SOUTH AFRICA

Departures

Often described as ‘The World in One Country’, South Africa is blessed with a diversity of climate, geography, wildlife and cultural heritage not possible anywhere else.

Each day we find new and exciting vistas spread before us: the rolling pasturelands of the Transvaal; the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg; the bush with its endless varieties of game and bird life; miles of golden sand beaches; quaint country towns, modern thriving cities and much more.

South Africa has undergone a number of tremendous political and social changes over the past decade, from minority white rule and apartheid to representative government. Today we find a country that is living in harmony, both with nature and man. We have special opportunities on this tour to meet with and to learn from different ethnic groups within South Africa.

Our previous departures to South Africa filled extremely quickly - we urge you to enroll early.

Itinerary

February 15, Monday: Depart CANADA
Tour members from across Canada fly to New York where we spend the night at a hotel near JFK Airport.

February 16, Tuesday: Depart USA
This morning we fly from New York to South Africa.

February 17, Wednesday: CAPE TOWN
On arrival in Cape Town early this afternoon, we are met and taken directly to the Protea North Wharf Hotel ideally located between the city centre and the lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area (3 nights). Balance of day at leisure.
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February 18, Thursday: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Heading south we follow Marine Drive through suburbs and past the picturesque Twelve Apostles to the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay. Enjoy magnificent scenery as we continue to Cape Point, southern tip of the Cape of Good Hope. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at the Black Marlin and visit a penguin colony at the Boulders. Then we will visit the National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch, with its over 10,000 different native flowers and plants, which encompasses some 528 hectares on the slopes of Table Mountain. Return to our hotel late afternoon, with the balance of the day free to relax, enjoy dinner on our own and get a good night’s rest.
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February 19, Friday: CAPE TOWN
Our day begins with the cable car ride (weather permitting) to the top of Table Mountain, the unique landmark that rises over 1,000 metres above the city and spreads horizontally about three kilometres across the skyline. Continue through the city centre to the South African Museum and St. George’s Cathedral. Dating from 1824, the church has been the pillar of the Anglican Church in South Africa and was a major centre against apartheid led by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take the optional tour to Robben Island. This evening, we’ll enjoy our Welcome Dinner at the Africa Café, and sample many different foods from around the continent.
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February 20, Saturday: FRANSCHHOEK / STELLENBOSCH
We depart for the long established university town of Stellenbosch, with its oak lined streets and stately mansions. The area was first settled in 1680 and many buildings date from the late 18th century. Continue to Boschendal Wine Estate, to visit the classic Cape Dutch Boschendel Manor House and enjoy a cellar tour and wine tasting. Continue to Franschhoek, situated in a beautiful valley of its own, where we shall see the Huguenot Memorial, dedicated to the French ancestry of the early settlers to this region. Enjoy a delightful lunch at Morganhof Wine Estate. Protea Stellenbosch Hotel (1 night)
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February 21, Sunday: LITTLE KAROO / OUDTSHOORN
Our journey east follows the route of the early settlers over rolling farm lands and past spectacular scenery. Travel via the historic centre of Swellendam and the Tradouw Pass into the Little Karoo. Following a visit with lunch at the Amalienstein Mission, continue to Die Krans Estate where we will enjoy a glass of port. This evening we are in the old world town of Oudtshoorn, made wealthy by the feathers of the flightless Ostrich. Queen’s Hotel (1 night)
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February 22, Monday: OUDTSHOORN / GARDEN ROUTE
This morning we shall explore the fascinating Cango Caves followed by a visit to an ostrich farm to learn more about these fascinating birds and to enjoy a lunch featuring its eggs and very lean meat. This afternoon we descend the Outeniqua Pass and drive through the Garden Route’s Lake District to the resort centre of Knysna. Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (2 nights)
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February 23, Tuesday: GARDEN ROUTE
Enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing or exploring on your own (members can take a cruise on the Lagoon). Our afternoon is highlighted by a visit to a local soup kitchen and a reception at Theodora Creche, hosted by the local coloured community (with your help, we support both of these operations financially). We continue to Plettenburg Bay this afternoon and take a short hike on Robberg Peninsula. This evening we have arranged a very special treat - an opportunity to share a home hosted dinner with South Africans, in aid of the soup kitchen.
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February 24, Wednesday: PORT ELIZABETH / DURBAN
Departing early, we follow the coast eastwards following the scenic route via Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth, known for its sunshine and beautiful sandy beaches. Following a city orientation tour and lunch we transfer to the Port Elizabeth airport for our flight to Durban, South Africa’s third largest and most cosmopolitan city. Protea Hotel Edward Durban (1 night)
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February 25, Thursday: DURBAN / ZULULAND
This morning we explore Durban’s glamorous beaches and bustling market area on our city tour. Continue to Lake St Lucia, an area known for its exceptional bird life, where we will enjoy an afternoon cruise and lunch onboard before continuing to Protea Hotel Hluhluwe (2 nights).
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February 26, Friday: HLUHLUWE
This morning we are taken on our first game drive, exploring the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in open 4x4 vehicles. Continue to Damazulu, a recreation of a Zulu Kraal, complete with residents who show us the lifestyles of the Zulu people. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beautiful setting of our country retreat with the option of a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve for those interested. This evening (weather permitting) we are treated to a BBQ dinner and a presentation of Zulu war dances.
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February 27, Saturday: SWAZILAND
Our morning drive takes us to neighbouring Swaziland, an independent kingdom. Follow the Ezulwini Valley, the “Place of Heaven”, to the capital, Mbabane. This afternoon we visit the Swazi Market, Mantenga Crafts and the Swazi Candle Factory. Lunch will be in the Ezulwini Valley. This evening we are at the Orion Piggs Peak Hotel (1 night)
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February 28, Sunday: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy spectacular scenery as we drive over Pigg’s Peak and enter eastern Mpumalanga en route to Kruger National Park. After our lunch, enjoy game viewing from our coach as we drive across the park. Protea Kruger Gate Lodge (2 nights)
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March 1, Monday: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy early morning and sunset private game drives in the lodge’s private reserve in open game-viewing vehicles, in search of the “Big Five” - elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard. Enjoy a free afternoon relaxing in the comfort of this delightful lodge.
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March 2, Tuesday: EASTERN TRANSVAAL
After this morning’s game drive, we drive from the plain of Kruger to the Highveld and follow along its crest for magnificent views of the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Berlin Falls. We will have free time this afternoon to explore historic Pilgrim’s Rest, one of the region’s earliest gold mines. Royal Hotel (1 night)
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March 3, Wednesday: PRETORIA
Crossing the rolling farmlands of the Highveld, we arrive in Pretoria, the picturesque capital of South Africa, in time for lunch. This afternoon we explore this gracious city known for its broad avenues bordered by flowering trees and its impressive public buildings and monuments. Court Classique Hotel (2 nights)
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March 4, Thursday: JOHANNESBURG / SOWETO
Our morning tour will feature a drive through Johannesburg, a city created from the wealth of gold and diamonds, and a visit to the excellent Apartheid Museum. Following a light lunch at “Chez Alina”, the home of our local guide, we will explore the township of Soweto, (home to Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela) and visit Regina Mundi, their parish church. This evening we gather for our Farewell to South Africa dinner.
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March 5, Friday: LIVINGSTONE / CHOBE
Our morning flights bring us to the shores of the Zambesi River and mighty Victoria Falls. Following the Zambesi, we head west to Botswana and the superb game viewing of Chobe National Park. Covering over 11,000 square kilometres, the park is home to wide varieties of wildlife including large herds of buffalo and elephant plus hippos and lions. Enjoy the next two nights at the Chobe Game Lodge . Relax by the pool and enjoy a dinner under the stars accompanied by the unique sounds of Africa.
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March 6, Saturday: CHOBE
Enjoy a full day in the park with morning and afternoon excursions in open land rovers and by boat to view the game that frequent the fertile flood plains of the Zambesi. A highlight of our stay will be the visit by boat to the natural hippo pool, a short distance from the lodge. This evening our dinner will be in the boma (or enclosed place), followed by a presentation of traditional dancing.
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March 7, Sunday: CHOBE / LIVINGSTONE
After a final opportunity for game viewing this morning we transfer by road and ferry to Livingstone, Zambia. Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, Victoria Falls are this region’s most spectacular natural sight. This afternoon we view the falls from several vantage points. At 353 feet high and over a mile wide, the falls are the largest in Africa and we will see the main falls, Devil’s Cataract and Danger Point. This evening we are at the beautiful Zambezi Sun Hotel (1 night), set on the banks of the Zambesi River and just a short walk to the falls.
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March 8, Monday: LIVINGSTONE / CANADA
This morning we can relax and enjoy the amenities of our beautiful resort or take a stroll through the town. After a final opportunity to view the falls we catch our return flights to Johannesburg, South Africa and on to Canada.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH AFRICA

