It’s a small group journey of astonishing beauty and consummate adventure, one that captures the magnificence of three distinct nations. It’s nature’s showcase come to life: ocean and mountains, desert and plains, waterfalls and wildlife extraordinaire. It’s Southern Africa, where diversity reigns and where visitors are welcomed as never before.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, S.A.
Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg/Sandton Upon arrival we transfer directly to our hotel, where we gather for tonight’s welcome dinner. D
Day 3: Pretoria/Soweto Today’s touring begins in Pretoria, the South African capital just 30 miles from Johannesburg. Known as the “jacaranda city” for its myriad of the purple-blossomed trees, Pretoria was a bastion of Afrikaaner culture prior to Nelson Mandela’s election as president in 1994. This afternoon we tour Soweto, the largest black city in Africa and where the seeds of South African freedom took root. We see the house where Nelson Mandela lived and the Hector Petersen Memorial, a symbol of youth resistance to apartheid. Dinner tonight is on our own. B
Day 4: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls We fly today to Victoria Falls and our deluxe hotel located in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. Tonight we get our first glimpse of the thundering Falls while enjoying a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. B,D
Day 5: Victoria Falls This morning we tour the Falls first “discovered” by explorer David Livingstone and claimed for Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and thundering spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world, especially as hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other animals roam freely in the surrounding jungle. Later we visit with children at a local school. Tonight we attend a “Boma” (African place of eating) for dinner and a traditional dance performance. B,D
Day 6: Victoria Falls We enjoy a small group highlight this morning as we embark on an elephant-back safari through the bush in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, perhaps spotting some of the elephants, lions, or leopards that live here. Then we experience a Lion Walk with orphaned cubs now being protected at the Reserve. More big game is on the agenda on our nighttime game drive. B,D
Day 7: Botswana/Chobe National Park Known for a diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife, Chobe National Park in nearby Botswana boasts one of the largest concentrations of game in all Africa, including the world’s largest elephant population, as well as zebras, lions, hippos, and more. We’re sure to see some of them on today’s full-day excursion to Chobe, where we enjoy a game drive through this exceptional reserve. B,D
Day 8: Victoria Falls/Windhoek Today we fly to Namibia’s German-accented capital via Johannesburg. B,D
Day 9: Windhoek/Sossusvlei On our drive to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert today we traverse several scenic passes as well as the “one-horse” town of Solitaire, along with Rehoboth and Klein Aub. Mid-day we arrive at our eco-friendly desert lodge, where we enjoy lunch then embark on an afternoon nature drive through the lodge’s private reserve. B,L,D
Day 10: Sossusvlei/Namib-Naukluft Park We rise with the sun to see the world’s highest crested sand dunes in the breathtaking early morning light. At 1,000 feet in height, the apricot-colored dunes with their wind-blown ridges truly astound. Visitors are free to climb the dunes – or to just admire them from ground level. We return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon at leisure in this splendid setting. B,L,D
Day 11: Sossusvlei Today is free to relax by the pool or engage in optional lodge activities, including nature drives, sundowner drives, quad-bike rental, and guided walks. B,L,D
Day 12: Sossusvlei/Windhoek/Cape Town This morning we make the return drive to Windhoek then fly to Cape Town. Late afternoon we transfer to our well located hotel in the popular Victoria & Albert Waterfront area. B,L
Day 13: Cape Town Our introduction to this city at the southern tip of Africa includes a panoramic city tour and a stop at stunning Hout Bay. We also travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, 19,000 acres of protected parkland. Here we ride a monorail to the summit for stupendous views of the “meeting of the oceans, the Atlantic and Indian. After a seafood lunch, we visit historic Simons Town then come face-to-face with the rare African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. B,L
Day 14: Cape Town/Cape Winelands Today we visit the Cape Winelands, South Africa’s renowned wine-growing region just 45 miles east of Cape Town. We’re amidst stunning scenery and exciting “new world” wines as we enjoy tastings at two wineries, eat a traditional lunch, and pass through the lovely towns of Paarl, Franschloek, and Stellenbosch. Late afternoon we return to Cape Town. B,L
Day 15: Cape Town We encounter an indelible aspect of South Africa today: the notorious prison at Robben Island that once held Nelson Mandela and other opponents of apartheid. We reach the island by catamaran then embark on a tour of the island and prison, guided by a former inmate. Back in the city, we ride by cable car 3,500 feet to the top of iconic Table Mountain for glorious views. Following an afternoon at leisure, tonight we toast our Southern Africa adventure at a farewell dinner at our hotel. B,D
Day 16: Depart for U.S. Early this afternoon we transfer to the Cape Town airport for our return flights to the U.S. B
Day 17: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home.
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Prices Reflect $600 Savings |
May 11 May 25 Nov 30 |
Sep 28 Oct 19 Nov 16 |
Apr 20 Jun 15 Aug 10 Sep 7 |
| New York | $5,995 | $6,195 | $6,395 |
| Baltimore, Boston, Washington, DC | $6,295 | $6,495 | $6,695 |
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Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa |
$6,395 | $6,595 | $6,795 |
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Cincinnati, Cleve, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Ang, Minneapolis |
$6,495 | $6,695 | $6,895 |
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Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle |
$6,595 | $6,795 | $6,995 |
Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single travelers please add $1,395. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.
Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight: $5,995 per person. Airline taxes and departure fees of $856 per person ($945 with Kruger option) are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.
An overnight stay at the Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel on departure is available for $135 (single supplement: $95). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at your expense.
Post-Tour Dubai Extension: $695 Apr-Jun, Aug; $895 all other dates. Single Supplement: $345 Apr-Jun, Aug; $595 all other dates. Land only not available.
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Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. |
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