Scenic South Africa

DAY 3, Saturday - Soweto Tour

After an early breakfast depart on a half day Soweto Tour. 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, before proceeding to the Hector Peterson memorial, dedicated to one of the first casualties of the Soweto uprising of 1976. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel

Overnight: Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Panorama Route to Hazyview

Depart Johannesburg 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 and fog permitting), a breathtaking, Edenic 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, and continue to the picturesque old mining town of Pilgrim's Rest. Finally, proceed to Hazyview and enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening

Overnight: Hazyview

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Kruger National Park Game Reserve

The day begins at dawn with coffee, tea, and rusks, a South African dry biscuit. Then, depart for Kruger National Park to join a thrilling 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 pre-packed breakfast, the game safari continues. With any luck, you may even see cheetah and leopard. Return to the hotel to relax. After the day's excitement, enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening

Optional: Afternoon Game Drive in Kruger Park

Overnight: Hazyview

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Swaziland Sightseeing

After breakfast travel to Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, fine handicrafts and vibrant indigenous culture. 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 Swaziland. In the afternoon, visitors may opt for an excursion to a Swazi candle factory, where Swazi wax artists make beautiful candles

Optional: Early Morning Game Drive in Kruger Park

Overnight: Swaziland

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7, Wednesday - Hluhluwe - Umfolozi Game Reserve, Travel to St. Lucia

After breakfast, continue south through Swaziland, before re-entering South Africa. Travel to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi 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 afternoon game drive through the reserve. The park also boasts warthog, crocodile, and antelope. Following the safari, continue to your hotel in St. Lucia

Overnight: St. Lucia

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8, Thursday - St. Lucia Estuary Cruise, Flight to Cape Town

This morning, enjoy a cruise 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. Later, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Friday - Cape Town City Tour

After a leisurely breakfast 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. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. 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 wild flowers and 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 the Milnerton Lighthouse before returning to your hotel

Optional: Half Day Private Cape Town Cultural Tour (PM)

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Saturday - Cape Peninsula Tour

Today, 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 road-side, 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. Then, have the opportunity to see the majestic coastline, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. 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 finally returning to Cape Town

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Sunday - Full Day in Cape Town

Enjoy the day at leisure in Cape Town. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel

Optional: Full Day Private Winelands Tour

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Monday - Depart for the USA

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight

Meals: Breakfast