Signature: Southern Africa's Highlights, Cape Town To The Okavango Delta

The adventure begins tomorrow. Feel free to explore on your own before your welcome meeting on the morning of day two. Check for the meeting time in the welcome note at the hotel.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group on the morning of day two.

Settle in and enjoy a comfortable ride in your private vehicle on a scenic drive up the West Coast.

The San people of Southern Africa have historically faced centuries of political and cultural oppression. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre provides tailor-made training for young San women and men of Southern Africa. Travellers learn about San culture and history at the interpretive museum. Visits help trainees gain experience with international clients while garnering support for the centre's efforts to preserve San culture and history.

The San people of Southern Africa have historically faced centuries of political and cultural oppression. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre provides tailor-made training for young San women and men of Southern Africa. The guides come from a diverse range of San communities, each with their own language and story. You will discover some of the qualities that enabled San to survive, and thrive, for centuries during your unique storytelling visit. Topics covered are First people, origins of mankind, food from the Ancestors, and storytelling through generations.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Groote Post is a historic, family-owned wine estate located in the scenic Darling Hills along South Africa's West Coast. Once a thriving 18th-century farm, it has grown into a celebrated producer of premium wines while preserving its deep agricultural roots. Winemaker, Lukas Wentzel-recognized as one of South Africa's top winemakers-will lead your private tasting of a few premium selected wines that are not available to the general public.

Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, 1,085m (3,562ft) above Cape Town, and explore the summit. This is a great spot to sit and soak up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the peaks of surrounding mountains, and the rest of Table Mountain National Park. Once at the top, take your time to enjoy the expansive vistas, explore walking trails, or simply relax and take in the mountain's serene ambience.

Travel to Lekka Kombuis for an interactive Cape Malay Cooking Class where the group will learn how to make a traditional curry, how to fold samosas, chilli bites, and rotis. Meet your host in the intimate embrace of a warm, homie setting which celebrates the traditional values of the Cape Malay culture. Everything will be made from scratch. After lunch embark on a short walking tour of the Bo-Kaap to uncover more of the history of the area and its colorful houses.

Join Christo Brand, a former prison guard at the Victor Verster prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last 14 months of his imprisonment, for a talk on Apartheid and listen to some of the fascinating stories he has to share.

Experience an immersive look at how apartheid shaped the South African identity throughout the 20th Century.

End the day with an immersive African Dining Experience at Gold restaurant where the diverse flavours of Africa can be celebrated alongside an interactive drumming experience to feel the rhythms of the nation.

Visit Boulders Penguin Colony Visitor Center where you'll learn about the endangered African penguins of Boulders Beach while observing them from a raised boardwalk above their natural habitat.

Enjoy a free evening to yourself back at the hotel. Ask your National Geographic Expedition leader if they have any dinner recommendations in the area.

Enjoy a tour of the Cape Peninsula. Along the scenic drive stop for views found on the Cape of Good Hope. Arrive to Cape Point via Chapman's Peak Drive. Once here, board the Flying Dutchman Funicular to take in the views of the turbulent seascape that has impacted the lives and legends of seafarers for centuries. It's the perfect way to fully appreciate the landscape and its long history.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Sit back and enjoy the views from above on a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

The Apartheid Museum is a museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, that chronicles the history of apartheid from its rise in 1948 to its fall in 1994, showcasing the struggle against racial segregation and the transition to a democratic society through exhibits like photographs, artifacts, and personal stories. It is considered a leading institution for understanding 20th-century South Africa and features immersive exhibits, including separate "White" and "Non-white" entrances that reflect the country's past segregation. It is a significant cultural and educational destination, considered the preeminent institution for studying South Africa's apartheid history. There will be refreshments and a light lunch before your guided, private tour.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on memory, dialogue and legacy work, founded by Nelson Mandela in 1999. The Nelson Mandela Foundation's research and archive aims to generate an integrated and dynamic resource on the life and times of Nelson Mandela. Enjoy a private, guided tour of the foundation and gain a deeper understanding of the ripple effects spanning from Mandela's life and legacy.

Sit back and enjoy the views from above on a short flight between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit.

