SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR & SAFARI

This afternoon arrive in Johannesburg, standing on the southern slopes of the Witwatersrand, a rich gold-mining region that serves as South Africa’s industrial heartland. You will be welcomed upon arrival and escorted to your Hotel in Sandton.

Tour Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. Visit some of the historical sights, the Union Building, Voortrekker Monument, the City Hall, Kruger House and Church Square. Your afternoon is at leisure.

After an early breakfast, you will be driven via Belfast to Nelspruit and Hazyview. Continue to the Kruger National Park. This evening, embark on your first game drive in an open safari vehicle accompanied by an experienced game ranger and tracker, bringing you face to face with Africa at its best.

Roam the reserve today in an open Landrover led by experienced rangers and trackers using radio alerts in search of elephant, leopard, cheetah, kudu, giraffe, Cape buffalo, hippo and other species. Start with a dawn safari, than retire at the camp for a soothing midday siesta or relax followed by late afternoon game drive. Private viewing and photo opportunities abound as huge herds of animals and hundreds of species of birds participate in this incredible procession of wildlife.

Your pre-breakfast game drive provides yet another chance to see and photograph a wide variety of the immense concentrations of wildlife here. After breakfast, continue on yet another game drive in a different area of the park. After lunch you will be driven back to Johannesburg/Sandton.

Fly across to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Without doubt, the Victoria Falls constitutes to be considered as one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. Visit the Crocodile Farm, followed by a cruise on the Zambezi River as the sunsets. This evening, enjoy a special Dinner at “The Boma.” The Boma provides not just a meal but also a unique cultural experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights of Africa. Entertainment incorporates a troupe of vibrant Shangaan dancers and singers and Sangoma, a traditional storyteller, teaching you the country’s folklore, culture and heritage.

Tour the awesome Victoria Falls, the world’s largest sheet of falling water. Although its fame has spread far and wide, the site has been tastefully preserved with unobstructed views from many vantage points connected by paved paths. As you approach the falls, a great roar fills the air; rainbows appear and mist spews in all directions. Later, visit a native craft village, depicting several traditional Zimbabwean villages and their various handicrafts.

You will be transferred to Chobe National Park, where the varied landscape and permanent waters ensure large concentrations of game and their predators. The riverine forests are rich in bird-life and renowned for the huge herds of elephants. Later this afternoon, take a relaxing sunset river cruise which is sure to please nature lovers and photographers alike.

A splendid and flamboyant park, Chobe National Park has one of the world’s largest elephant populations. Game drives in open four-wheel-drive vehicles and powerboats are organized for close-up game viewing. Later, enjoy a canoe ride for excellent bird watching. At day’s end, return to the lodge for a spectacular sunset on the banks of the lazy Chobe River.

After a morning of game drive, you are driven back across the border to Zimbabwe where you will board your fight to Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest City also known as the “mother City”. A harmonious blend of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates the past and today’s more functional requirements. Between the high-rise office blocks, Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing – much of your journey is along the pristine coastline, with majestic views of the mountains and ocean. Visit Cape Point where the cold Atlantic and warm Indian Oceans meet. Returning to Cape Town, we drive through the historic naval village of Simon’s Town.

Escape to the tranquility and “old world charm” of the Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch wine areas. Our first stop is the famous “Afrikaans Language Monument.” Situated on Paarl Rock, it also offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Travel to a prize-winning wine estate for a wine tasting and tour. A second wine tasting is enjoyed at another of South Africa’s prize winning estates, after which we visit the Huguenot Monument and Museum in Franschhoek. Then continuing to Dorp Street in Stellenbosch to visit the world-famous 19th Century Shop, “Oom Samies se Winkel,” before returning to your hotel in Cape Town.

The day is free, providing time to shop or simply relax. Later this evening, bid Africa farewell as you board your homeward flight.