Itinerary
Day 0: Optional Group Flight for Sunny South Africa
Optional group flight departs Minneapolis – St. Paul on January 20 for Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg
On arrival at Johannesburg’s airport, collect your luggage and clear Customs and Immigration. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Sleep in Sandton.
Day 2: Discovering SOWETO
After breakfast, enjoy a private tour of Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), the largest black residential area in South Africa. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa; this is where the seeds of South African freedom took root. Our tour includes all the major points of interest, such as the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, Hector Pietersen Memorial and Nelson Mandela’s former home. This sprawling township was the scene of the tragic riots of 1976. Despite crowded, chaotic conditions, there is a tangible sense of community in these neighborhoods which the ordered, walled suburbs lack. A traditional lunch will be served. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Sleep in Sandton (B, L)
Day 3: Fly South to Stunning Cape Town & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
After breakfast, we fly south to beautiful Cape Town. Garden lovers won’t want to miss this afternoon’s excursion to Africa’s finest botanical garden, Kirstenbosch. After,
enjoy an orientation and walking tour of the historic city center and wharf. Enjoy dinner this evening together on the wharf. Sleep in Cape Town (B, D)
Day 4: Robben Island
From your hotel it’s a short walk to the jetty at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront where we will board the ferry for notorious Robben Island. For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometers from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society.
During the apartheid years, Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs. Those imprisoned on the Island succeeded on a psychological and political level in turning a prison 'hell-hole' into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation. Robben Island came to symbolize, not only for South Africa and the African continent, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Today, you will be escorted around the island by an ex-political prisoner.
Return to the Cape waterfront and enjoy an independent lunch on the wharf.
Dinner included tonight on the wharf. Enjoy a free afternoon in Cape Town.
Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel (B, D)
Day 5: An Excursion to the Cape of Good Hope
We’ll drive past the pristine beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno - currently the hottest real estate in the world - to Hout Bay, a functioning harbor and heart of the local crayfish industry. From the harbor of Hout Bay to the rocky coastline and Chapman’s Peak, there are magnificent views of the sandy bays below.
After a stop for lunch, it's on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where we have a funicular ride to the scenic viewing point of where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans’ currents meet. The spectacular sea and mountain views are reason enough to make the 41 mile trip from Cape Town. Amid the rocky landscape - home to mountain zebra, eland and ostriches - blooms magnificent Cape flora.
Continuing along the coastline we arrive at beautiful Boulders Beach where you can sit among a colony of penguins. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening dinner together. Sleep in Cape Town. (B, D)
Day 6: Stellenbosch Wine Country
Our day begins with a visit to the historic Vergelegen Estate, established by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel in the beginning of the 18th century. Beautifully restored, the estate consists of a well-preserved Dutch manor house, outbuildings with a famous octagonal garden, a rose garden, a white garden and a wonderful herb garden.
Vergelegen has been a gardener’s paradise from the time the land was first farmed by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. Willem Adriaan was also a botanist, forester and a horticulturist and wrote the The African Gardeners' and Agriculturists' Calendar. Much of which he wrote centuries ago is still relevant to this day. Evidence of his interests is still visible at Vergelegen: the five camphor trees he imported from the East (declared historical monuments) gracing the front of the Homestead, the oldest oak tree in South Africa and an ancient mulberry tree. Van der Stel recognized the terroir as suitable for vines and Vergelegen wines are now universally accepted as outstanding.
To top off our visit we’ll enjoy a wine tasting at the estate and then proceed to the historic Oude Werf Hotel conveniently situated in the center of colonial Stellenbosch. Tonight a multi-course dinner is included. Sleep in Stellenbosch.(B, D)
Day 7: The Splendid Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch, known as the "village of the oaks", is the second oldest town in South Africa and is today a vibrant university town. Admire the charm and harmony of Cape Dutch, British and Edwardian architecture as you walk through the shady oak avenues bounded by the water furrows of the Mill Stream. On our morning walk we'll visit the Village Museum, which comprises four houses, each depicting a different period in the early history of the Cape. After a bit of time for shopping and a visit to a local café we set off to explore the vineyards surrounding Stellenbosch. Lunch and two tastings at two separate vineyards will be included this afternoon. Sleep in Stellenbosch. (B, L)
Day 8: Fly North to Your Safari Lodge
This morning we say goodbye to our Cape guide and board a flight north for Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport we will be met by an Earthbound Expeditions guide transferred your 4-star lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park. A traditional lunch will be served in Soweto and dinner will be upon arrival at the lodge.
