South Africa

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

Spirit of the People

DAY 1 - TUESDAY
Scheduled South African Airways flight from New York / Atlanta to Cape Town via Johannesburg.

DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY
Upon arrival in Cape Town today, our representative meets you and transfers you to the hotel Cape Town Hollow. Accommodations in a standard room for 4 nights. Breakfast included. Check in and spend the remainder of today at leisure, exploring Cape Town on your own. In addition to having some of the most breathtaking views of Table Mountain, your hotel is situated in the historical center of Cape Town. Overlooking the historic "Company Gardens", established by Jan Van Riebeeck, the hotel is in immediate proximity to the Houses of Parliament, the cultural museum, the South African museum, Planetarium, South African Library. The hotel is also ideally situated to take advantage of the city's vibrant nightlife; two minutes on foot to the trendy restaurants in Kloof Street and Long Street, five minutes on foot to the CBD'S St. George's Mall or the chic Gardens Shopping Center.

DAY 3 - THURSDAY (B) WALK TO FREEDOM TOUR
Experience the raw energy of this 'rainbow nation' in one remarkable day. Begin with a tour of the vibrant Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) where the breezes carry the scent of spicy curries, and then on to the District Six Museum, which dramatically documents the tragic disintegration of this once-vibrant community by the apartheid government. From here, tour Langa, the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Western Cape townships and visit the Tsoga Environmental Gardens. Continue to Guguletu, gaining invaluable insights into the cultures and history of each township. Then sample a slice of township life with a visit to an informal spaza shop, a shebeen (pub) and hostels. Contemplate this land of contrasts over lunch at the tourist Mecca of the V&A Waterfront.

This afternoon, depart on a cruise to Robben Island - the prison that symbolizes "South Africa's triumph of freedom and human dignity over repression and humiliation. A triumph of wisdom and largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness, a triumph of courage and determination over human frailty and weakness, a triumph of non-racism over bigotry and intolerance, a triumph of the New South Africa over the old." The journey takes about 30 minutes. On arrival, a guided walking tour follows to the Maximum-Security prison where today's leaders such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. The walk then continues to the Northwest corner of the island, scene of many shipwrecks. The Islands fascinating history even involved the Second World War and we will be able to see the military airfield as we walk along the island. Transfer back to Cape Town by ferry and then return to your hotel later this afternoon.

DAY 4 - FRIDAY (B)
This morning after breakfast, meet your private guide and depart on a half-day township tour. Depart Cape Town and head for Khayalitsha. Our first stop is Khayalitsha Craft Market, where you will have a first hand experience of local crafters at work. Proceed to Lookout Hill for a scenic view of False Bay. We then move on to a local Bed and Breakfast, where you can see what a typical stay in the township is like. Travel onto the Victoria Mxgenge Housing Project in Phillipi, where we enjoy an informative walk through the project. Our last stop is the Gugusethebe Centre in Lange, on our way back to town. Spend the remainder of today at leisure.

DAY 5 - SATURDAY (B)
Depart this morning on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Find out first hand why it's called the Fairest Cape. Enjoy a leisurely walk in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in the morning or afternoon. Travel past Sea Point and Camps Bay, past the famous beaches of Clifton and Llandudno towards Hout Bay (Optional Seal Island Cruise - time permitting). Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard. Pass through Noordhoek and Scarborough. After a lunch stop, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Ride the funicular to the scenic viewing point where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. From here we drive along the Indian Ocean coastline, where we visit the beautiful Boulders Beach. Here guests have the option to sit among the famous colony of Jackass Penguins. Afterwards enjoy a short stop at the naval port of Simon's Town. Return to Cape Town late this afternoon.

DAY 6 - SUNDAY (B,D)
Check out after breakfast this morning and depart with your local tour guide on your escorted tour. You will be fetched from your hotel between 08h30 and 09h00 and whisked out of the city via Bloubergstrand, which provides a postcard-perfect view of Table Bay. We continue up the coast through the unique West Coast National Park, with its endless vistas of coastal fynbos (indigenous shrubs) and the huge blue expanse of Langebaan Lagoon, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, we continue on to Lambert's Bay, a typical West Coast fishing village, full of quaint whitewashed fishermen's cottages. A short walk is rewarded with a magnificent view of Bird Island, home to thousands of Cape gannets, cormorants and the rare African penguin. Lambert's Bay Hotel. Accommodations in a standard room for 1night. Dinner and Breakfast included.

DAY 7 - MONDAY (B,D)
We set off in the tracks of the San Bushmen, marveling at their ancient paintings in the caves of the Cederberg Mountains. Next we visit the private game reserve Kagga Kamma with a rare opportunity to meet some of the few remaining Khoi San people, living as their ancestors did (due to their nomadic way of life, we cannot guarantee an encounter). The area has a rich cultural heritage with Bushman/San rock paintings of up to 6000 years old scattered around the reserve. Enjoy a game drive and watch the sun set always a spectacular sight in this part of the world. Kagga Kamma Private Game Reserve. Accommodations in a standard room for 2nights. Dinner and Breakfast included.

DAY 8 - TUESDAY (B,D)
Depart on a n early morning game drive then go on to a cultural tour to discover more about the Bushmen and their rock art paintings. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or undertake one of the many scenic hiking trails available. After dinner enjoy and evening spotlight game drive before resting for the night.

DAY 9 - WEDNESDAY (B)
Today you'll get to stand at the very tip of a massive continent. We visit Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa, before leaving for Cape Town, hugging the glorious coastline. En-route we stop to explore the village of Hermanus - between July and November there's a good chance of a sighting of a Southern Right Whale frolicking offshore. After a lunch stop, we return to Cape Town, arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to Cape Town International Airport, and board your onward flight to Durban. Scheduled South African Airways flight from Cape Town to Durban Upon your arrival at the Durban International Airport you will be met and transferred to the Durban City Lodge. Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure. Accommodations in a standard room for 2 nights. Breakfast included.

DAY 10 - THURSDAY (B,L)
After breakfast this morning spend an exciting day learning all about the Zulu way of life. The Shakaland Zulu Experience Tour takes you up the North Coast of Natal through the lush cane fields and into the tropical beauty of Zululand and nKkwalini Valley. Perched on top of a hill overlooking the uMhlatusi River, birthplace of Shaka stands the largest Zulu Kraal in all of Zululand. Built as the set of the film "Shaka Zulu" this village operates as a living museum. Here you will learn all about the fascinating Zulu people - their culture and traditions, including the tribe's social structure, how they build their huts, brew their beer (you will be able to try some - perhaps you will like it!) and make pottery You will also meet an "isangoma" (witchdoctor) and enjoy a spectacle of delightful traditional dancing as well as a delicious lunchtime feast. Return to your hotel later this evening and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

DAY 11-FRIDAY (B)
Spend the morning at leisure today, relaxing on the beautiful Durban beaches. Later today, you are transferred to Durban Airport Scheduled South African Airways flight from Durban to Johannesburg Scheduled South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to New York / Atlanta

DAY 12 - SATURDAY
Arrival

Price per person double occupancy:
February 1 - 28, 2005 - $3,318. single supp = $321.
March 1 - April 30, 2005 - $3,376. single supp = $321.
May 1 - May 31, 2005 - $3,122. single supp = $259.
June 1 - August 31, 2005- $3,406. single supp = $259.
September 1 - September 30, 2005 - $3,463. single supp = $321.
October 1 - October 31, 2005 - $3,376. single supp = $321.

taxes are not included in above prices

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