° Enjoy three nights in Africa’s most beautiful city, Cape Town with tours to the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and the surrounding Wine Districts

° Discover the arid Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn, home of the Ostrich

° Travel the Garden Route via Tsitsikamma Forest, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay

° Visit the Kingdom of Swaziland, Durban and Zululand with opportunities to see tribal activities

° Kruger and Chobe National Parks for the best game viewing and scenic drives in southern Africa

° Explore Pretoria, national capital of South Africa, Johannesburg & Bishop Desmond Tutu’s Soweto

° Excursion to Victoria Falls, Africa’s most magnificent waterfall on the Zambesi River and Chobe National Park on the flood plains of the Chobe River

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Tour Costs (CDN$/person)

Rates from other cities on request. Tour price is based on sharing twin-bedded rooms. Tour only* price includes three internal flights with all current related taxes and fees. Flights will be on Air Canada/South African Airways travelling via New York to South Africa. Prices are based on taxes, airfares and exchange rates effective April 2009 and are subject to change.

CT RATING THREE: This tour involves little in the way of strenuous physical activity and is open to all travellers who are able to meet our basic criteria. Hotels are comfortable, roads are good and food is excellent throughout the region.

Tour cost and deposit includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($285 pp) for passengers under 86 years of age at time of travel. Cancellations of any booking prior to November 16, 2009 will be subject to an Administration Fee of $50pp – this fee will not be covered by our insurance. Insurance coverage will begin on the above date and will cover penalties from that date forward. Contact our office for full details. Final payment will be due on December 11, 2009.

Inclusive Features

To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $800 per person to Craig Travel's office.