Sleep in Pilanesberg National Park at Bakubung Bush Lodge (B, L, D)
Days 9 and 10 - Africa’s Big 5
Not even two shots of espresso will wake you up like a 6:00am game drive into the African Bush! Accompanied by a park ranger, you’ll travel in an open 4X4 jeep in pursuit of lions, giraffes, hippos, rhinos and more. Upon your return to the lodge each day enjoy a delicious breakfast. Four game drives, two per day, are included.
Grab a good book this afternoon and lay by the pool or enjoy a siesta. Around 4:00pm set off on another three-hour game drive in search of more wildlife. Following the evening safari, you will enjoy a fabulous outdoor dinner on the terrace overlooking the park. Sleep in Pilanesberg National Park at Bakubung Bush Lodge (B, D)
Day 11: Depart South Africa for the USA or Continue Your Journey to Victoria Falls and/or Botswana:
For those travelers returning to the US today, there is time this morning to enjoy a third game drive. In the early afternoon you will be transferred by coach from the lodge back to Johannesburg Airport. On arrival at Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport connect with your scheduled international South African Airways flight back to the USA. (B, L)
Note: For those travelers participating in the post-tour extensions, your flight to Victoria Falls will depart this morning.
Day 12, February 1: Arrive home
Enjoy your memories of this trip of a lifetime!
Pricing and Terms
$5,995 per person, double occupancy - land and inner-SA flights included
$1,295 single supplement
Optional RT group flight details pending (RT flight to South Africa from US not included)
VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION
2 NIGHTS/ 3 DAYS
Begins: January 31
Ends in Johannesburg: February 2
Return to the US: February 3
2 Nights Victoria Falls Hotel
$1,995 per person double occupancy
$395 Single Supplement
INCLUDED IN VICTORIA FALLS POST TOUR EXTENSION
Regional round trip airfare Johannesburg-Victoria Falls
Airport transfers to and from the hotel in air conditioned vehicles
All services as specified: breakfasts and dinners while at the Victoria Falls Hotel
Accommodation in five star hotel
Zambezi evening river cruise and guided walking tour of the falls
Sight-seeing as per itinerary led by qualified English speaking guide
Entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated above
Earthbound Expeditions guide
Porterage for 1 reasonable size bag per person
VICTORIA FALLS & BOTSWANA EXTENSION
5 NIGHTS/ 6 DAYS
Begins: February 1
Ends: February 5
Return to the US: February 6
3 Nights Chobe National Park, Botswana
2 Nights Victoria Falls Lodge
$3,395 per person double occupancy
$599 Single Supplement
INCLUDED IN VICTORIA FALLS AND BOTSWANA POST TOUR EXTENSION
Round trip airfare Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Botswana
Fully guided by informative local guides
All services as specified: breakfasts, lunch & dinner while in Chobe & breakfast and dinners in Victoria Falls
Accommodation in four and five star hotels and lodges
Three evening river cruises and three morning drives in Botswana
Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles, including qualified drivers
Sight-seeing as per itinerary led by qualified English speaking guide
Entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated above
Earthbound Expeditions guide
Porterage for 1 reasonable size bag per person
ALL PACKAGES EXCLUDE:
Round Trip Airfare from United States
Gratuities for your post-tour guides and trackers and hotel staff
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, etc.
Cost of obtaining passports or visa
Some meals not mentioned
Alcoholic beverages
Travel insurance
Airline baggage fees