Day 1: Friday - Depart USA

En Route

Your exciting African holiday begins today as you depart from New York aboard your South African Airways flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Day 2: Saturday - Arrive Johannesburg/Cape Town

Cape Grace Hotel

On arrival in Johannesburg, connect with your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Sunday - Cape Town

Cape Grace Hotel

Depart your hotel early this morning to beat the crowds to the cable station and take a cable-car up Table Mountain to experience the sweeping views of "the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the world." Weather permitting, enjoy visibility over 40 miles and take a close look at the city below through numerous telescopes. Continue to the distinctive Malay Quarter of the city. The Malay people were first brought to Cape Town as slaves, and today their colorful culture and cuisine are an influential part of city life. Passing the Castle, we proceed around Table Bay to Milnerton Lighthouse. From here, you see Table Mountain from the same perspective as the early settlers when they sailed into Table Bay. (B)

Day 4: Monday - Cape Town

Cape Grace Hotel

Today explore the beauty of Cape Peninsula. Depart this morning for the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve along one of South Africa's most scenic and popular routes. Drive through Sea Point and visit Hout Bay where you can take an optional half-hour boat excursion to view seals and sea birds at Duiker Island (weather permitting). Continue to Cape Point where two marine eco-systems and two of the world¹s great oceans meet.
 
During the afternoon drive through the historic naval base town of Simon's Town. Named after Governor Simon van der Stel in 1687, Simon¹s Town was used by the Dutch East India Company as its winter anchorage from 1743 until the British occupation in 1795. It was the Royal Navy¹s South Atlantic Base from 1814 until the handover to the South African Navy in 1957.
 
Just south of Simon¹s Town is Boulders Beach, where a series of nooks and coves tucked in among towering boulders offers shelter from the wind and sun. Next to Boulders is one of only two mainland Jackass Penguin breeding colonies in the world. The bird derives its name from the call it makes - a loud bray similar to that of a donkey. A walk along the bridle path from Boulders to Seaforth allows a close look at this endangered species.
 
Afterwards, continue through Muizenberg to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch was established as a center for the preservation and study of the indigenous flora of Southern Africa. All year round one can enjoy glorious living displays of wild flowers and the magnificent collection of cycads, silver trees and other shrubs, plants and trees. Return to Cape Town late this afternoon. (B)
 
Please ensure that you have packed an overnight bag for the 3-night stay at the game reserve. You may store the remainder of your luggage at the Baggage Storage Counter at Johannesburg International Airport, for collection by you after your game reserve stay.

Day 5: Tuesday - Cape Town/Kruger Park

Kirkman¹s / Londolozi

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you are met and assisted to your connecting flight to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, the first national park founded in Africa. Arrive in time for lunch, then relax before setting-out on an afternoon game drive. Return to camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Days 6-7: Wednesday & Thursday - Kruger Park

Kirkman¹s / Londolozi

Spend the next two full days game viewing in this spectacular wildlife kingdom. During your stay, you have the opportunity to spot lion, elephant, giraffe, rhino, leopard, hippo, wildebeest, warthog, hyena, and the elusive cheetah - to name just a few! (B,L,D)

Day 8: Friday - Kruger/Johannesburg

The Westcliff

Early morning wake-up call then out into the bush on the morning safari in search of animals not seen the day before. Return to camp for a hearty breakfast, then fly back to Johannesburg. Transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 9: Saturday - Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Hotel

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival you are transferred to the elegant Victoria Falls Hotel.
 
Please note that visas are now required for Zimbabwe, and are issued upon arrival at the first port of entry. The fee is USD$30 for a single entry and USD$45 for a double entry.
 
Zimbabwe's northern frontier is formed by the mighty Zambezi River and it is here that the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries and dramatic landscapes are to be found.
 
Late in the afternoon transfer to the Zambezi River Pier above the Falls for the "sundowner" cruise. Livingstone first wrote about this "Crimson Heart of Africa bleeding over the Kandahar Rapids" and sunset on the Zambezi has captivated travelers since. Refreshments are provided on board for that famous African "sundowner". (B)

Day 10: Sunday - Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Hotel

Morning free for independent exploration. This afternoon is a walking tour of the greatest falls in Africa - Victoria Falls, "the Smoke that Thunders." Your guide takes you through the natural rain forest to selected vantage points from where you can see the five main cataracts comprising the Falls. Visit the Craft Village that depicts scenes of traditional African life. (B)

Day 11: Monday - Victoria Falls/Johannesburg/Depart

En Route

The morning is at leisure before transferring to the airport in time for your flight to Johannesburg, connecting with your onward flight to New York. (B)

Day 12: Tuesday - Arrive New York

En Route

Arrive in New York early this morning where you clear US Customs & Immigration formalities. Welcome Home!

PALACE OF THE LOST CITY & SUN CITY

Extension

Day 11: Monday - Victoria Falls/Johannesburg/Sun City

The Palace of the Lost City

Morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you are met and transferred by private vehicle to Sun City and your hotel. Situated next to Sun City, the surrounding jungle contains some of the largest man-made waterscapes ever created. Stunning features include waterfalls, hidden streams, fish ponds, bubbling cataracts, water slides, a surfing pool with waves and a salt water pool with a tropical coral reef where guests can snorkel or scuba dive amongst brightly colored tropical fish. Sporting facilities include the world-famous Gary Player Country Club golf course and a second 18-hole championship golf course. The hotel features 350 opulent rooms and suites. Standard features include bathrooms en suite, color television, direct dial telephone, radio, air-conditioning and 24-hour room service. The towers provide a dramatic view of the jungle where concealed walkways lead to surprising discoveries. The two restaurants at the Palace are set in fabulous locations -- one on an island and the other overlooking the magnificent lake and rain forest. (B)

Day 12: Tuesday - Sun City

The Palace of the Lost City

The internationally acclaimed Sun City offers non-stop entertainment with international stars, a casino, several restaurants and bars, a health spa, two 18-hole golf courses (home of the million dollar Sun City Golf Challenge), a game reserve and much more. Your day is at leisure to enjoy the many sporting and gambling facilities of the resort. You may want to spend some time in the vast untamed wilderness of the Pilanesberg National Park, a game reserve teeming with wildlife. Or enjoy a game of golf on one of South Africa's most challenging and interesting courses, designed by Gary Player. (B)

Day 13: Wednesday - Depart

En Route

Transfer to Johannesburg today in time to board your international flight to New York. (B)

Day 14: Thursday - Arrive New York

En Route

Arrive back in New York today.

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Deluxe accommodations, with private bath, as shown in the itinerary.
• Meals -- B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
• All transfers and game viewing as specified in the itinerary in specially fitted minibuses or 4X4 vehicles with photographic roof hatches.
• Park fees for game viewing as specified.
• Professional English-speaking driver/guides.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Visas and departures taxes.
• Personal expenses such as room service, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, telephone calls, hotel incidental expenses, etc.
• Gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel/lodge staff.
• Excess luggage fees.
• Regional and safari flights (priced separately).
• International airline tickets (priced separately).