SOUTH AFRICA WITH VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION
Day 1 - Fly to Africa. (Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 - Arrival in Cape Town, South Africa. (Sun.) Welcome to a land so vast and diverse that its inhabitants proudly call it "A World in One Country." Check into your hotel, and tonight at 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions. Day 3 - Cape Town. Excursion to Wineland Area. (Mon.) Discover the spectacular wineland area. See the city center of Paarl, founded by Dutch settlers in the late 17th century, and admire the surrounding countryside, mountains, and vineyards. Continue to the tiny village of Franschhoek for a visit of the HUGUENOT MEMORIAL MUSEUM, where you learn how French refugees brought the art of wine-making to South Africa. Lunch in the ancient university town of Stellenbosch, where you can stroll along oak-lined streets and admire gracious mansions built in the distinctive Cape- Dutch style. In the afternoon visit the OLDEST SOUTH AFRI CAN 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. Return to Cape Town. This evening enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner. (FB,D) Day 4 - Cape Town. (Tue.) Sightseeing on the Cape Peninsula starts with a drive through the country's "Mother City," the historic gateway for European settlers. Via the fishing port of Fish Hoek proceed south to the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERV E. The panoramic view from Cape Point is simply breathtaking! Backtrack to the naval port of Simon's Town for lunch at a waterfront restaurant. This afternoon, visit the glorious KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARD ENS. The rest of the day is free. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for things to do. (FB,L) Day 5 - Cape Town - Arniston. (Wed.) This morning is free to do some shopping, visit museums, or simply relax. In the afternoon drive through panoramic Sir Lowry's Pass. Continue to the city of Caledon, known for its seven springs (six hot, one cold). Finally, reach the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. Overnight in Arniston. (FB,D) Day 6 - Arniston - Knysna. (Thu.) Depart on the first leg of the beautiful Garden Route. At Mossel Bay's MARI TIME MUSEUM see a replica of the frail 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 OSTRI CH FARM to learn about its breeding program. The more adventurous have a chance to test their riding skills on the back of one of these giant birds. Then via the Outeniqua Pass, continue through deep Kaaimans River Gorge to your hotel in the unspoiled coastal area of Knysna. (FB,D) Day 7 - Knysna. (Fri.) Cross the Knysna Lagoon by ferry, the mouth of which is guarded by two huge sandstone cliffs known as "The Heads." Land at the FEATHERBED NATURE RESERV E, where you take a trailer-train to the lookout point on the Western Head. After lunch under milkwood trees, time at leisure in pretty Knysna. Back to your hotel in time to enjoy the tranquillity and scenic splendor of its surroundings. (FB,L) Day 8 - Knysna - Durban. (Sat.) Set off for the scenic second leg of the Garden Route. Proceed past 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. Fly to Durban from Port Elizabeth. (FB,D) Day 9 - Durban - Zululand. (Sun.) Start the day with an orientation tour of Durban, the bustling port city with a strong oriental accent. View the Da Gama Clock and City Hall, drive along the Golden Mile, and stop at the colorful Indian market to smell the scent of exotic herbs and spices. Mid-morning departure for ZULULA ND, locale of the TV series Shaka Zulu. This afternoon learn about the exploits and traditional way of life of southern Africa's most warlike 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 - Zululand'Swaziland. (Mon.) 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, take your 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 - Swaziland - Kruger National Park. (Tue.) North across the Swaziland border into the South African province of Mpumalanga. Now for the highlight, Kruger National Park, Africa's oldest and most famous game reserve covering 8,000 square miles of low country between the Crocodile River in the south and the Limpopo in the north. Cross the Crocodile River at Malelane Gate and settle into an exciting game-watching routine as your coach slowly makes its way to a pleasant lodge on the western fringe of the park. (FB,D) Day 12 - 12 Kruger National Park. (Wed.) Dawn and morning outings in an open four wheel drive vehicle in Kruger National Park. Of the hunter's "big five," elephant, buffalo, rhino, and lion are quite common here, while even the much more elusive leopard may venture into open ground for you. Spot crocodiles and hippopotamuses in the riverine areas. Zebras, giraffes, odd-looking wildebeests, and dainty gazelles are easy prey for your camera. 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 - Kruger National Park - Mpumalanga. (Thu.) Morning dedicated to the scenic wonders of the Drakensberg: sweeping views from God's Window; gushing Lisbon Falls; and 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 Pilgrims Rest, a perfect replica of a mining town during the late 19th-century gold rush period. Late afternoon arrival at your overnight hotel. (FB,D) Day 14 - Mpumalanga - Johannesburg. (Fri.) Head west towards Pretoria, South Africa's jacaranda-adorned administrative capital. Your orientation tour features the Union Buildings and the massive Voortrekker Monument commemorating the Boers" epic Great Trek, and the Kruger House, the former residence of nationbuilding statesman "Oom Paul" Kruger. Then a visit to MELROSE HOUSE, venue of the signing of the peace treaty which ended the bitter Anglo-Boer War. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, the country's prosperous industrial and commercial center, enjoy an orientation drive of the city. Tonight a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your South African adventure. (FB,D) Day 15 - Johannesburg - Livingstone, Zambia. (Sat.) Mid-morning flight to Livingstone and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon take a SUNDOWNER CRUISE on the Zambezi River. Marvel at the luxuriant vegetation on its banks and experience an unforgettable African sunset. (FB,D) Day 16 - Livingstone. (Sun.) This morning head towards the mighty Victoria Falls, "discovered" by David Livingston in 1855. Walk to the best vantage points and see the series of steep gorges carved out over the ages by the force of the water. (FB) Day 17 - Livingstone. (Mon.) Start the day with a visit to the Mukuni Tribal Village, which depicts the traditional way of life of Zambia. Maybe join an optional tour this afternoon or relax by the pool. Mosi-Oa- Tunya, "the Smoke that Thunders," can be seen above the treetops - and heard! The Zambezi and the falls are literally on your doorstep. (FB) Day 18 - Depart Livingstone. (Tue.) Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight via Johannesburg. (FB) Day 19 - Homebound Flight. (Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives today. |
