Day 1 NORTH AMERICA / ENROUTE. Depart from the United States on your flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Overnight on board. DAY 2 ARRIVAL / JOHANNESBURG. Welcome! Upon arrival to Johannesburg you will be met by a Quest Representative who will assist to your awaiting coach and local Johannesburg Tour guide. Transfer to your hotel, the Rosebank Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax and get used to the new time zone. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. The Rosebank Hotel: The hotel is situated in the prestigious suburb of Rosebank, part of Greater Sandton, in Gauteng. 34kms from Johannesburg International Airport. The Rosebank Hotel has an outstanding reputation for classical elegance and warmth, combined with friendly, efficient service. The hotel has a fully-equipped gym with an adjoining steam room. Alternatively relax in secluded, tranquil surroundings around a beautiful swimming pool, with an open-air sun deck. Two large shopping malls are within 3 minutes walking distance of the hotel, providing guests with a wide variety of curio and craft shops, gift shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques, chain stores, restaurants, cinemas and entertainment. The hotel rooms are elegant and comfortable, each equipped with satellite television, large personal safe, telephone, computer modem point, air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, and en-suite bathrooms. Overnight at the Rosebank Hotel (standard room)  DAY 3 JOHANNESBURG DAY TOUR OF SOWETO. After breakfast this morning you will be taken on a tour of the South Western Townships (Soweto). This tour with a difference takes you through the streets of Soweto and it’s adjoining townships. Despite crowded and often impoverished conditions, there is a sense of happy bustling neighborhood life. Most who venture here return enlightened but always fascinated by the glimpse of this face of South Africa. Soweto is a huge sprawling township estimated to be inhabited by over two million people. Homes range from affluent mansions to makeshift shacks. Drive past former residences of Desmond Tutu, Winnie Mandela and ex-president Nelson Mandela. Enjoy a lunch at a local Soweto shebeen. This afternoon visit the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Hector Peterson Museum before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
DAY 4 JOHANNESBURG. After breakfast this morning depart on Johannesburg City Tour. This interesting tour takes you into downtown Johannesburg, to the old Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the De Beers diamond shop. Visit George Harrison Park, where gold was first discovered, Bosmont, and the city’s two universities. Continue to Hillbrow, the most densely populated area in the city. Also visit a local orphanage and clinic this afternoon, as well as stopping at one of Johannesburg’s markets for some shopping. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. DAY 5 JOHANNESBURG/ KRUGER PARK. This morning after breakfast check out of your hotel and travel towards the province of Mpumalanga. You will drop several thousand feet from the Highveld to the lush subtropical region of South Africa, know as the Lowveld. Enroute visit a local village as you travel past Witbank and Middleburg towards Nelsptuit, Mpumalanga’s capital. This afternoon arrive at the majestic Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. This internationally renowned Park is home to an unsurpassed variety of African animals, plant, bird and insect life. It is an enchanting place. The most frequently seen mammals are impala, zebra, giraffe and elephant. Game viewing will be enjoyed from a coach this afternoon as you make your way through the park. Check into the Pretoriuskop Rest Camp and enjoy dinner at the camp.  Pretoriuskop Rest Camp: Pretoriuskop is situated in the south-western part of the Kruger National Park, only nine kilometres from Numbi Gate. The camp lies in a hilly region with many interesting, picturesque rocky outcrops. Rare species like sable and rhino may be sighted in this area as well as the more prolific species such as impala, zebra and wildebeest. A wide variety of basic accommodation is available at Pretoriuskop, including huts, cottages, bungalows and a guest house. Other facilities at the rest camp are a shop, barbecue, communal kitchen facilities, swimming pool, in-camp trail, laundromat, restaurant/cafeteria, public telephones and a petrol station. Several historic places, such as the Voortrekker road, the birthplace of Jock of the Bushveld and the Albasini ruins are within a short drive from the camp. The first tourist hut in the park, the Wolhuter, is found in this camp. Overnight at Pretoriuskop Rest Camp (or similar) for 1 night.
