VISIT SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

Signature Trip

ITINERARY

Day 1 :

Depart from Atlanta for flight to Johannesburg, which connects through Washington DC. Then, enjoy in-flight cuisine and service as you wing your way across the Atlantic.

Day 2 : Arrive in Johannesburg

Afternoon arrival in Johannesburg, proceed through customs and immigration formalities into the arrivals hall. You will be met by our local representative, who will assist with transfer to the hotel.

Day 3 :

Explore the rich history and culture of South Africa and its major city Johannesburg.

Half day tour of Soweto, a sprawling residential area that has become a “city within a city”. Soweto is home to approximately two million people, many of whom work in various parts of the greater Johannesburg metropolitan area. You will follow a route that takes you past all the major points of interest, including stops at Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela’s former homes. The latter is now a museum.  

Day 4 :

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out. You will be collected from the hotel and taken on an emotional private half day tour of the Apartheid Museum.

This tour provides a great opportunity to take a closer look at South Africa’s turbulent past. The Museum opened its doors in 2001. Here you will embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines apartheid right up to the first democratic elections held in 1994. The tour of the museum lasts approximately three hours. After this tour, you will eat lunch and then head to the Kruger National Park. A four to five hour drive through Mpumalanga to the famed Sabi Sand Wildtuin Private Game Reserve which borders the Kruger National Park. You will then be checked into Umkumbe Safari Lodge.

Days 4, 5, and 6 : Safari at World Renowned Kruger Park

The focus of the lodge is on the Sand River.  Almost daily guests are treated to sightings of various animal grazing in the riverbed.  The main lodge area consists of a lounge area and swimming pool with decking as well as an open dining area and bar.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during our time at the safari lodge.

You will enjoy lodge activities, game drives, and meals for the next 2.5 days.

Day 7 :

Wake early to the sounds of the African bush and enjoy a last game driver before returning to the lodge for breakfast and transport to the airport for your afternoon flight to Cape Town.

On arrival in Cape Town, mother city of the Republic, claim your luggage and proceed into the arrivals hall to meet your Cape Town driver/guide for transfer to hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant or take a cab or shuttle to the V&A Waterfront’s multitude of restaurants.  

Day 8 : Tour of Cape Point (where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet)

You will be collected from your hotel and taken on a private half day tour of the Cape Peninsula .

Highlights include:

• Coastal Drive

• Cape of Good Hope Park

• Cape Point & Lighthouse

• Chapman’s Peak Drive

• Penguin Colony -Boulders Beach

• Seal Colony at Duiker Island

Make your way along the Atlantic seaboard passing Sea Point, Bantry Bay and Clifton. Bakoven and Llandudno, with their ghostly shipwrecks, are also fantastic sights on the way to the fishing village ofHout Bay. From here, navigate the 114 curves of 600m high Chapman’s Peak Drive.  Then explore the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park, home to fabulous birds and very special fauna, such as Cape mountain zebra, bontebok and the charismatic Cape baboon. Climb (or ride the world’s first environmentally friendly funicular) to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay. You’ll continue onto Boulders Beach to see the African Penguins, and then head home through the naval village of Simonstown and over scenic Boyes Drive, taking in the views of the fishing harbour at Kalk Bay and the seaside havens.

Day 9 : Day of Leisure

This day is free to explore the vibrant city of Cape Town.   My recommendations are:

• Hang out at the V&A Waterfront

• Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus to the base of Table Mountain where you can take the Rotair Cable Car to the top for spectacular views.

• Shopping at the downtown market and happy hour on Long Street.

• Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a stint of his 27 years.

Day 10 : Vineyards tour

Take a scenic drive through the lush valleys of Paarl, just 40 minutes outside of Cape Town, where the art of wine making has been perfected. En route to a cellar tour and wine tasting, we pass the Groot Drakenstein Prison, better known as Victor Verster Prison. This is where freedom fighter and former president, Nelson Mandela, was detained towards the end of his 27 year political imprisonment. More commemoratively, walk where this great man took the first steps towards South Africa’s freedom, on 11 February 1990.  Then stop over at a few of the premiere wine destinations in the world.

Day 11 : Day of Leisure  

This day is free to explore the vibrant city of Cape Town.   My recommendations are:

• Hang out at the V&A Waterfront

• Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus to the base of Table Mountain where you can take the Rotair Cable Car to the top for spectacular views.

• Shopping at the downtown market and happy hour on Long Street.

• Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a stint of his 27 years

Day 12 : Departure from Cape Town back to United States