Southern Africa is our specialty and over the years we have continued to refine our offering constantly taking into account the feedback provided by our guests. Our 2017 trip features the best of the best and makes use of our many years and many relationships in the region. This is a South Africa trip like no other.
Our Southern African itineraries are split into three parts. The “Base Trip” focuses on the best of South Africa and in and of itself is a perfect trip, designed to require just one week out of work. The “Pre-Trip” is for those adventurous folks with a bit more time on their hands and includes shark cage diving with great whites. The “Post-Trip” will take you beyond South Africa and into Zimbabwe and Zambia for more adventures at the iconic Victoria Falls. The Base trip can be booked alone or with the pre or post extensions to make for the ultimate Southern African adventure.
2017 DEPARTURES (pre and post trip additions available):
- May 7-14
- August 11-19
- October 6-14
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Big 5 safari at a five star game lodge with four game drives
- Exploring the Cape Peninsula by motorcycle sidecar
- Wine tastings and chocolate pairings in the Cape Winelands
- Exploring urban Johannesburg on a graffiti walking tour
- Soaring over Victoria Falls in a microlight aircraft [Post trip]
- Cage diving with great white sharks [Pre trip]
ITINERARY:
[Pre-Trip Add-On] Three Days / Two Nights Before Core Trip
For those interested, a pre-trip is available to Gansbaai for shark cage diving with great white sharks and other adventures. For those attending, you’ll arrive two days before the main trip begins. You’ll be met by a private guide and driver at the airport and transferred to Gansbaai roughly 1.5 hours away on the coast. The three-day program will include a half day shark cage diving (weather dependent) as well as quad biking in the Cape Winelands. Also included is all transportation in a private vehicle with our amazing local guide and overnight at the Roundhouse Hotel. (2B, 1L)
[Base Trip] Day 1 – Depart USA
Today you will depart the USA on your own arrangements for Cape Town. Depending on how you book, you may stop in Johannesburg before arriving in Cape Town on day 2.
Day 2 – Welcome to South Africa!
After arriving in Cape Town you’ll be met by a private car and driver and transferred to the hotel in the city center. The afternoon will be at leisure to settle in and get acclimated. We’ll meet for a very special welcome dinner this evening to begin the adventure. (D)
Day 3 – Cape Peninsula
This morning we depart on a tour of the Cape Peninsula with private car and driver. We’ll visit Signal Hill for a photo-op with Table Mountain and then make our way to Hout Bay via vintage motorcycle sidecars. We’ll drive the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive to Simonstown where we’ll enjoy lunch before visiting the penguin colony. After lunch, we’ll continue south to Cape Point and ride the funicular to the lighthouse. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Choppers and Chenin Blanc
This morning is at leisure to wake up whenever you like and explore Cape Town at your own pace. We’ll meet just after lunch to board helicopters for an aerial tour of the Mother City. The scenic flight will take us along the Atlantic coast before cutting up over the winelands and returning to the city. Back on the ground, we’ll head to Stellenbosch for a “wine drive” (like a game drive but with wine instead of animals) at Waterford Estate. This includes a tour of the winery and wine making process, deluxe tasting out among the vines and a wine and chocolate pairing to top it all off. (B, D)
Day 5 – SoWeTo
This morning we depart Cape Town and fly to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel before heading out into the townships. Soweto is South Africa’s largest township and we’ll have lunch on the famous Vilakazi Street – former home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a bicycle tour of the township with a local guide before returning to the hotel for the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – Urban Jozi
This morning is at leisure to explore the area around the hotel or elsewhere in Johannesburg at your own pace. We’ll convene after lunch to experience the modern, urban side of Johannesburg (or Jozi, as locals call it). We’ll explore the Joburg inner city on a graffiti walking tour before grabbing some drinks in Braamfontein followed by dinner in trendy Melville. Where yesterday was meant to showcase the history of South Africa, today showcases the realities of the modern city. (B, D)
Day 7 – Into the Bush
This morning after breakfast we’ll transfer to Johannesburg airport for our flight into the bush. Today we begin the safari portion of the trip which will kick off with lunch at our five star safari lodge. In the afternoon will be our first game drive where we’ll look out for the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo) under the guidance of an experienced ranger and tracker. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Safari
Today our safari continues with an early morning wake up and game drive. Game drives typically last three hours and you never know what you’re going to see. After the drive we’ll enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then have the middle part of the day free to relax, sleep, or enjoy the spa. We’ll convene again in the evening for a second game drive followed by dinner back at the lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 9 – Final Game Drive
Today we’ll be up early to enjoy our fourth and final game drive followed by breakfast back at the lodge. After breakfast we’ll have a bit of time to relax and pack before heading to the airport for our early afternoon flight back to Johannesburg. Upon arriving in Joburg, guests will either continue home on their own arrangements or continue on to the post-trip adventure in Victoria Falls. (B, L)
[Post-Trip Add-On] Day 10 – Zimbabwe
For those participating in the post-trip you’ll overnight at a hotel at the Johannesburg airport before catching a flight to Zimbabwe or Zambia this morning. On arrival you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to the lodge on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls. This evening you’ll enjoy a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River and your first taste of this incredible country. (B, D)
[Post-Trip] Day 11 – Microlights
This morning we’ll cross the border into Zambia and experience an epic microlight flight over Victoria Falls followed by a visit to Livingston Island for a visit to the edge of the falls and (weather permitting) a swim in the Devil’s Pool. After this, we’ll cross back into Zimbabwe and enjoy the afternoon with some shopping and time to explore Victoria Falls town. (B, L)
[Post-Trip] Day 12 – Victoria Falls
This morning we’ll start with a guided private tour of the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls led by a local historian with lunch at the famous Lookout Cafe. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to zip line or gorge swing in the afternoon. Otherwise, we’ll celebrate a final farewell dinner in the Boma at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge complete with exotic foods and live interactive entertainment. (B, L, D)
[Post-Trip] Day 13 – Heading Home
This morning after breakfast we’ll head back to the airport for flights back to Johannesburg. From here you’ll connect to your individually arranged onward flights back home.
What’s it Cost?
| Inclusions | Exclusions | Inclusions | Exclusions | Inclusions | Exclusions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
