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Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Board your flight from the USA to begin your South African Adventure
Day 2 – Arrival in Cape Town
Upon arrival at Cape Town airport you will be met be a representative who will assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle and had you a full travel digest outlining your routing and detailing all there is to do en route. Proceed to the Hertz Rent-a-Car kiosk to collect your Group C hire car (Nissam Almera or similar). You drive towards the city and check into the Winchester Mansions. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to laze on one of Cape Town’s fine beaches, such as trendy Clifton or Camps Bay. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, South Africa’s trendiest shopping precinct. We suggest you ride the cable car up Table Mountain in the early evening to enjoy the spectacular views over the city and across Table Bay to Robben Island. Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis: bed & breakfast.
Day 3 – Cape Point
This morning we suggest you might like to take a drive around Cape Point. The drive will take you along the Atlantic seaboard via glamorous Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay. Here you can take a boat ride from the fishing harbor out to the seal colony on Seal Island. Continue via the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point. Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives one an idea why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. You can then follow the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you can visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs will bring you back to the Winchester Mansions in the late afternoon. Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis: bed & breakfast/
Day 4 – Robben Island and Two Oceans Aquarium
We suggest you return to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. You can take a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, the limestone quarry and the old leper colony. This afternoon you could visit the Waterfront’s Two Oceans Aquarium, which is highly recommended for the insight it gives into life in the two oceans off the southern tip of Africa – the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean. Alternatively, museum lovers can visit the South African Museum and the National Gallery. This evening would be a good time to go up Table Mountain if the weather was inclement on your day of arrival. Overnight: Winchester Mansions Basis: bed & breakfast.
Day 5 – Cape Town – Durban - Umhlanga
After breakfast and a morning at leisure return to the airport where you will leave your car at the Hertz rental depot before your flight to Durban. On arrival in Durban proceed to the Hertz Rental Counter and proceed to your hotel situated just north of Durban and take a stroll down to the beach front and maybe a dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Overnight: Umhlanga Protea Basis: bed & breakfast.
Day 6 – Umhlanga - Simunye
Enjoy a leisurely morning today and maybe a stroll on the beach before heading northwards into the heart of Zululand. Your destination is the Simunye Pioneer Village. You need to arrive at the old trading post at 15h30 (3:30PM) from where you will be met by your Zulu guides for your transfer by horse back or ox cart down deep into the Valley. On the way down your Zulu guide will give you an explanation of the region and the history of the Zulu peoples. On arrival deep in the depths of the Valley you will proceed to your accommodation – either in the stone build “pioneer village” or in the Zulu village. Once settled, as the sun begins to set you will gather around the fire for a display of Zulu dancing followed by dinner. This evening fall asleep to the sounds of Africa. Overnight: Simunye Basis: brunch & dinner.
Day 7 – Simunye
Awake to a different world, one of traditional Africa far from the madding crowd. Your guide will accompany you to the “village” here you can see how the life of the traditional Zulu people is lived, from the houses, the methods of farming to the traditions and customs as you join the chief in his hut for refreshments. After your visit to the village enjoy a hearty brunch. After brunch your guide will either take you on a walk along the river banks pointing out all the local plants and grasses and explaining their medicinal uses amongst the Zulu people. Alternatively head off on horseback (the horses are very accustomed to beginner riders and the journey will not be at a gallop – but a few sore joints the next day will be expected!) to visit the neighboring villages to get a glimpse of real rural life in modern day Zululand. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and a sound sleep. Overnight: Simunye Basis: brunch & dinner.
Day 8 – Simunye - Hluhluwe
After breakfast you will return by horse back or ox-cart to the top of the hill where you will rejoin your car and the modern world! Travel northwards to your lodge situated close to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. In the afternoon why not take a drive in your own vehicle into the game reserve in search of Africa’s big game. The Game reserve of Hluhluwe was proclaimed in 1895. It was until recently separated from Umfolozi, however the separating corridor has now been proclaimed and the two reserves are joined. The total area is 96000 ha. After an enjoyable drive in the reserve return to your lodge for dinner. Overnight: Gazebo Safari Lodge Basis: breakfast & dinner.
Day 9 – Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Today enjoy a full day on safari in open 4x4 vehicles in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The reserve is home to a wide variety of game, including the famous “Big Five” – lion, elephant, rhino, elephant and buffalo. In addition Hluhluwe is famous for the amazing efforts the reserve has made in conservation of the rhino. It has been the most successful reserve in breeding both black and white rhino and at present has the highest number of rhinos of any reserve in the world. Lunch will be served en route. At the end of the day return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight: Gazebo Safari Lodge Basis: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 – Hluhluwe – St. Lucia
Today enjoy a day at leisure where we recommend that you travel to the nearby Greater St Lucia Wetlands, this World Heritage Site is one of extreme ecological diversity and the pride of the wetlands is Lake St Lucia, and we highly recommend that you partake in a cruise on the lake from where you are likely to see pods of hippos and crocodiles as they sun themselves on the banks. In addition the shoreline is well populated with many bird species including the beautiful Fish Eagle. Return after a day out to the lodge for dinner. Overnight: Gazebo Safari Lodge Basis: breakfast & dinner.
Day 11: Today leave the reserve and head south again stopping for your last night, for a touch of pure luxury at Zimabli Lodge set in lush tropical grounds bordering the Indian Ocean. This will give you a chance to relax and unwind after your exciting African adventure and prepare yourself for the long return flight. This resort is the epitome of style and grace and the perfect ending to your trip. Overnight: Zimbali Lodge Basis: breakfast
Day 12: After a leisurely morning return your vehicle to Durban Airport from where you will catch your flight to Johannesburg for your onwards connection to New York.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- 10 nights accommodation;
- 3 Nights Winchester Mansions, Cape Town;
- 1 Night Umhlanga Protea, Umhlanga;
- 2 Nights Stone build “pioneer village” or in the Zulu village, Simunye;
- 3 Nights Gazebo Safari Lodge, Hluhluwe;
- 1 Night Zimbali Lodge, St Lucia;
- Internal Flights: Johannesburg – Cape Town – Durban – Johannesburg including; all taxes;
- Category C type vehicle – with automatic transmission and total cover insurance;
- Full detailed travel planner for the entire journey.
Not Included:
- All other flights;
- Any items of personal expense;
- Any gratuities for guides / rangers;
- Any additional vehicle costs – i.e. fuel, contract fee.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Cultural Journey
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