South Africa Journey

16 days • Air & land
14 days • Cape Town/ Johannesburg

VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION
19 days • Air & land
17 days • Cape Town/ Victoria Falls

Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2, Sun. ARRIVE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.
Welcome to a land so vast and diverse that its inhabitants call it “A World in One Country.” Tonight meet your tour director and traveling companions at 6 p.m. for a welcome drink followed by dinner. (D)

Day 3, Mon. CAPE TOWN.
Sightseeing on the Cape Peninsula starts with a drive through the country’s “Mother City,” and a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Via the fishing port of Fish Hoek, proceed south to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Backtrack to the naval port of Simon’s Town for lunch. (FB,L)

Day 4, Tue. EXCURSION TO WINELAND AREA.
Discover the spectacular wineland area. See the city center of Paarl, founded by Dutch settlers in the late 17th century, and admire the countryside, mountains and vineyards. Continue to Franschhoek for a visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Lunch in the university town of Stellenbosch and in the afternoon, visit the oldest South African wine cellars at Spier Winery, where you will have the opportunity for a wine tasting. Then time to visit a cheetah enclosure, established to save the great cats from extinction.(FB)

Day 5, Wed. CAPE TOWN / ARNISTON.
This morning is free to relax or join your tour director for an optional excursion to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent over 20 years of his life in prison. This afternoon, drive through panoramic Sir Lowry’s Pass. Continue to Caledon, known for its seven springs. Finally reach the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. (FB,D)

Day 6, Thu. ARNISTON / KNYSNA.
First leg of the beautiful Garden Route. At Mossel Bay’s Maritime Museum, see a replica of the vessel used by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomew Dias on his first trip around the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Also noteworthy: the Post Office Tree, St. Blaize lighthouse, and the rocky tidal pools. Via Robinson Pass to the green valley of Oudtshoorn. Visit an ostrich farm to learn about its breeding program. The more adventurous have a chance to test their skills on the backs of one of these giant birds. Then via the Outeniqua Pass, continue through deep Kaaimans River Gorge to your hotel. (FB,D)

Day 7, Fri. KNYSNA.
By ferry, you will cross the Knysna Lagoon, the mouth of which is guarded by two huge sandstone cliffs known as “The Heads.” Dock at the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you take a trailer-train to the lookout point on the Western Head. After lunch under milkwood trees, time at leisure in Knysna before boarding the “Outeniqua Choo Tjoe” steam train for a ride along the dramatic coastline to Sedgefield. (FB,L)

Day 8, Sat. KNYSNA / DURBAN.
Set off for the scenic second leg of the Garden Route. Pass the resort towns of Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley to Tsitsikamma National Park, famous for its natural beauty. Enjoy the unspoiled forests and rocky shore as you head for Storms River Mouth, where you see the impressive yellowwood Big Tree. Continue to Port Elizabeth for the flight to Durban. (FB,L)

Day 9, Sun. DURBAN / ZULULAND.
Today, an orientation tour of Durban. View the Da Gama Clock and City Hall, drive along the Golden Mile, and stop at the colorful Indian market. Mid-morning departure for Zululand. This afternoon, learn about the traditional way of life of southern Africa’s most war-like tribe. Taste home-brewed beer and authentic Zulu fare, and witness rousing, athletic dances. Overnight in a Zulu-style beehive hut, modified to include all modern comforts. (FB,D)

Day 10, Mon. ZULULAND / SWAZILAND.
Full-day scenic drive through the sugar cane fields and thornveld of Natal, and the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Before visiting the Swazi capital of Mbabane, time to hunt for unique African souvenirs in the Ezulwini Valley market. Spend the night at Pigg’s Peak, where William Pigg discovered gold in 1884. (FB,D)

Day 11, Tue. SWAZILAND / KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.
Across the Swaziland border into the South African province of Transvaal. Now for the highlight: Kruger National Park, Africa’s oldest and most famous game reserve. Cross the Crocodile River and settle into an exciting game watching routine as your coach makes its way to a pleasant lodge on the western fringe of the park. (FB,D)

Day 12, Wed. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.
Game drives in open 4-wheel vehicles in Kruger National Park. Of the “big five,” elephant, buffalo, rhino and lion are common here. Then return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure. You may want to join an experienced guide for an optional afternoon game drive. (FB,D)

Day 13, Thu. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK / MPUMALANGA.
Morning dedicated to the scenic wonders of the Transvaal Drakensberg: sweeping views from God’s Window, gushing Lisbon Falls, spectacular 16-mile Blyde River Canyon; finally inspect Bourke’s Luck Potholes, an amazing system of cylindrical cavities sculpted by river erosion. Time for lunch and sightseeing at Pilgrim’s Rest, a replica of a mining town. Late afternoon arrival at your overnight hotel. (FB,D)

Day 14, Fri. MPUMALANGA / JOHANNESBURG.
Head west towards Pretoria, South Africa’s jacaranda-adorned administrative capital. Your tour features the Union Buildings and the massive Voortrekker Monument commemorating the Boers’ epic Great Trek, and the Kruger House, the former residence of nation-building statesman “Ooom Paul” Kruger. Then visit Melrose House, venue of the signing of the peace treaty which ended the bitter Anglo-Boer war. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, enjoy an orientation tour of the city. Tonight a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your South African adventure. (FB,D)

Day 15, Sat. DEPART JOHANNESBURG.
If your flight leaves late, your room will be available until 6 p.m. (FB)

Day 15, Sat. JOHANNESBURG / VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE.
Mid-morning flight to Victoria Falls and transfer to your hotel. In the late afternoon, join your Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Marvel at the luxuriant vegetation on its banks and experience an unforgettable African sunset. (FB,D)

Day 16, Sun. VICTORIA FALLS.
Sightseeing includes a visit to the craft village which depicts the traditional way of life of Zimbabwe’s six main ethnic groups. Next, take your pictures of the mighty Victoria Falls, “discovered” by David Livingstone in 1855. See the explorer’s statue overlooking Devil’s Cataract and then walk through the rain forest to the best vantage points. Before returning to your hotel, stop at the “Big Tree,” an ancient baobab with a circumference of no less than 50 feet. Afternoon free. This evening, you’re invited to the African Spectacular, a colorful review of dances. (FB)

Day 17, Mon. VICTORIA FALLS.
A day at leisure. You may want to take the optional “Flight of Angels” for a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the Falls, or visit the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary. (FB)

Day 18, Tue. DEPART VICTORIA FALLS.
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight via Johannesburg. (FB)

Day 19, Wed. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES TODAY.

Your travel agent will have the latest passport, visa, and health requirements for South Africa, Swaziland, and (tour QYE) Zimbabwe.

Consult your physician regarding taking anti-malaria pills.

All arrangements in South Africa are under the management of United Touring Company.

CAPE TOWN - The Cullinan Waterfront (F)
ARNISTON - Arniston (F)
KNYSNA - Protea Knysna Quays (F)
DURBAN - Holiday Inn Durban (F)
ZULULAND - Protea Shakaland (F)
SWAZILAND - Protea Piggs Peak (F) at Piggs Peak
KRUGER NAT’L PARK - Protea Kruger Gate (F)
MPUMALANGA - Critchley Hackle (F) at Dullstroom
JOHANNESBURG - Sandton Sun Inter-Continental (SF) at Sandton.

Tour QYE only
VICTORIA FALLS - Elephant Hills Inter-Continental (SF)

Prices on request. Itineraries are flexible . This is just a sample, please inquire