Call 1-800-869-0639 Request Information

SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE: CAPE TO KRUGER  

(with an optional extension to Victoria Falls)

Departures Year Round
(depart virtually any day of the week)

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

Even in an age of hyperbole, South Africa is remarkable for its combination of spectacular wildlife, rich cultural heritage and stunning scenery. Particularly alluring are Cape Town, the Winelands and Kruger National Park. (Note: For a tour that includes the Garden Route, please refer to The New South Africa itinerary).

Our 10 day Cape to Kruger adventure (7 nights in country) begins in Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful cities, where you'll enjoy a private tour of the city's many cultural, scenic and historical attractions. You'll then explore the Cape of Good Hope, where you'll encounter abundant wildlife (penguins, whales, fur seals, birds), embark on a wonderful and easy hike at Cape Point and be treated to stunning coastal scenery. Next head to the Winelands, where you'll be treated to picturesque countryside, winetasting, Cape Dutch architecture, and charming historical villages like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

You'll then travel to Mala Mala Private Game Reserve, located in the Sabi Sand alongside Kruger National Park. Mala Mala has perhaps the highest game density of any private game reserve in southern Africa. Over 76% of our travelers have seen Africa's Big Five! Marvel as your game drives take you near elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, giraffe, and a host of other animals and birds. You'll be staying at the 5 star deluxe Mala Mala safari lodge.

Finally, consider extending your trip with a visit to awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, where you may embark on an easy but thrilling elephant trek, cruise down the Zambezi River and gaze upon one the seven natural wonders of the world!

Note: The Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers the best game-viewing in South Africa; however, we will gladly arrange a quality safari for you in a malaria-free zone (Shamwari; Addo) if you prefer not to take preventative medication.

 

Fly to Cape Town, arriving on day 2. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon you'll enjoy a private tour of Table Mountain, one of southern Africa's most beautiful and impressive natural wonders. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the entire Cape!  Vineyard Hotel - 4 ½ stars (courtyard room)

Note: You may upgrade to the Victoria & Alfred Hotel (4 1/2 stars), Table Bay Hotel (5 stars) or Cape Grace Hotel (5 stars).

Today you’ll enjoy a private tour of Cape Town, the “Mother City”. You’ll visit the lovely grounds of the Houses of Parliament as well as the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa’s oldest building. Completed in 1679, the Castle was originally used by the Dutch East India Company to protect the Cape from rival European powers. Next, experience the District Six Museum, which documents the tragic apartheid-era disintegration of a vibrant community. Enjoy some bargain hunting at the bustling Greenmarket Square flea market before moving on to savor the spicy aromas of Bo-Kaap, the picturesque Malay Quarter.

This afternoon, you’ll have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is to go on a fascinating tour of Robben Island, the notorious 17th century prison that later held apartheid South Africa’s most famous opponents, including Nelson Mandela. From within this prison emerged the leaders and ideas that inspired the new South African democracy. Most of the guides on the island are ex-political prisoners, lending an air of authenticity to the experience. You’ll take a ferry ride to the island, where you’ll visit the prison block and limestone quarry where many of the prisoners worked. You'll enjoy wonderful views of the city and observe an African Penguin colony.

Day 4

Cape of Good Hope

Full day private tour of the Cape of Good Hope. Highlights include Chapman's Peak drive, one of the finest scenic coastal drives in the world; Boulders Beach, home to the African penguin; the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve; historic Simonstown; and Noordhoek Valley, where Southern Right whales are frequently seen. You will also enjoy an easy and very scenic hike (45 minutes) at Cape Point. Your adventure concludes with a cruise to Seal (Duiker) Island, home to a large population of Cape Fur seals, sea birds, and the great white shark. Vineyard Hotel (B, L)

Note: Alternatively, we can arrange a private Cape Malay cooking lesson or Cape Town Fine Arts tour. During the cooking lesson you would cook and savor mildly spicy dishes that were originally concocted in the Spice Islands and brought to South Africa by early explorers. The Fine Arts tour would visit painting, all-media and sculpture galleries of high quality. Surcharge would apply.

