Itinerary May Change

16 Days - Fully Escorted tour

Day 1: Depart New York, JFK
Our flight departs from New York JFK (5:20 p.m.) to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the adventure of a lifetime.  (In-flight meal service)

Day 2: Arrive in South Africa - Pretoria
Upon arrival to the Johannesburg airport, we will be met by our South African National Guide.  Our first glimpse of Africa occurs as we travel via motor coach to Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa.   We take a short city tour before checking into our hotel.  Enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel, the Sheraton, in Pretoria. (D)

Day 3: Pretoria - Delmas - Pretoria
During the next two days we’ll travel through the African countryside and visit small towns and villages in an effort to better understand their culture and their country.  Near the town of Delmas, we stop by the prestigious estate of the Rossouw family.  The family is involved in large-scale agriculture and will provide a tour of their operation.  Following our country visit, we drive north of Johannesburg to the Cradle of Humankind, declared a World Heritage Site due to the rich diversity of fossils found in this area.  The site spreads nearly 120,000 acres and is thought to be the home of the oldest skeletal remains of mankind.  At the Maropeng Interpretive Center, we hear what some scientists believe were human ancestors and their environment they lived in.  In the late afternoon, we return to Pretoria, relax and enjoy the amenities and dinner at our hotel.  Overnight: Sheraton Hotel Pretoria (B, D)

Day 4: Pretoria – Johannesburg – Kroonstad
We travel to Johannesburg and visit the Apartheid Museum.   This museum, established in 2001, is recognized as the preeminent museum of South Africa's 20th century history.  After lunch we depart for the Free State town, Kroonstad, and a visit to Riaan Crous’ farm, Gedultfontein.  This 7,500 acre farm mainly produces Bonsmara studs.  Riaan also raises buffalo and sable antelope.  We are invited to join the Crous family for a BBQ dinner tonight.  Overnight: Arcadia House.  (B, L, D)

Day 5: Kroonstad – Cradock
En-route to Cradock, we travel through the towns of Bloemfontein, Trompsburg, Steynsburg, and Hofmeyer.  This offers an opportunity to really see and enjoy the heart of South Africa while passing through two provinces.  You will absolutely love our hotel and dinner tonight in Cradock!  The Victoria Manor hotel is an old vintage property furnished throughout with lovely antiques and oriental rugs.  Dinner will be served in Victorian elegance, but not before singing with the piano player – she knows all the old American tunes.  Overnight: Victoria Manor Hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Cradock – Plettenbergbay
We travel to Port Elizabeth, known as the “Friendly City,” and then we journey along the scenic Garden Route to Tsitsikama National Park, where booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound the rocky shores.  Here the region’s major vegetation, temperate high forests and Fynbos, roll down to the sea in an unspoiled verdant carpet.  Tsitsikama means “water begins,” the Native’s explanation for high rainfall and the presence of many rivers and streams.  Our lunch stop will be at the camp compound in Tsitsikama National Park.   This afternoon we continue to Plettenbergbay, originally named Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) by the Portuguese navigator Manuel de Mesquita Peterestrelo.  Plettenbergbay was renamed after Dutch Governor Joachim van Plettenberg in 1779.  This is one of the most picturesque sites of the journey.  Overnight: Plettenbergbay Hotel. (B, D)

Day 7: Plettenbergbay – Oudsthoorn
This morning we enjoy a hearty breakfast before traveling west to George, via Knysna.  In Knysna we’ll experience one of the great attractions on South Africa's beautiful Garden Route. Enjoy a little free time with a walk along the sunny wharf.  There are a number of great lunch spots available.  Weather permitting, we’ll sail on the lagoon to the Knysna Heads and enjoy splendid views of the sea on one side and the town of Knysna, with the forests and mountains beyond, on the other side.  The name Knysna is of Khoenkhoen origin and means “fern leaves.”  We’ll then travel through the lake district of Wilderness and enjoy breathtaking views along the Garden Route to George.  Traveling via the Outeniqua mountain pass, an engineering masterpiece, we’ll reach our final destination of Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa.   Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel, the Oudsthoorn Queens Hotel. (B, D)

