South Africa Extravaganza
15 Day Tour

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates
Request a quote or call 800-322-0788 for more information.

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.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

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.