Tauck
OFFER ID 1494496
South Africa: An Elegant Adventure
In the heart of the reserves, spot leopards, lions, elephants, impalas, and zebras… attend wine tastings, special presentations and lectures with local experts... and experience the vast legacy of cultural and natural history that makes up South Africa!
Learn more about the struggle against apartheid, travel up Table Mountain for extraordinary views of "the end of the continent," and meet some elephants during your two-night stay at Victoria Falls – a highlight of our South Africa tours. And when you cruise the Zambezi River at sunset... you know that South Africa has a place in your heart forever more.
11 nights from $12,490 per person
Tauck World Discovery: South Africa: An Elegant Adventure
Day 1 Cape Town, South Africa
Arrive Cape Town
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Cape Grace. A transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the Cape Grace is included; the hotel, found on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List is perfectly situated right on the waterfront in the heart of the city. Meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at our welcome reception followed by dinner in the Conservatory.
Your morning begins with a lecture on apartheid from Christo Brand, the former guard of Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment in the late 1970s and 1980s. It's then off to Cape Town for an orientation sightseeing tour in and around the city highlighted by views of City Hall, Parliament and St. George's Cathedral (where Desmond Tutu was inaugurated as Archbishop). Following a journey by rotating cable car, you'll find yourself atop famous Table Mountain. Enjoy magnificent 360-degree views of the city and bay during the ride up and on a walk at the top. After lunch, enjoy a walking tour of Kirstenbosch Gardens, the national botanical gardens on the eastern slope of Table Mountain highlighting the unique plant life of southern Africa. Back on the mainland, enjoy a stop at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) before a drive whisks you away to Constantia in the Cape Winelands for a memorable wine-pairing dinner.
First up today, travel to Cape Point and take a funicular up to the historic lighthouse. The views are outstanding and you'll overlook the Cape of Good Hope – the point that is thought to be where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Meet African penguins in a boulder-strewn coastal park and have lunch at a popular seaside restaurant before returning to your hotel. This evening, enjoy the dining and entertainment options of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at leisure.
Wildlife viewing is at its best on our South Africa tour here at the Lion Sands-Kruger National Park Concession, which covers 12,000 acres and boasts one of the highest recorded densities of predators – and especially of leopards – in Africa; guests have spotted elephant, cheetah, rhinos, wild dogs and, of course, leopards in Kruger during their stay. You'll have ample opportunity to spot the animals who live here on two game drives today. Tonight, feast on regional culinary specialties at dinner.
Enjoy a final game drive at Lion Sands this morning before moving on to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering expansive Kruger National Park. Comprising five smaller private game reserves set along the Sabie River, the Sabi Sands reserve is home to a great biodiversity of habitat and wildlife, including Africa's iconic "Big Five" – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard; wild dogs, cheetahs and over 300 species of birds can also be spotted here. An afternoon game drive is your introduction to life in the African bushveld.
Morning and afternoon game drives aboard four-wheel-drive, open-top Land Rovers make your South Africa tour come alive with up-close sightings of African game. Expert Shangaan trackers and experienced rangers help you spot the animals who migrate through the reserve, including antelopes, kudu, impalas and giraffes. They are well-versed in the geography of the area, the wildlife and the efforts being made to conserve these living treasures and eagerly share their knowledge with you. Enjoy afternoon coffee, tea and biscuits, or perhaps a swim between game drives, followed by dinner tonight.
During today's guided tour, you'll experience the diversity of the region, from its thriving business environment of today to its historical importance as a residential township in the time of the apartheid. You'll see the homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as South Africa's Constitutional Court. Visit the Apartheid Museum, acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th-century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story; the museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. Following lunch return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is free to spend as you please in Johannesburg.
Fly to Victoria Falls today, regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Zambezi River plunges more than 300 feet into the Zambezi Gorge, often creating rainbows in the spray; the cataracts are nearly twice as wide and twice as high as Niagara Falls. Enjoy elegant accommodations at The Victoria Falls Hotel, established in 1904; in your free time, stroll the hotel's private pathway atop the gorge for inspiring views of the Victoria Falls Bridge crossing into Zambia. Nowhere is the hotel's gracious service more welcomed than at traditional afternoon high tea, which you experience during your stay. A local historian offers insights into the life of the famous Dr. David Livingstone aboard a private sundowner cruise on historic Zambezi River this evening – watching the setting African sun is an added bonus on this South Africa tour. Tonight, dine at your choice of restaurants in the hotel.
