Itinerary
Day 0. Wednesday. 11 August Depart home on a United flight to Washington DC in time for overnight flight to Capetown. Depart IAD at 17:40 on South African Airways #208.
Day 1. Thursday. 12 August Arrive Johannesburg at 17:10. Depart JNB at 19:00 on SA #367, arrive Cape Town at 21:10. We will be met at Cape Town Airport on arrival and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, +27 21 4094000
Day 2. Friday. 13 August This morning we will take a tour of the city of Cape Town. Visit the Castle, the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter before driving up to the lower cable car station. Weather permitting; we will travel to the top of Table Mountain before returning to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The waterfront is part working harbour, part shopping and recreational area. Enjoy lunch and the many attractions in the area. An optional boat trip will take you across the bay to see Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Our coach will take us back to the hotel in time to freshen up for dinner (own expense).
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch
Day 3. Saturday. 14 August We will tour the Cape Peninsular today. Drive over Chapman’s Peak Drive (if it is open) to Hout Bay, a working fishing harbour where we will join a boat trip to a small island inhabited by seals (weather permitting.) Continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve to visit both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Included is a journey on the Funicular Railway at Cape Point. Lunch will be at Bertha’s restaurant overlooking the historic naval base at Simons Town. After lunch, we will visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before driving back to our hotel. Dinner is not included today.
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. `
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch at Simonstown.
Day 4. Sunday. 15 August Today we will take a day trip to Hermanus, a small town and fishing port on the Indian Ocean well known for sightings of the Southern Right Whale. Drive out on the coast road and return over the dramatic Van Reenen’s Pass.
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner at a V&A Waterfront Restaurant.
Day 5.Monday. 16 August South Africa is well known for its wines that are produced around Cape Town. Today we will visit one of the wine producing regions. Our coach will take us to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, where there will be time to explore the attractive town and enjoy lunch (not included). The tour will include three different wine tasting and a cellar tour. We will return to Cape Town in time for an included dinner at the V&A Waterfront.
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner at a V&A Waterfront Restaurant.
Day 6. Tuesday. 17 August This morning we will enjoy breakfast before transferring to Cape Town Station for an overnight journey to Johannesburg on the Premier Classe Train. Travel through the wine region before passing through the Hex River Tunnels and entering the dry Karoo region. Lunch and dinner will be served on the train.
Overnight: Premier Classe Train in twin or single sleepers.
Meals included. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Day 7. Wednesday. 18 August The train arrives in Johannesburg at 11h30. We will travel by coach to Gold Reef City on the edge of the city. Gold Reef City used to be a working gold mine, nowadays it is a heritage centre and theme park. Our hotel is located in the heritage park surrounded by restored buildings representative of Johannesburg at the end of the 19th Century. Spend the afternoon exploring the park. There are a number of railway artefacts to be seen, including three steam locomotives and a coach used to carry gold bullion. You can also see a gold pour and descend into a gold mine. Adjacent to Gold Reef City are the Apartheid Museum and a large entertainment centre with a casino. Dinner will be at our hotel, followed by an evening at the casino (optional).
Overnight: Gold Reef City Hotel, +27 11 248 5700
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 8. Thursday. 19 August After breakfast we will take a coach tour to Soweto, visiting sites associated with the fight for freedom from Apartheid. Next, drive to the city of Pretoria to see the Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger’s house, Melrose House and the Union Buildings. This afternoon, visit the Lesedi Cultural Village to find out about the diverse cultures of some of South Africa’s indigenous tribes. Enjoy a themed dinner before returning to our hotel at Gold Reef City.
Overnight: Gold Reef City Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 9. Friday. 20 August Drive to Nkambeni Tented Lodge in the Kruger National Park. Arrive this afternoon, in time for a game drive on the Nkambeni Concession with a sundowner drink included.
Overnight: Nkambeni Tented Lodge. +27 071 604 2338
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 10. Saturday. 21 August Take an early morning game drive, returning to the lodge for breakfast. Spend today exploring the scenic Panorama route. See the Blyde River Canyon, Gods Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels and the Pinnacle. There will be a lunch stop at a delightful venue en-route (for own account). Return to Nkambeni early this evening for the evening at leisure with an included dinner.
Overnight: Nkambeni Tented Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 11. Sunday. 22 August Early to rise, we enjoy a full day Safari in open vehicles in the Kruger National Park. This is South Africa’s largest and best known game reserve, where the big five can all be found. Lunch will at a venue within the park (on your own). Return to the hotel early this evening to freshen up before an included dinner.
Overnight: Nkambeni Tented Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 12. Monday. 23 August This morning we will enjoy a scenic coach drive back to Johannesburg. Book into our hotel. An included dinner will be at a nearby restaurant.
Overnight: City Lodge Hotel in Edenvale, Johannesburg.+27 11 392-1750
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner
Day 13. Tuesday. 24 August
Return to USA. Not recommended and nobody has chosen to leave the tour at this point.(Since you are already over here, why not stick around and see Vic Falls? But if you need to get back early, here is your chance.)
Victoria Falls Option: Depart Johannesburg on SA#040 at 9:30. arrive Victoria Falls (VFA) at 11:15. Transfer to Kingdom Hotel, a four star hotel near to Falls, easy to walk to the station, Falls and town. No local transfers needed.
Mid afternoon – sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi above the Falls. Transfers and drinks / snacks included.
Evening – Dinner at the Boma Restaurant. Ethnic (braai and buffet) restaurant with entertainment. Transfers included.
Overnight: Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls, +27 11 888 4037
Meals: Breakfast Dinner.
Day 14. Wednsday. 25 August This morning, walk to the Rain Forset for a hosted tour of the Victoria Falls. See the largest sheet of falling water in the world from the Knife Edge. Late afternoon, join a steam train at Vic Falls Station for a ride to the bridge over the Zambezi River within sight of the Falls. Snacks and drinks included. Return to the hotel in time for a buffet dinner (included).
Overnight: Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls.
Meals included: Breakfast Dinner
Day 15. Thursday. 26 August Transfer to the airport in time for SA #041, departing VFA at 12:05. arrive JNB at 13:50. Depart JNB at 18:00 on SA #207 for overnight flight.
Day 16. Friday. 27 August Arrive IAD at 06:00 a.m. Connect on United flight for home.