DAY 1 NORTH AMERICA / ENROUTE. Depart from the United States on your flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Overnight on board. DAY 2 CAPE TOWN. Upon arrival into Cape Town, we are transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cape Town. DAY 3 CAPE TOWN. After a wonderful buffet breakfast, our group will meet in the lobby of the hotel before we are transferred to Cape Town Harbor. Depart on a Robben Island Boat Excursion. 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 – 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. (if inclement weather occurs, tours will be conducted to Mitchell’s Plain & Khayelitsha Townships)  DAY 4 CAPE TOWN. 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-easterly 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 merge. Continue through Simon’s Town, an old Naval Base, and Constantia. Pass the official residence of South Africa’s President before returning to our hotel.
DAY 5 CAPE TOWN / DURBAN. After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we make visits to Paarl and Silvertown. Then we transfer to the airport for the flight to Durban. Upon arrival in Durban, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Durban. DAY 6 DURBAN. Early morning departure from our hotel this morning. Packed breakfast will be provided on the coach. We travel to day to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve where we will have a full day tour. Lunch is included at the Dumazulu Cultural Village today. We return to our hotel in Durban for dinner and overnight. Evening worship service at the hotel.  DAY 7 DURBAN / JOHANNESBURG. This morning we 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.
DAY 8 JOHANNESBURG. This morning you will visit Soweto, a familiar name around the world, which is actually an acronym for Southwest Township. It is home for more than 2 million "blacks and colored's" to use the designation of apartheid. The laws of apartheid had prohibited blacks from living within the city proper save for a few live-in female house workers. During the daylight hours, downtown Johannesburg looked just like Newark or Detroit. At night, it was suddenly all White as if someone had waved a wand and made the Blacks disappear. Their exodus was to the sprawling township, southwest of Johannesburg, hence its name - Soweto. The name Soweto has been burned into our consciousness by the children's uprising against the hated Bantu education that prepared the Blacks for service jobs only and the Afrikaner language for its usefulness to the prospective masters and employers. From the children's revolt until the present, Soweto was the scene, oftentimes the center, of the resistance against apartheid and the racist regime. Time and again, Soweto has been the site of confrontation between the proponents for liberation and the armed might of the South African Defense Forces. Nelson Mandela's home is in Soweto as well as Desmond Tutu's. As you approach Soweto on the super-highways, one can see a blue-gray smoke that hangs like a pall over the entire area stretching for 17 miles. Soweto in its expanse and nearly 50 communities would make ten Harlems! There is Orlando East, Orlando West, Kliptown, Chiewelo, Eldorado Park, Niceville, Lineas, Racecourse, etc. Time is saved for Anglican Church of Orlando West which was Bishop Tutu's seat before he was elevated to Archbishop of South Africa. See Nelson Mandela’s and Desmond Tutu’s homes. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy independent activities. Dinner and overnight in Johannesburg. DAY 9 JOHANNESBURG. Drive north over the Transvaal Highveld for a full day tour of Pretoria, one of South Africa's three capital cities. Visit the Voortrekkar (Pioneer) Monument, historic Church Square dominated by Paul Kruger's statue and the Union buildings - seat of the government. Dinner and overnight in Johannesburg. DAY 10 JOHANNESBURG. Morning and early afternoon at leisure. Late afternoon departure to the Johannesburg Airport for our return flight to New York. DAY 11 NEW YORK. Arrival back in New York in the morning local time. |
