South Africa - Cape Town & Kruger
Marine Life, Wine & The "Big Five"
12 Days / 9 Nights
 

This amazing itinerary combines the best of Cape Town with Kruger National Park.  Start with sightseeing in the 
Cape Town area, including the Cape Peninsula (with visits to Boulders Beach, with its penguin colony, a boat trip to Seal Island, an ascent up Chapman's Peak, as well as Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve.  In the city we'll visit Kirstenbosch, one of the world's top botanical gardens, and ascend for a panoramic view from Table Mountain.  Nearby, we'll visit the "wine country," including stops at vineyards, and stay at Grootbos, a private reserve near Hermanus.  In addition, we'll experience a shark cage dive.  We then travel to the Aratusa Safari Lodge, located in a private concession adjacent to Kruger National Park, and which offers viewing of the "Big Five," a great variety of birds, and numerous other animal encounters.

Sample Group Itinerary 

 
Day 1  -  Depart USA
Today we depart the USA bound for South Africa.

Day 2  -  Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
Today we arrive at Cape Town Airport, where we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel.   Cape Town Hollow Hotel or similar.

Day 3  -  Cape Town 
Morning at leisure to rest-up and adjust after the long trip. Late this morning we’ll depart on a tour of the Cape Town area. We’ll have lunch, and then proceed to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Then we’ll take the cable car up Table Mountain, and gaze down on the city, as we are given an overview of its historical layout. Welcome dinner this evening. Cape Town Hollow Hotel or similar.   (BLD)

Day 4  -  Cape Town        
For our next day in Cape Town, we head out on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour.  We travel along the Atlantic Seaboard, via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, stopping at a Llandudno look-out point, before continuing to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbour, with magnificent mountain views and beach.  We then enjoy a Seal Island boat trip.  On through Chapman’s Peak (the drive via Chapman’s peak is subject to the road being open; alternatively we will drive via Ou Kaapse Weg), one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve, which has magnificent fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species and zebra, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks.  Cape Point is perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.  After lunch at a nearby restaurant, we go on to historic Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at beautiful Boulders Beach.  Early evening return to the hotel.  Cape Town Hollow Hotel or similar.  (BLD) 

 
Day 5 - Cape Town - Wine Country - Hermanus
After breakfast we depart Cape Town for a full day tour of the Winelands, including 2 wine tastings at secluded estates, cheese or chocolate tasting, and a range of cultural and historical attractions.  While South Africa’s Winelands region is justifiably well-known for its exceptionally high quality wines, there are also a number of other attractions in this beautiful region. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way.  After a scenic day in the Wine Country, we’ll arrive at Hermanus, where we’ll check-in at the Grootbos Private Reserve for dinner and overnight.  Grootbos Private Reserve.   (BLD)

Day 6  -  Hermanus          
We have a very early morning start today in order to be at the meeting point for our White Shark Diving/Viewing boat trip in Gansbaai.  Our day begins with a scrumptious buffet breakfast at 'White Shark Lodge' followed by the excitement of the launch, and a full adrenalin packed day at sea, around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock - an area famous for its aptly named channel 'Shark Alley', and inundated with African Jackass Penguins and Cape Fur Seals.   Grootbos Private Reserve.   (BLD)

Day 7  -  Hermanus  -  Cape Town         
We travel out of Hermanus en route back to Cape Town.  We proceed along the coast towards Betty’s Bay, where we stop to visit the penguins at Stony Point.  The site at Stony Point, Betty's Bay, is one of the only three land-based colonies; for this reason, it is treasured.  The first nest was noticed in 1982.  The Municipality erected a fence and a viewing platform for the conservation of the penguins.  The number of penguins we may see from the viewing platform will depend on the day.
After our stop, we'll have lunch and continue back to Cape Town.  Balance of the afternoon is free to shop, or futher explore Cape Town on your own.  Cape Town Hollow Hotel or similar.   (BLD)

Day 8  -  Cape Town  -  Nelspruit  -  Kruger National Park
After breakfast we return to the airport, and board a flight to Nelspruit.  Upon arrival at the Kruger Mpumalanga international Airport, we are met and transfer to the Arathusa Safari Lodge.  This transfer takes in some of Mpumalanga’s most breath-taking scenery and gives a good overview of this rich. unique and diverse province of South Africa.  Kruger National Park, home of the "Big Five," and a wide variety of other wildlife.  We'll have lunch, followed by some time to relax, before our late afternoon game drive.  Arathusa Safari Lodge.  (BLD)

Days 9 & 10  -  Arathusa Safari Lodge
The Arathusa Safari Lodge, an enchanting lodge, lies within the world renowned Sabi Sand Private Reserve, adjacent to the unfenced Kruger National Park.

Guests to Arathusa are treated to an exceptional wildlife experience, including the prized "Big Five" - the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.  With exceptional sightings of leopard (usually the most elusive of cats), lion and rhino during game drives - visitors are never lacking in exciting photographic content.  There is so much more to The African Safari than the Big Five.  The lodge flanks the bank of a large waterhole, allowing for a 180-degree view of the water.  There are usually between 5 and 20 hippos “right on the doorstep” providing 24 hour entertainment.  In addition to the large mammals, over 300 species of birds are found in the area! 

A veritable collection of smaller creatures add color to the safari experience.  And one need not leave the comfort of the camp to see massive herds of buffalo, antelope and elephant families, which gather at the camp's waterhole.

Each of these days we'll enjoy an early morning and late afternoon game drive.  In between, enjoy some of the camp's great facilities... from a swimming pool to spa features.  Arathusa Safari Lodge.  (BLD Daily)

 DAY 11 - Kruger National Park – Nelspruit – Johannesburg – Depart South Africa
This morning we’ll drive back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.  Along the way we’ll have lunch.  This afternoon we’ll fly to Johannesburg, where we’ll board a connecting flight back to the U.S.  (BL)

DAY 12 - Arrive U.S.
Arrival back in the U.S. today. After clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs formalities, we’ll board our flight back to our hometown airport, full of lifelong memories of South Africa and it’s wildlife!

 
Included Meal Codes:
B  -  Breakfast
L  -  Lunch
D  -  Dinner.

Tour Price Will Include: 
  -  9 Nights Accommodation as described (or similar) with private facilities, based on double occupancy
  -  Meals as indicated
  -  Transportation for activities indicated in the itinerary
  -  The services of professional English speaking specialist guides
  -  Sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation.

Tour Price Will Not Include:
  -  International Airfare  (quoted separately)
  -  Tips to staff, guides and drivers
  -  Excess baggage fees
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, laundry, etc.
  -  Beverages, with meals or otherwise
  -  Travel Insurance.

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