Day 8: Oudsthoorn – Cape Town
Today we rise early for our Hooper High Gate Ostrich Farm visit.  At this commercial and show farm, we’ll learn how valuable the feathers, eggs and hide of the ostrich are and how they are used.  For the adventurous, there will be an opportunity to ride an ostrich!  We journey on through the Klein Karoo region and Calitzdorp, known for its extensive apricot orchards, and via Barrydale to Swellendam, where we stop for lunch.  Later we travel to Caledon, the foremost wheat producing region in South Africa.   Late in the afternoon we arrive in Cape Town, the pride of the southern African subcontinent and Africa's most visited destination.  Overnight: Portswood Hotel. (B, L)

Day 9: Cape Town
Today we’ll visit a large wheat farm and also the historic university town, Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa . The town’s cultural heritage is depicted in local art galleries, antique shops and fine architecture.  There are more than 106 cellars within a 16-mile radius of Stellenbosch.  The heart of South Africa's wine industry is renowned for its unrivaled natural beauty, flourishing wine and fruit industry, and fine Cape Dutch architecture.  During the afternoon we visit one of the regions’ most prestigious wine estates.  There will be an opportunity for you to sample the vintage and draw your own conclusions!  Overnight: Portswood Hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Cape Town
Weather permitting, we ascend Table Mountain for the most spectacular view on earth.  We visit the Castle of Good Hope, which was completed in 1679, and the Company Gardens with its emerald lawns, graceful fountain, and exotic shrubs and plants.  Then we travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and to Cape Point for a memorable vista of the spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.  On our way back to Cape Town we stop in Simonstown – famous for its beaches, particularly Boulders Beach, where we’ll visit a large penguin colony.  Overnight: Portswood Hotel. (B, L)

Day 11: Cape Town – Kruger National Park
Early this morning we depart for the Cape Town airport and our flight to Mpumalanga – the most easterly province in South Africa.  After lunch we travel to the famous Kruger National Park, one of the oldest and largest wildlife reserves in Africa.  We check into our cabins at Skukuza Rest Camp.  The ambiance of the camp recalls the mood of colonial Africa with red-roofed public buildings, thatched rondawels and neatly raked paths.  The accommodations, called huts, are arranged in circles, facing inwards in a protective “laager” fashion.  Late in the afternoon we enjoy the beginning of our game drives – a great opportunity to discover the wonder of the African bush and to view wild animals in their natural environment.  This evening we’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner.  Overnight: Kruger National Park, Skukuza Rest Camp. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Kruger National Park – Kapama River Lodge
The day starts with an early morning game drive in Kruger National Park, followed by breakfast.  We then leave the park and drive to the Kapama River Lodge via the northern Drakensberg mountain range, providing a majestic backdrop to the largest private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region.  The balance of the day is yours to enjoy.  Relax at the pool or enjoy the luxurious amenities of this five star lodge.  In the late afternoon, accompanied by highly skilled game rangers, we go on another game drive in search of the BIG FIVE (Lion, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, and Elephant.)  Overnight: Beautiful 5 star Kapama River Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Kapama Game Reserve and Lodge
This morning starts with another early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge.  A great opportunity for photos of Africa's incredible wildlife in their natural environment.  The balance of the day is yours to relax and enjoy in the midst of the African wilderness.  If you are adventuresome, elephant rides are available.  Late in the afternoon we’ll go on yet another game drive and enjoy dinner in the boma.  Overnight: Kapama River Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Kapama Game Reserve – Panoramic Route
This morning is our last chance to encounter Africa's majestic inhabitants in the wilderness.  The early morning game drive, followed by breakfast concludes our once-in-a-lifetime African adventure.  We bid farewell as we journey through the countryside admiring some of South Africa's most spectacular scenery along the eastern escarpment of the Drakensburg Mountains.   We visit God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes – all scenes that can be found in every coffee table book that has ever been published about South Africa.   Late afternoon we check into our impeccably restored late Victorian style hotel in Pilgrim’s Rest.  Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Pilgrims Rest – Johannesburg
After breakfast, we depart for Johannesburg and our international flight back to the USA.   (B, In-flight meal service)

Day 16: Johannesburg – Arrive in New York
Early morning arrival in New York (6:55 a.m.) allowing ample time to connect with your domestic flight home.

Special Events and Sights:
Six Incredible Wildlife Safari game drives at Kruger National Park & Private Game Reserve-Kapama River Lodge
Apartheid Museum & Cradle of Humankind
Scenic Garden Route & Cape of Good Hope
Meeting of the Oceans & Beautiful South African Countryside
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, vineyard tour with wine tasting and much more

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