Your private tour begins with a short drive to Franschhoek, a lovely village situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands. You'll drive along picturesque backroads, passing by whitewashed Cape Dutch homes, the Berg River and assorted vineyards. You'll enjoy a walking tour of Franschoek and stop periodically for winetasting (if desired). Then take a short drive to Stellenbosch, a delightful university town that many consider to be the most beautiful in all of South Africa. You'll enjoy a walking tour of the historical downtown area, followed by winetasting and/or shopping. Vineyard Hotel (4 1/2 stars) (B)                                                                              

Note: The Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers the best game-viewing in South Africa; however, we will gladly arrange a quality safari for you in a malaria-free zone (Shamwari; Addo) if you prefer not to take preventative medication.

On the morning of day 6 you will be privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect with your flight to Mala Mala airfield. You will spend three nights at Mala Mala.

Sabi Sand offers perhaps the highest game density of any private reserve in southern Africa. And within Sabi Sand, Mala Mala offers the best game viewing experience of any lodge. Over 76% of our travelers have enjoyed sightings of Africa's Big Five - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. This phenomenal viewing success rate is attributable to the size of the private game reserve (the largest in South Africa) and the fact that the Sand River flows through the concession for 13 miles, attracting herds of migrating animals from Kruger National Park (unfenced border).

Your safari will be conducted in open 4-wheel drive vehicles which allows for total freedom of movement and the ability to leave the road and track down Africa's Big Five. After dark, spotlight safaris provide the opportunity to view nocturnal creatures and carnivores on the hunt, and walking safaris with an armed ranger can be arranged on request. You will enjoy twice daily game drives during which you are likely to see elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, and a host of other animals and birds. You may also walk to a nearby village to observe traditional African life up-close. This is an experience you will never forget.

The accommodations, service and cuisine at Mala Mala are also topnotch. Overlooking the Sand River, the rooms are individually decorated, spacious and comfortable with traditional thatching, “his” and “her” bathrooms, 24 hour temperature control, insect proofing, direct dial telephones, a mini-bar and a mini safe. Despite the comfort offered, Mala Mala retains an authentic camp atmosphere, where the attention to detail for which Mala Mala is world famous is obvious.

Dinner is served in the grand old African manner, under the stars in a reed-enclosed boma, a Mala Mala tradition for over 60 years. Seated around a log fire, under the starry African sky, enjoying superb food and outstanding South African wines is yet another highlight of the Mala Mala experience.

The luxury and comfort of the camp, combined with the exhilarating game drives and guided walks in beautiful unspoilt wilderness dramatized by the close encounters with Africa’s game, big and small, is incomparable.        

Mala Mala - 5 stars (B, L, D)

Note: You may downgrade to Savanna Lodge (value priced 5 star) or you may upgrade to the ultra deluxe Rattrays,  Singita or Londolozi.

Time-permitting, you’ll have a final game drive on the morning of day 9 before flying to Johannesburg. Connect with your South African Airways flight to New York/Atlanta/Washington D.C. (B)

End of Tour

(Code: B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO VICTORIA FALLS

Important Note: We can arrange tours to either the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls (or to both sides). The political and economic situation is currently much more stable in Zambia than in Zimbabwe. However, the Zimbabwean side does offer some advantages: the views of the falls are more spectacular, the pricing is sometimes lower and there are some additional activities to choose from (Boma dinner/cultural show, lion encounter, better artisan market). The Zambian side offers impressive (but less spectacular) views of the falls, an interesting museum and more stable political environment. Both sides offer good hotels. Another option is to stay on the Zambian side and make a half day trip to the Zimbabwean side to see the falls (surcharge). Please consult the latest U.S. State Department Travel Advisory if you are considering traveling to the Zimbabwean side. Lastly, please note that the falls are not nearly as impressive between October and mid-December (low water season).

Day 9

Mala Mala Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg

Morning game drive at Mala Mala (time-permitting). Short air transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. Fly to Johannesburg.  Southern Sun Airport Hotel - 4 stars
Note: Optional upgrade to the Intercontinental Airport Hotel or the Grace Hotel. 

Morning flight to Livingstone, Zambia. Private transfer to hotel.

This afternoon on your private tour of the falls, you'll marvel at one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Indeed, as Eleanor Roosevelt observed about Iguazu, Victoria Falls also "make Niagara look like a dripping faucet". Surrounded by a thick jungle of spray-generated rainforest, these mile-wide falls drop between 300 and 350 feet into the Zambezi Gorge -- at a rate of 2.4 million gallons per second during the height of rainy season! Air, mist, and light conditions combine to provide breathtaking views of the falls, and the local people - the Leyas - once called the falls "Shungu Namutitima," or "The Smoke that Thunders". Royal Livingstone Hotel - 5 stars (B, D)

Note: If you stay on the Zimbabwean side, you may enjoy a Boma dinner/cultural show with traditional dancing. You may also enjoy a lion encounter, an interactive experience in which the offspring of rehabilitated lions are reintroduced into the wild.