Enjoy a National Geographic Expert-led talk given by Derek Van Der Merwe, part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Program. He will give a short presentation on The Big Cat Project and conservation work that has surpassed 50 years and is still going.

Embark on an afternoon safari drive with an Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) conservationist. Search for all different kinds of wildlife in the area and learn more about their daily habits and environment.

Take advantage of free time this afternoon to get settled and enjoy amenities at the lodge.

Rise early this morning for a safari drive in Thornybush's private reserve. This is one of the oldest lodges in the safari industry and one of the first commercial camps in South Africa. The nature reserve is now a world renowned wildlife-viewing destination in the Greater Kruger Park area. Keep your eyes peeled as the day sheds its golden light across the landscape and your guide points out must-see sites along the way.

Enjoy free time back at the lodge after your morning safari drive. Relax onsite and take advantage of the property's amenities. There will be the option to join a guided walking safari with an expert tracker should you choose. The group will reconvene in the afternoon for high tea and an expert-led discussion.

Spend three hours out on a safari drive in the lodge's private wildlife reserve. Be on the lookout for the famed "Big Five" and simply enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

Rise early this morning for a safari drive in Thornybush's private reserve. This is one of the oldest lodges in the safari industry and one of the first commercial camps in South Africa. The nature reserve is now a world renowned wildlife-viewing destination in the Greater Kruger Park area. Keep your eyes peeled as the day sheds its golden light across the landscape and your guide points out must-see sites along the way.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy a visit to the Shabalala Interpretation of Culture Centre in Hazyview. The centre offers a unique experience into traditional African dance. This form of self expression is not only a statement of art, but of grace and culture. Learn more about the traditions and customs of the Swati people and get lost in the storytelling of these ancient songs.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Head out into the stunning beauty of Kruger National Park on an afternoon safari drive and try your hand at spotting the legendary "Big Five."

Set off on an early morning safari drive in the southern section of Kruger National Park. Catch a glimpse of predators on the move and grazing wildlife along the Sabie River. Pass through the varied landscapes east and west of Skukuza, including a riverine forest, mixed woodland, and open grassland.

Enjoy free time back at the lodge after your morning safari drive. Relax onsite and take advantage of the property's amenities. The group will reconvene in the afternoon for high tea and an expert-led discussion before an afternoon safari drive.

Enjoy an afternoon safari drive back into the southern section of Kruger National Park. Search for wildlife, listen as your Endangered Wildlife Trust Conservationist regales you with knowledge of the landscape and animal kingdom within it.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Victoria Falls International Airport and your lodge stay.

Enjoy a lively theatre performance directed by the acclaimed handspring Puppeteer Mongiwekhaya, showcasing local professional artists in an intimate, open-air venue. This captivating fusion of dance, puppetry, music, and visuals delivers a powerful message of love and community and the universal spirit of togetherness. After the show the group will have some time to meet the cast of this award-winning production before returning to your haven on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Sit back and enjoy the views from above on a short flight between Kruger National Park area and Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls is one of the most compelling sites in the world, this cascading column of sheer energy powers its way down a 100m chasm, taking your breath away with its strength and incredible beauty. Victoria Falls is the world's largest curtain of falling water, creating immense spray, rainbows, and a unique rainforest ecosystem. Take in this magnificent natural wonder during a private, guided tour on the Zimbabwe side of the falls.

Start your visit to Victoria Falls off on the right foot by sitting down to a traditional, Zimbabwean meal, cooked by the Lusumpuko Women's Club, a group of women from a nearby township. A demonstration by the ladies will show you exactly how Zimbabweans traditionally eat their food, and you'll be served a farm-to-table meal made with traditional, local, in-season ingredients. This meal provides much-needed income to the cooperatives' 20 members - changing their lives and families in the process.

Gather together for a discussion on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work from a member of the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.

Board a private dinner cruise on the Zambezi River with a special guest speaker who will share tales of explorer David Livingstone. This unique experience combines gourmet dining with gorgeous scenery, creating an unforgettable evening on the water.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Victoria Falls and the border crossing into Botswana at Kazungula.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between the Botswana border crossing at Kazungula and your lodge stay in Chobe.

