll enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. The Zambezi sunset cruise is a traveler’s institution: animals coming to the river for their evening drink (and an open bar for us!), beautiful scenery, hippos lounging alongside, the thundering sounds of the falls approaching, and an amazing African sunset. Then it’s on to dinner together.
Day 2 Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls National Park; Township Visit; Free afternoon
Spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world’s seven natural wonders, is our goal this morning. “So lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” said David Livingstone of the spectacular Mosi-oa-Tunya - ‘The smoke that thunders’. The mighty Zambezi River is divided into a series of braided channels that descend in many separate falls. Together, the Falls are over a mile across and boast the largest curtain of water in the world – over 130 million gallons of water per minute go over the falls and drop more than 300 feet to the roiling gorge below. We’ll be here when photography is at its best. Later this morning we visit Chinotimba Township. The word Chinotimba describes the roar of the water from the Falls in the local Nambya language. We will be hosted in a local family residence for light lunch and a Q&A session. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you choose.
Day 3 Victoria Falls
Rhino Safari; Flight of Angels
An early morning start takes us to a private game preserve where black rhinos reside. The viewing success rate exceeds 90% so we should see the elusive animals. And of course, we will see other wildlife as well. We’ll be back at our hotel before lunch. Our afternoon activity is the spectacular “Flight of Angels” helicopter ride over the falls. This is the only way to view the entire breadth and majesty of the falls. This activity has been so popular in the past we’ve decided to include it on the tour.
Day 4 Victoria Falls
Free day
Today is a free day. Victoria Falls offers many excursions, wildlife viewing, and adventure activities. Options include: walking or night safaris; white water rafting, a large variety of adventure sports activities, and much more. Your tour manager will assist with bookings.
Day 5 Chobe National Park
Sunset cruise
Today we cross into neighboring Botswana. Upon our arrival in Kasane we enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River where we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and myriad birds without having to reach for our binoculars. You’ll be near enough for close-up photographs, not to mention the chance of a spectacular African Sunset. Kwalape Safari Lodge offers the perfect base to discover the wonders of Chobe NP. The main restaurant and bar are nestled into the surrounding bush with a pool-side bar, ideal for sun downers and sharing the day’s experiences.
Day 6 Chobe
AM game drive; Q&A
Today will begin with a Chobe game drive. The park is over 4000 square miles of wilderness area watered by the Chobe & Savuti Rivers – big game magnets. This includes lion and some of the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, an estimated population of around 25,000. In addition, we’re likely to see zebra, giraffe, warthog, and numerous antelope including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Reedbuck, Lechwe, and the colorful Chobe Bushbuck. Bird watching opportunities in Chobe are ample and include some 350 species including the African Fish Eagle, the rare Pell’s Fishing Owl, saddle-billed storks, long-toed Plovers, pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmers, Bradfield’s Hornbills, and Carmine Beeeaters. Another Chobe highlight, exclusive to Imprint, is an informal Q&A session with our host, Milton K., director of the lodge. Among other topics, he will share what life is like in today’s Botswana, why Botswana is so different from the surrounding countries, why its people are so confident, how his marriage was arranged, and how he got his nickname!
Day 7 Chobe
AM game drive; PM game drive; local entertainment
More game drives highlight the day's plans - early morning and late afternoon. But today’s unique activity is a wonderful music and dance performance from a local dance troupe. At Imprint, we have arranged local music and dance performances in many countries – this is by all measures the most energetic, the most authentic, the most fun, and the most engaging performance we have ever offered.
Day 8 Cape Town South Africa
Today is a travel day. After breakfast we’ll be transferred to Kasane’s’ airport. In the afternoon we fly to our destination of Cape Town (flight included).
Day 9 Cape Town
Cape Excursion
This is an awe-inspiring day-long tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The drive south highlights the 12 Apostles peaks, historic and picturesque coastal villages, and photogenic beaches. At the Good Hope Nature Reserve we’ll enjoy rich fynbos vegetation, bird life, endemic antelope and zebra, and the historic lighthouse. For lunch we travel on to Simon’s Town with its charming Victorian architecture. Then a visit to the penguin colony at beautiful Boulders Beach.
