Travel South Africa

Visiting South Africa is like traveling into a different world.  Victoria Falls is a breath-taking site, Table Mountain – one of the 7 Wonders of the World with views far and wide, Safaris to places only the wild animals reside, elephant rides, petting zoo…we could go on and on.  This has to be on your list of places to visit.  The hospitality was friendly and the accommodations were impeccable.

Travel South Africa

We planned this trip for a family of 16, and they came back with rave reviews…” this was the best trip of a lifetime!”  So, this is a sampling of what an itinerary could look like.  It is also recommended that any luggage handling by a porter should be paid at $1 per suitcase.  Most meals were included, but some were on your own.  There are suggestions as to where to eat mixed into this itinerary.

Day 1 & 2 & 3 – In flight from the United States to Cape Town then transfer to your hotel

TABLE BAY HOTEL:  The hotel is right on the harbor which allows you to walk around and see the sights.  As you wander, you’ll find a little restaurant where you can gather for a wonderful meal. Waterfront, Lux Room

Day 4 – 9AM – Please meet in the foyer Depart for a Full Day Private Tour of World of Birds, Butterfly World & Botanical Gardens. This speaks for itself; a wonderful place to see native birds, butterflies and foliage.

5PM – Return to the hotel and go out for dinner; there is a little restaurant where you’ll be able to meet for a wonderful meal and get caught up with the adventures of the day.

Day 5 – 8:20AM – Please meet in the foyer; then walk across to the pier and check in for the cruise.

9AM – Depart on a guided cruise and tour of Robben Island accompanied by a specialized guide who is an

ex-prisoner on the island. This is where Nelson Mandela’s prison cell was and it remains intact as it was when he was held there.  You’ll see the daily food listings and portion sizes.  It’s a wonder that people didn’t die because of the conditions there.  The guide was very good in explaining the times and conditions there.

12:30PM – Return to Cape Town and meet with your guide for a tour of the town on your way to lunch.

1PM – Table for lunch can be booked at the Baia restaurant.  The food there is excellent with personal service.

2:30PM – Depart for a Half Day City & Table Mountain Tour with your guide. Table Mountain is an excellent place for picture taking. The views are breath-taking. You see the whole bay and Lion’s Head.  There is a walking trail that tells you what the view is at each position.  The cable car is lots of fun, especially for the children. This is one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and you can certainly see why.

5:30 – Return to the hotel for dinner options.  We suggest going to the square and the huge Farris wheel.  Of course, you will have to ride it.  This is also a great place to shop for things like a safari hat or a great down jacket at a great price.

Day 6 – 8:45AM –  Please meet in the foyer for a Full Day Cape Point Tour: This is fantastic, as you see the most southern and western point of the continent of Africa where the India and Atlantic oceans meet.  You can see the difference between the two waters.  The currents are very dangerous for boats, and of course, no swimming. It is called the Cape of Good Hope.  Continuing around the coast where you hop on to a boat to visit the seals on their island just off the coast, very interesting but a bit smelly. Then on to the Boulders, home of the African penguins, where you see newly hatched babies, lots of adults and juveniles fishing for their lunch.  Next, you will want to go to the Cheetah Outreach where you visit these magnificent animals and can touch them.  They have been rescued from death from farmers who are shooting them to protect their cattle.  Now they are training very large dogs to chase off the cheetah when on farms.

6PM –  Return to the hotel for dinner options.

Day 7 – Day at leisure or additional excursions such as Winelands tour, White Sharks tour or even a golf game which can be discussed with your guide.  We recommend going to the wine country but there is more than just wine.  There is a great area to travel by golf cart up into the hills where there are fantastic views and the children can burn off some of their energy at this flat picnic area. Coming back down, you can be taken to an open-air market of crafts and tasting items. Great food and shopping. Have lunch overlooking the valley.

Note: Packing your luggage for travel the next day; arrangements to store your un-needed luggage while on safari will have been made. Please remember to pack un-needed luggage in a separate bag to be collected by the representative on your arrival in Johannesburg

Day 8 – 7:30AM – 2PM – Check out. Depart to Madikwe then transfer to your lodge

MADIKWE HILLS LODGE: Accommodation is on a fully inclusive basis + lodge activities. Madikwe Game Reserve, Suite.  This lodge was beautiful, located right in the private game reserve. After settling in go to tea and snacks in the main lodge.

3PM – 3:30PM – Please meet your guide in the foyer, for our first Private Afternoon Game Drive/safari.  What a fabulous experience.  You’ll see lions, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, brown hyena, jackals, mongoose, warthog, blue wildebeest, cape buffalo, to name a few. No tigers in South Africa.

6:30PM – Dinner is served around a roaring fire, where you will witness the locals perform a native dance; you are welcome to join in.

Day 9 & 10

6AM – 6:30AM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a Private Morning Game Drive for several hours in the bush.  Since you leave the lodge very early, you will stop for a snack midway in the safari.  You will see why you need to start early as this is the time for the animals feed and get water.

9:30AM – 3PM At Leisure

3:30PM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a Private Afternoon Game Drive.

6:30PM – Dinner at the lodge. Pack and ready for the last safari in the morning.

Day 11

6AM – 6:30AM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a final Private Morning Game Drive

10:15AM – 11:15AM – Check out. Depart to Johannesburg; then transfer to your hotel

Note: Mandatory gratuities for your rangers and trackers will be on your check out bill

SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Accommodations at this hotel was so luxurious and was also the place where Mandela was held once he was released from Robben’s Island.   The safari was amazing but you will find it is good to get the remains of the red dirt off.  Johannesburg, Lux Room. Collect your stored luggage and discuss dinner options at the hotel.

 Day 12 – 8:15AM – 1:05PM – Check out. Depart to Victoria Falls then transfer to your hotel.

Note: Malaria pills are recommended when travelling to Zimbabwe. A Zimbabwe Visa is required and may be obtained at the port of entry for $30.  A valid passport is required with minimum 2 blank pages.

VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL: Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Lux Room

3:35PM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a Private Zambezi River Cruise (park fees included) where you will see Hippo families playing and very large alligators as well as elephants moving through the water.

Day 13 – 8:30AM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a Private Walking Tour of Victoria Falls.  These falls are amazing.  Niagara Falls is only one-fifth the size.  Lots of rainbows, wild life and you will get wet.  Thank goodness for the rain ponchos they’ll provide. After this, back to the hotel pool for some family fun.

4PM – Please meet your guide in the foyer. Depart on a Royal Livingstone Express with sundowners and dinner on the train.

9:30PM – Return to the hotel

Day 14 – 9AM – Please meet your guide in the foyer for a Private Elephant Back Safari; This can be requested.  It can be an amazing ride and you can feed the elephants.  Lunch can be served there before you return to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or additional activities like ziplining over the Zambezi River Gorge.

Day 15 – 11:15AM – 11:30AM – Check out. Private-transfer to the airport; depart for the United States.

BON VOYAGE!

Imagine this 15-day journey into South Africa which includes First Class accommodations sightseeing & admissions, the cruise to Robben Island and a Zambezie River Cruise, Private Safaris, as well as a Royal Livingstone Express train ride with dinner, the services of a professional tour escort, transfers from airports to hotels and lodges and baggage handling and taxes. Airfare to Cape Town is additional.  Call us at 352-277-7300 if you have any questions or want to plan this wonderful vacation with a group of family or friends.  We will be happy to help.