Board eco-friendly, electric boats and take in the stunning vistas along the Chobe River right by your lodge. The wildlife viewing while on a river safari in Chobe is unsurpassed anywhere else in Botswana. Elephants may line the water's edge, hippos will likely congregate in the lagoons, and many antelope and giraffe make their way to the water, while predators often wait patiently on the river banks. The lodge pioneered the use of electric boats for wildlife experiences on the water in 2014.

Rise early for a morning female-led safari drive inside Chobe National Park, where the lodge's specially adapted vehicles ensure that all guests enjoy a window seat and camera rest (should you have one.) Try to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and more in the golden morning light.

Board a photo safari just 20 minutes from the Zimbabwe/Botswana border on the Chobe River. Alongside your photo host you will set off on a leisurely ride through the Southern Channel of the river that will take your wildlife viewing to the next level. Photography is often the gateway to memory and with more professional equipment you can snap moments that will remain in your heart and mind forever.

In the afternoon set off for another female-led safari drive in Chobe National Park. Capture images of the park during a different time of day and relax with a sundowner as you admire the landscape around you.

Rise early for a morning female-led safari drive inside Chobe National Park, where the lodge's specially adapted vehicles ensure that all guests enjoy a window seat and camera rest (should you have one.) Try to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and more in the golden morning light.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Catch a flight from Chobe to Maun, Botswana's gateway to the Okavango Delta.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Maun.

You will meet one of the researchers of the Nkashi Trust team which has implemented the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) in a decade-long collaboration with the National Geographic Society. The NGOWP is a transboundary initiative that has spent the past ten years surveying and collecting scientific data on the Okavango river system and working with local communities, NGOs, and the governments of Angola, Namibia, and Botswana to secure permanent, sustainable protection for the greater Okavango Watershed.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Set out across the shimmering, endless salt crust of the Makgadikgadi Pans as the afternoon light turns to gold. Scan the vast arid expanse for remarkable desert-adapted wildlife, watching curious habituated meerkats pop out from subterranean burrows to forage through the scrub. Keep your eyes peeled for stealthy brown hyenas, sleek cheetahs, resilient gemsbok, and lions roaming across this ancient, otherworldly landscape.

Fly to the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Enjoy a morning safari in one of the world's top safari destinations. Search for elephants and giraffes grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.

Take a look at how a small team of scientists and community officers are tackling one of Africa's most complex challenges - conservation efforts and the reality of human & wildlife coexistence in remote areas of Botswana. Hear from the managing director and resident wildlife biologist at Elephants for Africa, alongside the organization's community projects' manager to discuss these complex issues. The visit combines a guided camp tour with a structured presentation and open Q&A. Guests hear the issues from both the scientific and the community perspectives, directly from the people who live and work at the intersection of both.

Set out on another safari drive this afternoon to view the resident wildlife in their daily slowdown. Perhaps you'll see a few of the big cats - cheetahs, leopards and lions - as well as giraffes, antelope and herds of migratory zebra or wildebeest in search of water.

Enjoy a morning safari in one of the world's top safari destinations. Search for elephants and giraffes grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.

Set out on another safari drive this afternoon to view the resident wildlife in their daily slowdown. Perhaps you'll see a few of the big cats - cheetahs, leopards and lions - as well as giraffes, antelope and herds of migratory zebra or wildebeest in search of water.

Bid farewell to the Makgadikgadi Pans as you fly to the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta.

Step into the heart of Botswana's wilderness on an unforgettable journey into the Okavango Delta. Your adventure begins with a scenic drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, travelling deep into the pristine area teeming with wildlife and rich in natural beauty. Explore the Delta the traditional way, gliding quietly through the waterways in a mokoro canoe, steered by skilled local polers who know the channels like the back of their hand. Back on land, a guided walking safari gives you the rare opportunity to connect with the bush on foot. Learn about the plants, animal tracks, and smaller wildlife often missed from a vehicle, while keeping an eye out for the Delta's bigger residents. This is more than a traditional wildlife safari, it's an immersion into one of the world's most remarkable ecosystems, guided by the people who call it home.

Continue exploring the Delta on a bush walk or by mokoro through the channels, searching for wildlife as you go.

Continue exploring the Delta on a bush walk or by mokoro through the channels, searching for wildlife as you go.

Fly out of the Okavango Delta and back to Maun to conclude the adventure.