Day 10 Cape Town
Winelands
A delightful drive takes us into the heart of the Cape winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards, and Cape Dutch homesteads. After crossing scenic Helshoogte Pass our first stop of the morning is a local wine estate. An informative cellar tour and wine tasting gives us personalized insight into the finer points of wine-making. We'll take time out for lunch in Stellenbosch. Take a stroll down the canal-lined avenues in the shade of giant oaks and past beautifully preserved historic buildings or enjoy the coffee shops, galleries, antique shops, and wine bars that line the sidewalks. This university town exudes an air of quiet intellectualism and wine-making history. With the great numbers of wine estates on offer we are truly spoiled for choices when we enjoy our second wine tasting of the day. After our return to Cape Town, your evening is free.
Day 11 Cape Town
Free day
Imprint will assist with free time transportation arrangements and bookings. Two obvious options are Robben Island and Table Mountain. Located in Capetown’s Table Bay, Robben Island is the infamous Apartheid era prison. The most famous inmate, of course, was Nelson Mandela. Visitors are escorted through the complex by former inmates – a fascinating cultural connection experience. The rotating Table Mountain Aerial Cablecar sweeps visitors to the top of Table Mountain with views over Table Bay, Cape Town center, Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south. At the end of the day we'll gather for our final dinner together.
[Note: Imprint Tours’ operational values are to include all major sights on our tours. However, Robben Island does not offer any group discounts, meaning we are unable to add value by including it. The Table Mountain excursion is weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, we have elected to make these excursions optional.]
Day 12 Tour Over
Tour over after breakfast. For those extending to Namibia we will depart after breakfast. For those departing for home today, Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s Included:
11 night’s accommodation; All breakfasts, 5 dinners, 5 lunches; All transport (bus, custom safari vehicle, flight); All tips (tour director, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of Imprint escort; All entrances: Victoria Falls NP, Stanley & Livingstone private reserve (Rhino safari), Chobe NP; All activities: driving safaris; Chobe River cruise; Zambezi River cruise; helicopter ride, Township visit, wine tastings (2), Cape Point excursion, penguin reserve, and more.
Important Exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, and flight baggage overage fees.
Namibia Extension
Note: While not physically demanding, this extension entails long driving days on dusty, unpaved roads. The pace is demanding. Of the 6 nights, 4 are single night stops. Moreover, while Imprint endeavors to hire sturdy vehicles in good repair, Namibia is particularly hard on vehicles and breakdowns and/or replacements due occur.
Day 1 Clanwilliam
Cederberg Wilderness
A post breakfast departure from Capetown begins our Namibia extension/tour. A brief stop as we depart the city allows a photo op of Table Mountain across the Bay. We’ll drive through the hills of southern South Africa to our first destination, Clanwilliam, gateway to the Cederberg Mountains. We’ll have time to visit the nearby Cederberg Wildernsess Area to do some easy hiking, see the ancient San Rock Art, and photograph the famously picturesque rock formations. Leopards are known to have been seen in this area as well.
Day 2 Orange River
Today is largely a travel day as we make our way to the Orange River which serves as the Namibian border. Upon arrival we can relax in our lovely riverside bungalows or have a sunset drink by the hotel pool as the river meanders by below us.
Day 3 Fish River Canyon
Canoe trip; Fish River Canyon
After breakfast we’ll indulge in a leisurely paddle as we travel by canoe on the Orange River. In the afternoon we’ll drive to nearby Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and second largest in the world. Hopefully there will be time for a quick, easy hike along the canyon rim upon arrival and possibly another African sunset with the magnificent views from the canyon rim.
Day 4 Sossusvlei
Today is another travel day as we have lots of miles to cover. Our goal is the clear highlight of southern Namibia – magnificent Sossusvlei, home to the globe’s highest sand dunes and gateway to the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Day 5 Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei; Sesreim Canyon
Today is our desert activity day. An early start will allow us to enjoy the early golden light that electrifies the reddish sands of Sossusvlei’s magnificent dunes. Our destination is Dead Vlei with its stunning, picturesque black petrified trees, backed by the golden dunes and blue desert skies. We’ll finish off our morning with an easy hike through Sesriem Canyon, carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. This is an absolutely spectacular photographic day – the clear highlight of the extension. In the afternoon we can help arrange an optional scenic flight.
Day 6 Windhoek
This day will be spent driving the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way north to Windhoek. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, leopards, and cheetahs. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis, an odd-looking desert shrub.
Day 7 Extension Over
Extension over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s Included:
6 night’s accommodation; All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 2 lunches; all tour transport; all tips (guide, drivers, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-tme services of African guide; All entrances: Sevilla Rock Art Trail, Fish River Canyon NP, Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei; All activities: Cedarberg Mountains, Orange River canoe excursion, Fish River Canyon hike
Important Exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.