Wildlife, Nature & Tribal Cultures
includes an extension to Victoria Falls
May 12-26 and October 13-27, 2009
This tour can be modified for private travel to suit your preferences and interests.
Your trip begins in Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful cities. You will then explore the Cape of Good Hope and head to the Winelands, where you'll bicycle or stroll through picturesque countryside dotted with vineyards, Cape Dutch homes, and historical villages like Stellenbosch and Frankschhoek. Then its on to the Garden Route for whalewatching and phenomenal coastal scenery; there, you'll have the option of hiking, kayaking, tubing, and canoeing through pristine nature reserves (adventures are easy and elective). Next you'll travel to your 5-star lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which offers perhaps the highest game density of any private reserve in southern Africa. Your game drives take you near elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, giraffe, and a host of other animals and birds. Finally, fly to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, one the seven natural wonders of the world.
Day 1 Arrival in Cape Town
(from the U.S., arriving is around noon). Transfer to your hotel, where you may relax after your international flight. Later, stroll through the vibrant waterfront area, noted for its fashionable shops, restaurants, music venues, bars, produce markets, restored warehouses and dock buildings. In the evening, dine at a recommended restaurant or at your hotel restaurant.Cedric’s Guest House-- situated in the historic De Waterkant area, the most vibrant part of the city, the old Slave Quarter; close to the city and waterfront. The hotel was riginally the home of artisans and tradesmen who came from Malaysia in the late 17Th century. This historical part of Cape Town is now the thriving, bustling arty, heart of this vibrant city. Experience real Cape Town with Capetonians. Grab a coffee at a nearby corner cafe or stroll down the tree lined cobbled streets. Breakfast is not served in the guesthouse, but in a village cafe about 3 minutes walk away.
Day 2 Cape Town
Morning cable car excursion up Table Mountain. Along with Victoria Falls, Table Mountain is one of southern Africa's most beautiful and impressive natural wonders. Weather-permitting, your Table Mountain excursion should provide you with wonderful views of the entire Cape. After lunch, you have a choice of two activities. First, you may visit beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and then drive through the idyllic Constantia district. Your second option is take a fascinating tour of Robben Island, the notorious 17th century prison that later held apartheid South Africa's most famous opponents, including Nelson Mandela.Day 3 Cape of Good Hope
Full day excursion to the Cape of Good Hope. Highlights include Chapman’s Peak drive, 1800 feet above the ocean and considered to be one of the finest scenic coastal drives in the world; Noordhoek Valley, where Southern Right whales are frequently seen; and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We’ll enjoy a lovely cruise to Seal Island, home to a large population of seals and sea birds. Afterwards, continue around the Cape, stopping at fishing villages and other areas of historical and cultural interest. (B, L)Day 4 Townships (B, L)
Morning visit the townships built on the outskirts of the city during apartheid era for housing the black inhabitants. Lunch at township restaurant--a chance to sample real African food. Afterwards, visit the Lwandle Migrant Labor Museum. The migrant workers were housed in large hostels completely cut off from surrounding communities. An informative tour of the hostel will give insight into how the system worked. There will also be time to have a look at local arts and crafts. Afternoon free time.Day 5 The Winelands
Morning departure to Franschhoek, a lovely village situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands along picturesque backroads, passing by whitewashed Cape Dutch homes, the Berg River, assorted vineyards, and stopping periodically for winetasting. Then take a short drive to Stellenbosch, a delightful university town that many consider to be the most beautiful in all of South Africa. You’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historical downtown area, followed by winetasting or shopping.Roggeland Country Inn. is situated on a 300-year old country estate and is one of the region’s most distinguished examples of Cape Dutch architecture. (B)
Day 6 Knysna
Drive along the Garden Route to Knysna, (5hr) a quaint, charming, lagoon-side town. Stroll through the town center, perusing the various arts-and-crafts shops, galleries, restaurants, and coffee-houses. This afternoon, you'll visit the Heads, towering sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance of the lagoon, funneling the ocean through a small channel. Kynsna's beautiful lagoon is surrounded by forested hills. Exploring the summit of the Heads, you'll be rewarded with extraordinary panoramic views of the sea and lagoon.Elephant Hide of Knysna Lodge is set outside the town, with awesome views over the lagoon - luxury wooden chalets with spa baths - indigenous gardens. (B) Note: Canoeing enthusiasts may elect to canoe across Knysna lagoon instead of visiting the town center.
Day 7 Plettenberg Bay/Tsitsikamma (B, L)
Short drive to Plettenberg Bay. "Plet" is a spectacularly beautiful setting with a rare combination of mountains, white sand, and crystal blue water. Its coastline has inspired rave reviews since the Portuguese first discovered it in 1497, naming it Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay). Whales and dolphins are frequent visitors to the bay, and they are often visible from Plet's many lookout points.We will visit Tsitsikamma National Park, which encompasses some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in South Africa, including deep gorges and evergreen forests. Here you have a choice between two wonderful soft adventures--time permitting. Your first option is very scenic tubing down the Storm's River (easy; 6 hours with lunch); or hiking (easy) for 2-3 hours along a sensational trail near Storm's River.
