10 Days South Africa
DAY 01: NORTH AMERICA / ENROUTE. Depart from the United States on your flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Overnight on board.
DAY 02: JOHANNESBURG. EITHER- Upon arrival in Europe you will be met an transferred to your dayroom at the hotel. This evening you will return to the airport for the flight to Johannesburg. Overnight on board. OR- Upon our arrival in South Africa we will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 03: JOHANNESBURG – DAY TOUR OF SOWETO. Upon arrival in Johannesburg this morning, you will be taken on a tour of the South Western Townships (Soweto). This tour with a difference takes you through the streets of Soweto and it’s adjoining townships. Despite crowded and often impoverished conditions, there is a sense of happy bustling neighborhood life. Most who venture here return enlightened but always fascinated by the glimpse of this face of South Africa. Soweto is a huge sprawling township estimated to be inhabited by over two million people. Homes range from affluent mansions to makeshift shacks. Drive past former residences of Desmond Tutu, Winnie Mandela and ex-president Nelson Mandela. This afternoon visit the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Hector Peterson Museum before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
DAY 04: JOHANNESBURG / KRUGER PARK. This morning after breakfast check out of your hotel and travel towards the province of Mpumalanga. You will drop several thousand feet from the Highveld to the lush subtropical region of South Africa, know as the Lowveld. Enroute visit a local village as you travel past Witbank and Middleburg towards Nelsptuit, Mpumalanga’s capital. This afternoon arrive at the majestic Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. This internationally renowned Park is home to an unsurpassed variety of African animals, plant, bird and insect life. It is an enchanting place. The most frequently seen mammals are impala, zebra, giraffe and elephant. Game viewing will be enjoyed from a coach this afternoon as you make your way through the park. Check into the Rest Camp for an overnight.
DAY 05: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK. Enjoy a morning of game viewing with the opportunity of viewing the “Big Five” in the Kruger Park. Game drives are undertaken in our specially designed open safari vehicles, accompanied by our registered guides who are all experienced game rangers. Experiencing wild life with no barriers is a once in a lifetime experience! Enjoy a packed breakfast at one of the rest camps in the Kruger Park. This afternoon you continue your game drive by coach.
DAY 06: KRUGER PARK / JOHANNESBURG / CAPE TOWN. After breakfast we continue through the game park
on our way to Johannesburg. Continue to the airport for our flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival to Cape Townyou will be met and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 07: CAPE TOWN. This morning after breakfast we transfer to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to embark on a 3 hour cruise to one of South Africa’s world heritage sights – Robben Island. Robben Island – the prison that symbolizes “South Africa’s triumph of freedom and human dignity over repression and humiliation, a triumph of wisdom and largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness, a triumph of courage and determination over human frailty and weakness, a triumph of non-racism over bigotry and intolerance, a triumph of the New South Africa over the old”. The journey takes about 30 minutes. On arrival, a guided walking tour follows to the Maximum Security prison where today’s leaders such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. The walk then continues to the northwest corner of the island, scene of many shipwrecks. The Islands fascinating history even involved the Second World War and we will be able to see the military air field as we walk along the island. Transfer back to Cape Town by ferry. Upon returning to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, spend the afternoon shopping at the many shopping opportunities that exist in this wonderful complex. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
DAY 08: CAPETOWN. This morningwe commence with the “Mother City” tour with a cablecar excursion up Table Mountain. This tour gives you the opportunity to sense the spirit of Cape Town and trace the history of the past from 1652 when the first Dutch Governor set foot on the beach nearby. The drive takes you past the official houses of Parliament and through District Six and on to Bo Kaap for a walking tour and lunch which is included today. This afternoon, visit more local townships. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for leisure time.
DAY 09: CAPETOWN. This morning we travel past Sea Point and Camps Bay, the famous beaches of Clifton and Llandudno towards Hout Bay. Continue along scenic route to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Driving inland via Constantia Nek, and over Die Ou Kaapse Weg with it’s views over False Bay and the Peninsula’s lakes, continue south passing through Kommetjie – meaning “little bowl”. Kommetjie derives it sname from a natural basin shaped tidal pool. Continue along the coastal road through Scarborough, which is mainly a cluster of weekend cottages close to the oddly shaped roadside landmark known as Camel rock. As you continue on the way to the Cape Point Nature Reserve you will notice all the trees grow at an angle, hoping to get away from the relentless and venomous south-easter winds, which commonly known at the Cape Doctor. Ascend to the highest point of the Reserve with the funicular, to enjoy the spectacular views, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans merge. Continue through Simon’s Town, an old Naval Base, and Constantia. Pass the official residence of South Africa’s President before returning to Cape Town Airport to check in for our international flight home.
DAY 10: RETURN TO USA. Arrival back in the United States. The end of a most enjoyable tour.