First up this morning is a privately guided walk around Victoria Falls, stopping to view its thundering waters from various vantage points including the Devil's Cataract, Rain Forest, Main Falls and Danger Point. You'll gain some amazing insights about African elephants from a naturalist during a hands-on visit to an elephant sanctuary where you'll interact with the elephants and watch them as they feed, play, and socialize. Majestic, wise and very intelligent, they have earned their nickname "gentle giants" as they are thought to be the largest living mammal on Earth today. This afternoon, learn about the amazing efforts of doctors and scientists alike and their dedicated efforts to preserving the various wildlife populations on a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Clinic. Tonight, join us for our farewell cocktail reception and dinner, where you'll have a chance to share memories and stories from this enriching South Africa tour with your fellow guests, now friends.
Tour ends: O.R. Tambo International Airport. Enjoy a final morning at leisure in Victoria Falls before your flight to Johannesburg at the conclusion of your South Africa tour. You should allow a minimum of three hours from the time of arrival in Johannesburg for check-in for your flight home.
Cape Town City Tour - Half Day
Your guide will discuss the city's abundance of sightseeing possibilities and will tailor make your day's activities according to your individual interests and preferences. This affords you the advantage of total flexibility while still maintaining the expertise of a qualified guide. We first make our way to the to the lower cable car station on the slopes of Table Mountain, where (weather permitting) we make the short and comfortable ascent to the top of the mountain by cable car. The panoramic view of the sea and city from the summit is magnificent. Then begin the tour of historic Cape Town. Whether you are interested in visiting the traditional tourist attractions, indulging in a personal passion, or simply exploring the 'Mother City' as a local, Cape Town has more than enough diversity to cater to your personal preference.
Your half day tour includes two entrance fees as well as the return Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket. After your tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.
The Inala Antares proudly awaits you in Cape Town, ready to take you first class on a journey of a lifetime. With its Italian styling, trendy interiors, quality construction techniques and performance it has been specially designed to meet your tastes and requirements.
Your day will start with a luxury transfer from your hotel providing you with a concierge service to help you orchestrate the perfect few hours on board the Inala.
Experience an exquisite Cape Town sunset with Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles as a backdrop as you cruise in pure luxury on board (weather depending on the day) otherwise in Table Bay towards the Bloubergstrand beaches.
The Inala is a 57ft Princess design, luxury motor yacht, moored in front of the Cape Grace Hotel V&A Waterfront. Your three hour cruise includes the famous Clifton beaches, with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles in elegance and luxury. Clifton bay is on the way to Hout Bay and is the ideal place to spend a few hours at on board, enjoying the sun and a swim in the cool water.
Whale Watching Tour - Full Day
Your Whale watching excursion will either be done in Hermanus or Gansbaai, based on the best sightings & weather conditions over your period of travel.
The whale watching trips can also afford you the possibility to see: Great white sharks, Bryde's whales, Humpback whales, Southern giant petrels, Cape gannets and Dolphins, making these whale watching trips not just magical but rewarding too, and are sure to capture everyone's imagination.
Your return to shore will depend on the sightings for the day, which may result in a late lunch. Your guide will discuss the best restaurant options with you based on your preference and logistics. An A la Carte lunch including soft drinks & non-premium brand drinks and house wines is included in your tour.
Time permitting you may have the opportunity to walk along the coastal paths in Herma-nus where during whale season (mid June to mid November) whales may be seen playing close to the shore. You will be dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Cape Point Sidecar Tour - Full Day
Your guide will discuss your individual interests and preferences and tailor make the day's routing and sightings accordingly. All sidecars are decommissioned military bikes used during World War II, which has been restored and fully refurbished.
You will be supplied with retro leather jackets, helmets, goggles as well as a complimentary bandana. Depending on your interests you will be visiting all the iconic attractions such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Chapmans Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope (including the Cape Point Funicular ticket) and the Boulders Penguin Colony.
Stop for lunch at a popular local restaurant including local wine and refreshments. Top off the day with a scenic coastal drive back to your hotel. After your day's touring, you will be dropped off at your hotel for your evening at leisure.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
2023 © All Rights Reserved. Los Gatos Travel Privacy Policy | Copyright