PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Flights: New York to Cape Town South Africa, Johannesburg to New York. Other departure cities available. prices may vary.
- Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- Intra-flight Cape Town-Johannesburg
- 6 nights accommodations: 4 nights Cape Town, 2 nights Limpopo Province
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers
- 10 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Sightseeing & Game Drives per itinerary
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Cost: $2500 per person based on double occupancy, $2760 for a single
ITINERARY:
- DAY 1 – Depart for South Africa
- DAY 2 – Arrive in Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As you transfer to the hotel, you will see the city’s iconic symbol, Table Mountain greeting you in the distance. Tonight, discover some of Cape Town’s world class restaurants on your own. Overnight: Cape Town.
- DAY 3 – Cape Town City Tour. This morning, meet with your Tour Manager to learn about all of the must see sights of Cape Town before you depart on a city tour. Driving to the city center, pass famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a splendid baroque building, and of course the Grand Parade. See St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain. Relax at a cafe while you take in the views from the base of the mountain. Perhaps ascend to the summit by cable car* (ticket not included) and marvel at a bird’s eye view of the city and its beaches. Continue to the V & A Waterfront where you will have the opportunity to learn the three billion-year-old story of diamonds while touring prominent Shimansky Jewelers & Museum. The 45-minute tour reveals the origins of diamond mining and includes explanations of color, cut and clarity. Following the tour (or for those who do not wish to participate) stroll through the adjacent V & A Waterfront with its endless shopping and dining opportunities before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, treat yourself to a seafood dinner at one of the trendy outdoor seaside restaurants, while watching the magnificent sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight: Cape Town. Meals: Breakfast
- DAY 4 – Full Day in Cape Town. While in Cape Town, outdoor enthusiasts will not want to miss the optional tour to the stunning Cape Peninsula, known for its steep mountains, secluded coves and beautiful pristine beaches. The Cape of Good Hope within Table Mountain National Park is surrounded by a rich biodiversity and is home to at least 250 species of birds as well as antelope, ostrich, and baboons. Walk the rugged cliffs, or, take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular, a beacon for early explorers that climbs uphill to the old lighthouse. Afterward, visit Boulders Beach to see the unique spectacle of penguins waddling freely, and walk through spectacular Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Optional: Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour. Overnight: Cape Town. Meals: Breakfast.
- DAY 5 – Full Day in Cape Town. Spend the day at leisure in Cape Town. Perhaps join the optional South African Wine Tour* which takes you along the country’s principal wine route to the scenic towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch with tastings along the way. Alternatively, thrill seekers will not want to miss the optional excursion to “Shark Alley” to experience great white shark cage diving.* Tonight, attend the optional Traditional African Dinner Experience for a memorable evening of live performances and African gastronomy before returning to the hotel. *The South African Wine Tour and Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving operate simultaneously. Passengers may opt to participate in only one of these tours. Optional: South African Wine Tour. Optional: Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving. Optional: Traditional African Dinner Experience. Overnight: Cape Town. Meals: Breakfast.
- DAY 6 – Evening Game Drive. This morning fly to Johannesburg, known as “Gauteng: the City of Gold”. Upon arrival, drive to Limpopo Province located just three hours outside of bustling Johannesburg. Your stay will be at a game reserve where the varied habitats provide ideal conditions for an astounding selection of large mammals including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) other predators such as hyena and jackal, and a variety of antelope from red hartebeests to eland. Here, accompanied by a ranger, uncover the magic of the African bush in this wildlife wonderland. In the late afternoon, enjoy an exciting game drive in a landscape that is an alluring combination of rolling hills, tumbled mountains, valleys, and grassland plains. Game sightings include a variety of predators such as lion, leopard, and cheetah with herds of elephant and buffalo that can often be seen at close range. The game and bird viewing opportunities are truly incredible. This evening recount your sightings with your fellow travelers while dining at the lodge. Overnight: Limpopo Province. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
- DAY 7 – Morning and Afternoon Game Drives. Depart early for a morning game drive, or participate in the optional Balloon Safari. Drift peacefully above the beautiful landscape, watching for wild game below. A glass of sparkling wine awaits you at the end of the journey. Join the rest of your group on the morning game drive in open safari vehicles where you may have a chance to see not only the large majestic beasts but also the smaller mammals, birds and insects. After lunch, relax at the lodge before setting out for your afternoon game drive. Return in time for dinner and toast to your final night in South Africa. Optional: Mabula Balloon Safari. Overnight: Limpopo Province. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- DAY 8 – Depart South Africa. Awake early this morning and set out on your final game drive. After an early lunch, bid farewell to the bush and travel east toward Johannesburg. Arrive to the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 4 PM for your departure flight. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 6:50 PM. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
OPTIONAL TOURS:
- Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour: Depart on a full day Cape Peninsula tour to experience some of the most spectacular views. Drive to Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula, passing steep mountains, secluded coves, and sweeping beaches en route. After a stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous flora and fauna, where you may see baboons by the road-side, rheboks, Cape Mountain zebras, bonteboks and the elusive eland. The native plant life, known as fynbos, forms one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. Following the coastline along False Bay, return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town. Here, visit the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach, and continue with a scenic drive over Muizenberg Mountain. Lastly, visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, resting at the foot of Table Mountain, for a short walking tour of the beautiful gardens before finally returning to Cape Town. Approximate tour duration is 8 hours. Day 4, $95.00 per person.
- Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving: Join a thrilling full day excursion to “Shark Alley” to experience great white shark cage diving. Early this morning depart Cape Town and head east to the coastal fishing town of Gansbaai. Upon arrival, the crew of your expedition boat will review the day’s activities, safety etiquette and provide fascinating insight to these marine predators. Enjoy a light breakfast before boarding your boat and heading out into the open waters between Geyser Rock and Dyer Islander where great white hunt for seals and penguins. Outfitted with a wetsuit, lifejacket and snorkeling mask, climb through the top of the cage secured to the boat. You will take turns with your fellow divers watching these predators under water and from the comfort of the ship deck. Return to the port in the early afternoon where you will be greeted with a hot bowl of soup and bread. Relax as the marine biologist recaps your adventure and answers any remaining questions before your return to Cape Town. *Departure from the hotel will be as early as 4 AM and the drive from Cape Town to Gansbaai is approximately 2.5 hours (one way). The boat will be launched around 9 AM and the boat trip will last between 3-5 hours depending on the weather and sea conditions. Shower facilities will be available after the ship returns from the dive. The return transfer to Cape Town will be at approximately 2 PM and arrival at 4:30 PM. Pick-up and drop-off times are approximate and will be advised locally. *Due to limited capacity, advanced booking is recommended for this tour. This is not an exclusive tour and therefore you may be with passengers from other tour companies. Shark sightings are not guaranteed and are dependent upon weather and sea conditions. Due to inclement weather and/or rough seas, this tour may be canceled and refunded. *Sea conditions can be unpredictable and may become choppy or very rough at times. As a result, some customers experience discomfort and/or seasickness. Some over-the-counter medications, such as Dramamine or Benadryl, may help reduce or prevent seasickness. Clients who are prone to seasickness are advised not to participate in this tour. *Optionals “Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving” and “South African Wine Tour” operate at the same time and should not be booked together. Day 5, $199pp
- South African Wine Tour: Wind through South Africa’s fertile valleys, prized for their renowned vintages, and discover the rustic beauty of sprawling estates shaded by giant oaks and rows of vines running as far as the eye can see. Travel the country’s principal wine route and enjoy tastings at some of the excellent vineyards along the way. Begin with a visit to Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second oldest town and the historic heart of the country’s wine region. First recognized as an ideal location for vineyards in 1679, viticulture has been entwined with the town’s history ever since. Also of interest is the town’s fascinating variety of architecture, including buildings in Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian styles. Then continue northwest to the old, scenic village of Franschhoek, founded near the Drakenstein Mountains in 1688 by French immigrants, whose descendants eventually supplied highly sought after wine to Napoleon, Bismarck, and even King Edward VII. Stop for lunch on your own, and then enjoy a final tasting before bidding farewell to the wine country and returning to Cape Town. Approximate tour duration is 8 hours. *Optionals “Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving” and “South African Wine Tour” operate at the same time and should not be booked together. Day 5, $57pp
- Traditional African Dinner Experience: Treat yourself to a memorable evening of entertainment and traditional African gastronomy. Enjoy an exciting interactive djembe drumming session before dinner. Then, savor a 14-course meal with dishes from several African nations, accompanied by live performances. While dining, you will also witness an extraordinary Mali puppet show. Approximate tour duration is 4.5 hours. Day 5, $58pp
- Mabula Balloon Safari: Take off in a hot air balloon as you admire the breathtaking sunrise over the Mabula Private Game Reserve. Drift above the beautiful landscape, watching wild game roam below. At the end of your flight, enjoy a celebratory glass of sparkling wine in the bush. Continue game viewing as you take a leisurely drive back to the lodge. *Please Note: Departure time for this excursion is very early in the morning, 5 AM or earlier. The take-off time and the duration of the flight and tour may vary due to weather conditions. Balloon rides will vary and can take up to an hour. Approximate tour duration is 2 hours. Agility is required to embark and disembark the balloon basket. Wildlife viewing, quantity and species of animals seen is dependent upon local conditions including weather, wind and seasonal migration patterns. Please be advised that this is not an exclusive tour. This tour requires a minimum of 4 passengers to operate. Due to limited capacity, advanced booking is required for this tour. Day 7, $352pp