DAY 6 KRUGER PARK / CAPE TOWN. Enjoy a morning of game viewing with the opportunity of viewing the “Big Five” in the Kruger Park. Game  drives are undertaken in our specially designed open safari vehicles, accompanied by our registered guides who are all experienced game rangers. Experiencing wild life with no barriers is a once in a lifetime experience! Enjoy a packed breakfast at one of the rest camps in the Kruger Park before you continue your game drive through the bush of Kruger Park. Upon return from your game drive transfer back to Johannesburg International Airport in time for check in to your domestic flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The Protea Sea Point Hotel: Situated in Sea Point with a panoramic view of Table Bay and within easy reach of the Peninsula's many beautiful attractions. All 123 sumptuously appointed suites, whether family, studio, honeymoon, executive or corner suites are furnished in distinctive style with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms. All the rooms feature the small extras, such as M-Net and personal tea and coffee making facilities. It is set against the majestic Table Mountain range with stretches of white beach only half a block away. Select from the fresh prawns, crayfish or linefish on the Mediterranean-style Garden Terrace or sip a beverage next to the plunge pool. Fresh prawns, crayfish and linefish are offered on the a la carte and buffet menus of Pavilion Court Restaurant. Unwind in the sophisticated atmosphere of the Hatters Cocktail Bar that offers live entertainment from Tuesday to Saturday. And for vibrant evenings, there are restaurants, theatres and late-night venues around just about every corner. Overnight at Protea Sea Point Hotel (standard room) for 3 nights with breakfast  DAY 7 CAPE TOWN. After breakfast this morning enjoy a morning tour of the “Mother City”. This tour gives you the opportunity to sense the spirit of Cape Town and trace the history of the past from 1652 when the first Dutch governor set foot on the beach nearby. The tour follows the beautiful coastal drive passing through Camps Bay, Clifton and Sea Point. Clifton is regarded as one of South Africa’s most prestigious suburbs and boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the country. The drive takes you past (ex) president Nelson Mandela’s official residence and the houses of Parliament before continuing to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Considered to be one of the finest restoration examples, the harbor differs from others in that it is still a working commercial harbor with fishing vessels, tugs and barges. After lunch visit more local villages. Return to the hotel late in the afternoon. DAY 8 CAPE TOWN. This morning after breakfast enjoy a Half Day Robben Island Tour. Transfer to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to embark on a 3 hour  cruise to one of South Africa’s world heritage sights – Robben Island. Robben Island – the prison that symbolizes “South Africa’s triumph of freedom and human dignity over repression and humiliation, a triumph of wisdom and largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness, a triumph of courage and determination over human frailty and weakness, a triumph of non-racism over bigotry and intolerance, a triumph of the New South Africa over the old”. The journey takes about 30 minutes. On arrival, a guided walking tour follows to the Maximum Security prison where today’s leaders such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. The walk then continues to the northwest corner of the island, scene of many shipwrecks. The Islands fascinating history even involved the Second World War and we will be able to see the military air field as we walk along the island. Transfer back to Cape Town by ferry. Upon returning to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, spend the afternoon shopping at the many shopping opportunities that exist in this wonderful complex. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. DAY 9 CAPE PENINSULA / DEPARTURE. This morning embark on a half day peninsula tour. Travel past Sea Point and Camps Bay, the famous beaches of Clifton and Llandudno towards Hout Bay. Continue along scenic route to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Driving inland via Constantia Nek, and over Die Ou Kaapse Weg with it’s views over False Bay and the Peninsula’s lakes, continue south passing through Kommetjie – meaning “little bowl”. Kommetjie derives its name from a natural basin shaped tidal pool. Continue along the coastal road through Scarborough, which is mainly a cluster of weekend cottages close to the oddly shaped roadside landmark known as Camel rock. As you continue on the way to the Cape Point Nature Reserve you will notice all the trees grow at an angle, hoping to get away from the relentless and venomous south-easter winds, which commonly known at the Cape Doctor. Ascend to the highest point of the Reserve with the funicular, to enjoy the spectacular views, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are said to meet. Return to Cape Town via Simon’s Town, an old Naval Base, and Constantia. Continue to the Cape Town International Airport in time for check in to your international flight back home. DAY 10 RETURN TO USA. Arrival back in the United States. The end of a most enjoyable tour. (Hotels listed are subject to availability) |