This morning, you have a choice of three excursions. Your first option is to listen to an educational talk on African elephants and then embark on a thrilling, low-intensity elephant back safari through the bush, escorted by an armed guide on foot. You may well see buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, impala, elephants, waterbuck, as well as a wide variety of birds.

Your second option is to visit the traditional and photogenic village of Simonga (or Mukuni). Here you’ll see the elementary school and meet with students and teachers. You’ll also get to observe attractive thatched hut dwellings and (if desired) interact with the resident villagers. Then stroll through the local market if you are interested.

Your third option is to visit the Livingstone National Museum, a modest but highly informative museum that has thoughtful exhibits on archaeology, ethnography and tribal culture, natural history, David Livingstone memorabilia and post-independence politics.

This afternoon you’ll take a leisurely and scenic sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Royal Livinstone Hotel (B)

Note: Other options (surcharge would apply) include taking a helicopter or micro-light flight over the falls. Experienced whitewater rafting enthusiasts may consider rafting the Zambezi River, which offers perhaps the world's best one-day rafting trip. However, this trip is rigorous (class 4-5), not low-intensity.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect with your evening flight home. (B)

End of Tour

(Code: B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)

Land Cost Includes:
o Accommodations for 7 nights in first class hotel and a deluxe safari lodge
o Private touring in Cape Town and small group excursions on while on Safari
o 14 meals as detailed above
o All land transportation and transfers

o All park/entrance fees
o Porterage

2008 LAND COST (PER PERSON):

USING "STRONG" 4 STAR HOTEL & 5 STAR MALA MALA LODGE:

JANUARY - APRIL: $4,735 (CHECK) OR $4,875 (CREDIT CARD)

MAY-SEPTEMBER 1st: $3,650 (CHECK) OR $3,765 (CREDIT CARD)

USING VALUE PRICED 4 STAR HOTEL AND 5 STAR SAVANNA LODGE:

JANUARY - APRIL 30: $4,060 (CHECK) OR $4,185 (CREDIT CARD)

MAY - SEPTEMBER 1st: $2,860 (CHECK) OR $2,950 (CREDIT CARD)

Deposit: $ 500
Single Supplement from: $1,140
Victoria Falls extension: $950 (3 nights)

Single Supplement for Victoria Falls extension from: $460pp

Trip Grade: Easy
Accommodations: First Class and Deluxe
Trip Length: 10 days
Airfare (approx.): $ 1,750 (JFK)

Trip Grade: Easy. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All adventures are elective and low-intensity. They include game drives, hiking, optional elephant trek. Accommodations are in a deluxe hotels and deluxe game lodge. Optional rafting is high intensity.

Land Cost Includes: accommodations for 7 nights in a first class 4 star hotel and deluxe 5 star safari lodge; 14 meals; private touring in Cape Town; all game drives and bushwalks on safari; private airport transfers in Cape Town; all entrance/park fees.

Land Cost Does Not Include: meals not included in itinerary; tips to guides; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return.

Climate: During summer (Dec-March), daily highs and lows average 79F and 61F in Cape Town, and 90F and 68F in Kruger. During winter (June-August), daily highs and lows average 64F and 45F in Cape Town, and 79F and 43F in Kruger. Rainfall is heaviest in the Cape during winter (9 days per month), and in Kruger it is heaviest in summer (11 days per month).

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in a first class hotel and a deluxe game lodge. Singles who sign up will be subject to a single supplement charge.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $500 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of two travelers. Final payment of the land cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: If you need to cancel your trip, please notify us in writing or by fax immediately. The cancellation penalty is calculated from the day we receive cancellation notice. (For those persons who do travel, there are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities.) In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supercede NEI's policy. The cancellation penalty is calculated based on the schedule below.

Number of days prior to departure. Cancellation fee per person:
    61+days         $500 plus applicable airfare penalties
    45–60 days    30% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    30–44 days    60% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    0–29 days     100% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company's control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.t.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.