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SOUTH AFRICA EXTRAVAGANZA |
Professionally Escorted Inclusive
Tours
Weekly 15 Day Package
Sunday Departures Available Year Round
Group
Savings (10 or more) Click
Here
Day 1 - Departure
Depart JFK or Washington D.C. for your overnight flight to South Africa.
Day
2 – Cape Town
Upon arrival
in Cape Town, you’ll be whisked away via a private transfer to your
elegant hotel, the Waterfront Holiday Inn. Nestled between Table
Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, the Holiday Inn Waterfront offers
spectacular views, as well as, all the services and amenities you’ve
come to expect from Holiday Inn. At the hotel, you’ll be give
time to unwind and freshen up after your long journey. The
afternoon is at your leisure to check out the city’s premier leisure
complex, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Or perhaps, you’d
rather hit the nearby local beaches. meals: breakfast
Day
3 – Cape of Good Hope Reserve
Today the
Cape highlights tour is on the agenda. You’ll start off by
traveling via the scenic Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak to
arrive at the world-famous Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Beautiful
and pristine, you’ll enjoy at least 250 species of birds,
1,110 indigenous species of plant life, and the natural mammal life of
bucks, baboons and more. From your high vantage point, you’ll be
able to drink in breathtaking views of the picturesque surrounding
countryside and see the mighty meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
Next, we’ll continue on through the wine lands to Simonstown and
Muizenberg where we’ll stop for lunch (not included).
Afterwards, we’ll visit a local South African winery. We’ll
round out the day with a drive through the bustling University town of
Stellenbosch before we return to the hotel. The evening is yours
to spend at the trendy waterfront, do some shopping or rest up for
tomorrow’s adventures.
meals: breakfast
Day
4 - Swellendam, Oudtshoorn
After
breakfast, we’ll travel through the scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass and
experience the quaint apple orchards of serene Grabouw to arrive at the
historic Swellendam, the 3rd oldest town in South Africa.
Swellendam is famous for its outdoor life, stately oak trees,
whitewashed homes and eclectic architecture. We’ll continue enjoying
the natural scenery of the Tradouw and Huis Rivier Pass and enter
the Klein Karoo where folded sandstone mountain ranges, and semi-desert
areas reflect a beauty all their own. We’ll stop to briefly to
visit the cities of Barrydale and Calitzdorp, which host an oasis of
lush green valleys and waterfalls, amidst the surrounding desert, and
continue on to Oudtshoorn – our final stop of the day.
meals: dinner, breakfast
Day
5 – Cango Caves, Mossel Bay, Knysna
This morning
we’re off to a fully guided tour of the spectacular Cango Caves, the longest sequence
of underground caves in the world. Boasting some of the largest
stalagmite formations in the world, the Cango Caves is a true natural
wonder. Time permitting, we’ll visit a crocodile & cheetah
ranch (optional activity) to view cheetahs, lions and leopards
from an elevated catwalk. Next, we’ll continue to visit
one of the famous ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn for an up-close and
personal look at these strange and exotic birds. Afterwards,
we’ll travel to the scenic Mossel Bay via the Robinson Pass, richly
covered in the rare Fynbos vegetation. In Mossel Bay, where the
Europeans first met the indigenous African people, we’ll take time to
visit the old “Post Office Tree,” the site of the first post office
in S. Africa. Knysna is our place of refuge for the night, and
we’ll make our way there via George and Wilderness’ white, sandy
beaches. The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays is located on the famous
Knysna lagoon facing the sea, and plays an important part in the
commerce and activity of the Knysna Waterfront. It is a perfect
place to wind down after a busy day, or for those with energy to burn,
to seek out the nightlife.
meals: breakfast, dinner
Day
6 – Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth, Kingsbeach
Today after
breakfast, we’ll travel via Plettenberg Bay – the Millionaires’
Playground – and the lush, dense rain forests of Tsitsikama National
Park to arrive in the thriving city of Port Elizabeth. Known for
its sunshine and safe sandy beaches, Port Elizabeth is inviting to the
tourist who enjoys moderate climates all year long. Our hotel, the
Holiday Inn Garden Court of Kingsbeach, is located in a welcoming
residential area – close to shopping areas and entertainment centers-
and offers magnificent views of the Indian Ocean.
meals: breakfast
Day
7 – Durban
This
morning, we’ll board our private transfer from the hotel to the
Port Elizabeth airport and fly to Durban – a cultural melting pot of
South Africa and the home of the Zulu nation. Upon arrival,
we’ll be shuttled to our hotel, the idyllic Umhlanga Protea hotel,
located just a few minutes from Durban’s golden beaches. The
rest of the day is at your leisure to relax in the sun, by pool or
seaside, try your hand at some challenging water sports, experience
Durban’s local cultural mystique, or enter a world of exotic sights
and smells a nearby market. It’s also a perfect time to take
advantage of the local cuisine.
meals: breakfast
Day
8 - Shakaland, Zulu Nation
Today is a
full day at your leisure. However, we do recommend an optional
full day tour introducing you to Shakaland. During this tour,
we’ll travel outside the city, passing sweet fields of sugar cane and
the wealthy Kloof area, to arrive at the awesome Valley of 1000 Hills.
As the Unhlatuze Lake glistens in the distance, you’ll come
face-to-face with the age-old Zulu tradition: beehive grass huts,
the witch doctor in all her regalia and pomp, the festive beer making
ceremonies, the artistry of tribal Zulu dancing, and a traditional Zulu
lunch (included). After a full day of memories, we’ll return to
our hotel, the Umhlanga Protea.
meals: breakfast
Day
9 – St. Luica Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe National Park
After
breakfast, we’ll depart from Durban and head to nearby world heritage
site - St. Luica Nature Reserve. Here, we’ll enjoy a cruise on the
lake known as a bird’s paradise. We’ll see colorful pelicans and
flamingoes, along with fierce hippos and crocodiles, as our boat parts
the water. Next we’ll continue on to South Africa’s oldest
game reserve, Hluhluwe National Park – home of the famous white rhino.
