Africa 2015:
Splendors of South Africa and Victoria Falls
Start City: Cape Town | End City: Johannesburg |
DAY 1 Arrive in Cape Town, South
Africa
Welcome to South Africa! Arrive late this evening,
check in to your hotel, and rest as you prepare for a great
adventure.
DAY 2 Cape Town. Cape Peninsula
Excursion
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting
with an orientation tour of Cape Town. Then, take a scenic drive south through
the fishing village of Hout Bay before ascending Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of
the most spectacular drives in the world and which skirts the rocky coastline.
Continue on to CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE. Stop at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape
Point, the south westernmost point of the African continent, for incredible
panoramic views. Continue on to Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, where you will
visit a COLONY OF ENDANGERED AFRICAN PENGUINS, known for the unique sound they
make. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure. This evening,
join your traveling companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3 Cape
Town
This morning, visit the BO-KAAP MUSEUM, followed
by a fascinating WALKING TOUR through Bo-Kaap, also known as the Malay Quarter.
Founded by former slaves in the 1750s, this lively area is a true melting pot of
cultures. The historic and colorful houses, ranging from lime-green and pink to
orange, reflect Dutch and British architecture, and the area has been declared a
national monument. Afterward, visit the home of a local family for a MALAY
COOKING CLASS. Learn how to mix masala, fold samosas, and about the delicate
flavors of Cape Malay curry before sitting down for a traditional Malay meal.
Then, visit Table Mountain and take a CABLE-CAR RIDE to the top (weather
permitting) for stunning views of the city and surrounding area. The remainder
of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 4 Cape
Town
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries.
Perhaps simply explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion
to the stunning Cape wine lands for wine tasting, or cruise to infamous Robin
Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison, for a guided
tour. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this
beautiful city. (Breakfast)
DAY 5 Cape Town-Kapama Private Game
Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park
Today, leave beautiful
Cape Town behind and fly to KAPAMA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, part of Greater Kruger
National Park, to begin your safari adventure! The Kruger area is famous for its
abundance of wildlife and you will have a great chance of seeing the “Big
5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Enjoy your first GAME DRIVE this
afternoon. Your skilled tracker and professional ranger work together as a team
so you can learn more about the ecosystem as you view wildlife up close. Return
to your lodge for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Days 6-7 Kapama Private Game
Reserve
Rise between 5 am and 5:30 am for coffee and tea
before your EARLY MORNING GAME DRIVE. If the timing is right, you might spot
some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Other animals you may see include
kudu, impala, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, wildebeest, and more.
Great bird watching is also possible—some 350 species having been recorded in
the area. Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax and enjoy
the lodge and its surroundings. Perhaps take a swim in the pool, visit the
wellness center for one of the many spa treatments on offer, or simply sit back
and watch the animals pass by. You may even choose to join your ranger for a
BUSH WALK to learn more about the native flora and how to identify animals by
their footprints, while observing them from a safe distance. Optional excursions
include the nearby Hoedspruit Center for Endangered Species, where you can see a
number of rehabilitated animals or get up close to a herd of elephants so you
can touch and feed them. On one of the days you may even choose to skip a game
drive for a memorable hour-long elephant-back safari through the bush! In the
mid-afternoon, tea will be served prior to your AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE. Step out
of your safari vehicle to stretch your legs and watch as the sun sets over the
Drakensberg Mountains. As darkness descends, your tracker will bring out a
spotlight to help you spot nocturnal animals—if you are lucky, maybe even a
leopard! Return to your lodge in time to freshen up before dinner. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner daily)
DAY 8 Kapama Private Game
Reserve-Johannesburg
Enjoy one last GAME DRIVE this morning
before transferring to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. The
remainder of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast)
DAY 9
Johannesburg
Today’s sightseeing starts with an enriching
visit to SOWETO (South Western Township), the largest township in the country.
Soweto is a part of South Africa’s turbulent past, but this multicultural area
is also a reflection of today and hope for tomorrow. Along the way, see the
homes of two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond
Tutu. You will also see the Hector Pieterson Memorial, dedicated to the
12-year-old boy killed by police during a demonstration in 1976. This led to the
Soweto Uprising, an important event in the long struggle to end apartheid some
14 years later. Next, visit the unforgettable APARTHEID MUSEUM. Here you will
learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era.
Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey
through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson
Mandela president. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 10 Johannesburg-Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe
Today, leave South Africa and fly north to Zimbabwe.
This evening, enjoy a CRUISE on the Zambezi River, which affords you a great
opportunity to photograph wildlife and a spectacular African sunset. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 11 Victoria
Falls
Today, visit mighty VICTORIA FALLS for an awe-inspiring
experience. Enjoy a GUIDED WALK, where you will learn the history of the falls
and hear fascinating details about the surrounding flora and fauna. This
evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
Day 12-Victoria
Falls-Johannesburg-Homebound Flight
Your tour ends with a
flight back to Johannesburg to connect with your homebound flight. Book
homebound flights after 5:30 pm. (Breakfast)
Only $500 to reserve your space.