CENTRAL HOLIDAYS - AFRICA & WEST ASIA

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DAY 1 ISUN I JOHANNESBURG Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you’ll be
met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg
is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. Situated on the
mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills, it is also the source of a large-
scale gold and diamond trade. Enjoy the remainder of your day at
leisure. This evening, we will meet at reception for a briefing of your
upcoming adventure and a chance to meet fellow travelers.
DAY 2 I MON I JOHANNESBURG I MPUMALANGA Depart
Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s
capital city. Have an orientation tour before continuing on to the
Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country.” Descend several
hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld passing
through the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Then traverse
the famous Long Tom Pass and arrive late this afternoon in Hazyview,
the safari hub of Kruger National Park. (B)
DAY 3 I TUE I MPUMALANGA After an early morning breakfast, we’ll
drive along the spectacular “Panorama Route,” featuring views of
amazing scenery including the 26 kilometer-long Blyde River Canyon
(home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s
Window at the edge of Kruger National Park. Arrive back in Hazyview in
the early afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure to relax
or join an afternoon game experience (optional). (B)
DAY 4 I WED I MPUMALANGA Enjoy an early morning coffee or tea,
and with your pre-packaged breakfast ready to go, embark on a thrilling
open vehicle safari led by your English-speaking game ranger through
one of the world’s greatest national parks, Kruger National Park – home
to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the RBig Five’ – rhinos, buffalos,
lions, leopards, and elephants – as well as prolific birdlife and
numerous other game. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. (B)
DAY 5 I THU I MPUMALANGA I SWAZILAND This morning, travel to
Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa,
known for its lovely scenery, crafts, and colorful indigenous culture. An
interactive cultural experience introduces you to the charming people of
Swaziland and their traditions. Continue on to the beautiful Ezulwini
Valley for a true African shopping experience at the Ezulwini Craft
Market, brimming with woven baskets, beadwork, and carvings.
Overnight in Swaziland. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 I FRI I SWAZILAND I ZULULAND After breakfast, venture
through Swaziland before heading back to South Africa. Travel into
Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Consider
joining an optional afternoon open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-
Umfolozi Game Reserve, famous for its conservation of black and white
rhino. Enjoy an overnight stay in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region. (B)
DAY 7 ISAT I ZULULAND I DURBAN (UMHLANGA) Rise and shine with
a hearty breakfast before embarking on a cruise along Lake St. Lucia
(weather permitting). Next, journey past traditional Zulu Kraals,
Eucalyptus plantations, and sugar cane fields to arrive in Durban. Enjoy
the remainder of the day at leisure to bask on the golden beaches of
the Indian Ocean. Overnight in Durban (Umhlanga). (B)
DAY 8 I SUN I DURBAN (UMHLANGA) I KNYSNA After breakfast, take
a short flight to Port Elizabeth and then set off to explore the
magnificent beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. Visit
Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather
permitting). Arrive at your hotel in Knysna, nestled on the banks of a
beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Overnight in Knysna.
(B,D)
DAY 9 I MON I KNYSNA After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a lagoon
cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting) where
you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy
panoramic views of the town and lagoon before returning for lunch. Your
afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town. (B,L)
DAY 10 I TUE I KNYSNA I OUDTSHOORN Power up with breakfast
before heading out through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, center
of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Tour an Ostrich Farm and enjoy
a light lunch before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns
of Cango Caves. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in
Oudtshoorn. (B,L)
DAY 11 I WED I OUDTSHOORN I CAPE TOWN After breakfast, the
adventure continues as you travel through the “Little Karoo” to
Barrydale. Here you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm
school, interact with the children and teachers, share time with them in
the classroom, and learn more about the local farming community.
Travel on to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. Continue on
to Cape Town, set at the foot of Table Mountain. Overnight in Cape
Town. (B)
INCLUDED FEATURES
•Meet and Greet services
•Hotel accommodations for 13 nights
•19 included meals consisting of:
- 13 breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 3 dinners
•Assistance of an English-speaking tour assistant for the entire
length of the program
•Transfers and transportation as per itinerary
•Sightseeing, including all entrance fees as follows:
- Open vehicle safari
- Cultural experience in Swaziland
- Ezulwini Craft Market
- Cruise on Lake St. Lucia
- Visit Tsitsikamma National Park
- Lagoon Cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve
- Visit to Ostrich Farm
- Cango Caves
- Visit Penguin Colony
•Porterage
•All park fees and government taxes
•Document holders and luggage tags
DAY 12 I THU I CAPE TOWN Have breakfast to start your day and get
ready to explore with a full day at leisure. Consider joining an optional
sightseeing tour to Table Mountain or simply experience the city on your
own. The relatively small city of Cape Town is packed with sightseeing
attractions, bars, cafes, and restaurants as well as colorful craft markets.
Alternately, you can opt to relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine
beaches. Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theater,
and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape. Overnight
in Cape Town. (B,D)
DAY 13 I FRI I CAPE TOWN Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a full
day tour of the Cape Peninsula, featuring some of the most spectacular
coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village
of Hout Bay, where you can enjoy a Seal Island boat cruise (optional) and
then head on to Cape Point where it is said that the Atlantic and Indian
Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town where you
can visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach, then see Fish Hoek
fishing village and Muizenberg. Overnight in Cape Town. (B)
DAY 14 I SAT I CAPE TOWN TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY) Wake to
this glorious day with a full breakfast and then get ready to enjoy some
last-minute shopping or sightseeing at your own pace. Consider joining
The Robben Island Tour (optional), which departs from the Victoria &
Alfred Waterfront. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbor, or
railway station for your onward journey. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
FRANSCHHOEK WINELANDS OPTION If you’ve always dreamed of
experiencing an overnight in the scenic Cape Winelands, then this option
is for you. You will have the opportunity to maximize your experience of
picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality and fine
wines before rejoining the tour. See our website for more information.
PREFERRED HOTELS (or similar)
City Nts. Hotels
Johannesburg 1 Protea Hotel Wanderers
Mpumalanga 3 Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Swaziland 1 Royal Swazi Sun
Zululand 1 Anew Hotel Hluhluwe
Durban 1 Protea Hotel Umhlanga
Knysna 2 Rex Hotel
Oudtshoorn 1 Hlangana Lodge
Cape Town 3 President Hotel
NOTES
•All prices are land only, based on a minimum of 2 passengers traveling.
•Domestic air not included
•Optional Franschhoek Winelands available (Substitution on Days 11-12)
•Optional excursions are available.
•Hotel upgrades are available.
•IMPORTANT: Please ensure when booking a trip that passports comply with
immigration regulations. According to an international regulation, passports must have at
least two blank pages in them when one enters South Africa, and they should also not
have less than 6 months validity.