While fine-tuning our tracking skills, we’ll explore the bush looking
for elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes. In the late
afternoon, we’ll check into Ubizane Tree Lodge- located in the heart
of the reserve, where we’ll hang our hats for the evening.
Bathed in the whispers of fever trees, 24 thatched tree houses – each
with a unique balcony and traditionally decorated interior - hover in
the gathering dusk. We’ll arrive in time for an evening
game drive in an open safari vehicle with experienced rangers and
trackers. Later that evening, you’ll have a chance to relax on
your balcony as the harmonious melody of natural Africa unfolds its
symphony.
meals: dinner, breakfast
Day
10 – Swaziland, Kruger National Game Park
Today we
journey into the majestic Kingdom of Swaziland and continue via the high
reaching Lebombo Mountains to southern border of Kruger Park, South
Africa. Established in 1898, this National Park of nearly 2 million
hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its animal life. Today
we’ll occupy our time by searching for lions, elephants, leopards,
rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes while driving amidst the
extensive plant and bird life, en route to luxurious Bongani Mountain
Lodge, for an overnight. Spread out over granite formations, the
individual chalets of Bongani are decorated in timber, thatch and
striking colors to make an eclectic design best described as “Afro
Chic.”
meals: dinner, breakfast
Day
11 – Safari Kruger
Start the day
today with your choice of an optional early morning bush walk or game
drive (not included in price).
After breakfast, we’ll depart for the Kruger National Park
where we’ll hopefully get a chance to catch a glimpse of the Big Five
– lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. Our hotel
is peacefully set in an indigenous forest where we’ll experience the
true chorus of Africa. The grunt of a hippo, the bark of the
baboon and the laugh of the hyena will orchestrate a beautiful melody as
we enjoy our dinner in a traditional African boma (weather permitting)
with the stars, set in the deep African sky, twinkling above.
meals: dinner, breakfast
Day
12 - Mac Mac Falls, Pilgrim's Rest
Today
we’ll enjoy a game drive before breakfast to view the animals of the
bush in the cool of the morning (open safari vehicle is an available,
optional extra). After our delicious breakfast,
we’ll continue on to scenic areas of luscious green in Hazyview and
Sabie, a former gold spot. Here, we’ll stop to see the
thundering Mac Mac Falls and the peaceful region of Graskop, surrounded
by rivers, trees, ferns, waterfalls, and hiking trails. We’ll
overnight at the Royal Hotel in the charming little town of Pilgrim’s
Rest. Gone are the days of the hustle and bustle of 1873, when
Pilgrim’s Rest boasted the richest gold deposits in all of South
Africa. The mines around Pilgrim’s Rest continued to operate
until 1971, and in 1986, it was declared a national monument. Here
you can learn about the technical aspects of panning for gold, and the
mysterious stories that haunt the robber’s grave, located high in the
hills surrounding this sleepy little town.
meals: dinner, breakfast
Day
13 – Johannesburg
After a
hearty breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River, we'll
continue on the panorama route, visiting the Blyde River Canyon (the 3rd
largest canyon in the world),
the Three Rondawels and God's Window. The
unsurpassed scenery with rich and varied vegetation creates a perfect
habitat for a wide variety of birdlife. Here, in Blyde River
Canyon, is a breeding colony of the rare bald Ibis. Our journey to
Johannesburg will also include a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls.
We will travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of
Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. Late afternoon arrival in
Johannesburg at your northern suburbs hotel.
meals: breakfast
Day
14 – Soweto, Homeward
Morning tour of
Soweto including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighborhood life,
two Nobel Prizewinners' previous residences, the Hector Peterson
memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Return to your hotel
by lunchtime to continue on a private transfer to Johannesburg
International Airport in time for your homebound flight.
Day
15 – Home
Today
you’ll arrive back to the US (JFK/Atlanta) after your fantastic and
memorable trip of the colorful and exciting nation of South Africa.
AIR
& LAND
Prices are listed per person and based on double occupancy rooms.
Air taxes are NOT inclusive. Land Only Prices Are Also
Available!!
Prices :
Call for current pricing
Group
Savings (10 or more) Click
Here
Price Includes:
Airfare from JFK or Washington D.C. (low add-on fares are available nationwide),
sightseeing as listed in itinerary, double occupancy 4 star hotels, all
transportation, guides, receptive greeting services and daily tour
management staff, a delightful time and great bargains.
- World
class personalized documentation packs, including itinerary, maps
and brochures.
- the
entire tour conducted by no more than 2 expert guides to ensure
continuity.
- the
definitive tour to cover the highlights of S. Africa.
- small
vehicles for personalized service.
- experienced,
knowledgeable, licensed guides.
- luxury,
air-conditioned, safe vehicles.
- can
add pre / post nights in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Not
Included:
Gratuities to guides and drivers, air taxes, transportation to the
airport.
Departure:
from U.S. – Sundays
from S. Africa (land only) – Mondays
Vehicle:
air-conditioned mini bus
Meals:
as noted on itinerary
Clothing:
light safari clothing is sufficient. Some hotels may require
“smart” casual for dinner. From May to September warm
clothing is required.
Documents:
as we’re
entering Swaziland, passports and visa conditions apply. US
citizens do NOT need a visa to enter South Africa, however a passport
valid 6 months beyond your stay is required.
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