Southern Cross Beach Lodge is a Colonial style home, tastefully decorated in the colors of sand, sea and sky. Five luxurious en-suite bedrooms open onto the verandah and sunny garden courtyard. The views of the bay and Tsitsikamma Mountains from the breakfast patio are magnificent and dolphins, whales and seals often complete the picture. Robberg beach can be reached directly from the house via a boardwalk and its 5 km of unbroken sand offers easy walking and jogging at low tide. www.southerncrossbeach.co.za
Day 8 Johannesburg
Fly to Johannesburg from George Airport. Transfer to the Morningside City Lodge in Sandton. Visit the Apartheid Museum, a fascinating museum which documents the history of the apartheid era in South Africa. Time permitting, also visit Musuem Africa, which showcases the history of the country from prehistoric times, and includes a superb representation of life in South Africa's townships. (B)Day 9-11 Fly Johannesburg- Djuma Game Reserve
Morning flight to Bush Lodge in the Djuma Game Reserve adjoining Kruger National Park. Djuma offers perhaps the highest game density of any private reserve in southern Africa. Djuma is one of the former apartheid era “homelands” for the Shanghaan people. It is densely populated with fascinating street scenes, markets, traditional and modern homes, goats, cows, pigs, sheep. This is a rare opportunity to glimpse authentic Africa.We arrive at Djuma in time for lunch and an afternoon safari. You will enjoy twice daily game drives during which you are likely to see elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, and a host of other animals and birds. We will also visit a nearby village to observe traditional African life up-close.
Bush Lodge: each room is an individual, air-conditioned, en suite chalet.(B, L, D)
Day 12 Johannesburg
Fly to Johannesburg. Transfer to Morningside City Lodge. This afternoon we have a 3 hour tour of the largest black township in South Africa, Soweto, scene of the vitally important 1976 student uprising, and crucible of so much of the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.Day 13 Victoria Falls
Morning flight to Livingstone in Zambia arrives around noon.After check in, walk to the view site to see the Falls from the Zambian side. Considered one of the seven wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is surrounded by a thick jungle of spray-generated rainforest. These mile-wide falls drop between 300 and 350 feet into the Zambezi Gorge. Air, mist, and light conditions combine to provide breathtaking views of the falls.
Zambezi Sun Hotel, on the banks of the Zambezi River and within sight of the Falls. (B)
Day 13 Victoria Falls
After breakfast, transfer to entrance of the Falls for a guided private tour of the Falls. After returning to hotel, rest day at leisure for shopping or opting for other activities/excursions. Evening enjoy an AfricanTribal Cultural show, commencing at 7 pm; performers will showcase the rhythms, costumes, dances, and instruments of the Shangaan, Ndebele, Mkishi, and Nyau tribes.Zambezi Sun Hotel (B)
Day 14 After breakfast, another visit to the Falls. After returning to hotel, rest day at leisure for shopping or opting for other activities/excursions. Evening enjoy a sundowner cruise aboard the African Queen on the Zambezi River - sip cocktails while watching elephants and other game come down to the river at sunset.(B)
Day 15 Bush Safari-Johannesburg-Homeward Bound
This morning, after a brief educational talk on African elephants, you’ll embark on a thrilling, low-intensity elephant back safari through the bush, escorted by a guide on foot. You may well see buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, impala, elephants, waterbuck, as well as a wide variety of birds. Have a bush breakfast with the elephants. This is an early morning(6 am) safari.Transfer to airport for flight back to Johannesburg. Flts dep for JFK, LAX, SFO approx 8pm on South Africa Airlines.
Note: Between January and June, experienced whitewater rafting enthusiasts may consider adding a day in Victoria Falls in order to raft the Zambezi River, which offers perhaps the world's best one-day rafting trip. However, this trip is rigorous, not low-intensity. Rapids are class 4-5, depending on the season.
PRICE : $5795 based o nmin 6 people, single room $988
prices subject to change due to currency exchange fluctuation.
Includes:
Accommodations, Meals as indicated, air ticket Johannesburg-Djuma, SATOU-accredited accompanying guide throughout, SATOU-accredited driver, Entrance fees to activities mentioned, All land transportation and airport transfers in air-conditioned car or VW MicrobusAll flights within South Africa, unlimited entrance to view sites of Victoria falls on Zambian side, visa fee for Zambia, Porterage
Does Not Include:
visa fee for South Africa ( USA passport holders purchase visas at port of entry $ 30 per person), air tickets George-Johannesburg and the Vic Falls flights from and to Johannesburg (best to book when booking international flight), departure tax from Zambia (approx $ 30 per person), meals not listed in itinerary; tips to guides; excess baggage charges; porterage, alcoholic beverages; laundry, other personal items; airport departure taxes (may be included in your flight ticket), travel insurance--which is essential for travel in Africa.