South Africa

Specials / Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours
Horse Safaris / Camping Tours / Victoria Falls extension

Capetown and Kenya

Day: 1
Depart New York / Atlanta on South African Airways flight to Cape Town.

Day: 2
Upon arrival you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. City Lodge Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Accommodations in a standard room for 2 nights inclusive of breakfast. This is a centrally located hotel at the gateway to the vibrant and dynamic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, within walking distance of Cape Town's CBD, close to the N2 motorway and 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. A nautical theme runs through the hotel and a Jacuzzi - pool is available for guests to relax in the warm Cape weather. The Hotel has recently undergone a complete renovation, and now includes a fitness room and Internet cafe.

Day: 3 (B) 8:30 a.m. Scheduled half day City Tour .
No visit to Cape Town is complete without a tour of the "Mother City". You will be taken to see the Houses of Parliament, the Castle, the District Six Museum, and other historical sights. A highlight is a visit to the bustling Greenmarket Square flea market. The day includes a visit to the picturesque Malay Quarter with its spicy babotie and curry aromas filling the air. The V&A Waterfront is the last stop, where you will be able to explore this exciting development, or be dropped off at your hotel. All entrance fees are included on this tour. Refreshments & Lunch / Meals are not included.

Day: 4 (B)
This morning you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to Cape Town Airport by scheduled vehicle. Depart Cape Town on South African Airways flight from Cape Town to Nairobi via Johannesburg Upon arrival you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Nairobi Safari Club. Accommodations in a standard room for 1 night inclusive of breakfast. This is Nairobi city's international five star hotel, offering visitors a luxury excursion base of prestigious suites for the same price as lesser city hotel accommodations.This "home away from home luxury" lets you enjoy the magic of exotic adventure and truly provides that "Out of Africa" feeling.
Balance of the day/evening at leisure.

Day: 5 (B, D)
After breakfast you will head north crossing the Equator to the Samburu Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in this park which is famous for its rare animals such as Grevy's Zebra, reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and Somalia Ostrich. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Samburu Game Lodge. Accommodations in a standard room for 1 night inclusive of all meals and game activities.

Samburu Game Lodge is located about 192 miles north of Nairobi on the hot and arid fringes of the vast northern region of Kenya. The lodge nestles within the lands of the colorful Samburu pastorals, relatives of the famed Masai, the Samburu National Reserves and the adjoining Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves.

The life-line of these three sanctuaries, the palm-fringed Uaso Nyiro River, attracts vast and varied herds of game and abundant birdlife to its cool, riverrine forest and crocodile-laden waters. Many species are rarely found elsewhere in Kenya. The narrow-striped, large-eared Grevy zebra, graceful long-necked gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Reticulated giraffe and the blue shanked Somalia ostrich are just some of the wonderful creatures that abound in this area.

There is no better place than to spend a few days in Kenya's northern game sanctuaries in the riverrine forest cool of Samburu lodge, the area's first game lodge and still a sentimental favorite for visitors. All accommodations- cottages, twin or single rooms, have a front-row seat facing the river. There are many activities to fill the hours between those adventurous game drives. Make sure you stay long enough to experience traditional Samburu dances, guided bird walks and the sparkling swimming pool.

Day: 6 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a morning game drive before your departure transfer (by road) to Aberdare National Park. A lunch stop will be made at Aberdare Country Club. Continue by special vehicle into the forest and arrive at The Ark. Accommodations in a standard room for 1night inclusive of all meals and game activities.

Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, this unique game lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick that attracts a host of wildlife- elephant, rhino, leopard, bushbuck and occasionally an elusive bongo or forest hog. Resembling and named after Noah's Ark, the ark comprises three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker offers excellent photo opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the animals. Comfortable en suite cabins are fitted with buzzers to announce the arrival of one the "Big Five" at the waterhole. Night game viewing awaits you from viewing areas at many levels – even an underground bunker at the edge of the salt lick.

Day: 7 (B, L, D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to Lake Nakuru Lodge for lunch. Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park – noted for its flamingo population, huge birdlife variety, rhino and leopard and well as bush and waterbuck. Continue to Lake Elementaita Lodge for dinner and overnight. Accommodations in a standard room for 1 night inclusive of all meals and game activities.

Overlooking Lake Elementaita is the former home of Galbraith Cole, 4th Earl of Eniskillen - and brother of Berkeley Cole, who was Denys Finch Hatton's great friend in Kenya. The Coles were also associated with that other great Kenya family -the Delameres - and you can in fact see right across the beautiful Lake Elementaita to the Delamere Estates. This is a magical place and we will spend our first night here, unwinding and taking in the perfect peace of it all. The home is now called Lake Elementaita Lodge and we will be accommodated in charming, stone-built chalets spread out among the lovely gardens. All meals are included -and so is a special surprise!

Day: 8 (B, L, D)
Drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve – the jewel of Kenya's national parks. Here is one of the best opportunities to view the Big Five as well as enjoy the vast plains of the Northern Serengeti. Arrive at Mara Simba in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in search of the plains game as well as their predators. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Mara Simba Lodge. Accommodations in a standard room for 2 nights inclusive of all meals and game activities.
Mara Simba was conceived, not just as an overnight stop, but as a safari resort, as the ultimate lodge in the Masai Mara. The emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, the ambiance is Maasai, the decor incorporating ethnic design elements from the culture of the proud tribe in whose realm the lodge is set. The grounds extend almost half a mile along the Talek River. The river bank is left in its virgin state, while further back lush, landscaped gardens of indigenous plants and trees, attract colourful birds and butterflies. Wide, well-lit pathways link guest rooms and public areas. The lodge, overlooking a dramatic bend in the river, is designed to complement its natural setting.

Day: 9 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a full day in the Masai Mara with all meals and two full game drives. Optional Balloon Safari could be arranged for this morning.

Day: 10 (B)
Today you will be transferred to Nairobi Airport by scheduled vehicle.
Depart Nairobi on South African Airways flight to USA via Johannesburg

Day 11
Arrive New York / Atlanta

Price per person double occupancy:
January 1, 2005 - March 31, 2005 - $2,239. single supp = $443.
April 1, 2005 - June 30, 2005 - $2,109. single supp = $243.
July 1, 2005 - November 30, 2005 - $2,239. single supp = $443.

tax not included in prices above

Note: Travel must start and end between the dates shown.