Classic South Africa With Robben Island

Travel to a continent full of Stories and Mysteries: Discover the Magic of Africa

Tour dates: 12 days

18 May – 29 May 2022 / 08 October – 19 October 2022

Day 1: Depart for South Africa – 18 May 2022 / 08 Oct 2022
Depart for South Africa

Day 2: Arrive in Cape Town – 19 May 2022 / 09 Oct 2022
Arrive in Cape Town, undeniably one of the most
beautiful cities in the world. As you transfer to your hotel,
you’ll see the towering symbol of the city – Table Mountain.
The rest of the day is at leisure in this magnificent seaside city .
Overnight: Cape Town

Day 3: Cape Town City Tour – 20 May 2022 / 10 Oct 2022
After an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager,
depart on a half day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour.
Driving to the city center, pass famous landmarks such as
the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India
Company and City Hall, a splendid baroque building, and of course
the Grand Parade. See St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese
of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain.
Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car.
At the summit, see wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, on one side, and Cape Point on the other. Descend from the upper cableway station and proceed to Cape Town’s famous V & A Waterfront for time at leisure and lunch on your own. Afterward, take a ferry across the Bay to Robben Island, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of historic Robben Island today, reveals the poignant struggles, hopes, and dreams of freedom made famous by Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment here. This notorious prison, located on an island off the coast of Cape Town in Table Bay is where South Africa’s political prisoners were kept during the colonial and apartheid years of the country. Tour the island and the infamous prison before returning to Cape Town in the late afternoon for time at leisure. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers

** The operation of the Robben Island ferry is dependent on weather
and sea conditions. If the ferry is canceled, the visit to Robben Island
will be replaced with alternate sightseeing.
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Cape Peninsula Tour – 21 May 2022 / 11 Oct 2022
Depart on a full day Cape Peninsula Tour with lunch along the way.
Drive to Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula,
passing steep mountains, secluded coves, and sweeping beaches en route.
After a stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s
best-kept secrets, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve,
comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous flora and fauna, where
you may see baboons by the roadside, rheboks, cape mountain zebras,
bonteboks and the elusive eland. The native plant life, known as fynbos,
forms one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. Following the
coastline along False Bay, return to Cape Town after lunch by way of
Simon’s Town. Here, visit the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach,
and continue with a scenic drive over Muizenberg Mountain.
Lastly, visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, resting at
the foot of Table Mountain, for a short walking tour of the beautiful
gardens before arriving to Cape Town. Tonight, experience local
culture in a relaxed and comfortable environment at the optional
Home Hosted Dinner.
Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Cape Town
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Full Day in Cape Town – 22 May 2022 / 12 Oct 2022
Enjoy the day at leisure in Cape Town. Perhaps join the optional
South African Wine Tour* which takes you along the country’s principal
wine route to the scenic towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch
with tastings along the way. Alternatively, thrill seekers will not want
to miss the optional excursion to “Shark Alley” to experience great
white shark cage diving.* Tonight, attend the optional Traditional African
Dinner Experience for a memorable evening of live performances
and African gastronomy before returning to the hotel.
*The South African Wine Tour and Full Day Great White Shark Cage
Diving operate simultaneously. Passengers may opt to participate in
only one of these tours.
Optional: South African Wine Tour
Optional: Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving
Optional: Traditional African Dinner Experience
Overnight: Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Flight to Durban, Game Viewing Cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary
23 May 2022 / 13 Oct 2022
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Durban.
Upon arrival in the early afternoon, drive to St. Lucia.
Later, embark on a game viewing cruise that takes you on
the St. Lucia Estuary. This tidal estuary is home to Nile crocodiles,
hippopotami, sea turtles, and even sharks, making it a fascinating
and uniquely diverse ecosystem. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Hluhluwe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, Travel to eSwatini
 24 May 2022 / 14 Oct 2022
After an early breakfast, travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, situated in northern KwaZulu Natal, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhinos. Home to Africa’s “Big Five,” you may have a chance to see elephant, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, in addition to rhino during your morning game drive through the reserve. The park also boasts warthog, crocodile, and antelope. Following the safari, continue to the border of the Kingdom of eSwatini*. This independent kingdom within the borders of South Africa is known for its lovely scenery and vibrant indigenous culture. Stop at a handicraft market this afternoon before arriving to your hotel in the early evening
eSwatini is an independent country from South Africa and therefore has different entry requirements. Non-US passport holders are responsible to check if a visa is required for eSwatini in addition to all other countries on their itinerary
Overnight: eSwatini
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: eSwatini Sightseeing and Matsamo Village Visit
   25 May 2022 / 15 Oct 2022
After breakfast visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of enchanting African animals, birds and fish, as well as tableware, made from recycled glass that is collected by the children of eSwatini. Transfer to the South African border and visit Matsamo Cultural Village where you can learn more about the Swati traditions and customs. Enjoy traditional dance and song performances with authentic African instruments as well as traditional Swati cuisine. You may wander through the village with its many traditional huts and interact with the locals. Later, continue to the hotel where you will enjoy dinner
Overnight: Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Kruger National Park Game Drive – 26 May 2022 / 16 Oct 2022
The day begins at dawn with coffee, tea, and rusks, a South African dry biscuit. Upon departure from the hotel, a pre-packed breakfast will be provided for you. Then, on to Kruger National Park for a thrilling full day open-vehicle game drive. Larger than the state of Connecticut, the park offers some of the best game and wildlife viewing opportunities in the world, and early morning is an optimal time of day. You may have a chance to see lion, elephant, giraffe, or zebra in their natural habitat. After stopping at a rest camp for lunch, continue your game drive. With any luck, you may even see cheetah and leopard. After the day’s excitement, relax by the pool and enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Panorama Route to Johannesburg – 27 May 2022 / 17 May 2022
Depart after breakfast and travel to Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country,” driving the spectacular “Panorama Route.” Stop to admire the views of amazing scenery along the 16-mile-long Blyde River Canyon, cut deep into red sandstone, and God’s Window (weather permitting), a breathtaking vista at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Kruger National Park. Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a series of waterfalls and distinctive rock formations created by countless millennia of water erosion before proceeding this afternoon to Johannesburg. Stop at a family-run curio shop before arriving at the hotel
Overnight: Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Soweto Tour – 28 May 2022 / 18 Oct 2022
After an early breakfast depart on a half day tour of Soweto. Experience a fascinating glimpse of the bustling neighborhood life of Soweto, the most metropolitan township in the country, setting trends in politics, fashion, music, dance and language. Drive by the former residence of Bishop Desmond Tutu and visit Nelson Mandela’s former home. Continue to the Apartheid Museum, where you will journey through the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers
Overnight: Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Depart South Africa – 29 May 2022 / 19 Oct 2022
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

For full itinerary or  information on optional cultural and educational activities:
Contact: George Palamattam, +1(312) 545 6882
Email: gpalamattam@gmail.com